Top 10 Best Roadside Assistance Programs in Canada

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Picture of By <span>Aren Mirzaian</span>
By Aren Mirzaian

Updated on December 20, 2023

Visit author page
Picture of By <span>Aren Mirzaian</span>
By Aren Mirzaian

Updated December 20, 2023

Visit author page

8 minute read

Article Contents
Top 10 Best Roadside Assistance Programs in Canada

Driving a car comes with a lot of uncertainty. For example, you never know when your car can break down while driving on a highway. Your battery might die unexpectedly, and you don’t know how to boost a car battery. In these situations, a roadside assistance plan can really help you out.

A roadside emergency can be a very stressful experience. Thankfully, having a roadside assistance plan can minimize that stress and get you out of some sticky situations. If your car breaks down during a snowstorm or in other extreme circumstances, a roadside assistance plan can even save your life.

Keep reading to learn more about roadside assistance and the best programs in Canada.

What Is a Roadside Assistance Program?

A Roadside Assistance Program helps drivers who experience problems with their vehicles while driving. These problems can include things like a flat tire, a dead battery, running out of gas, or even getting locked out of the car. You can avail of roadside assistance from your insurer, a separate roadside assistance provider, or your car manufacturer.

Unlike mandatory insurance, you don’t need to have a road assistance program to be able to drive. However, it’s very useful to have roadside assistance, as you never know when you’ll encounter an emergency on the road.

Why You Should Get Roadside Assistance

You should get roadside assistance for your peace of mind. It’s a great comfort to know that you can get help quickly in the event of an emergency or unexpected issue while on the road. Additionally, it can help drivers save money, as the cost of towing or other services can be expensive without a roadside assistance plan.

Roadside assistance is especially useful if you plan on going on a long road trip. Driving longer distances exposes you to more risk, so it’s important to make sure that you’re protected from anything that can potentially happen to you or your vehicle.

What Services Do Roadside Assistance Programs Offer?

Roadside assistance programs typically offer the following services:

  • Changing flat tires
  • Unlocking doors
  • Refuelling an empty tank
  • Winching
  • Boosting a battery
  • Towing a car to a garage

You can only avail of these services a certain number of times per year. The number of times you can call for these services depends on your roadside assistance provider.

There may also be other limits to these services. These limits include the distance your car can be towed to a garage and the maximum amount of fuel that can be delivered to you.

Top 10 Best Roadside Assistance Programs in Canada

The Best Roadside Assistance Programs in Canada

Depending on your needs, some programs might be better for you than others. To choose the right Ontario roadside assistance program, consider how much you can afford to pay, where you plan to go, and what kinds of services you think you’ll need.

To help you choose the best roadside assistance plan for you, we’ve compiled some of the best roadside assistance in Canada below.

The Best Roadside Assistance Programs From Insurers

Many insurers offer roadside assistance plans with a coverage plan. Here are some of the best roadside assistance plans offered by insurers and independent roadside assistance programs offered by other companies.

Below is a table breakdown of the features of each insurer, based on their basic or entry-level plans:

Criteria (Basic plan)Canadian TireCAAAccess Roadside AssistanceDesjardins Roadside AssistanceIntact InsuranceAllstate Roadside AssistanceBeneva
Cost per year$69.95$75$69.95$98.89VariesVaries$35
Service calls per year3455444
Towing limit per call10 km10 km7.5 km10 km50 km50 km50 km
Battery service
Lockout service
Emergency fuel delivery
Free fuelN/AN/AN/AN/AUp to 10 LUp to 10 LUp to 10 L
Flat tire changes
Winching and recovery serviceN/AAdd-onN/A
Exclusive member discountsN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A

Canadian Tire

Canadian Tire has a reputation for being one of the leaders in road safety. It offers a few different plans with varying levels of coverage.

Criteria (Basic plan)Canadian TireCAA
Cost per year$69.95$99.95
Service calls per year35
Towing limit per call10 km200 km
Unlimited tows to Canadian Tire Auto Service CenterUp to 25 kmUp to 200 km
Battery boost service
Flat tire changes
Winching & extraction service1 tow truck, up to 20 minutes2 tow trucks, up to 60 minutes
Lockout service
Emergency fuel deliveryFree delivery, cost of fuel is extraFree delivery w/ $5 free fuel
Exclusive member discounts

CAA

CAA is an automotive club that has a yearly membership. It offers three levels of membership, each with varying levels of roadside assistance coverage.

CAA PlansBasicPlusPremier
Cost per year$75$119$149
Service calls per year445
CAA Car coverage
CAA Bike coverage
CAA Motorcycle coverageN/A
Towing limit per call10 km200 km320 km for 1 call, 200 km for 4 calls
CAA Mobile battery service
CAA Bike Assist
CAA Road Trip Accident Assistance
CAA Road Trip Interruption AssistanceN/AN/A
Vehicle return benefitN/AN/A
Optional RV coverageN/A+ $67/year+ $67/year
Emergency fuel deliveryFree delivery, cost of fuel is extraFree delivery with free fuelFree delivery with free fuel
Exclusive member discountsOn the purchase of a CAA Premium BatteryOn the purchase of a CAA Premium BatteryDiscounts + $20 CAA credit on the purchase of a CAA Premium Battery

Note that Road Trip Accident Assistance and Road Trip Interruption Assistance can only be used if your trip is 200 km or more away from the CAA member’s primary residence.

Access Roadside Assistance

Whether you drive short or long distances, regularly or infrequently, Access Roadside Assistance has a variety of plans that cover almost every driver’s needs:

Access Roadside Assistance PlansBasicAdvantagePremiumElite
Cost per year$69.95$99.95$249.95$495.95
Service calls per year5567
CoversMembership holder onlyMembership holder & registered vehiclesMembership holder & registered vehiclesMembership holder & registered vehicles
Car coverage
Motorcycle coverageUp to half-ton load capacityUp to 1-ton load capacityUp to 1-ton load capacityUp to 1-ton load capacity
Tows to closest garageN/A
Battery boost service2, up to 7.5 km2, up to 140 km; or 1 up to 280 km2, up to 200 km; or 1 up to 400 km3, up to 200 km; or 1 up to 400 km
Flat tire changes
Winching & recovery
Lockout serviceAdd-onAdd-onAdd-onUp to 1 hour
Optional RV coverageUp to $50Up to $100Up to $200Up to $200
Optional RV coverageN/A+ $25/year+ $40/year+ $40/year
Emergency fuel deliveryFree delivery, cost of fuel is extraFree delivery w/ $15 free fuelFree delivery w/ $25 free fuelFree delivery w/ $50 free fuel
Emergency cab fareN/AN/A$504150

The Access Roadside Assistance Elite membership also includes the following special perks:

  • Two emergency hotel stays a year, up to four days per stay at $250 per day
  • Food allowance of $100 per day
  • Two one-way airline tickets per year, worth up to $500
  • Vehicle rental for up to four days, up to $120 per day

Keep in mind that, with Access Roadside Assistance, you don’t get to choose which service center your car gets towed to. It will bring your car to the nearest one available.

Desjardins

Desjardins Roadside Assistance

Unlike other providers, Desjardins Roadside Assistance only has one kind of membership. If you take out a roadside assistance plan with Desjardins, both you and your vehicle are covered.
This means that you can avail of roadside assistance regardless of what vehicle you’re driving. Your primary vehicle is also eligible for assistance, regardless of who is driving. This flexible option is especially useful if you drive other vehicles regularly or if your primary vehicle is driven by other people.

Desjardins Roadside Assistance Plan
Cost per year$98.95
Service calls per year5
Towing limit per call10 km
Battery boost service
Flat tire changes
Winching & recovery service
Lockout service
Emergency fuel deliveryFree delivery, cost of fuel is extra

Intact Insurance

When you take out a car insurance policy from Intact Insurance, you have the option to get roadside assistance as an add-on. Intact Insurance doesn’t only provide roadside assistance for cars and trucks but also for recreational vehicles, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, and snowmobiles.
The cost of Intact Insurance’s roadside assistance depends on your insurance plan and your primary address. Here’s what you get with Intact Insurance’s roadside assistance plan:

Intact Insurance Plan
Cost per yearVaries, add-on to insurance plan
Service calls per year4
Towing limit per call50 km
Battery boost service
Flat tire changes
Winching & recovery service
Lockout service
Emergency fuel deliveryFree delivery w/ up to 10 L free fuel

Allstate Roadside Assistance

Allstate Insurance provides roadside assistance with its vehicle insurance policies. However, the cost of roadside assistance depends on your specific policy.

Make sure to take out a policy with the roadside assistance option if you don’t intend to pick up a different roadside assistance plan from a different provider. Allstate Insurance’s roadside assistance plan covers your vehicle anywhere in Canada and the United States except for Alaska and Hawaii.

Here’s what you get with Allstate Insurance’s roadside assistance plan:

Allstate Roadside Assistance Plan
Cost per yearVaries, add-on to insurance plan
Service calls per year4
Towing limit per call50 km
Battery boost service
Flat tire changes
Winching & recovery service
Lockout service
Emergency fuel deliveryFree delivery w/ up to 10 L free fuel

Beneva

When you take out a car insurance policy from Beneva, you only need to add $35/year to avail of its roadside assistance program for your car or truck. If you take out insurance for your motorcycle, recreational vehicle, travel trailer, or mobile home, Beneva includes roadside assistance for free.

Here’s what you get with Beneva’s roadside assistance plan:

Beneva Roadside Assistance Plan
Cost per year$35, add-on to insurance policy
Service calls per year4
Towing limit per call50 km
Battery boost service
Flat tire changes
Lockout service
Emergency fuel deliveryFree delivery w/ up to 10 L free fuel

The Best Roadside Assistance Programs From Manufacturers

Some car dealerships will include a roadside assistance plan for a certain number of years when you buy a new car from them. This saves you some money for the first few years of owning a new car. However, once the manufacturer’s roadside assistance plan runs out, you’ll need to take out another plan from a different provider.

Below is a table breakdown of the top Canadian roadside assistance programs from manufacturers:

ToyotaHondaHyundai
Cost per year3 years3 years5 years
Service calls per year50 km100 km100 km
CAA Car coverage
CAA Bike coverage
CAA Motorcycle coverage
Towing limit per callUp to 5 LN/AN/A
CAA Mobile battery service
CAA Bike AssistReimbursement up to $200

Toyota Roadside Assistance

If you buy a new Toyota, they include a free roadside assistance plan for up to three years. Toyota’s roadside assistance plan covers your vehicle anywhere in Canada and the United States.
If you can’t reach Toyota’s roadside assistance for any reason, Toyota may reimburse you if you need to use other emergency services. You can be reimbursed for up to $100 for emergency services and $250 for towing.
Here’s what you get with Toyota’s roadside assistance plan:

Toyota Roadside Assistance Plan
Length of coverage3 years
Towing limit per callUp to 50 km to your preferred Toyota dealer or the closest dealership within 300 km
Battery boost service
Flat tire changes
Winching & recovery service
Lockout service
Emergency fuel deliveryFree delivery w/ up to 5 L free fuel

Honda Roadside Assistance

Buying a new Honda car entitles you to three years of free Honda Plus Roadside Assistance. The Honda Plus Roadside Assistance program covers your vehicle anywhere in Canada, the United States, and Puerto Rico.

Honda Plus Roadside Assistance Plan
Length of coverage3 years
Towing limit per callUp to 100 km to your preferred Toyota dealer or the closest dealership within 500 km
Battery boost service
Flat tire changes
Winching & recovery service
Lockout service
Emergency fuel deliveryFree delivery, cost of fuel is extra
Trip planning service
Emergency message service
Dealer locator service
Emergency transportation fund$200
Car rental fund$45/day for 5 days

If your car breaks down 100 km or more away from your primary residence, you can avail of the Honda Plus Trip Interruption Assistance. With this, Honda will provide up to $500 for your accommodation, car rental, and meals.

Hyundai Roadside Assistance

Purchasing a new Hyundai car entitles you to five years of free Hyundai Roadside Assistance for 2015 and later models and three years for 2014 and earlier models. The Hyundai Roadside Assistance plan covers your new Hyundai anywhere in Canada and the United States.

Hyundai Roadside Assistance Plan
Length of coverage3 years
Towing limit per callUp to 100 km
Battery boost service
Flat tire changes
Winching & recovery service
Lockout service
Emergency fuel deliveryFree delivery, cost of fuel is extra
Trip accident assistance service
Minor repairs on-site

If your car breaks down 100 km or more away from your primary residence, Hyundai’s trip accident assistance service will reimburse you for up to $300 for your accommodation, transportation, and meals.

The Bottom Line

Driving in Canada can present many unforeseen issues, and you’ll likely need a helping hand. Fortunately, there are several roadside assistance programs that can help you out in a pinch. You can avail of emergency services, transportation, and other assistance that can get you out of a tight spot.

If you’re looking for comprehensive coverage and quality service, you can compare auto insurance options through MyChoice. We can help you find the best car insurance company with a roadside assistance plan that matches your budget.

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