> **Quick Answer:** State Farm covers towing and roadside assistance only if you've added their Emergency Road Service (ERS) endorsement to your policy. It is not included in standard liability, collision, or comprehensive coverage. The add-on typically costs $5 to $10 per vehicle per year and covers towing, jump starts, flat tire changes, fuel delivery, and lockout service up to a per-incident dollar limit.
## Does State Farm Automatically Include Towing, or Do I Have to Add It?
You have to add it. State Farm's roadside coverage is sold as an optional endorsement called Emergency Road Service, and it does not come bundled with any standard coverage tier. If you have not specifically added ERS to your policy, a tow after a breakdown comes out of your pocket entirely. Log into your State Farm app or call your agent right now to check whether ERS shows on your declarations page before you need it.
## What Does State Farm's Emergency Road Service Actually Cover?
ERS covers the basics you need most during a breakdown: towing to the nearest qualified repair facility, battery jump starts, flat tire changes (using your spare), fuel and fluid delivery, and lockout service if you've left your keys inside. Winching is also included if your vehicle is stuck in a ditch or snowbank but still accessible from a public road.
The important word is "nearest." State Farm ERS pays to tow you to the closest shop capable of making the repair, not your preferred shop across town. If you want it towed somewhere specific and farther away, you may be responsible for the mileage beyond what the policy covers. For longer hauls, it's worth knowing [how much a long-distance tow truck costs per mile](/how-much-does-a-long-distance-tow-truck-cost-per-mile/) so you're not blindsided.
## How Many Times Can I Use State Farm Roadside Assistance in a Year?
State Farm does not publish a hard annual use cap the way some competitors do, but frequent claims can flag your policy for review. Practically speaking, the coverage is meant for genuine roadside emergencies, not routine maintenance calls. If you're calling three or four times a year, expect a conversation with your agent at renewal. For the full picture on use limits, see [State Farm Roadside Assistance: How Many Times Per Year Can You Use It?](/state-farm-roadside-assistance-how-many-times-per-year/)
## Will State Farm's ERS Cover a Tow After a Car Accident?
Accident towing is handled differently. If your breakdown happened because of a collision, your collision coverage is the right coverage to tap, not ERS. ERS is designed for mechanical breakdowns: dead battery, flat tire, empty fuel tank, seized alternator. A crash scene tow is typically billed through your collision deductible or your at-fault party's liability coverage. To understand how that works,
*Photo: Pexels*
read [does car insurance cover towing after an accident](/does-car-insurance-cover-towing-after-accident/).
## How Do I Actually Use State Farm Roadside Assistance When I'm Stuck?
Call the number on your State Farm insurance card or open the State Farm mobile app and request service through the ERS section. You can also use a third-party service on the spot and submit for reimbursement later, but pre-authorizing through State Farm first will protect you if the bill exceeds what the policy reimburses. Keep the receipt and the service provider's invoice. Reimbursement without prior authorization can be denied or reduced if the cost seems unreasonable for the service provided.
One practical tip: save your State Farm roadside number in your contacts before you break down. Searching for it on the shoulder of a busy highway at night is not the time to go digging through your glove box. If you're comparing whether this coverage is genuinely worth having versus a standalone membership, [AAA vs. roadside assistance through insurance](/aaa-vs-roadside-assistance-through-insurance-which-is-better/) lays out the real tradeoffs clearly.
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*Photo: Pexels*
## Common Questions
**Q: How much does State Farm Emergency Road Service cost to add?**
A: Most drivers pay between $5 and $10 per vehicle per year. That makes it one of the cheapest add-ons available, but the per-incident dollar cap is relatively low, so a long tow may not be fully covered.
**Q: Does State Farm ERS cover a locksmith if I lock my keys in my car?**
A: Yes, lockout service is included. State Farm will dispatch someone to unlock your vehicle. If a locksmith is needed and charges more than the policy's per-incident limit, you pay the difference.
**Q: Does State Farm roadside assistance cover flat tires if I don't have a spare?**
A: It covers changing your flat using your spare. If you have no spare or your spare is also flat, they will tow you instead. They do not purchase a new tire for you on the spot.
**Q: Can I use State Farm ERS if I'm driving someone else's car?**
A: State Farm ERS follows the vehicle on your policy, not you as a driver in another car. If you're in a vehicle that is not on your State Farm policy, you would need that vehicle's insurance to have roadside coverage.
**Q: Will using State Farm roadside assistance raise my insurance rates?**
A: A single ERS claim typically does not trigger a rate increase the way an at-fault accident would. However, multiple claims in a short period can draw scrutiny. State Farm treats ERS claims differently from collision or liability claims, but there is no absolute guarantee repeated use has zero impact at renewal.
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*Need roadside help? Visit [Tow With The Flow](https://towwiththeflow.com/does-state-farm-cover-towing-and-roadside-assistance/) for real answers when your car breaks down.*
Roadside America
Posted on Originally published at towwiththeflow.com
Does State Farm Cover Towing and Roadside Assistance?: Roadside Tips
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