How to Get Roadside Assistance in Tennessee
Although Tennessee offers free roadside assistance on popular highways, paying for roadside assistance is more reliable.
Written by Bonnie Stinson
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Some areas of Tennessee offer free roadside assistance through the HELP program in core areas of major cities. But you can also access roadside assistance through a club, your
car insurance
company, your credit card, or even directly from the manufacturer.Roadside assistance includes a slew of services that you might need if you get into car trouble. From lockout assistance to flat tire help and fuel delivery, roadside assistance is best found before you need it—otherwise, you’ll be stranded and stressed on the side of the road. Your car insurance in Tennessee doesn’t automatically include this type of coverage. Instead, you have to buy it separately.
If you’re planning ahead—clever you!—this guide can help you discover the best Tennessee roadside assistance options. But if you are currently stuck and in need of assistance, we can help you, too! Here’s what you need to know.
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The first thing you need to know is that there is a free roadside assistance program in Tennessee called
HELP
. It’s a fleet of trucks that help distressed travelers along the busiest highways between Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga, and Knoxville. But it’s not available 24/7 and it doesn’t cover the entire state. It’s also not an on-demand service. There is no HELP phone number to call and request assistance.The good news is that you have other (and more reliable) options. Universal roadside assistance (whether via policy add-on or club membership) is probably cheaper than you think! Best of all, a paid coverage will protect you wherever you drive, inside or outside Tennessee state lines.
Roadside assistance clubs in Tennessee
AAA
is the most well-known roadside assistance program. This is one of the most expensive options on this list, with prices ranging between $60 and $120 for membership. Even so, AAA membership
is still a worthwhile solution for Tennessee drivers.Here are some of the key benefits that a standard AAA membership includes:
- Dead battery assistance and jumpstarts
- Flat tire replacement (if you already have a spare)
- Towing up to seven miles (4x per year)
- Lockoutservices
For extra coverage, you can opt for a premium AAA membership, which includes:
- Trip disruption coverage
- Towing benefits up to 200 miles
- Free car rentals
If you’d prefer to sign up with another roadside assistance club, here are a few other options that may work for your needs:
- Urgent.ly(no membership available, but drivers can request help online)
- TOWTAP(no membership available, prices start at $60 and are available 24/7)
- HONK for Help(no membership available, prices start at $49 via the HONK app)
- Curbside SOS(request help online)
- Tow Pro Services(no membership available, 24/7 service, no prices listed)
- Dad’s Towing Service(24hr assistance focused on middle TN, cash or card accepted)
MORE: How to join AAA and make sure you have roadside assistance coverage
Manufacturers that offer roadside assistance
Did you know that your vehicle may have access to roadside assistance directly through the manufacturer? Check your owner’s manual to see if you qualify and read up on your warranty.
Most major car companies offer some roadside assistance benefits to new car buyers for a limited period of time after purchase:
Used car owners can purchase an extended car warranty to get some of the same benefits.
Credit card companies that offer roadside assistance
Some credit cards offer automatic roadside assistance benefits to cardholders—no extra work required! Check the fine print of your contract carefully or reach out to your credit card company to find out what roadside assistance benefits you qualify for and how to access them.
Here are several of the major banking companies that may offer this benefit:
- Bank of America
- Capital One
- Chase
- Wells Fargo
- U.S. Bank
Credit cards can offer helpful travel hacking benefits, too, such as extra points at gas stations or concierge services.
MORE: Why your car breaks down and how to avoid it
Insurance companies that offer roadside assistance
You can get roadside assistance as a policy add-on at most car insurance companies—and it’s usually pretty affordable if you don’t drive a brand-new car.
Allstate, State Farm, Progressive, Travelers, and USAA in Tennessee all offer some type of roadside assistance coverage. It’s sometimes called “
towing and labor coverage
,” but the benefits are the same: jump starts for a dead battery, tire repair, lockout or fuel delivery
, and towing or winching services. The cost to add towing and labor coverage could be just $10 to $20 per year with your insurance company. Remember to get quotes from multiple companies to see if you could pay less for the exact same benefits!
How to find free roadside assistance in Tennessee
The HELP program for free roadside assistance has been managed by the Tennessee Department of Transportation since 1999. It’s a strategy that aims to clear congestion on major highways.
Patrols are run along popular
routes
and during high-traffic hours. You cannot request roadside assistance by calling HELP, although you can call *847 if you need emergency aid outside these HELP patrol areas.Distressed drivers may also call the local non-emergency number for your area to request help from law enforcement:
- Nashville: (615) 862-8600
- Memphis: (901) 545-2677
- Chattanooga: (423) 698-2525
- Knoxville: (865) 215-4010
Ultimately, these services are focused on public safety and interstate maintenance. Individual drivers dealing with a
flat tire
will not be a top priority for law enforcement or the HELP program. RECOMMENDED
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What is the phone number for AAA?
AAA’s roadside assistance number is (800) 222-4357. AAA members can call this number 24/7 to request assistance.
Does Tennessee have free roadside assistance?
Yes—but the HELP program is only operable on major interstates and it’s not an on-demand service for individual drivers. Other roadside assistance memberships provide more flexible coverage.
