Roadside assistance covers the everyday breakdowns that strand you on the side of the road. Not accidents, not impounds -- just the regular stuff. Flat tire, dead battery, keys locked in the car, empty tank, stuck in a ditch.
Most drivers in Ontario have some form of roadside coverage through CAA, their insurance, or a vehicle manufacturer program. But coverage varies, wait times vary, and not all services are available 24 hours a day in London.
This guide covers what roadside assistance actually includes, when to call CAA vs a local company, what things cost without coverage, and where EMS Towing fits in.
What Roadside Assistance Covers
Standard roadside assistance programs handle five main situations:
1. Flat Tire Service
A technician comes to your location and swaps your flat for the spare in your trunk. That is the basic service. What it does not always include: if you have no spare, a run-flat tire, or the wheel is damaged, you will likely need a tow instead. EMS Towing can change a spare on-site or tow the vehicle to a tire shop if you have no usable spare. See our post on whether you need a tow truck for a flat tire to know which situation applies to you.
2. Battery Boost (Jump Start)
Dead battery is the most common roadside call in London, especially from November through March when temperatures drop below -15C. A technician connects jumper cables and gets the engine running. If the battery is too far gone to hold a charge, you will need a tow to a shop for a replacement. EMS Towing carries battery boost equipment on all trucks. We also carry replacement batteries for common sizes if you need one on the spot.
3. Lockout Service
Keys locked inside the vehicle. A technician uses a slim jim or specialized tool to unlock the door without damage. Most modern vehicles with push-button start or keyless entry can still be opened this way. If the lock mechanism is damaged or frozen, it takes longer. EMS Towing handles lockouts across London, including late-night calls at Western University, Fanshawe, and downtown parking garages. Read more on our locked keys in car London guide.
4. Fuel Delivery
You ran out of gas. A technician brings enough fuel to get you to the nearest station -- usually 5 to 10 litres. You pay for the fuel itself even with coverage. If your vehicle ran completely dry and airlocked the fuel system, you may still need a tow. EMS Towing delivers fuel to stranded drivers across London and the surrounding area, including rural Middlesex County where the next gas station can be 20 km away.
5. Winching and Extraction
Your vehicle is stuck. Off the road, in a ditch, in a snowbank, in mud, or on ice and unable to move. Winching pulls your vehicle back onto solid ground. Not every roadside program covers this -- some classify it as a towing job and charge extra or limit the coverage. EMS Towing handles winch-outs across London and rural Middlesex. Winter is busy for this: the 401 shoulders, Wellington Road, and the Komoka/Ilderton area see a lot of ditch calls during ice storms.
Need any of the above right now? We respond fast, 24 hours a day.
Call 226-476-4176CAA vs Independent Towing Company: When to Call Which
CAA is the default for most Ontario drivers. It works fine much of the time. But there are situations where calling an independent company like EMS Towing is faster and simpler.
| Situation | CAA | EMS Towing (Direct) |
|---|---|---|
| Weekday afternoon breakdown in London | Good choice | Good choice |
| Friday night or weekend | Longer waits possible | Faster, direct dispatch |
| During a major snowstorm | High volume, 1-2 hr waits common | We prioritize highway/urgent calls |
| Highway 401 breakdown | Dispatches a contractor | We cover 401/402 directly |
| Need a specific shop for tow destination | May have preferred shops on rotation | You choose where it goes |
| No CAA membership | Need to pay out of pocket, higher rates | Transparent pricing, call for quote |
| Accident recovery | Limited coverage, may not attend scene | Accident recovery is our specialty |
| EV or luxury vehicle | Depends on contractor's equipment | Flatbed available, EV-trained drivers |
How CAA Works in London
CAA dispatches calls through a network of approved contractors. They do not have their own trucks in London -- they call a local company. That means the response time depends on which contractor is available. During busy periods, CAA may show estimated waits of 90 minutes or more. You can check their app for ETAs, but they are estimates, not guarantees.
If you have a CAA membership and time is not critical, it is a reasonable option. If you are on the 401 at night in bad weather and need someone there fast, calling a local company directly is usually quicker.
How Insurance Roadside Works
Many Ontario auto insurance policies include roadside assistance as an add-on. Check your policy documents. This coverage typically pays for one or two calls per year. It works similarly to CAA -- they dispatch a contractor. Response times vary.
For towing after an accident, your collision or comprehensive coverage applies, not roadside. EMS Towing works with all major insurers for post-accident towing. We provide documentation for your claim.
What Does Roadside Assistance Cost Without Coverage?
If you do not have CAA, insurance roadside, or a manufacturer program, you pay directly. Here are realistic ranges for London:
| Service | Typical Cost Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Flat tire (spare swap) | $60 - $100 | Higher if on highway, after hours |
| Battery boost | $60 - $90 | Battery replacement extra if needed |
| Lockout | $75 - $120 | Higher for complex locks or after midnight |
| Fuel delivery (service fee) | $60 - $90 | Plus cost of fuel delivered |
| Winching (basic) | $100 - $200+ | More for deep ditches or off-road recovery |
| Local tow (first 8 km) | $90 - $140 | Additional per-km charge after that |
Prices vary by company and situation. EMS Towing gives you a quote before we start. No surprise charges. For a full breakdown of towing costs, see our 2026 towing cost estimates.
Call for a quote before you commit. No obligation.
Get a Quote: 226-476-4176When Roadside Assistance Will Not Help You
Roadside assistance programs have limits. There are situations where you need something different.
- Accident recovery -- If your vehicle has been in a collision, that falls under your auto insurance, not roadside. A tow is covered under collision or comprehensive, not roadside assistance. EMS Towing handles accident recovery and works directly with your insurer.
- Police impounds -- If your vehicle has been towed by police (illegal parking, DUI seizure, etc.), roadside assistance will not get it back. You deal with the impound lot and the city directly.
- Vehicles too damaged to safely tow -- Some roadside programs will not dispatch for vehicles that require specialized recovery equipment. EMS Towing has heavy-duty equipment for those situations.
- Private property tows -- CAA and insurance roadside only cover public road breakdowns. If your car dies in a parking garage or on private property, check your policy -- some exclude this.
- Commercial vehicles -- Most CAA personal memberships do not cover commercial trucks or vans. If you operate a fleet, you need a commercial roadside plan or a direct relationship with a towing company. See our commercial fleet towing guide.
EMS Towing's Roadside Services in London
We handle all five standard roadside services plus accident recovery and heavy-duty towing. We are locally based, not a call center dispatching contractors from somewhere else.
- Flat tire service -- Spare swap on-site. If no spare, we tow to a nearby shop.
- Battery boost -- Jump start and battery replacement if available. We test the charging system before we leave.
- Lockout -- Damage-free entry on all standard vehicles. Late-night calls included.
- Fuel delivery -- We bring enough to get you to the nearest station. City and rural.
- Winching and extraction -- Ditches, snowbanks, mud, ice. Single and multi-point recovery.
- Accident recovery -- Insurance-approved, documentation provided, works with OPP and London Police.
- EV and luxury vehicle handling -- Flatbed for all electric vehicles. Soft straps and protective padding for high-value vehicles.
We cover London, St. Thomas, and Middlesex County. We run on the 401 and 402 corridors 24/7.
Tips for Staying Safe While Waiting for Roadside Help
Once you have made the call, you wait. How you wait matters.
- Get off the road. If the car moves at all, push or drive it to a parking lot or side street. Do not sit on a busy road shoulder longer than you have to.
- Turn on hazard lights. Do this first, before anything else.
- Stay in the vehicle on highways or at night in unfamiliar areas. Lock the doors.
- Do not accept help from strangers who pull up uninvited. Some predatory tow operators monitor police scanners and show up unsolicited at breakdowns and accidents. Wait for the company you called. EMS Towing trucks are marked with our name.
- Have your location ready. Cross streets, highway exit numbers, or a nearby business name helps us find you faster.
For more detailed safety guidance, see our post on emergency towing in London Ontario, which includes a full breakdown of what to do while waiting on a highway.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does roadside assistance cover being stuck in a ditch?
Some programs cover it, some call it a towing job and charge extra. Check your policy. EMS Towing handles winch-outs directly. Call for a quote before you decide which route to take.
Is CAA worth it in London?
CAA Classic membership runs around $90-110/year. If you use it once, it pays for itself. The main downside is wait times during storms or peak periods. It is reasonable coverage for routine situations.
Can I call EMS Towing instead of CAA?
Yes. You can use your insurance or CAA to cover the cost and still request us by name with some programs. Or you can pay directly. We give you a quote before we start so you know what you are paying.
What if my car needs a tow but I also need roadside first?
If you need a boost or a spare swap but the car still will not run, we can attempt the roadside fix first and tow if it does not work -- all in one call. No need to arrange two separate services.
Do you handle roadside calls on the 401?
Yes. Highway calls are handled the same as city calls. We respond 24/7 and cover the 401 and 402 through the London area. See our post on tow truck response time in London for what to expect on highways specifically.
What if I have a flat tire but no spare?
More common than people think, especially with newer vehicles that do not include a spare. We tow you to a tire shop. If it is after hours, we tow you home and arrange a shop for the next day. Read our full breakdown: do you need a tow truck for a flat tire?
Need Roadside Help in London or St. Thomas?
Call direct. Live dispatcher. 24/7 service.
Call Now: 226-476-4176EMS Towing provides roadside assistance and towing across London, St. Thomas, and Middlesex County. We cover the 401 and 402 corridors 24/7. Call 226-476-4176 or visit emstowing.ca.