The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers some of the top protections and benefits out of any travel rewards credit card. One perk that many people aren’t aware of is the roadside assistance service that you can use any time that you get into a jam while on the road. Here’s everything you need to know about Chase’s roadside assistance the service.
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What is roadside assistance?
Roadside assistance provides you with an array of different services when you’re out on the road and you find yourself SOL in a problematic situation. For example, if you are ever stranded with a roadside emergency such as a flat tire, dead battery, or mechanical breakdown, help is available by calling Cross Country Motor Club at 1-866-860-7978, toll-free, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- Note that this service provides roadside assistance services while traveling in the U.S. and Canada
Who is covered by the protection?
You, the Cardholder is covered by Roadside Assistance when you drive any vehicle you own or lease, and when you drive a vehicle that is furnished to you by the owner, while traveling away from home.
The last part of that protection is key because it means that you can even get coverage for rental cars which is not something that other cards like those from Amex cover. Also, if you are driving a vehicle owned by another person (family member or friend) and they give you permission to drive, you would be able to use the benefit as well.
What kind of vehicles are covered?
All self-propelled, four-wheel vehicles designed, licensed, and used for private on-road transportation, with trucks limited to a carrying capacity of up to 2,000 pounds, are covered as subject to the guidelines section. Commercial vehicles are not eligible for coverage.
What type of services are provided?
Road service events, such as flat tires, dead batteries, running out of gas, and lockouts are covered through Cross Country Motor Club. You are covered up to a maximum of $50 for each service event, up to four events each year. A $50 allowance isn’t bad although some cards offered by American Express and Citi cover the entire charges of their services.
Assistance will be provided for one service event for the same cause during any consecutive 7-day period. Coverage is provided while traveling in the U.S. and Canada and there is no minimum distance required from home (unlike other cards that require you to be 50+ plus miles from home). This means you could call for assistance in your own driveway if you needed.
The types of services/protections include:
- Battery Boost – If your vehicle won’t start due to a dead or weak battery.
- Flat Tire Service – If you have a flat tire, we’ll install your inflated spare.
- Fuel Delivery – If you run out of gas, an emergency supply will be delivered to you. The cost of fuel is covered for up to 2 gallons
- 24 Hour Towing Assistance – In the event of a vehicle breakdown that requires a tow, a call to the toll-free assistance line will put you in contact with a customer service representative who will contact one of more than 25,000, 24-hour preferred service providers across the U.S. and Canada. The representative will arrange to transport the vehicle to the nearest repair facility or location of the motorist’s choice. Services will be covered up to $50 for each event.
- 24 Hour Lockout Assistance – Should you accidentally lock yourself out of your vehicle, a qualified locksmith will be dispatched to remedy the situation. Proper identification is required at the time of service. Members are covered for locksmith services up to $50 for each event. (Replacement key costs are the responsibility of the Cardholder.)
What information will be required?
When calling for service, be prepared to provide the customer service representative with the following information:
- Your name and address
- VIN (vehicle identification number) OR make, model, and year of vehicle
- Vehicle location (must be away from your primary residence)
- Phone number where you can be reached
“Sign and Drive” Service
In most instances, services will require no cash outlay (up to the covered limit). You must sign the provider’s service acknowledgement. Excess charges (if any) can be applied to your Chase card or other payment choice.
Note that these the benefits provided to Chase Sapphire Reserve customers. The Chase Sapphire Preferred card comes with a different set of roadside benefits which require you to pay $60 per service attempt, although by calling the Reserve number you might be able to get around that.
Final word
Overall, the Sapphire Reserve roadside assistance protections are strong and stack up well against the competition. If you’re a Sapphire Reserve cardholder, it’s not a bad idea to familiarize yourself with these benefits and save the number of the roadside assistance service on your phone and have it ready whenever you need it.
Daniel Gillaspia is the Founder of UponArriving.com and the credit card app, WalletFlo. He is a former attorney turned travel expert covering destinations along with TSA, airline, and hotel policies. Since 2014, his content has been featured in publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, and CNBC. Read my bio.
You say that the vehicle must be away from your primary residence but that was not my experience. My wife’s car would not start in our garage due a light having been left on in the car. I called CSR and they sent a tow truck, and although it took longer than it should have for the driver to arrive, when he got to my home he jump started the car and I never was billed.
Check again, the article reads, “[c]overage is provided while traveling in the U.S. and Canada and there is no minimum distance required from home.” I added an additional sentence to clarify, though. Thanks for reading.