Why am I being charged for roadside assistance?

You’re likely being charged for roadside assistance because you enrolled in a plan—through your auto insurer, an auto club, your carmaker’s connected services, a dealership/lender add‑on, a credit card program, or a wireless/telematics service—or because you used a service that carries per‑use or “overage” fees beyond what your plan covers. Charges can appear as monthly/annual subscriptions, per‑dispatch fees, or items billed after a tow, lockout, jump-start, tire change, fuel delivery, or winch-out. Below is a detailed guide to where these charges come from, how to confirm the source, what fees are typical, and how to stop or avoid them.

What typically triggers a roadside assistance charge

Roadside assistance billing usually falls into two categories: ongoing membership/subscription fees and one-time usage or overage fees. Understanding the structure of your coverage helps pinpoint why a charge appeared.

The following list outlines the most common triggers for roadside assistance charges.

• Membership or subscription: An auto club (e.g., AAA) or insurer add-on that auto-renews annually or monthly.
• Connected-car trials that auto-renew: Automaker services (e.g., OnStar, Toyota/Lexus Connected, Hyundai/Kia Connect, BMW/Mercedes roadside) that continue if a payment method was added during a trial.
• Dealer/lender “motor club” add-ons: Roadside products sold in finance paperwork and rolled into your loan or billed separately.
• Credit card benefits: Some cards include limited, per-use programs or formerly included free events and now charge a flat fee; terms have changed on many cards since 2023.
• Wireless/telematics services: Programs tied to devices or apps (e.g., Verizon Hum, third‑party apps) that bill monthly.
• Per-use or out-of-coverage service: You requested help without an active plan, exceeded your plan’s limits, or needed a service not covered (e.g., long-distance tow, off-road recovery).
• Duplicate coverage: You have more than one plan and one of them auto‑billed or the dispatch network charged you directly at the scene.

Identifying which of these scenarios matches your situation will often reveal the merchant behind the charge and whether it’s a renewal or a fee tied to a specific service event.

Where the charge may be coming from

Merchant descriptors on your statement can help trace the source. Below are common avenues that lead to legitimate roadside charges.

This list catalogs typical sources and how they appear or operate.

• Auto insurance endorsement: Optional add-on from insurers (e.g., GEICO, Progressive, State Farm, USAA) that appears on your declarations page; billed with your premium and sometimes auto-renews mid-term.
• Auto clubs: AAA and regional motor clubs bill yearly; descriptor often includes the club’s name or “motor club.”
• Automaker programs: OnStar, Toyota/Lexus Connected, Hyundai Bluelink/Kia Connect, BMW Assist, Mercedes me—charges may follow a trial if you added a card; descriptor usually bears the brand.
• Dealership/lender add-ons: “Motor club,” “road hazard,” or “vehicle protection” products (Drive America, Agero-administered, Safe-Guard, Assurant) may be financed into the loan or charged separately.
• Credit cards: “Roadside Dispatch” or similar pay-per-use programs via Visa/Mastercard networks or issuer-branded services; many now charge a fixed callout fee plus extras.
• Dispatch networks: Agero, Allstate Roadside, Urgently, Honk, Swoop—sometimes bill you directly if coverage verification fails or limits are exceeded.
• Apps/wireless: Verizon Hum, third-party roadside apps, or telematics subscriptions tied to your vehicle or phone.

Matching the descriptor to one of these categories helps determine whether the fee is a subscription renewal or a charge from a specific service request routed through a network partner.

Common per-service fees and overages

Even with membership, roadside coverage typically has limits. Charges often arise when a service goes beyond those limits or involves items not included.

Here are the most common add-on fees and when they apply.

• Excess towing mileage: Plans often include 5–15 miles (some tiers offer 50–100+); extra miles are billed per mile.
• Second tow or repeat events: Multiple incidents in a short period can trigger fees or caps.
• Winching/recovery: Off-road extraction, snow/mud recovery, or complex scenarios often incur premium rates.
• After-hours/holiday surcharges: Some providers add fees outside normal hours or in peak conditions.
• Fuel delivery cost: Delivery may be covered but the fuel itself is billed at market or premium rates.
• Lockout complexities: Traditional unlock may be covered; key fob/Smart key replacement and cutting/programming are not.
• Battery sales/installation: The jump-start is covered; a new battery and installation labor are extra.
• Special equipment: Flatbed requirements, dollies, or larger trucks for AWD/EVs can add cost if not included in your tier.
• Out-of-area or impound: Service on private property, toll roads, or impound releases can carry administrative fees.

If your statement shows an unexpected amount after a roadside call, it is often one of these overages or a bill from the towing partner when the included benefit didn’t cover the entire service.

How to confirm and stop the charge

Use a systematic check to identify the source and shut off unwanted billing. The steps below work for most consumers, regardless of which provider is involved.

1. Check the merchant descriptor: Compare the name/phone on your statement to your insurer, motor club, automaker app, or dealership contract.
2. Review your auto policy declarations: Look for “towing/roadside” endorsements and the effective/renewal dates.
3. Open connected-services accounts: Log into your carmaker’s app/portal to see plan status, renewal dates, and payment methods.
4. Scan dealership/loan paperwork: Find any “motor club,” “road hazard,” or “vehicle protection” line items and the cancellation terms.
5. Check card benefits: Read your card’s latest guide to benefits; many roadside terms changed in 2023–2025.
6. Call the provider to clarify: Ask whether the charge is a subscription renewal or tied to a specific dispatch, and request an itemized breakdown.
7. Cancel or downgrade: Turn off auto-renew, cancel duplicate plans, or switch to a tier that matches your usage.
8. Request a goodwill refund: If you were unaware of auto-renewal or within a state “free-look” window (often 30 days), ask for a reversal.
9. Dispute unauthorized charges: For credit cards, use a billing error dispute (generally within 60 days of the statement) under the Fair Credit Billing Act; for bank debits, file an EFT dispute under Reg E promptly.
10. Escalate if needed: File a complaint with your state insurance department (if insurer/motor club) or state AG/consumer protection office for deceptive add-ons.

Completing these steps usually reveals the exact origin of the charge and gives you a path to cancel, reclaim improper fees, and prevent future surprises.

Will roadside claims affect my insurance rate?

Typically, basic roadside assistance claims (towing, jump-start, lockout) do not raise premiums the way at-fault accidents do. However, some insurers log these as claims activity, which can affect claim-free or safe-driver discounts, and frequent usage may prompt removal of the roadside endorsement or a price adjustment at renewal. Check your insurer’s policy on how roadside incidents are rated.

Red flags that suggest an erroneous or duplicate charge

Certain patterns suggest you’re paying more than you should or being billed without clear consent.

Watch for the following signs to catch mistakes early.

• Two similar charges in the same cycle (e.g., insurer add-on plus motor club).
• Dispatch network billing you directly despite active coverage (often due to limits exceeded or coverage verification failure).
• Dealer add-on you don’t recall authorizing; it may be bundled with other products in finance docs.
• Connected-service trial continued after you added a card in-app and didn’t toggle off auto-renew.
• Charge descriptions that don’t match any account you hold; could be miscoded merchant names.

If any of these apply, gather documentation and contact the suspected provider first; if unresolved, pursue a formal dispute with your card issuer or lender.

How to choose the right roadside coverage (and avoid future costs)

Selecting a plan that matches how and where you drive reduces surprise bills. Consider your vehicle type, commute length, and travel frequency.

Use these tips to tailor coverage and control costs.

• Match tow mileage to your reality: Rural or long‑commute drivers may need 50–100+ miles included.
• Mind EV and AWD needs: Ensure flatbed capability and EV‑friendly services are included.
• Avoid overlapping plans: One solid plan is cheaper and simpler than multiple partial coverages.
• Check family/household rules: Some plans cover the member in any car; others cover a specific vehicle.
• Scrutinize renewal settings: Disable auto-renew if you only want coverage seasonally or during a warranty period.
• Know exclusions: Off-road recovery, impounds, and parts (fuel, batteries, keys) often cost extra.
• Keep documentation handy: The plan number and phone help ensure the right entity is billed at dispatch.

Aligning coverage to your usage and eliminating overlaps typically yields the best protection at the lowest predictable cost.

What to do if you needed help without coverage

If you requested roadside assistance without active coverage, you were likely billed COD by the tow provider or network. Ask for an itemized invoice, keep photos/receipts, and check if your insurer offers reimbursement for emergency tows even without a roadside endorsement—some policies allow this under certain conditions.

Bottom line

You’re being charged for roadside assistance either because a plan you agreed to is renewing, a dealer/lender or connected-car service enrolled you, a credit card or wireless program levied a per-use fee, or your recent tow/lockout exceeded plan limits. Verify the source via your statements, insurer/automaker portals, and loan paperwork; cancel duplicates, request refunds where appropriate, and right-size your coverage to your driving pattern to prevent surprise charges.

Summary

Most roadside charges stem from auto-renewed memberships, dealer or connected‑car add-ons, credit card pay‑per‑use fees, or overages on a tow or service call. Identify the merchant descriptor, confirm coverage in your insurance and automaker accounts, review dealership and card terms, and then cancel or dispute as needed. Choose one well-matched plan, understand its limits, and turn off auto-renew if you don’t need ongoing coverage.

Do you have to pay a fee for roadside assistance?

The cost of roadside assistance coverage varies from about $20 to $150 per year or more. Roadside assistance rates depend on where you buy a plan — plans from membership organizations like AAA and Good Sam cost more than plans from insurance companies.

Is RSA mandatory?

Roadside Assistance (RSA) cover is an optional coverage offered by two-wheeler insurance companies in India, which provides 24X7 assistance or support when your bike breaks down while on the road. Whether stranded on the city road or stuck on a remote highway, RSA ensures you get sufficient & instant help in a call.

Do you get penalized for using roadside assistance?

State rules vary in terms of whether – and how – your provider is allowed to penalize you for making an insurance claim, Bach says. But multiple roadside assistance claims in a short period of time could cause some insurance companies to raise your rates, she says.

How do I cancel roadside assistance?

Canceling Roadside Assistance or Mobile Battery Service Calls

1. Call 1-800-222-4357.
2. Use AAA Mobile App.