Adding Roadside Assistance Services: Jumps, Lockouts, and Fuel Runs
Many towing business owners spend their early years focused entirely on towing vehicles. That's understandable. Towing is the core service. But as companies grow, many owners begin looking for ways to serve more customers without necessarily adding another truck.
That's where roadside assistance services come in.
Jump starts, lockout assistance, fuel delivery, and minor roadside support calls can create additional opportunities to serve motorists while potentially expanding your visibility in the market. I've worked with thousands of service businesses through the insurance industry, and one lesson comes up repeatedly: the companies that understand customer needs often discover that not every call requires a tow truck bed. Sometimes customers simply need help getting back on the road.
Adding roadside assistance services doesn't automatically make a business better, but it can be a logical expansion for companies that have the systems, training, and equipment to support it.
Should a Towing Business Add Roadside Assistance
Services?
For many towing companies, adding roadside assistance services such as jump starts, lockouts, and fuel delivery can expand service offerings and create additional customer touchpoints. These services may allow operators to assist motorists who don't actually need a tow while helping build relationships with roadside assistance networks, fleets, and local customers.
The decision should be based on local demand, operational capacity, and business goals rather than simply adding services for the sake of growth.
What Counts as Roadside Assistance?
Roadside assistance generally includes services that help motorists resolve minor problems without transporting the vehicle.
Common roadside services include:
Battery jump starts
Vehicle lockout assistance
Emergency fuel delivery
Tire changes
Minor roadside support
Basic vehicle recovery assistance
The objective is simple.
Help the customer get moving again without requiring a full tow whenever possible.
For many customers, that's exactly what they want.
Why Customers Value Roadside Assistance
Most drivers would rather continue their trip than have their vehicle towed.
If a vehicle simply needs:
A battery jump
Fuel delivery
Access to locked keys
A spare tire installed
A roadside service call may solve the problem quickly.
From the customer's perspective, convenience matters.
The ability to solve a small issue without transporting the vehicle often creates a positive experience.
That customer may remember your company the next time they need assistance.
Jump-Start Services
Battery-related service calls are among the most common roadside assistance requests.
Reasons include:
Aging batteries
Cold weather
Interior lights left on
Charging system issues
Vehicle inactivity
A properly equipped roadside assistance provider can often arrive, diagnose the situation, and help restart the vehicle quickly.
In markets with cold winters, jump-start calls may increase significantly during periods of freezing temperatures.
That's one reason winter is often an active period for roadside providers. As discussed in The Best Season to Launch a Towing Business (Winter Is the Answer), seasonal conditions can influence consumer demand in ways many entrepreneurs underestimate.
Lockout Services
Few things frustrate drivers more than locking their keys inside a vehicle.
Lockout assistance allows towing companies to help customers without requiring transportation services.
Benefits may include:
Shorter service times
Lower equipment requirements
Additional customer interactions
Expanded service offerings
The key consideration is training.
Modern vehicles often contain advanced locking systems and delicate components.
Operators should understand proper procedures before offering lockout services.
Professionalism matters.
Damaging a vehicle while attempting to gain entry creates problems for everyone involved.
Fuel Delivery Services
Fuel delivery calls are straightforward but often appreciated by customers.
A driver may:
Misjudge fuel levels
Run out of gas unexpectedly
Become stranded in an unfamiliar area
Providing an emergency fuel delivery can help resolve the issue quickly.
Many towing businesses view fuel runs as a complementary service because they can often be performed using existing personnel and dispatch systems.
The key is understanding local regulations, safety considerations, and operational procedures before offering the service.
Why Roadside Assistance Can Diversify Revenue Sources
One advantage of roadside assistance is customer diversification.
A company relying solely on towing may miss opportunities to assist motorists who don't need a tow.
Roadside services create additional ways to serve:
Motorists
Fleet operators
Roadside assistance programs
Commercial vehicle operators
Local businesses
Diversification doesn't eliminate risk, but it can create additional service opportunities.
The businesses that understand multiple customer types often have more ways to compete.
For a broader discussion of who actually hires towing companies, readers should review Who Calls a Tow Truck? The Customer Mix Beyond Breakdowns.
Understanding customer sources is often just as important as understanding equipment.
Equipment Needed for Roadside Assistance
One reason roadside services appeal to many operators is that startup requirements may be relatively modest compared to adding another tow truck.
Depending on the services offered, equipment may include:
Jump packs
Lockout tools
Fuel containers
Safety lighting
Reflective equipment
Tire service tools
Communication systems
Requirements vary based on service offerings and local regulations.
Operators should focus on quality equipment and appropriate training rather than trying to minimize costs at the expense of safety.
Daily Operations Become More Complex
Adding services creates opportunities, but it also creates complexity.
New responsibilities may include:
Additional dispatching
More service calls
Expanded customer communication
Inventory tracking
Training requirements
Additional documentation
Many owners underestimate how much coordination is involved.
A roadside assistance call may only last a short time, but dozens of calls can create scheduling challenges throughout the day.
I cover the exact service-expansion planning, dispatch systems, equipment decisions, marketing strategies, and operational processes step-by-step in my e-book, How to Start a Tow Truck Business.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that roadside assistance is simply "small towing."
It's not.
Roadside assistance is often a separate service category requiring different skills, expectations, equipment, and customer interactions.
The customer calling for a lockout service is not necessarily experiencing the same urgency or situation as a customer involved in a collision.
The operator who understands those differences usually provides better service.
Adding roadside assistance isn't just adding tasks.
It's adding another customer experience that must be managed professionally.
Staffing and Scheduling Considerations
As service offerings expand, scheduling becomes more important.
Questions to consider include:
Who answers calls?
Who prioritizes dispatches?
Which services receive priority?
How are after-hours calls handled?
How are emergency situations managed?
Many companies eventually discover that dispatching becomes one of the most important functions in the business.
This is especially true when multiple types of service calls are being handled simultaneously.
The daily realities can be eye-opening for newcomers. That's why A Day (and Night) in the Life of a Tow Truck Owner-Operator is a valuable resource for understanding what operators actually manage each day.
Evaluating Local Demand
Before adding roadside services, evaluate whether customers actually need them.
Questions worth asking include:
Are motorists experiencing long wait times?
Are current providers overwhelmed?
Do roadside assistance programs need additional coverage?
Are fleet customers requesting these services?
Do local businesses need support partners?
Every market is different.
A service that is highly valuable in one city may have less demand in another.
Before investing in expansion, it is wise to study local competition and demand. Operators can benefit from reviewing Is Your City Oversaturated With Tow Companies? How to Tell as part of that evaluation process.
Insurance and Licensing Reality Check
Roadside assistance services may create additional operational considerations depending on your location and service offerings.
Requirements may involve:
Business licensing
Vehicle requirements
Commercial insurance
Safety training
Fuel transportation rules
Local permitting
Requirements vary by state and municipality.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) provides information regarding commercial transportation operations and compliance at https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov.
Business planning resources can also be found through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) at https://www.sba.gov.
Before expanding services, discuss operational changes with a licensed insurance professional familiar with towing and roadside assistance businesses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is roadside assistance different from towing?
Yes. Roadside assistance focuses on resolving minor vehicle issues without transporting the vehicle whenever possible.
What are the most common roadside assistance calls?
Jump starts, lockout assistance, fuel delivery, and tire-related service calls are among the most common.
Do I need special equipment for lockout services?
Yes. Vehicle access tools and proper training are important for providing lockout assistance safely.
Can roadside assistance help grow a towing business?
It may provide additional service opportunities depending on customer demand and operational capabilities.
Should every towing company offer roadside assistance?
Not necessarily. The decision should depend on local demand, available resources, business goals, and operational readiness.
Final Thoughts
Adding roadside assistance services can be a practical way for towing companies to expand beyond traditional towing. Jump starts, lockouts, fuel runs, and related services allow operators to help customers solve problems quickly while creating additional opportunities to build relationships and strengthen their presence in the market.
However, roadside assistance should be treated like any other business expansion. It requires planning, training, equipment, scheduling, and an understanding of customer expectations. The operators who approach it strategically are usually better positioned than those who simply add services without a clear plan.
My e-book, How to Start a Tow Truck Business, provides a practical roadmap for entrepreneurs interested in entering or growing within the towing industry. It covers startup planning, equipment selection, pricing strategies, insurance considerations, licensing requirements, customer acquisition, dispatch systems, and day-to-day operations. If you're serious about building a professional towing company,.
For more practical insights on towing, service businesses, entrepreneurship, and contractor-focused industries, subscribe to the Nate Jones Entrepreneur YouTube channel.
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