Having a credit card in your wallet might make online shopping easy, but they often come with plenty of other perks as well, including complimentary roadside assistance programs.
Imagine getting a flat tire, running out of gas, or getting into an accident and needing emergency assistance. Roadside assistance programs are designed to get help to you right away, but these programs typically require a membership fee. Luckily, there are certain credit cards out there that include their exclusive roadside assistance programs as part of your cardholder perks. And some cards don’t even charge an annual fee!
Let’s take a look at some of the best roadside assistance credit cards available to Canadians to help you choose which one suits you best.
What Does Roadside Assistance Cover?
Roadside assistance programs commonly provide the following types of emergency services:
- Towing services
- Lockout services
- Fuel delivery
- Flat tire change
- Battery boosting
- Winching
If you had to pay out-of-pocket for each individual service, you could be looking at hundreds of dollars or more, depending on the extent of your needs. As such, having an all-encompassing roadside assistance plan at your fingertips can save you both hassle and money.
The Best Roadside Assistance Credit Cards In Canada
The following is an overview of some of the best roadside assistance credit cards in Canada:
| Annual Fee | Roadside Assistance Availability | Learn More | |
| BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard | $120 | Canada & Mainland US | Learn More |
| TD CashBack Visa Infinite | $139 | Canada & Continental US | Learn More |
| Triangle World Elite Mastercard | $0 | Canada & US | Learn More |
Best Roadside Assistance Credit Cards In Canada
If you’re looking for a credit card that comes with a comprehensive roadside assistance program as a perk of being a cardholder, consider any one of the following.
BMO Roadside Assistance With The BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard
The complimentary roadside assistance program with the BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard is offered through the Dominion Automobile Association. Those who get the card will receive a free membership and get basic coverage under the BMO Roadside Assistance Program.
Rather than having to pay for this coverage, you’ll be waiving the usual $69 per year fee for the basic package.
| Annual Fee | $120 |
| Number of Claims Allowed | 4 calls per year |
| Location Availability | Canada & Mainland US (does not include Hawaii or Puerto Rico) |
| Towing Distance | Within 10km |
| Roadside Assistance Features | -Dead battery boosting-Flat tire change-Emergency fuel delivery (do note, you’ll be charged for the fuel itself)-Lockout services -Winching – You can be pulled out from mud, snow or a ditch (up to 1 hour of service)-Towing within 10km (you can be towed further at your expense) |
| Who’s Covered | Each cardholder with a driver’s license |
Other Details To Consider Regarding The BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard
Annual fee: $120
Interest rate: 20.99% for purchases and 23.99% (21.99% in Quebec) for cash advances.
Eligibility requirements: $80,000/year income for individuals; $150,000/year income for households.
Other perks:
- Earn 5% cash back on groceries, 4% on transportation, 4% on gas, 2% on recurring bills and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Travel and medical protection.
- Purchase protection.
- Concierge services.
- Car rental discounts.
TD Roadside Assistance With The TD CashBack Visa Infinite
As a TD CashBack Visa Infinite cardholder, you’ll get a complimentary membership to the Deluxe Auto Club Membership roadside assistance program to help bail you out of any situation out on the road. Do note, that you could add this perk for a fee to most TD credit cards. The TD roadside assistance program covers the following:
| Annual Fee | $139 |
| Number of Claims Allowed | 6 calls per year |
| Location Availability | Canada & Continental US |
| Towing Distance | Within 200km |
| Roadside Assistance Features | -Dead battery boosting-Flat tire change-Fuel delivery (5L free; any more at an extra cost)-Lockout services-Winching within 200km -Towing up to 200km-Emergency transportation within 80km from home-Emergency rental car up to $200-Emergency lodging and meals up to $200- Up to 6 calls per year |
| Who’s Covered | Spouse or dependent children of the cardholder between ages 16-22 living at home for an additional fee. |
Other Details To Consider Regarding The TD CashBack Visa Infinite
Annual fee: $139
Interest rate: Both the purchase and cash advance interest rate is 20.99%.
Eligibility requirements: $60,000/year income for individuals; $100,000/year income for households.
Other perks:
- Get 3% cash back on groceries, gas and recurring bills. All other purchases will earn you 1% cash back.
- Travel insurance.
- Visa Zero Liability fraud protection.
- Car rental discounts and insurance.
- Visa Infinite Concierge.
Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance With The Triangle World Elite Mastercard
You’ll have peace of mind knowing that you have round-the-clock assistance waiting for you if you ever have trouble with your vehicle as a Triangle World Elite Mastercard cardholder. The Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance program offers the following:
| Annual Fee | $0 |
| Number of Claims Allowed | 5 calls per year (unlimited towing to any Canadian Tire Auto Service within limits) |
| Location Availability | Canada & US |
| Towing Distance | Within 250km |
| Roadside Assistance Features | -Battery boosting-Towing up to 250km-Fuel delivery-Flat tire change-Lockout service-Winching |
| Who’s Covered | Anyone driving the covered vehicle |
Other Details To Consider Regarding The Triangle World Elite Mastercard
Annual fee: $0
Interest rate: 20.99% for purchases and 22.99% (21.99% in Quebec) for cash advances.
Eligibility requirements: $80,000/year income for individuals OR $150,000/ year as a household.
Other perks:
- Earn 4% Canadian Tire money at most sports-related stores including Canadian Tire. You can also earn 3% Canadian Tire money on groceries, at 1% on all other eligible purchases.
- You can also earn 5¢ to 7¢ per L in Canadian Tire Money on fuel.
- Get access to no-fee, no-interest financing on qualifying purchases of at least $150.
- Concierge services.
- Extended warranty insurance and car rental insurance.
Looking for the best credit card options?
Final Thoughts
It can be scary to get stuck on the side of the road. Fortunately, there are roadside assistance programs available that are designed to come to the rescue, no matter what your needs may be for having car trouble. While such programs typically cost a few dollars a year, you can get a membership for free depending on the credit card you hold in your wallet.
