How Does Tesla Roadside Assistance Work?

Tesla Roadside Assistance is a complimentary 24-hour service offered under Tesla’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty or some Extended Service Agreements.
Written by Lindsey Hoover
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
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Tesla Roadside Assistance is a complimentary 24/7 service offered under Tesla’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty or some Extended Service Agreements.  
Whether you purchase a new vehicle from Tesla or a used one directly from the manufacturer, your vehicle will be protected by the New or Used Basic Vehicle Limited Warranty. Included in this warranty package is complimentary roadside assistance, meaning if you find yourself stranded on the side of the road, Tesla has a support team ready to help. 
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How does Tesla Roadside Assistance work?

If you’re an owner (or owner-authorized driver) of a Tesla and covered by the company’s New or Used Basic Vehicle Limited Warranty or Extended Service Agreement, you are eligible for Tesla’s Roadside Assistance services. 
Roadside coverage begins when the vehicle is delivered to you (assuming you're the one who purchased it) and extends for four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. Tesla is committed to offering drivers roadside support 24/7, 365 days a year. 
So what’s included in Tesla’s free service? We list the perks below:
  • Breakdowns
  • Flat tires
  • Lockouts
  • Getting stuck out of range of a battery charging station
  • Additional services (some may come at an extra cost)
Roadside assistance through Tesla is limited to one service call per incident, meaning if you get a flat and are locked out of your vehicle, for instance, you may incur extra fees. 
Additional services
will most likely incur additional fees. Check your vehicle’s agreement to learn more about specific coverage limits.

How to use Tesla roadside assistance

You can request Tesla Roadside Assistance 24/7, 365 days a year by using your Tesla app. When submitting a request, be sure to include location information and any details about the condition of your vehicle. 
To submit a request, follow the steps below:
  • Open your Tesla app and select ‘Roadside’
  • Select the issue your vehicle is experiencing
  • Include additional details related to your request
  • Select ‘Request Help’
Accidents and collisions may incur extra fees through Tesla Roadside Assistance—and depending on your warranty coverage, they may not be covered at all. 
If you find yourself in an accident, call 911 first. You’ll also want to make sure you take a detailed account of the damages caused by the accident or collision—doing so will help your insurance company better evaluate your claim. (Pictures are a great way of documenting damage.)

What if my Tesla warranty expired?

After four years or 50,000 miles (whichever occurs first), Tesla no longer offers free roadside assistance. This means you’ll be responsible for any costs associated with repairs or replacements when using the service. 
However, you may purchase
Tesla Extended Service Warranty
no later than 30 days or 1,000 miles past your New or Used Vehicle Limited Warranty, which will cover roadside services. 
The extended warranty is only available for Model S and Model X vehicles and will set you back anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000 (depending on the model you drive and the coverage period you select).

Is Tesla Roadside Assistance worth it? 

Tesla Roadside Assistance is a free service that provides coverage for four years or 50,000 miles, which is a sweet deal for new owners. 
However, once your warranty expires and you're no longer covered, you may want to consider purchasing a roadside assistance package through your insurance policy rather than a Tesla Extended Service Agreement. This will likely be the cheaper option.

Alternatives to Tesla Roadside Assistance

Not sure what to do once your Tesla Roadside Assistance expires? Below we list a few options to consider if a Tesla Extended Service Agreement doesn’t sound appealing to you:
  • Cell phone companies (about $5 a month): Some cell phone companies provide limited roadside assistance for a low fee—charges are included on your monthly phone bill
  • Towing and labor coverage
    (under $20 a year): Most insurance companies offer towing and labor coverage to their drivers, but they may require you to carry
    collision
    and
    comprehensive
    coverage as well
If you already have
full coverage insurance
, you may want to buy roadside assistance through your insurance company. Doing so could save you money over time. 

How to save money on Tesla insurance

Whether you drive a
Model 3
or
Model X
, Tesla’s Roadside Assistance is a great complimentary service that ensures you’ll get support for things like breakdowns and flat tires. 
But when it comes to collisions or accidents, you’ll want to make sure you have the right
car insurance
policy in place. 
Not sure where to shop for policies?
Jerry
, the
trustworthy insurance comparison app
, can help. Rated the #1 insurance on the market today, Jerry is the easiest and most effective way to find a car insurance policy that is customized for you. 
As a licensed broker, Jerry offers end-to-end support, handles all of the paperwork, and can even help you swap an old policy out for a new one. 
On average, our users save $800+ a year on car insurance! So why wait? Let Jerry help you start saving today!
Jerry
is an amazing app. Thanks to it, I saved a lot of money for my Tesla Model 3’s insurance. I’m so glad I downloaded the app!” —Erza S.
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FAQ

If you own a Model S or Model X produced between 2012-2020, you may be eligible for Tesla’s extended service agreement. You can purchase a two- or four-year agreement, and the price will differ based on the model you drive and the coverage period you select. 
That being said, Tesla’s Extended Service Agreement is great if you’re interested in repairing and replacing defective materials or parts manufactured by Tesla.
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