Does USAA Cover Emergency Roadside Towing Costs: What You're Actually Covered For: What To Do Next

> **Quick Answer:** Yes, USAA covers emergency roadside towing, but only if you have roadside assistance added to your policy. The basic tier covers towing up to 15 miles. Higher tiers extend that to 100 miles or more. If you skipped the add-on, your standard USAA auto policy does not pay for a tow unless the vehicle is being recovered after a covered accident.

## Does USAA Roadside Assistance Actually Cover Towing, or Just Some of It?

USAA roadside assistance covers the full tow cost up to your plan's mileage limit, with no per-mile charge to you within that limit. If your car breaks down five miles from home, you pay nothing out of pocket for the tow. If you exceed the mileage cap, you pay the overage at the tow company's standard per-mile rate, which typically runs $3 to $6 per mile depending on the region.

USAA offers roadside assistance at multiple coverage levels. The standard tier covers towing up to 15 miles. A mid-tier bumps that to 50 miles, and the top tier covers up to 100 miles. Check your declarations page right now if you are not sure which tier you have. That document spells out the exact mileage limit.

For longer hauls, like needing a tow across a state line, check out what those distances actually cost out of pocket: [how much to tow a car 100 miles on the interstate](/how-much-to-tow-car-100-miles-interstate/).

## What Does USAA Roadside Assistance Cover Beyond Towing?

Towing is one of five standard services covered under USAA roadside assistance. The others are battery jump-start, flat tire change (using your spare), fuel delivery when you run out of gas, and lockout service when you're locked out of your vehicle. Each service call counts against an annual limit, which on most USAA plans is four service calls per year per vehicle.

One thing people miss: fuel delivery covers the service fee, but not the cost of the fuel itself. You pay for the gas. Same goes for flat tire changes if you need a new tire rather than just a spare mounted.

## How Do I Actually File a USAA Roadside Assistance Claim While Stuck on the Side of the Road?

Call the USAA roadside assistance line directly through the USAA mobile app or by calling the member services number on the back of your insurance card. Do not call a tow truck first and expect reimbursement to be automatic. USAA dispatches the tow through their network, and going outside that network without prior authorization can result in a partial or denied reimbursement.

If you are in a dangerous location, like a live lane of traffic or a highway shoulder with no room, call 911 first to get law enforcement on scene, then contact USAA. Once you are safe, open the USAA app, navigate to roadside assistance, and you can track the tow truck's ETA in real time.

If you're stuck on a freeway at night and need immediate guidance on staying safe while you wait, [broken down on highway at night](/broken-down-on-highway-at-night-safety-tips-what-to-do/) covers the exact steps.

## What If My Car Was Towed After an Accident, Not a Breakdown?

A tow after an accident is handled differently than a breakdown tow. If another driver hit you and is at fault, their liability insurance should cover your tow, not your own roadside assist
![tow truck loading car](/images/does-usaa-cover-emergency-roadside-towing-costs/mid.jpg)
*Photo: Pexels*
ance. If the accident was your fault or fault is disputed, your USAA comprehensive or collision coverage kicks in, and towing to the nearest qualified repair facility is typically included as part of the claim.

The key phrase is "nearest qualified repair facility." USAA is not obligated to tow the car to your favorite shop across town. That determination gets made at claim time.

For a side-by-side look at how towing after an accident works with another major insurer, [does State Farm pay for towing after an accident](/does-state-farm-pay-for-towing-after-accident/) walks through the same logic and is useful for comparison.

## What Happens If I Don't Have USAA Roadside Assistance Added?

Without the roadside assistance add-on, you pay the tow truck company directly at their full rate. A local tow typically costs $75 to $150 for the hook-up fee plus mileage. You can then submit that receipt to USAA and request reimbursement under your policy, but without roadside coverage, most standard USAA auto policies will not pay it unless you can tie it to a covered accident claim.

The add-on itself costs roughly $3 to $16 per vehicle per year depending on your tier. That math makes it worth adding, especially if you drive frequently or own an older vehicle. If you want to know what roadside assistance costs when you have no membership or add-on at all, [how much does emergency roadside assistance cost without membership](/how-much-does-emergency-roadside-assistance-cost-without-membership/) has the real numbers.

---


![roadside assistance highway](/images/does-usaa-cover-emergency-roadside-towing-costs/bottom.jpg)
*Photo: Pexels*

## Common Questions

**Q: Does USAA roadside assistance cover towing if my car won't start?**
A: Yes. A no-start due to a dead battery, failed fuel pump, or other mechanical breakdown qualifies for towing under USAA roadside assistance. They will first try a jump-start if that applies, and tow if the vehicle still won't run.

**Q: How many tows does USAA roadside assistance cover per year?**
A: Most USAA roadside assistance plans allow four service calls per year per covered vehicle. Each tow uses one of those calls. Once you hit four, you pay out of pocket for the rest of the year.

**Q: Can I use USAA roadside assistance for someone else's car?**
A: USAA roadside assistance is tied to the vehicle on your policy, not to you personally. If you are driving your own covered vehicle, you are covered. If you are driving someone else's car that is not on your USAA policy, you are not covered through your own USAA plan.

**Q: What if the tow truck USAA sends damages my car?**
A: Report it immediately, before the tow truck leaves the scene. Document the damage with photos and get the driver's name and company information. USAA can open a claim against the towing company's liability. Do not sign any release at the scene.

**Q: Does USAA cover towing for a flat tire if I don't have a spare?**
A: Yes. If you have no spare or the spare is unusable, USAA will authorize a tow to the nearest tire shop rather than a tire change. No-spare situations fall under the standard towing benefit, not the flat tire change benefit.

---

*Need roadside help? Visit [Tow With The Flow](https://towwiththeflow.com/does-usaa-cover-emergency-roadside-towing-costs/) for real answers when your car breaks down.*