How to Get Roadside Assistance in Virginia
Although Virginia offers free roadside assistance on interstates, paying for roadside assistance will ensure you get the services you need.
Written by Kara Vanderbeek
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Virginia provides free roadside assistance through the Virginia Department of Transportation, but for most drivers, it still makes sense to get roadside assistance through an assistance club or a
car insurance
provider.Before you’re stuck on the side of the highway with a broken down vehicle and a frantic google search for “towing companies near me”, it’s important to know who you should call for help. Since they offer basic roadside assistance services, having a designated service provider will ensure you stay safe on the road.
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With roadside assistance available through clubs like AAA, credit card companies, insurance companies, and even a button on your vehicle, it can be confusing to decide which option is the best for you. Let’s go over your options.
Roadside assistance clubs in Virginia
Perhaps the most recognizable company in roadside assistance,
AAA
is the most costly choice available. It costs about $60 to $165 a year, but you can expect a variety of included benefits, such as:- Car lockoutservices
- Dead battery services
- Flat tire services
- Towing services up to seven miles (4x per year) or;
- Towing services up to 200 miles, trip disruption coverage, and free car rentals (more expensive)
If you like to be adequately protected or if your car is highly susceptible to issues, a roadside assistance club like AAA may be worth the steeper price.
Manufacturers that offer roadside assistance
If your vehicle is a newer model, roadside assistance coverage may be included with the vehicle through the manufacturer. Keep in mind that these roadside assistance perks are usually only available for a certain timeframe:
Credit card companies that offer roadside assistance
Your credit card company might not the first place you think of to offer roadside assistance coverage, but this service is actually a popular benefit with many major companies, such as:
- Bank of America
- Capital One
- Chase
- Citi
- Wells Fargo
- U.S. Bank
While every Visa credit card has roadside assistance, the benefit costs money—and non-Visa card options vary between companies and cards. Check your credits card’s terms to see which roadside assistance benefits you qualify for and how to use them.
MORE: What to do if you have a car breakdown away from home
Insurance companies that offer roadside assistance
For many drivers, the easiest and most affordable roadside assistance provider is their car insurance company! That’s right—most major insurance companies offer roadside assistance as a simple add-on to a full coverage plan for about $10 to $20 per year.
Whether your policy is through Nationwide, Allstate, or Progressive, roadside assistance includes jump starts, tire repair or change, tow trucks, winch services, lockouts, and
fuel delivery
! Keep in mind that these services may be collectively referred to as “towing and labor coverage
” on your policy.If you’re unsure whether roadside assistance is an available add-on to your plan, check with your insurance company. While you’re at it, compare rates from a few different providers to ensure you’re getting your best option.
How to find free roadside assistance in Virginia
The Safety Service Patrol is a free program run by the Virginia Department of Transportation to provide emergency help for Virginia interstate drivers. The service covers approximately 921 miles of key areas of all major interstates, including I-95, I-64, I-81 and I-66.
The Safety Service Patrol’s major duties include:
- Clearing debris and obstructions from the road
- Detecting incidents and disruptions in traffic
- Short-term traffic control and scene management
In addition, the Safety Service Patrol can help with:
- Fuel delivery
- Jump starts
- Directions
- Phone access to call local tow services
- Water for overheating radiators
Since the primary objectives for the Safety Service Patrol are emergency response and incident management, this service won’t provide access to the range of services offered by other Virginia roadside assistance providers.
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What is the phone number for AAA?
AAA’s roadside assistance number is (800) 222-4357. If you’re a AAA member, you can call 24/7 for assistance.
Does Virginia have free roadside assistance?
Yes—but it’s only available to drivers on interstates and it doesn’t provide the same range of services offered by a traditional roadside assistance service provider like AAA.
