What roadside assistance services

 When you're stranded on the side of the road, a roadside assistance program will connect you with the right professional — whether you need minor repairs, fuel or something else.

Towing service providers will take your car to the nearest mechanic up to a specified distance. If you need your car towed past that limit, the provider will charge you for the overage.

Battery jump-start service providers will restart your battery if it's dead.

Flat-tire service professionals will replace your flat tire with your spare. But roadside assistance might not cover a flat tire for a motorcycle or similar vehicle.

Lockout service and locksmith service helps you get into your car if you're locked out, but there's a difference between the two. Lockout service providers typically try to unlock the car door using a pump wedge or a long-reach tool. If those methods don't work, the provider will call a locksmith.

Fuel-delivery service providers will deliver enough fuel to get you to the nearest gas station. If the service provider charges for this separately, they'll use the local pump price

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Should you get roadside assistance?

This depends on your car's age, how far you typically drive and whether you value convenience. A number of auto insurance companies, auto clubs, credit card issuers and car manufacturers offer roadside assistance.

If you've decided to add this protection, take a look at our roadside assistance comparisons to get a feel for who offers it and how they differ.

Here's how we consider whether the benefits are worth it:

Vehicle age: Brand-new cars generally need less maintenance and have fewer mechanical problems, which means you could skip roadside assistance. Your car manufacturer may even offer free emergency service for the first few years or for a certain number of miles. You could pay for one-off services as they arise. But if you have an older car, roadside assistance may be a good investment.

Distance and commute: Another factor to consider is how far you typically drive when you're getting to work or running errands. If you typically stay within a small area, you might skip roadside assistance. But if you frequently take trips to unfamiliar places, then it's a good idea to have a professional network on call.

Convenience: If you value convenience, we think you'll benefit from adding some type of roadside assistance program to your auto insurance policy. You won't have to figure out which service provider is best-suited for your needs. This can be especially helpful when you're stranded late at night or during inclement weather.

Costs: Roadside assistance programs negotiate prices with service providers and pass on the savings to members, which can help you save money. Plenty of roadside assistance members use the service several times in a year.

Free roadside assistance: If you already have access to free services, then you should take advantage of them. Some credit card issuers and car manufacturers provide their own free services — though restrictions may apply.