Yes, whenever an auto policyholder enacts their roadside assistance coverage, it counts as a claim.
However, it doesn’t affect your car insurance rates as much as you think. Emergency Roadside assistance provided by your car insurance company is a handy service while on the road. It is even cheaper than those offered by auto clubs.
The most asked question about roadside assistance is how severe a claim is and whether it will affect car insurance rates by showing up on their record.
One roadside assistance claim, even two, won’t affect your car insurance premiums. You use your roadside assistance plan when your car has an issue you which you didn’t cause, so there’s no fault in the claim.
However, when a driver starts having excessive roadside assistance claims, action may be taken by your insurance company.
Usually, after at least two roadside assistance claims in a year, your rates may show an increase. Your insurance company may even consider you high-risk.
Does using Roadside Assistance increase your Premium?
A claim means that your insurance provider must pay for damages or services on your behalf. The first thing they look at when they receive a claim is severity and fault.
That’s why car accidents can cause insurance rates to skyrocket if it is a severe accident that the driver was responsible for. With a roadside assistance claim, there is no fault, and the damage may not be severe.
However, too many of these claims can suggest to your insurance company that your car could be unreliable or need considerable maintenance, which can translate to high risk and additional costs.
This can cause your insurance carrier to raise your rates on your auto insurance policy and question whether or not they want to continue providing you with coverage until you get a new car.
Roadside Assistance is Not Without Its Limits
While roadside assistance is excellent, a notable limitation is that it follows the car, not the driver. Suppose you were to experience a breakdown in a friend or family member’s car. In that case, you may be unable to call on your roadside assistance coverage.
That is why auto clubs like AAA have more expensive roadside assistance rates since it follows the driver. If you need clarification, ask your insurance agent about the limits of your roadside assistance.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Will a tow arranged by my insurance company show up on my auto insurance record?
Service-only roadside events don’t get reported to your auto insurance record, but if the tow is related to vehicle damage from an accident or other loss event, it will show up on your report. This can affect your future premiums or eligibility for certain coverage options.
Can frequent roadside assistance calls trigger a premium increase even if they’re not claims?
Yes—some insurance companies monitor roadside assistance usage patterns and frequent calls can indicate increased risk, which may result in higher premiums, limited roadside assistance coverage or other policy restrictions.
If my battery jump is reimbursed instead of billed directly, is that still a claim?
Reimbursement for a simple jump start is considered a minor expense under your roadside assistance endorsement, not an insurance claim. So it won’t affect your claims history or premium.
Does using AAA or another third-party provider impact my auto insurance record?
No—assistance from AAA or other third-party providers is separate from your auto insurance policy, so your insurance company won’t be notified unless you report an associated claim or incident.
Is there a limit to how many roadside calls I can make before I’m charged more?
Policies usually have a service call limit (3-5 calls per policy year); exceeding that limit can result in out-of-pocket expenses, a policy surcharge or a review of your coverage due to perceived higher risk.
If I add roadside assistance after a breakdown, will using it immediately count as a claim?
The first use after purchasing roadside assistance coverage usually counts as a standard service call. But some insurance companies have waiting periods or extra fees for same-day activations which can affect how that first service is handled.
Does roadside assistance affect my deductible like a claim does?
Roadside assistance doesn’t have a deductible like collision or comprehensive claims do. So getting roadside service won’t require any deductible payments or affect your claim-related deductible status.
