What AARP Roadside Service Covers

AARP Roadside Service is a membership benefit that sends help to your car when you break down, get a flat tire, run out of gas, or lock yourself out. The service dispatches a tow truck or roadside technician to your location, and you don't pay per call — the cost is included in your AARP membership or bundled with other AARP insurance products.

The service covers towing up to a certain distance (usually 7 miles, though this varies by plan), lockout service, fuel delivery, battery service, and minor roadside repairs. If your car needs to go farther than the included towing distance, you pay the additional mileage at a discounted rate. The service works 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

You can call a dedicated phone number to request service, and the dispatcher will send the nearest available provider to you. Response time depends on your location — urban areas typically see faster arrival than rural ones.

Key Takeaways

  • AARP Roadside Service is included with most AARP membership plans and covers towing, lockouts, fuel delivery, and battery service at no additional cost per call.
  • Standard towing covers up to 7 miles; longer distances cost extra but at a discounted rate compared to calling a tow truck directly.
  • You reach the service by calling a dedicated number, and dispatch is available around the clock every day of the year.
  • The service works nationwide and covers any vehicle you own, not just one car.

How to Request Roadside Service

When you need help, call the roadside service number printed on your AARP membership card. Have your membership number ready and be prepared to tell the dispatcher your location, what happened to your car, and what kind of vehicle you drive. The dispatcher will ask whether you feel safe waiting in or near your car, and will advise you to move to a safe location if traffic is heavy.

The dispatcher sends the nearest available provider — usually a local tow truck company or roadside service contractor — to your location. You don't choose the provider, but AARP contracts with established companies in most areas. Wait times vary widely depending on how remote you are; in cities you might see someone in 30 to 45 minutes, while rural areas can take longer.

Once the provider arrives, they handle the repair or towing. If it's a straightforward fix — a jump-start, fuel delivery, or lockout — they do it on the spot. If your car needs to be towed, they take it to a repair shop of your choice, or to the nearest one if you don't have a preference.

What Membership Plans Include Roadside Service

Roadside service comes with most AARP membership levels, but the exact coverage depends on which plan you hold. Standard AARP membership includes the service. If you also buy AARP auto or home insurance through the company's partners, roadside service is typically bundled in at no extra charge.

Some AARP members have roadside service through their auto insurance policy rather than directly through AARP membership. If that's your situation, the coverage may be slightly different — for example, towing distance or the number of free calls per year. Check your insurance documents or call the number on your card to confirm what you have.

If you're not sure whether your membership includes roadside service, call AARP directly or log into your online account. The membership card itself usually lists the roadside service number on the back.

Towing Distance and Additional Charges

The standard towing distance covered at no charge is 7 miles from the breakdown location. If you need to be towed farther — for example, to a repair shop 15 miles away — you pay for the extra 8 miles. The rate for additional mileage is discounted compared to what you'd pay if you called a tow truck company directly, but it is not free.

Some AARP plans or insurance bundles offer longer included towing distances, such as 10 or 15 miles. Check your membership documents or call the roadside service number to confirm your specific limit. If you're unsure whether a tow will exceed your coverage, ask the dispatcher before they send the truck — they can often tell you the distance to common repair shops in your area.

You are not charged for the service call itself, the wait time, or the technician's time on minor repairs like jump-starts or lockouts. You pay only for towing beyond the included distance and for any parts or fluids (such as fuel or coolant) that the technician adds to your car.

Coverage Across States and When Traveling

AARP Roadside Service works in all 50 states and covers you whether you're at home or traveling. The service is not limited to your home state, so if you break down in another state while on a road trip, you can call the same number and get the same coverage. This is one of the main reasons seniors with AARP membership use the service — it provides peace of mind when driving long distances.

The service also covers any vehicle you own, not just one car. If you have two cars and one breaks down, you can use the service on either one. Some members use this benefit when lending a car to a family member — the service still applies even if someone else is driving.

International travel is not covered. If you drive into Canada or Mexico, AARP Roadside Service does not explore. You would need to arrange separate roadside coverage through a provider in that country.

When Roadside Service May Not Cover You

AARP Roadside Service covers breakdowns and mechanical failures, but not damage from accidents or collisions. If you've been in a crash, you would file a claim with your auto insurance instead. The service also does not cover towing if your car was impounded by police or a parking authority, or if you need to be towed away from a location where you're not legally parked.

The service does not cover repairs themselves — only the towing and roadside information. If the technician determines your car needs a new alternator or transmission, you pay a repair shop for that work. The roadside service gets you to the shop; it doesn't pay the repair bill.

Some situations fall into a gray area. For example, if you run out of gas, the service will deliver fuel, but you pay for the fuel itself. If your battery is dead, they'll jump-start you for free, but if the battery needs to be replaced, that's a repair cost you cover.

Comparing AARP Roadside Service to Other Options

If you already have roadside service through your auto insurance or through a separate roadside information company like AAA, you may not need AARP's service. Check what you already have before paying for duplicate coverage. Some people keep both because one covers a wider towing distance or because they prefer the response time of one provider over another.

AARP Roadside Service is included with membership, so if you're already an AARP member, you have it at no additional cost. If you're not a member, you would need to join AARP to use this benefit. The membership fee is separate from the roadside service cost. Compare the total membership cost against what you'd pay for a standalone roadside information plan to decide whether AARP membership makes sense for you.

Some credit card companies and banks offer roadside information to cardholders. If your credit card includes this benefit, you may already have coverage and not realize it. Check your cardholder benefits guide or call the customer service number on the back of your card.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I'm stranded in a remote area and the wait is very long?

The dispatcher will give you an estimated arrival time based on the nearest available provider. In very remote areas, wait times can be an hour or more. The service will still send help, but you may need to wait in your car or find shelter nearby. Tell the dispatcher if you have a medical condition or safety concern — they may be able to prioritize your call or suggest alternatives.

Do I have to use the repair shop AARP sends me to?

No. You can request that the tow truck take your car to a specific repair shop, and the driver will honor that request. If you don't have a preference, they'll take you to the nearest shop or one they regularly work with. You're not obligated to use any particular shop.

Is roadside service covered if someone else is driving my car?

Yes. The service covers your vehicle, not just you as the driver. If a family member or friend is driving your car and it breaks down, they can call the roadside service number and request help. They'll need your membership number, which should be on the car's insurance card or in the glove compartment.

What happens if my car breaks down and I don't have my membership card?

Call the roadside service number from your phone and have your membership number ready. If you don't know your membership number, you can provide your name and date of birth, and the dispatcher can look it up. Keep the roadside service number saved in your phone so you have it when you need it.

Can I use roadside service more than once a year?

Yes. There is no limit on the number of times you can use the service in a year. Some members use it once or twice in their lifetime; others call several times. The service is included in your membership, so each call costs nothing.