Commercial Roadside Assistance
Last reviewed June 2026 by the Trucking Insurance Services team.
A breakdown on the shoulder is expensive in two ways: the repair, and the hours you are not moving freight. Commercial roadside assistance is the low-cost coverage that gets you a tow and roadside help when your truck quits, so a dead battery or a blown tire does not turn into a lost day and a big towing bill.
It is one of the cheapest things you can add to a truck policy, and one of the most commonly skipped. Here is what it covers, how different markets offer it, what it costs, and how it is different from the tow your physical damage coverage pays for.
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Commercial roadside assistance at a glance
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Key takeaways
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What commercial roadside assistance covers
Roadside assistance is built for breakdowns, the mechanical and electrical problems that leave you stuck without an accident. A typical program covers:
- Towing to the nearest qualified repair facility.
- Jump-starts for a dead battery.
- Fuel or oil delivery when you run dry on the road.
- Tire replacement or roadside tire service.
- Lockout service when you are locked out of the cab.
- Winch-out, pulling your truck out of snow or mud within a set distance of the roadway.
Some programs also include the cost of labor at the roadside. We had an owner-operator who bought a used truck from a private seller and it broke down within a week. He had put most of his cash into the truck, but because he carried roadside assistance, it was towed to a shop and back on the road quickly instead of becoming a bill he could not cover.
How different markets offer roadside assistance
Not every market handles roadside the same way. There are three common structures, and knowing which one you are getting matters:
- As a coverage with a deductible. Some markets add roadside as its own coverage on the policy, with a $250 or $500 deductible per event.
- Bundled with enhanced physical damage. Other markets fold roadside into an upgraded physical damage package, so you get it by stepping up that coverage.
- As a third-party membership. A few offer it through a separate roadside program you manage yourself rather than a coverage on the policy. Physical damage is usually required to qualify for the on-policy versions.
That third option is where we can help no matter who writes your policy. We offer Roadside Masters to any of our policyholders, regardless of carrier, so even if your insurer does not include roadside, you can still get it. Some carriers, such as CoverWhale, build a Roadside Masters discount right in.
Roadside assistance vs a physical damage tow
This is the part truckers mix up. Your policy can pay for a tow in two very different situations, and only one of them is roadside assistance.
| Question | Roadside assistance | Physical damage tow |
|---|---|---|
| When it applies | A mechanical or electrical breakdown | After a covered collision or comprehensive loss |
| What it pays for | Tow to the nearest shop, plus jump, tire, fuel, lockout, and winch-out | The tow of your truck as part of the claim, up to the tow sublimit |
| Does it need an accident? | No | Yes, a covered loss |
In short, a physical damage tow only helps after a covered accident. If your truck simply will not start or dies on the road, roadside assistance is what gets you moving.
How much commercial roadside assistance costs
Roadside is one of the least expensive coverages on a truck policy. Cost depends mostly on the truck:
| Vehicle type | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Semi, dump, and heavy trucks | $150 to $300/yr |
| Hotshots and box trucks | $50 to $150/yr |
| Cargo vans | Under $100/yr |
Coverage typically runs $2,500 to $5,000 with a $250 or $500 deductible. The most common mistake we see is truckers leaving it off a new policy to save a little money, then never adding it, and there is no worse time to find out you do not have it than when you are already on the shoulder. Get a quote → or call 855-281-2924 to add it.
Frequently asked questions
Is towing already included in my truck policy?
Not automatically. Your policy pays for a tow after a covered accident through physical damage, but a tow for a breakdown only comes with roadside assistance, which you have to add. Many truckers assume it is included and find out otherwise when they break down.
Do I need physical damage coverage to get roadside assistance?
Usually, yes. Most markets require you to carry physical damage to qualify for on-policy roadside assistance. If you do not carry physical damage, a third-party membership like Roadside Masters is a way to still get covered.
What does commercial roadside assistance cover?
Towing to the nearest qualified repair shop, jump-starts, fuel or oil delivery, tire replacement, lockout, and winch-out from snow or mud within a set distance of the road. Some programs also include roadside labor.
How much does it cost?
About $150 to $300 a year for semis, dump trucks, and heavy trucks, $50 to $150 for hotshots and box trucks, and under $100 for cargo vans. Coverage usually runs $2,500 to $5,000 with a $250 or $500 deductible.
How is it different from the tow my physical damage covers?
A physical damage tow only applies after a covered collision or comprehensive loss, up to the tow sublimit. Roadside assistance applies to a mechanical or electrical breakdown, with no accident required.
Who offers commercial roadside assistance?
Some markets offer it as a coverage with a deductible, some bundle it with enhanced physical damage, and some point you to a third-party membership. We offer Roadside Masters to any of our policyholders, so you can get it regardless of who writes your policy.
Why choose Trucking Insurance Services
We know a breakdown is lost income, not just a repair, so we make sure roadside is on the table for every client, and we can set up Roadside Masters no matter which carrier writes your policy. We are a family-owned trucking agency, licensed since 2007, and the owner ran her own trucks before she wrote a single policy.
Get your free quote → or call 855-281-2924. Trucking Insurance Services, 380 Dahlonega St, Cumming, GA 30040.
Figures are estimates based on the policies we place and current market rates, for general guidance only. Coverage terms, limits, deductibles, and what triggers a claim vary by carrier and policy form, so read your policy and confirm with your agent. Get a quote for an exact number.