Ford roadside assistance

Have fun driving your brand-spanking-new Ford cross country, knowing you have roadside help when needed. But even your trusty, old Ford can get assistance when you need it for a one-time fee. Consider the benefits of using this pay-as-you-go setup versus buying through your insurance company.

Is roadside assistance free with Ford?

Yes, if you have a new Ford. On Ford models 2007 or newer, roadside assistance comes free from Ford Auto Club with your car’s warranty for five years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first. Plus, you can even pay a fee to receive specific roadside services after your warranty runs out.

In addition, buying from Ford’s new car or Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) selection grants you a factory-backed warranty that’s fully transferable to another owner. Keep in mind that the CPO warranties include several stipulations, like starting the powertrain coverage countdown from the original sale date.

What’s included with Ford roadside assistance?

Alongside a proud Ford stamp of ownership, you’ll also receive complimentary roadside assistance with your new car warranty. Services include:

• Towing. Get your vehicle towed to the nearest Ford dealership within 35 miles. If you request a tow to a dealer that’s farther away, you’ll pay for the extra mileage cost after 35 miles.
• Winching for stuck vehicles. Towing includes help for ditch retrieval within 100 feet of a road and for vehicles hauling a trailer.
• Battery jumpstarts. Power up your battery, or get towed to a nearby dealership if the jumpstart fails.
• Fuel delivery. Get fuel brought to you free of charge for up to two times in a 12-month window. You’ll receive two gallons of regular or five gallons of diesel to get you going again.
• Flat tire change. Let a professional help with putting on your spare tire.
• Lockout assistance. Receive help to unlock your vehicle. This coverage doesn’t include replacing or making spare keys.
• 24/7 help. Call for assistance around the clock so that you can get back on the road faster.

How do I use Ford roadside assistance?

Getting roadside service is as simple as calling Ford Auto Club for help. Call 800-241-3673 to give Ford details about your breakdown, your location and your car.

What info do I need to call for roadside help?

When calling about roadside needs, you may be asked for information like:

1. Location
2. Vehicle’s make, model and VIN
3. Vehicle color
4. License plate number

Is Ford roadside help worth it?

It might be worth it if you stay close to home and you prefer to go to a Ford dealership for repairs. Consider a few factors to decide if Ford’s towing help is worth it for you.

• One-time fee. Using the company’s roadside outside the warranty isn’t a subscription option. You simply pay the fee Ford charges per service.
• Cost versus benefit. Consider whether you could pay less out of pocket for a service provider compared to Ford’s quoted charge.
• Towing limits. The company’s towing service only goes up to 35 miles and includes towing to a Ford facility. Depending on your location, you could save money by towing to an independent repair shop.

Should I get roadside help through Ford or my insurance?

As with most things in life, you can find benefits on both sides of the road — whether getting roadside through Ford or an insurer. Factors to consider:

• Cost. New Ford owners might enjoy the factory’s free service since roadside comes with the warranty. If your warranty is out, though, you’ll need to determine whether you prefer Ford’s pay-as-you-go service or an insurance company’s subscription for peace of mind.
• Coverage. Ford includes standard services in its roadside suite. But you might find additional benefits with an insurance company, such as higher towing miles.
• Convenience. Having a roadside plan ready to go through your insurer might make getting help that much easier during a breakdown. With Ford, you might have extra steps like paying and comparing service costs.
• Limits. While most plans include limitations, consider the cost of an insurer’s roadside assistance if it allows more service calls per year or covers towing to any repair shop.
• Self help. Could you call a friend for services like fuel delivery or battery jumpstart? In this case you could save money by skipping a call to your insurance company or Ford.

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Bottom line

Like many manufacturers, Ford offers standard roadside assistance for free on its new cars. But outside of warranty, you might want to compare several providers to make sure Ford’s service still fits the bill.

Frequently asked questions about Ford roadside assistance

• What if I already paid for roadside service out of pocket?

  You can get reimbursed for the service you used by submitting the bill to Ford, even if you didn’t know you had coverage at the time.

• What happens if I need to get towed beyond 35 miles?

  You can still get coverage for the first 35 miles, and then pay for extra mileage on your own. To do so, call the Ford roadside assistance number as normal.

• Is Ford Sync similar to OnStar?

  Not exactly. Sync is Ford’s entertainment and communications system, which is factory-installed into its vehicles. With Sync, you can make hands-free calls, control music with voice commands, get turn-by-turn directions and get connected to 911 after an accident through 911 Assist.

  OnStar offers some of the same features like turn-by-turn directions, but its focus is on safety and security with human advisors to help when you use it. OnStar provides assistance for roadside breakdowns, stolen vehicles, severe weather advice as well as automatically connecting you to emergency help.