Coverage & liability · Travelers + trade
Roadside assistance
Also called breakdown assistance, roadside help
The short answerHelp if the car breaks down or you get stuck: towing, jump starts, lockouts, flat tires.
What it means
Roadside assistance is help on the road when the rental car can't be driven, through the rental company's hotline. Mechanical faults are usually handled by the rental company at no charge. Problems caused by the renter, such as lost keys, running out of fuel or a flat tire, may be charged unless you bought an extra roadside cover.
Why it matters
Know the hotline number before you leave the lot, and what's included. In remote areas, response times can be long and some roads aren't covered at all.
Related terms
Related Roadside Assistance Protection (RAP), Mechanical breakdown, Breakdown replacement vehicle, Towing / recovery fee, Unsealed roads