• Progressive’s roadside assistance is an add-on to a full coverage car insurance policy
• Although the actual price depends on different factors, the average cost is $16 a year
• Customers enjoy the affordability, but most complain that it takes hours for someone to arrive on the scene to help

It’s a nightmare scenario for some. You’re driving down the road late at night, you’re in unfamiliar territory, and you hear the telltale bang of your tire blowing. You don’t know exactly how to fix a tire, and you don’t feel entirely safe getting out of your car.

This is when it pays to have roadside assistance. Roadside assistance handles flat tires and a host of other common car problems that often strand people on the side of the road.

Progressive offers a roadside assistance add-on to its car insurance policy. To be eligible, you must have a full coverage car insurance policy from Progressive on whichever car you want to cover with roadside assistance.

Read on to learn about Progressive roadside assistance, then compare rates with multiple companies to find the best protection for your car. Just enter your ZIP code into our free online quote tool above.

What does Progressive roadside assistance cover?

In terms of roadside assistance plans, Progressive’s is relatively standard. The only feature that sets it apart is that it provides winching if you get stuck.

As with most plans, Progressive covers towing, battery jump-starts, electric vehicle battery charging, flat tire changes, fuel delivery, locksmith services, and up to an hour of on-scene mechanical work.

Progressive’s insurance add-on is similar to other insurance companies but is nowhere near as extensive as dedicated companies like AAA or even Allstate’s Motor Club. You can get a better look at what Progressive can offer you below.

Progressive offers the same roadside assistance for all vehicles it insures, including boats, motorcycles, and RVs. Your coverage extends to alternative vehicles you tow, even if they aren’t insured through Progressive. As long as you have roadside assistance, alternative vehicles have towing coverage.

What does Progressive roadside assistance not cover?

Progressive’s roadside assistance is limited in what it can help with as a relatively standard plan. To start, you need a Progressive auto insurance policy on the vehicle you want to add roadside assistance to.

Progressive’s roadside assistance is limited in scope, especially to people used to the broader service of AAA. Unlike AAA, Progressive’s roadside assistance only applies to vehicles listed on your policy. You can’t call for help if you’re driving a friend or family member’s car unless it’s on your policy.

How does Progressive roadside assistance work?

Whether it’s a flat tire, a dead battery, or an empty tank of gas, you find yourself stuck on the side of the road. If you have Progressive’s roadside assistance, you don’t have to handle the problem alone.

You have two options to start a claim with roadside assistance. The first is to call the number and speak with a representative. Or, you can begin the process on the Progressive app. Alternatively, you can seek help yourself, then submit receipts to Progressive later for reimbursement.

Once the request is in, you simply have to wait. While Progressive promises fast service, some customers say you should be ready to wait, potentially for hours. Progressive has a network of professionals it uses. You might see a tow truck across the street, but that’s not necessarily where Progressive will call.

After the work is done, your roadside assistance request is considered complete. If a service went over your coverage — for example, you had to be towed more than 15 miles — you’ll receive a bill from the company.

How much does Progressive roadside assistance cost?

Progressive’s roadside assistance is affordable, at about $16 a year or $1.33 a month.

The actual price you’ll pay will depend on your location, what kind of car you drive, how much it costs to repair, and your previous claims history.

While the actual add-on is inexpensive, Progressive requires that you have comprehensive and collision insurance on your vehicle before you can buy roadside assistance. Car insurance quotes vary wildly from person to person, but the average cost of Progressive’s full coverage is $116 a month.

As with most roadside assistance plans, there’s a limit to how many times you can use it. With Progressive, the limit is set by your coverage amounts and state law, but making too many roadside claims in one term can raise your rates.

Progressive Roadside Assistance Consumer Reviews

Unfortunately, Progressive does not have an overwhelming amount of positive reviews for its roadside assistance.

The positive ones state that starting a claim is easy, and they never have to wait longer than half an hour to get service. Some customers say they waited up to 45 minutes before a technician arrived, but the service was handled so quickly it was still less than an hour.

The majority of Progressive’s customers are not impressed. Story after story paints a picture that Progressive can’t get technicians out to stranded drivers for up to hours. Some customers claim they received a text saying help was on the way, only to wait more than eight hours before anyone showed up.

Happy customers say that Progressive customer service representatives are friendly and helpful, while displeased people say they are hard to contact and frustrating to deal with. However, one thing that everyone agrees on is that Progressive’s roadside assistance comes at a great price.

How do you get Progressive roadside assistance?

Getting roadside assistance with Progressive is a simple task.

If you don’t have a policy, you can call an insurance representative and start the quote process. Alternatively, you can get an online quote.

If you already have a policy, you can log into your account online and add it to your coverage. Alternatively, you can have an insurance representative add it by calling.

Roadside assistance may not go into effect the day you buy it, and there may be limits to how many times you can use it. To be sure, speak with a representative before you need to make a claim.

Find Out if Progressive’s Roadside Assistance is Right for You

Roadside assistance offers a safety net you can rely on while you’re on the road. You have to be a Progressive policyholder to be eligible, but Progressive’s roadside assistance is a great option for those that are.

If you’re interested in Progressive’s roadside assistance, you should compare quotes with other companies to ensure you get the best price. When comparing, make sure to look at rates and what each company’s roadside assistance covers.

Enter your ZIP code into our free quote tool today to begin comparing affordable car insurance rates.