Quick Answer: GEICO typically covers towing 4 times per year with their Emergency Road Service (ERS) coverage. Each service call has a maximum benefit amount, usually around $100 per incident. Coverage resets annually on your policy renewal date.
What To Do
- Check your policy documents or GEICO app to confirm your exact ERS coverage details
- Call GEICO at 1-800-424-3426 if you need immediate towing service
- Stay with your vehicle until the tow truck arrives if it’s safe to do so
- Keep receipts if you pay out of pocket and need reimbursement later
- Ask the tow operator about costs upfront if your coverage limit might be exceeded
If you’re using the GEICO mobile app, the roadside assistance request button is on the home screen. You can track your tow truck’s arrival in real time, which is more reliable than estimating over the phone. When you call instead, have your policy number, vehicle location (cross streets or mile marker), and a description of the problem ready before they pick up. This cuts the call time significantly.
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Coverage Details
GEICO’s Emergency Road Service includes:
- 4 service calls per policy year (not calendar year)
- Up to $100 per service call in most states
- 15-mile towing radius typically covered
- Additional services like jump starts, flat tire changes, lockout assistance
Your policy year runs from your renewal date, not January 1st. If you’ve used all 4 calls, you’ll pay out of pocket until your policy renews.
A few things worth knowing about how these limits actually play out in practice. The 15-mile towing radius is a soft guideline in most states, not a hard cutoff. What the $100 benefit really covers is the flat hookup fee plus roughly 5-10 miles of towing in most metro areas. The average tow truck hookup fee alone runs $50-75, then distance charges stack on top at $3-7 per mile. If you’re being towed from a highway breakdown 25 miles from the nearest shop, expect a bill in the $150-175 range and GEICO will reimburse the first $100 of that.
The 4-call limit resets on your specific renewal date. If your policy renews on March 15th and you used your fourth call on February 28th, you only wait two weeks before you have 4 calls available again. Track your usage in the GEICO app under “Roadside History” so you’re not caught off guard.
ERS coverage is per policy, not per vehicle. If you have two cars on the same policy, you share the 4 calls between both vehicles combined, not 4 calls per car.
What It Might Cost
- ERS coverage: Usually $15-25 per year added to your premium
- Without coverage: $75-200 per tow depending on distance and location
- Over the limit: You pay the difference if towing exceeds your $100 benefit
At $15-25 per year, ERS essentially pays for itself the moment you use it even once. A single lockout service call without coverage typically runs $50-100 just for a locksmith to show up. A flat tire change on a busy highway can cost $60-80 from a roadside service. If you break down more than once in a policy year, the math makes ERS coverage an easy call.
If you routinely take long road trips or drive an older vehicle with higher breakdown odds, consider whether a standalone roadside assistance plan like AAA might make more sense alongside or instead of ERS. AAA’s basic tier runs about $60-70 per year but includes unlimited calls and longer towing distances.
Common Questions
Q: Does GEICO roadside assistance count against my claims history or raise my rates? A: No. Using ERS is not considered a collision or comprehensive claim, so it does not affect your claims record or trigger a premium increase at renewal.
Q: What happens if my tow costs more than $100? A: You pay the difference directly to the tow operator at the time of service. GEICO reimburses up to the $100 limit, so if your bill is $160, you owe the tow company $60 out of pocket. Always confirm the total cost with the driver before they start loading your vehicle.
Q: Can I use roadside assistance for a rental car covered under my GEICO policy? A: Generally yes, if the rental is covered under your policy’s terms, but confirm with GEICO before calling for service. Coverage on rentals can vary depending on how your policy is written and whether you declined the rental company’s own coverage.
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Stay Safe
- Pull completely off the roadway when possible
- Turn on hazard lights immediately
- Stay inside your vehicle if traffic is heavy
- Stand away from traffic if you must exit
- Have your policy number ready when calling
Need roadside help? Visit Tow With The Flow for real answers when your car breaks down.