Does using roadside assistance increase your premium?

Will insurance rates go up because of roadside assistance claims?

Roadside assistance claims are considered claims, but state rules vary in terms of whether – and how – your provider is allowed to penalize you for making an insurance claim, Bach says. Multiple roadside assistance claims in a short period could cause some insurance companies to raise your rates.

"When you file claims, insurance companies look at their frequency, severity and who's at fault," Bach says.

Roadside assistance claims usually aren't severe. But if they're frequent, it tells your insurance company that your car isn't in great shape.

Some car insurance companies report roadside assistance claims to the CLUE (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange) report, a LexisNexis database that collects claims information for the auto insurance industry. When you have multiple claims, this information may be viewed by other auto insurers when you apply for coverage.

Can your car insurance be canceled because of roadside assistance claims?

Yes, excessive roadside assistance claims can lead to non-renewal of your policy, though it can't be canceled mid-term for this reason. Insurers weigh claims frequency alongside other factors, including driver age, vehicle, location and credit history, which means the threshold varies by company and state.

To be safe, contact your insurance agent or representative to ask whether multiple roadside assistance claims could affect your rates or coverage.

Even though some insurers may raise rates for frequent roadside claims, Bach noted that many policyholders still fear using their roadside assistance coverage unnecessarily.

"Many people believe it's best to fly under their insurance company's radar by not filing a claim," she said.

However, paying for coverage but not using it doesn't make financial sense, Bach says.

Car insurance roadside assistance vs. AAA

Car insurance roadside assistance typically covers the vehicle, not the driver. AAA and similar motor club plans cover the member, meaning the benefit follows the person regardless of which vehicle they are traveling in.

For example, if your teenage child is a passenger in a car driven by someone else and the car has a flat tire, your auto insurance roadside assistance is unlikely to help, but a motor club membership would.

"If your teenager is covered under a roadside assistance plan that follows the customer, instead of the car, then your teen could still get roadside assistance help, even though the vehicle does not belong to them," says Christie Hyde, an AAA spokesperson.

Roadside assistance added to a car insurance policy typically costs a few dollars per six-month term. AAA membership costs vary by tier and region, so drivers should compare the total annual cost against the coverage differences before choosing.

Roadside assistance: Car insurance vs. AAA membership
Feature	Car insurance roadside assistance	AAA motor club membership
Coverage follows	The vehicle	The member
Usable in someone else's car	No	Yes
Impact on car insurance rates	Yes, if claims are frequent	No impact on car insurance
Cost	$10 - $60 per year, depending on carrier	$65-$125 per year, depending on plan

How to check your CLUE report for roadside assistance claims

To check your CLUE report, request a copy, review it, and dispute any inaccuracies. Any insurance claims filed will show up on the report.

Request your free CLUE report from LexisNexis at the LexisNexis consumer portal. Federal law entitles you to one free report per year.
Review the report for any roadside assistance claims filed under your policy within the past seven years, which is the standard CLUE reporting window.
Dispute any inaccurate entries directly with LexisNexis using their formal dispute process.

Roadside assistance claims typically remain on a CLUE report for up to seven years, the same window that applies to other auto insurance claims. Reviewing your CLUE report before shopping for new coverage lets you understand what insurers see when they run a claims check.