Roadside Assistance Programs From International Nameplates

By Frank Giovinazzi
AIADA Contributing Editor

March 20, 2006

It’s the kind of feature that comes equipped with most new International vehicles that owners never want to use – and ironically, one the vast majority of consumers don’t even know comes standard with their purchase.

Just like an umbrella, roadside assistance is something you don’t need until the situation calls for it – and then you find you really need it. And life can be pretty miserable without it.

Luckily, many International nameplate brands provide some level of free roadside assistance during the initial warranty period of the vehicle, with some offering it as an upgrade to the basic plan.

Once the exclusive province of fee-for-membership clubs such as AAA, roadside assistance programs usually provide services such as free towing in case of a breakdown, flat tire changing and even a few gallons of gas in case you tried to push the needle past empty a little too far.

The specifics of each automakers programs differ; current owners should check their owner’s manual for details, prospective buyers can find information at the respective brands’ websites.

What follows is a thumbnail description of roadside assistance programs from several International nameplate manufacturers.

Mercedes-Benz Mercedes administers their own roadside assistance program, which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to new Mercedes owners. The service is also extended to owners of any Mercedes owner, of any year or mileage, for a fee.

Land Rover All Land Rover vehicles still under warranty are covered by Land Rover Roadside Assistance. A call to a 24-hour toll-free hotline (1-800-637-6837) brings help anywhere in the United States. Services include help with flat tires, low fuel, a battery jump, keys locked in the car and emergency towing, complimentary transportation of the vehicle to the nearest Land Rover dealership.

Volvo Volvo’s calls their roadside assistance program Care By Volvo On Call, which lasts for four years and can be renewed for a fee. On Call includes such services as 24-hour roadside assistance, towing to the nearest Volvo Retailer, computerized trip routing/map service, lockout assistance, trip interruption expense benefits, car rental discounts, and jump-starting, winching, changing a flat or emergency gasoline delivery.

Lexus Lexus’ 24-hour, 365-day Roadside Assistance Protection is available to every Lexus owner for the first four years after the in-service date, regardless of mileage. Roadside services such as battery jump start, tire change and fuel delivery. Towing to the nearest Lexus dealership or, if necessary, an alternate repair facility. Assistance in locating alternate transportation and lodging.

Acura In addition to the 4-year/50,000-mile limited vehicle warranty and the 6-year/70,000 mile limited powertrain warranty, Acura provides a 24-hour nationwide emergency and travel services and roadside assistance.

Suzuki All new Suzuki vehicles are covered during the 36,000-mile/3-year new vehicle limited warranty period. Roadside Assistance is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, in the U.S. and Canada. Available services include tire changes, jumpstarts, lockout service, mechanical repairs, and towing to the nearest Suzuki dealer or authorized service center.

Saab Saab provides free roadside assistance programs for new vehicles for the first four years or 50,000 miles. Calling the toll-free number (1-800-852-9001) will dispatch emergency assistance 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, anywhere in the U.S.

BMW Purchase of a new BMW includes 4 years, 50/000 miles of roadside assistance, including towing, lockout, jump start, fuel delivery and flat tire changes.

Volkswagen Provides 4 years of 24-hour Roadside Assistance Program provided by Road America.

Infiniti Infiniti’s 24-hour roadside assistance is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for the first four years after a vehicle’s in-service date.

Jaguar All benefits of Jaguar Assistance, including Roadside Assistance, trip routing services, and trip interruption/ emergency travel expense benefits are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for the duration of Jaguar’s 4-year/50,000-mile new-vehicle limited warranty.