Does MetLife Have Good Roadside Assistance Coverage?
Last Updated on January 11, 2026
If you have a legacy MetLife Auto & Home policy, your roadside assistance (if you added it) is typically administered through Farmers. Coverage details vary by state and by policy form, so your declarations page and policy documents control what’s covered and your per-event limits.
This guide explains how MetLife/Farmers roadside assistance generally works, what services are commonly included (towing, lockouts, jumpstarts, and more), and how to request help or reimbursement.
Our Rating of MetLife Roadside Assistance
3.3
out of 5
★★★☆☆
Summary
Bottom line: MetLife roadside assistance can be useful for basic breakdown help on legacy policies, but the exact services and per-event cap depend on your state and policy documents.
If you have a legacy MetLife Auto & Home policy with roadside assistance, the benefit is typically administered through Farmers, and your declarations page controls what is covered and how much is paid per event. Coverage commonly includes emergency towing, jumpstarts, flat-tire changes using a usable spare, lockout assistance, and limited winching, with some policies also offering fuel delivery where available (often with the fuel cost excluded). Requests may be handled via dispatch through the administrator or through reimbursement if you arrange service yourself, but charges above the per-event limit are usually your responsibility.
Best for
- Legacy MetLife Auto & Home policyholders who already added the roadside endorsement
- Drivers who want basic services like towing, jumpstarts, and lockout help
- People who prefer the option to use dispatch or submit receipts for reimbursement
Not ideal for
- Drivers who want predictable, standardized benefits across states and policy forms
- People who expect extensive towing mileage or higher caps per event
- Anyone needing off-road recovery or repairs, parts, or maintenance covered
- Our Rating of MetLife Roadside Assistance
- Who Handles MetLife Roadside Assistance Today?
- What MetLife Roadside Assistance Typically Covers
- How To Request MetLife Roadside Assistance
- Dispatch vs. Reimbursement: What’s the Difference?
- What Roadside Assistance Usually Does Not Cover
- Is MetLife Roadside Assistance Worth It?
- Final Word on MetLife Roadside Assistance Coverage
- FAQs on MetLife Roadside Assistance
Who Handles MetLife Roadside Assistance Today?
MetLife completed the sale of its Auto & Home business to Farmers Group, Inc. (a Zurich Insurance Group subsidiary) on April 7, 2021. As a result, many legacy MetLife Auto & Home policies are serviced through Farmers systems and vendor networks. You can read MetLife’s announcement here: MetLife Sale of Auto & Home Business (Press Release).
If your roadside benefit references a network program (often described as a concierge/managed repair and service experience), Farmers generally coordinates service dispatch and/or reimbursement based on your coverage selection.
What MetLife Roadside Assistance Typically Covers
Roadside assistance is usually an optional add-on (endorsement). If it’s on your policy, it often covers “reasonable and necessary” roadside services up to a per-event limit.
| Service | What You Get | Limit Reminders |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Towing | Tow to a nearby repair facility or safe location after a covered disablement. | Often capped by a dollar amount per event; mileage may not be specified in some policies. |
| Jumpstarts | Service to start a dead battery. | Battery replacement is typically not included unless stated. |
| Flat-Tire Changes | Changing a flat using your usable spare (when available). | New tires and wheel damage usually aren’t covered under roadside assistance. |
| Lockout Assistance | Help getting back into your car if keys are locked inside. | Key replacement, programming, or fobs are commonly excluded unless stated. |
| Winching | Limited pulling service when a vehicle is stuck (conditions vary by contract). | Often restricted to public roads/accessible areas; off-road recoveries are commonly excluded. |
Some policies also include limited fuel delivery (you pay for the fuel) or other minor services. Always verify the exact list and limits in your policy documents.
Quick tip: “Roadside assistance” and towing & labor coverage can have different names and limits across states. Confirm your exact endorsement name and per-event cap on your declarations page.
How To Request MetLife Roadside Assistance
If your policy is serviced through Farmers, the most reliable starting point is Farmers’ roadside assistance flow:
- By phone (24/7 claims center): Call Farmers Claims Center at 1-800-435-7764.
- Online reimbursement: If you already paid for towing or roadside service and need to submit a receipt, use Farmers’ reimbursement page: Get Towing and Roadside Assistance (Farmers).
In some situations, you can use your own roadside provider, pay out of pocket, and request reimbursement (up to your policy’s limit). Keep the invoice/receipt, the tow operator’s details, and a brief description of what happened.
Dispatch vs. Reimbursement: What’s the Difference?
Roadside assistance generally works in one of two ways:
- Dispatch: You call for help and the administrator sends a service provider. If the service falls within your benefit, you may owe little to nothing at the scene (depending on policy limits and local vendor pricing).
- Reimbursement: You arrange service yourself, pay the bill, then submit documentation to be reimbursed up to your per-event limit.
Dispatch can be more convenient, while reimbursement gives you flexibility if you’re in a remote area or prefer a specific provider.
What Roadside Assistance Usually Does Not Cover
Roadside assistance is designed for short, emergency-style services—not major repairs. Common exclusions and limitations include:
- Vehicle repairs, parts, or maintenance (batteries, tires, belts, alternators, etc.).
- Off-road recovery or winching outside contract conditions.
- Charges beyond the per-event limit (you pay the difference).
- Repeated tows for an ongoing mechanical issue (some policies limit frequency or require disablement).
If you want “free towing” in the broad sense, it usually depends on your policy’s dollar cap and local tow rates. This overview can help set expectations: what “free towing” really means.
Is MetLife Roadside Assistance Worth It?
Roadside assistance can be worth it if you don’t already have similar coverage through another source (like a vehicle warranty, an auto club membership, or a credit card benefit), or if you want a simple “one number to call” option tied to your auto policy.
If you already have a reliable roadside plan, you may be better off skipping an insurance add-on to avoid overlap. For general comparison shopping, see ways drivers get roadside assistance and how they differ (dispatch, reimbursement, and service limits).
Quick tip: Roadside claims are usually separate from accident claims, but they still follow policy rules. If you’re not sure what’s included, ask your agent to email you the roadside endorsement wording (including limits and exclusions) for your state.
Final Word on MetLife Roadside Assistance Coverage
Legacy MetLife Auto & Home policyholders typically access roadside assistance through Farmers-administered channels. Coverage commonly includes towing, lockouts, jumpstarts, and flat-tire changes, but the exact per-event limits and exclusions vary by state and policy form.
To verify your benefits or update your roadside coverage, contact your MetLife/Farmers servicing agent and ask for the roadside endorsement details shown on your declarations page.
