Roadside assistance has been a credit card perk for years, but it can be hard to find a card that includes this rare coverage. This is why many people simply choose a membership from CAA or Canadian Tire instead.
We reviewed credit cards that offer roadside assistance and compared the coverage details. The results show that roadside assistance from your credit card is generally just as good – if not better – than paid standard memberships.
This article lays out the details of this research, lists which cards have the best free roadside assistance coverage, and more.
Key Takeaways
- BMO, TD, Canadian Tire, and CIBC all offer credit cards with roadside assistance.
- Included services vary by card, so read your roadside assistance terms and conditions carefully.
- It’s generally more valuable to get roadside assistance from a credit card than by purchasing a paid membership.
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Best credit cards with free roadside assistance
Several Canadian credit cards offer free roadside assistance as a perk. This table compares the best credit cards to use to get free access to roadside assistance.
Note: Membership stays with the credit card holder.
| Credit card | Roadside Assitance | Calls per year | Towing distance | Battery boost? | Door unlock, winch pull-out, tire change, gas delivery? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard | BMO Roadside Assistance (Basic plan) | 4 | 10 km | Yes | Yes |
| TD Cash Back Visa Infinite Card | TD Roadside Assistance (Deluxe membership) | 6 | 200 km | Yes | Yes |
| Triangle World Elite Mastercard | Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance (Gold plan) | 5 | 250 km | Yes | Yes |
| CIBC Adapta Mastercard | CIBC Auto Club | 3 | 15 km | Yes | Yes |
BMO roadside assistance
BMO Roadside Assistance allows cardholders to call a 24-hour, toll-free number from anywhere in Canada and the continental United States. BMO will arrange for a pre-qualified towing professional to help you out of your sticky situation.
As long as your BMO account is in good standing, BMO will have you covered – whether you're in your vehicle, a rental, or even just a passenger in someone else's car. With this complimentary roadside assistance package, you'll be covered for:
- Battery boosts
- Emergency gas delivery (cardholder pays for gas)
- Flat tire change if a safe and inflated spare tire is available
- Lockout services
- Winch from mud/ditch/snow (up to 1 hour)
- Towing to the nearest qualified repair facility (up to 10 km)
BMO currently offers emergency roadside assistance on one of their top cards, the BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard.
In March 2026, BMO announced that the rebranded Blue Rewards World Elite Mastercard will include roadside assistance.
With an annual fee of $120 (and the first year waived), this card has an impressive insurance package, premium perks like concierge service, and free roadside assistance – worth an estimated $100 per year.
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1x Award winner TD roadside assistance
The TD Auto Club Membership will keep you covered in the event of a car accident. If it's a local accident within 80 km of your home, you'll receive $25 for personal transportation. If the accident happens further from home, TD offers some pretty extensive traffic accident emergency services that include:
- Up to $200 in accident towing
- Up to $200 in emergency transportation/rental car
- Up to $200 in emergency accommodations and meals
- Up to $200 in transportation to return to the repair site
- Up to $50 in personal necessities
TD has optional Auto Club memberships. Upgrade to a Deluxe and get extra benefits like no distance limitations for towing, personal necessities reimbursement, and expanded coverage.
As a primary cardholder, your TD Auto Club membership will cover you as long as your TD Cash Back Visa Infinite account is in good standing. For an additional fee, you can also get coverage for your partner and any unmarried children under the age of 22 who reside with you.
The TD Cash Back Visa Infinite Card has an annual fee of $139 (first year waived) for primary cardholders, but the TD Auto Club Deluxe benefit definitely offsets it.
You'll get 24/7 emergency roadside service that includes:
- Towing
- Battery boosts
- Gas delivery
- Tire changes
- Winching services
GC: $100
Canadian Tire roadside assistance
Canadian Tire offers 2 roadside assistance plans: Silver and Gold. With each membership level, you can choose from:
- Vehicle Plan: Allows service for 1 registered vehicle
- Member Plan: Brings the service to you regardless of which vehicle you're in
- Family Plan: Provides membership for up to 5 people within the same household
With any plan, you'll have complimentary access to 24-hour roadside assistance across Canada and the U.S. With Gold membership, you'll get a maximum of 5 calls per 12-month period and unlimited tows to any Canadian Tire Auto Service Centre within 200 km.
Cardholders are covered for:
- Battery boost
- Lockout services
- Winch from mud/ditch/snow
- Tire change
- Emergency fuel delivery (cardholder pays for gas)
- Towing to the destination of your choice within 200 km
If you're interested in roadside assistance from Canadian Tire but can't afford the $74.99/year fee for a Silver Membership, this is a valuable option to have in your back pocket.
If you want free access to Canadian Tire's paid Gold Member Plan, the Triangle World Elite Mastercard has you covered. Not only does the card have no annual fee, but you'll get the Gold Membership (valued at $115 a year) as long as you're the primary cardholder.
CIBC roadside assistance
Since CIBC roadside assistance isn't available as a separate membership, it's hard to gauge its monetary value. That said, it offers services similar to those of credit cards that charge annual fees or roadside assistance memberships that cost upwards of $100.
The best CIBC card for roadside assistance is the CIBC Adapta Mastercard. With it, you enjoy access to roadside assistance operated by Dominion Automobile Association once you make your first $50+ purchase with the card. This is another free credit card, which means it's an even better deal since you'll get:
- Mechanical breakdown towing (up to 15 km)
- Battery boost
- Tire change (if you have a spare)
- Emergency fuel delivery (cardholder pays for gas)
- Lockout services
- Up to 1 hour of winching services
CAA vs. Canadian Tire roadside assistance
To fully understand the value of the services offered by credit cards, comparing CAA vs. Canadian Tire roadside assistance can really put things into perspective. Both programs offer similar coverage for around the same price, with one of the biggest differences being that a CAA membership stays with the person rather than the vehicle.
| CAA Basic | Canadian Tire Silver Plan | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $77 | $74.99 |
| Calls per year | 4 | 3 |
| Towing | Up to 10 km | 10 km, increased to 25 km to Canadian Tire Auto Centres |
| Battery boost | Yes | Yes |
| Door unlock | Yes (up to $50 cost) | Yes |
| Winch/pull out | Yes (one operator and truck) | Yes (one operator and truck for 20 minutes) |
| Tire change | Yes (does not include repairs) | Yes (does not include repairs) |
| Gas delivery | Yes | Yes |
| Eligibility | Membership stays with the registered person | Membership stays with the registered vehicle or any vehicle the member drives |
A CAA membership also provides access to the CAA Dollars rewards program, where you can earn rewards that never expire. You can use this program to save on purchases at select retailers, earn a percentage back, and redeem rewards for membership renewal (and upgrades, entertainment, or travel).
CAA members have access to many other discounts and services that can offset the cost difference. Still, there are different levels of service available through Canadian Tire, and the perks of springing for a deluxe Canadian Tire plan may be a worth it for you.
Ultimately, you'll have to decide if a paid membership that renews annually is worth it.
Credit card vs. paid roadside assistance
After analyzing the free roadside assistance from credit cards and the coverage you get from paid or upgraded memberships, it's pretty clear that complimentary card roadside assistance offers more value.
In several cases, you'll even get more extensive coverage or availability. The fact that you can earn rewards and other perks from the credit cards seals the deal.
That said, if you're looking for premium roadside assistance that includes the greatest towing distances, free fuel delivery, and expanded coverage amounts, you'll probably want to splurge on CAA's premium plan.
You'll have to do the math to see if the cost ($170 annually) makes sense for you.
Manufacturer roadside assistance
There is one final option to mention: when you purchase a new vehicle, it typically comes with roadside assistance. Each manufacturer is different, so always check before assuming that your new ride has coverage, and check the level and comprehensiveness of service offered.
The length of coverage depends on the manufacturer and your warranty. For example, Ford's roadside assistance gives you free coverage as long as your vehicle is under warranty – typically anywhere from 2 to 5 years.
FAQ
Which Canadian credit cards have roadside assistance?
Many Canadian credit cards offer some type of limited roadside assistance, but the cards with the best coverage are the BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard, Triangle World Elite Mastercard, TD Cash Back Visa Infinite Card, and the CIBC Adapta Mastercard.
Is roadside assistance free with a Canadian Tire Mastercard?
Yes, with the Triangle World Elite Mastercard, you'll get a free Gold CT roadside assistance membership. This allows you to make up to 5 roadside assistance calls per year with towing up to 250 km. You'll also get standard services like emergency fuel delivery, winching, and battery jumps.
Who has the best roadside assistance program?
If you're strictly comparing the coverage you get through a credit card, you might go with TD, which gives you 6 roadside assistance calls per year – more than any other option. If you're more interested in having towing coverage, consider Canadian Tire's program, which tows up to 250 km.
How much does roadside assistance cost in Canada?
There are several credit cards that offer roadside assistance as a completely free perk. If you purchase a membership through CAA, you'll pay anywhere from $77 to $151 per year. Keep in mind that coverage types and limits vary, so compare your options before deciding how you want to get coverage.
Is CAA roadside assistance worth it?
CAA roadside assistance might be worth it if you travel frequently and you splurge on a premium plan that gives more coverage. You might also decide that the additional perks and discounts you get from CAA make a membership worthwhile.
What does Canadian Tire roadside assistance include?
CT's roadside assistance services depend on whether you purchase a Silver or Gold membership (and if you buy a vehicle, member, or family plan). You'll get services like battery boost, towing, emergency fuel delivery, lockout service, and winching, along with up to $300 in trip accident assistance.
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