Is Urgently Good for Roadside Assistance?

Last Updated on January 6, 2026

There are lots of ways to get help when you’re stranded—auto insurance add-ons, motor clubs, credit card perks, and on-demand apps. Urgently (formerly Urgent.ly) is a popular “tap-to-request” option because you can get an upfront quote, request service without a long phone call, and track your provider in real time. If you’re new to this topic, here’s a quick breakdown of what emergency roadside assistance coverage usually includes.

Bottom line: Urgently is a good choice if you want fast, app-first roadside help with transparent pricing. It’s especially useful as a backup plan because you can pay per use (no membership required). But if you’re shopping for an annual plan, pay close attention to towing-mile limits, service-event limits, and any waiting period before coverage starts.

What is Urgently?

Urgent.ly Inc. (brand: Urgently) is a technology-driven roadside assistance platform that connects drivers with local towing and roadside pros. The experience is similar to rideshare apps: you request help, confirm details, then get updates and live tracking as the service provider heads to you.

Unlike many traditional motor clubs, Urgently offers two ways to use the service:

• Pay-per-use (on-demand): Request the service you need and pay for that single event.
• Membership coverage: Buy an annual plan designed for future breakdowns, usually with a limited number of service events and a towing-mile cap.

How Urgently works when you need roadside assistance

For on-demand roadside help, the process is straightforward:

1. Select the service you need (tow, jump start, lockout, etc.).
2. Confirm your location and vehicle details.
3. Review the upfront price estimate before submitting.
4. Pay digitally and get updates—often including a tracking link so you can watch the provider approach on a map.

One practical safety feature: you can usually share your tracking link with a friend or family member so someone else knows help is on the way.

What services does Urgently offer?

Urgently typically offers the core roadside services most drivers need in a pinch:

• Towing: Helpful for breakdowns, dead batteries that won’t jump, or situations where the car isn’t safe to drive. (Here’s a guide to towing coverage and when insurance may or may not help.)
• Jump starts: Great for dead batteries—especially in cold weather or after leaving lights on.
• Flat tire help: Typically a tire change using your usable spare, not a free replacement tire. If you’re unsure how coverage works, see whether insurance covers tire damage.
• Fuel delivery: If you run out of gas, a provider can bring a small amount of fuel to get you moving again.
• Lockout service: If your keys are locked in the car, a provider can help you regain entry. This is different from replacing missing keys—see what you should know about lost or stolen keys.
• Winching: Help getting your vehicle pulled out if it’s stuck in mud, snow, or a shallow ditch (when safely accessible).

Urgently pricing: pay-per-use vs. membership

Option 1: On-demand (no membership required)

For many drivers, the biggest advantage of Urgently is that you can keep it as a “just in case” option and only pay when something actually happens. Urgently advertises that on-demand roadside services typically start around $75, and towing starts around $99—but your actual quote depends on the service type, distance, time of day, and local market.

This is why it’s smart to sanity-check tow pricing against your situation—especially for longer distances. For context, here’s a guide to what a 20-mile tow can cost.

Option 2: Urgently membership coverage

Urgently also sells an annual membership plan meant for future needs. Membership details vary by plan and promotion, but common terms include:

• Service-event limits: Many plans cap the number of service events per year (for example, four events).
• Towing-mile limits: Some memberships include a set number of tow miles (often a short local tow), with fees if you exceed the included distance.
• Waiting period: Some memberships don’t begin immediately after purchase unless you add an “instant access” option.

If you’re deciding between a membership and an insurance add-on, compare three things: (1) how far you want towing covered, (2) how often you realistically need help, and (3) whether you prefer a pay-per-use model or predictable annual cost.

Response time and coverage area

Urgently operates 24/7/365 and advertises broad coverage across the U.S. (including Alaska and Hawaii) plus Puerto Rico. Like every roadside provider, wait times vary based on demand, traffic, and how close a service provider is to your location.

In major metro areas, you’ll often get faster dispatch options. In rural areas, your best plan is to request help as soon as you realize you can’t safely continue driving, since a longer travel distance can mean a longer wait.

Pros and cons: Is Urgently “good” compared to other options?

Pros

• Transparent, upfront quotes for many services (instead of mystery pricing after the tow).
• No membership required for on-demand help, which is great if you rarely break down.
• Real-time updates and tracking so you can see when help is arriving.
• Convenient digital payment so you’re not scrambling for cash at the roadside.

Cons

• Pay-per-use can be pricey for longer tows or high-demand situations (which is true for nearly all on-demand towing).
• Membership plans may have limits (tow miles and number of service events), so read the terms before relying on it as your only plan.
• Service quality depends on the local provider dispatched in your area.
• It’s not “automatic crash response” for most drivers—you generally still need to request assistance (or use a connected-car / partner program that initiates service).

Who Urgently is best for

Urgently is usually a strong fit if you fall into one of these categories:

• Occasional drivers who don’t want to pay annual dues “just in case.”
• Drivers with newer cars who already have a manufacturer roadside warranty but want a backup option for gaps or after the free period ends.
• Families who want extra peace of mind (tracking updates are useful when a loved one is stranded). If you have teens driving, make sure you’re handling the insurance side correctly—here’s how adding your teens or children to your car insurance policy usually works.
• Rideshare drivers who want modern roadside help: Uber has offered Urgently-powered roadside assistance as a perk for certain driver reward tiers. If you’re driving for Uber or Lyft, also make sure your insurance is set up properly—start with this guide to the best auto insurance companies for Uber and Lyft drivers.

Alternatives to consider before you choose

Urgently isn’t the only good option. Depending on your budget and driving habits, one of these may be a better fit:

• Your auto insurer’s roadside add-on (often inexpensive, but coverage limits vary). Example: Progressive’s roadside assistance coverage.
• AAA or other motor clubs if you want longer-distance towing included, but expect annual dues.
• Credit card roadside perks (some cards offer pay-per-use dispatch or discounts).
• Manufacturer roadside assistance if your vehicle is still under warranty.

FAQs on Urgently Roadside Assistance

So… is Urgent.ly worth it?

Yes—Urgently is a solid roadside assistance option if you value app-first convenience, upfront quotes, and real-time tracking. For many drivers, the best approach is to keep Urgently as a backup plan for true emergencies and compare it against any coverage you already have through your insurer, warranty, or a motor club.

If you want to learn more or request help directly, you can visit Urgently.