Enterprise Roadside information: What It Is and How to Get It

Enterprise offers roadside information as an add-on to your rental agreement, not as a standard feature. When you rent a car from Enterprise, you can purchase this coverage at the counter or online before pickup. The service covers common roadside problems like lockouts, dead batteries, fuel delivery, and towing — but only if you buy it as part of your rental. It is not automatically included, and coverage limits and costs vary depending on which rental location you use and which vehicle class you rent.

The roadside information Enterprise sells is typically provided through a third-party service network, not Enterprise staff directly. When you need help, you call the number provided in your rental agreement or on your rental documents, and a dispatcher sends a service provider to your location. Response time depends on where you are — urban areas usually see faster arrival than remote roads.

Key Takeaways

  • Enterprise roadside information is optional and costs extra; it is not included in your base rental rate.
  • The service covers lockouts, dead batteries, fuel delivery, and towing, but the towing distance limit and other specifics are in your rental agreement.
  • You must purchase the coverage before or at the time of rental — you cannot add it after you have already picked up the car.
  • The actual service is provided by a third-party network, not Enterprise employees, so response times vary by location and time of day.
  • Your personal auto insurance or credit card may already cover roadside information, so check those before paying for Enterprise's version.

What Enterprise Roadside information Actually Covers

Enterprise roadside information typically includes lockout service (getting back into the car if you lock your keys inside), battery jump-starts or replacement, fuel delivery if you run out of gas, and towing to the nearest repair facility. The exact coverage and distance limits depend on the specific plan and your rental location. Some plans cover up to 50 miles of towing; others may differ. Your rental agreement or the coverage document you receive will list the exact limits.

What it does not cover: damage to the vehicle itself, mechanical repairs beyond towing, rental car replacement if your car breaks down, or service calls for problems caused by misuse or lack of maintenance. If you get a flat tire, for example, the service will tow you, but they will not repair the tire as part of roadside information — that becomes a repair bill. If you run out of gas and damage the engine in the process, the damage is not covered.

The service is only valid during your rental period. Once you return the car, the coverage ends. If you need roadside help after returning the vehicle, you are no longer covered under the Enterprise plan.

How to Purchase Enterprise Roadside information

You can buy roadside information when you book your rental online or when you arrive at the Enterprise counter. Online booking usually shows the option during the final steps before you confirm your reservation — it appears as an add-on you can toggle on or off. The cost is added to your total rental price.

At the counter, the rental agent will offer it to you as part of the standard rental process. You can accept or decline at that point. If you decline and later change your mind, you cannot add it after you have already picked up the car — you would have to return the car and rebook with the coverage included, which defeats the purpose.

Keep your rental agreement and any roadside information documentation in the car with you. That document will have the phone number to call if you need help. Some Enterprise locations provide a separate card or sticker with the roadside information number; others include it in the main agreement.

When to Call for Roadside information and What to Expect

Call the roadside information number on your rental documents as soon as you need help. Have your rental agreement number, vehicle location, and a description of the problem ready. The dispatcher will ask where you are, what the issue is, and whether you are in a safe location. If you are on a highway or in traffic, they may advise you to move to a safer spot if possible.

Response time varies widely. In cities, a service provider might arrive within 30 minutes to an hour. On rural roads or during late-night hours, it could take several hours. The dispatcher will give you an estimate when you call. During that wait, stay in the car with doors locked if you are in an unsafe area, or wait nearby in a well-lit public space.

When the service provider arrives, they will verify your rental agreement and the coverage, then perform the service. For a lockout, they will get you back in the car. For a dead battery, they will jump-start it or arrange a replacement. For fuel delivery, they will bring you gas. For towing, they will load the car and take it to the destination you specify — usually the nearest Enterprise location or a repair shop.

Check Your Existing Coverage Before Buying

Before you pay for Enterprise roadside information, check whether you already have it through another source. Your personal auto insurance policy may include roadside information as a standard or optional feature. Many insurers offer it at no extra cost or for a small annual fee. If you have it, your policy documents will list the coverage and the phone number to call.

Credit cards sometimes include roadside information as a cardholder benefit, especially premium cards. Check your card's benefits guide or call the customer service number on the back of your card. Some employers and membership organizations (AAA, for example) also provide roadside information to members.

If you already have roadside information from one of these sources, using that coverage instead of Enterprise's means you do not pay twice. The coverage will work the same way — you call a number, a service provider comes to you, and the service is covered. The only difference is which company is billing for it.

What Happens If You Need Towing Beyond the Coverage Limit

Enterprise roadside information covers towing up to a certain distance — often 50 miles, but check your specific agreement. If the nearest repair facility is farther away than that limit, you will be responsible for the cost of towing beyond the covered distance. That bill can be substantial, especially on rural roads where the nearest shop might be 100 miles away.

If you find yourself in this situation, ask the service provider what the total towing cost will be before they hook up the car. You can then decide whether to have them tow you to the nearest covered location and arrange your own transportation from there, or pay out of pocket for the full distance. Some rental companies will negotiate or cover the overage if you call the rental location directly, but that is not may provide.

This is another reason to check your personal auto insurance first — some policies cover unlimited towing distance, which would protect you in this scenario without any additional cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Enterprise roadside information if I rent from a different car rental company?

No. Roadside information purchased through Enterprise is only valid for Enterprise rentals. If you rent from Hertz, Budget, or another company, you would need to purchase their roadside information or rely on your personal insurance or AAA membership.

What if the service provider cannot fix the problem on the spot?

If the problem cannot be fixed roadside — for example, if your transmission fails — the service provider will tow the car to a repair facility. Enterprise will typically arrange a replacement rental car for you at no charge while yours is being repaired, though you should confirm this with your rental location when you pick up the car.

Does roadside information cover accidents or collision damage?

No. Roadside information covers mechanical breakdowns and lockouts, not accidents or collision damage. If you are in an accident, you would file a claim with the rental company's insurance, not use roadside information. The roadside service might tow the damaged car, but the towing is separate from the accident claim.

Can I add roadside information after I have already picked up the rental car?

No. You must purchase it before or at the time of pickup. If you decline it at the counter and later want it, you would have to return the car and rebook with the coverage included, which is impractical. This is why checking your existing coverage before you rent is important.

What should I do if the roadside service takes longer than expected?

Call the roadside information number back and ask for an updated estimate. If the delay is extreme and you need to get somewhere urgently, ask the dispatcher whether you can arrange your own tow and submit a receipt for reimbursement — some plans allow this, but you need to ask before you pay out of pocket.