Does Farmers Have Good Roadside Assistance Coverage?
Last Updated on January 11, 2026
When you’re choosing a car insurance company, the coverage matters—but so does what happens when your car won’t start, you lock your keys inside, or you’re stuck on the shoulder with a flat. Roadside assistance can help with towing, lockout service, jump-starts, fuel delivery, and other common “can’t-drive” problems.
Farmers is one of the largest car insurance companies in the U.S. and offers roadside assistance as an optional add-on in many states. Below is a practical guide to what Farmers roadside assistance typically includes, how limits usually work, and how it compares to other options.
Our Rating of Farmers Roadside Assistance
3.5
out of 5
★★★★☆
Summary
Bottom line: Farmers roadside assistance is a solid, low-cost add-on for basic emergencies, but towing is limited by a dollar cap and destination rules may apply.
Farmers offers roadside assistance as an optional endorsement on many auto policies, and it typically requires carrying comprehensive or collision coverage to add it. Covered services commonly include emergency towing (generally to the nearest repair facility, with towing covered up to $150), lockout help, battery jump-starts, flat tire help, winching/extraction near the roadway, and emergency fuel delivery (with the fuel cost usually paid by you). In some cases you can use your own provider and submit receipts for reimbursement, but payment is still subject to your policy limits and documentation requirements.
Best for
- Drivers who want basic towing and lockout help bundled into their Farmers policy
- People who prefer insurer-dispatched help and a single claims contact number
- Policyholders who want a low-cost backup for occasional breakdowns
Not ideal for
- Drivers who need long-distance towing beyond what a $150 cap typically covers
- Households that expect frequent roadside calls and want higher, membership-style benefits
- Anyone who does not carry comprehensive or collision and wants a stand-alone roadside plan
- Our Rating of Farmers Roadside Assistance
- About Farmers Insurance
- Why Roadside Assistance Coverage Can Be Worth It
- How To Add Farmers Roadside Assistance
- What Farmers Roadside Assistance Typically Covers
- How Much Does Farmers Roadside Assistance Cost?
- Farmers Roadside Assistance vs. AAA and Other Insurers
- What To Expect From Farmers Customer Service
- FAQs on Farmers Roadside Assistance
- Bottom Line: Is Farmers Roadside Assistance Worth It?
About Farmers Insurance
Farmers is a major U.S. insurance group that sells auto, home, life, business, and specialty coverage through a large network of agents and affiliated companies. Farmers is part of Zurich Insurance Group and traces its roots back to 1928 in Los Angeles, California, with headquarters in Woodland Hills.
Why Roadside Assistance Coverage Can Be Worth It
Roadside assistance is often a worthwhile add-on to your auto policy, especially if you drive older vehicles, commute long distances, or travel in rural areas where getting help can be slow and expensive. The big advantage is convenience: instead of finding and paying a tow company or locksmith yourself, you can request help through your insurer’s network (or get reimbursed, depending on the rules).
How To Add Farmers Roadside Assistance
Farmers roadside assistance is typically offered as an optional add-on. Eligibility and availability can vary by state and policy form, but it’s commonly bundled with broader “full coverage” policies (and may require certain coverages on the vehicle).
To add it, you can do one of the following:
- Add it during a new quote or policy change (online or through an agent).
- Ask about bundling and savings—Farmers lists many discounts, so confirm which discounts Farmers offers for auto insurance when you update your policy.
If you need help, you can request service through the Farmers app/online portal or by calling the Farmers Claims Center at 1-800-435-7764 (24/7).
What Farmers Roadside Assistance Typically Covers
Farmers roadside assistance is designed for common disablement situations—when your car can’t be safely driven. Exact services and limits vary by policy, but the most common benefits include:
- Towing. If your vehicle can’t be driven, Farmers can arrange a tow. Coverage is usually subject to a limit (often a mileage or dollar cap) and may require towing to the nearest qualified repair facility. Learn how towing commonly works with auto insurance: does car insurance cover towing?
- Flat tire help. If you have a usable spare, roadside can typically install it; if you don’t, they may tow you or help arrange service. Related: will car insurance pay for a flat tire?
- Battery jump-start. If your battery is dead, a technician can jump-start your car so you can drive to safety (and some plans may offer additional battery services). Related: will auto insurance pay to jumpstart your car?
- Lockout service. If your keys are locked inside (or you need basic entry assistance), Farmers can dispatch a provider, subject to your policy’s limits. Related: will auto insurance pay for a locksmith?
- Winching/extraction. If you’re stuck in snow, sand, or mud near a public roadway, winching may be covered up to stated limits. Related: will auto insurance cover winching?
- Emergency fuel delivery. If you run out of gas, roadside can typically deliver fuel (you may pay for the fuel itself, while the delivery service may be covered).
Standard vs. Enhanced Roadside: Know Which Version You Have
Farmers may offer different roadside tiers depending on your state and policy type. For example, some Farmers auto policy options advertise an enhanced roadside and ride feature that increases towing distance compared to standard roadside and may include extras like a ride credit after a covered disablement. The takeaway: don’t assume the limits—check your declarations page or ask your agent what your specific roadside endorsement includes.
Using Your Own Provider and Getting Reimbursed
In many cases, you can use a provider outside the network and seek reimbursement—useful if you already have a preferred shop or locksmith. Just remember: reimbursement can take longer, and you’ll typically need itemized receipts plus details like the date/time, location, and why the car was disabled. If the insurer decides the service wasn’t covered (or the documentation is incomplete), the claim can be denied.
And while you might prefer a specific repair facility, insurers can sometimes set rules around networks and reimbursements. Related: can my auto insurer make me use a certain body shop?
How Much Does Farmers Roadside Assistance Cost?
Roadside assistance through an auto insurer is usually inexpensive compared to paying out of pocket for a tow or locksmith. With Farmers, the add-on cost commonly works out to a few dollars per month (sometimes less), but pricing depends on your state, vehicle, driving profile, and the roadside tier available on your policy.
Farmers may require you to carry certain coverages to add roadside assistance, and those coverages can increase your total premium. While comprehensive and collision coverage are not legally required, many financed vehicles require them, and they’re a big part of what people mean by “full coverage” vs. basic liability. If you’re trying to keep costs down, ask what discounts you qualify for, including organization-based car insurance discounts.
Farmers Roadside Assistance vs. AAA and Other Insurers
Most insurer roadside programs are built for occasional emergencies. Auto clubs like AAA are memberships and can make more sense for frequent towing needs, older vehicles, or multi-driver households. Here’s a quick, high-level comparison:
| Provider | How It’s Sold | Towing Benefit | Best Fit For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Farmers | Add-on to a Farmers auto policy | Limit varies by policy/tier; may be standard vs. enhanced options | Drivers who want basic help bundled into their insurance |
| AAA (membership) | Auto club membership (not insurance) | Typically mileage-based by plan | Frequent travelers, older cars, multiple household drivers |
| GEICO (overview) | Add-on to a GEICO policy | Varies by state/policy | Occasional emergencies, budget-minded add-on shoppers |
| Progressive (overview) | Add-on to a Progressive policy | Varies by state/policy | Drivers who want a simple add-on and app-based requests |
| State Farm (overview) | Add-on to a State Farm policy | Varies by state/policy | Drivers who prefer agent support and bundled policies |
| USAA (overview) | Add-on to a USAA policy (eligibility required) | Varies by state/policy | Military families who already use USAA products |
What To Expect From Farmers Customer Service
Farmers is a well-known insurer with a broad product lineup, which can be helpful if you want to bundle multiple policies for savings. Many drivers like the convenience of adding renters insurance to their auto bundle, and Farmers also offers coverage options like rideshare insurance and policies for classic and collector vehicles.
As with any large insurer, customer experience can vary by location, claim type, and local contractor availability for roadside services. If you ever run into a problem you can’t resolve, here’s how to escalate appropriately: where to make a complaint about your auto insurance company.
FAQs on Farmers Roadside Assistance
Bottom Line: Is Farmers Roadside Assistance Worth It?
If you already have Farmers auto insurance, adding roadside assistance can be an affordable way to cover common emergencies like towing, lockouts, flat tire help, jump-starts, fuel delivery, and winching. The key is confirming the limits and whether you have standard or enhanced roadside features—then deciding if an insurer add-on meets your needs or if a membership plan like AAA is a better fit.
