Best Roadside Assistance Plans in 2024 | AutoInsurance.org (original) (raw)

Things to Remember

While roadside assistance is optional, it can be an excellent addition for many drivers. Whether you are looking for assistance with a flat tire or an empty gas tank, roadside assistance plans will help you if you are stranded on the road. However, not all drivers want to pay for roadside assistance, and some plans aren’t worth the money for certain types of drivers.

There are also multiple places to purchase roadside assistance, from the best auto insurance companies to cell phone carriers, and each varies in features and costs. To help you sort through all this, we will go over where you can purchase a roadside assistance plan, how to decide if roadside assistance is right for you, and other important information.

Roadside Assistance Explained

What is roadside assistance? Roadside assistance helps drivers when their vehicle breaks down. The service will typically provide fuel, change a flat tire, jump a dead battery, or tow the vehicle to a repair shop if the fix isn’t simple. However, there are other services they may provide as well, such as unlocking a car.

Roadside assistance also helps reduce your breakdown costs, as services are included in your annual fee. While how much roadside assistance covers depends on what level of service you purchase, services are free as long as they are under your coverage.

So if you have a car prone to breakdowns, roadside assistance can more than pay itself off after a year. For example, while tows are expensive, a tow may be free of charge under your roadside assistance coverage, saving you a few hundred dollars. This can help significantly reduce your car breakdown costs over time.

Since what roadside assistance covers isn’t always clear, read on for the basics of which types of breakdowns and mishaps roadside assistance will help with.

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What does roadside assistance cover?

While what is offered depends on the roadside assistance provider and what level of coverage you choose, in general, roadside assistance plans offer the following benefits:

Roadside assistance plans may also offer discounts on other products and services, such as attractions, travel, and more.

Coverage through roadside assistance is also generally offered on a 24/7 basis, as you can’t control when your car breaks down. Remember that depending on where your car breaks down, you may have to wait longer for assistance in some areas compared to others, depending on where service providers are located.

What does roadside assistance not cover?

Roadside assistance will generally cover all the situations listed in the previous section but bear in mind that coverage may run out after a certain point, depending on your policy.

For example, most tows are free only up to a certain mileage, such as 100 miles. After that, you’ll have to pay the per-mile tow fees for the rest of the way. In addition, your roadside assistance plan may limit how many incidents it will cover. A plan may only cover two tows per year, for example.

Your roadside assistance also doesn’t cover any costs after it performs its covered service. For example, they will change your tire out for your spare tire, but you’ll have to pay for the new tire at the repair shop.

Where to Get Roadside Assistance

Many people wonder if their auto insurance covers roadside assistance, but roadside assistance is only available as an add-on with some insurance companies. While a car insurance company is often the popular choice to purchase plans from, such as State Farm roadside assistance or Geico roadside assistance, there are other places to get roadside assistance. When shopping around for a roadside assistance plan, consider the cost and what extra features and services are offered.

We’ve outlined where you can find roadside assistance, from your auto insurance company to credit card companies, so you can decide which type of plan and provider is right for you.

Auto Insurance Companies That Offer Roadside Assistance

An auto insurance company is usually the first choice to purchase roadside assistance, as it is often cheaper than purchasing it separately. While not all insurance companies offer roadside assistance, several popular companies do offer roadside assistance as an add-on.

Which auto insurance company has the best roadside assistance plan?

One of the best insurance companies for add-on roadside assistance is Progressive, as it has a reasonably cheap rate and offers various services with its roadside assistance.

Some other auto insurance companies that offer the best roadside assistance include Geico and USAA. See the table below for how auto insurance companies roadside assistance programs compare.

Average Annual Roadside Assistance Costs by Company

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When comparing companies’ roadside assistance programs, such as State Farm’s roadside assistance or roadside assistance with Allstate, remember that some insurance companies only offer roadside assistance as an add-on to drivers with a full coverage policy. This means you need comprehensive and collision insurance in addition to liability insurance.

Here’s a comparison of full coverage vs. minimum coverage rates from the top U.S. auto insurance companies.

Liability Auto Insurance Rates by Provider

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You should also consider the company’s coverages and rates before signing up for a policy with roadside assistance. Reading company reviews like our State Farm auto insurance review will help you choose a company with decent coverages and rates.

Membership Organizations That Offer Roadside Assistance

Some common membership organizations you may have heard of include AAA roadside assistance and Better World Club. If your insurance provider doesn’t offer roadside assistance, choosing a membership organization is usually the second most popular option.

While the cost of joining a membership organization is more expensive than adding roadside assistance to your car insurance plan, there is often a wider range of services offered. While insurance companies may not offer winching or locksmith services, a membership usually offers all of these in addition to the basics of roadside assistance, such as gas delivery and jumpstarts.

In addition, membership organizations often offer numerous perks and discounts. If customers take advantage of the multiple perks and discounts on everything from plane tickets to movie tickets, the more expensive cost of a membership organization may be worth it. You have to weigh the pros and cons to learn if a AAA membership is worth the cost for you.

Car Manufacturers That Offer Roadside Assistance

A lesser-known option is roadside assistance plans through your car’s manufacturer. A few car manufacturers will throw in roadside assistance as a perk when you purchase a new vehicle from them.

Car Manufacturers That Offer Roadside Assistance Plans

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The free roadside assistance is often limited to within a few years of purchase, but you may receive other benefits like free oil changes for the duration of your car’s life.

GM also makes the most of its OnStar technology by using its telematics for the usage-based insurance option of its OnStar Insurance. See our GM auto insurance review for more.

Cell Phone Carriers That Offer Roadside Assistance

Cell phone carriers always try to attract new customers with extras and deals. Some big companies like Verizon and AT&T offer roadside assistance for customers.

You have to pay a monthly fee for roadside assistance through these companies, and if you change your carrier plan to a different provider, you will no longer receive roadside assistance.

Credit Card Companies That Offer Roadside Assistance

Another less commonly known option for roadside assistance plans is through your credit card company. A few companies like Mastercard or Visa have pay-per-incident coverage.

This means that you don’t pay a monthly or annual fee for roadside assistance, but you’ll pay a pre-specified amount each time you use roadside assistance through the credit card company.

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Deciding If Roadside Assistance Is Right for You

Not everyone wants to pay extra for roadside assistance, which is understandable. Infrequent drivers and drivers with cars in good condition will likely rarely need roadside assistance. Likewise, if your car is unlikely to break down, the cost of paying for roadside assistance usually isn’t worth it.

However, if you have an older car and drive long distances, paying a little extra for roadside assistance can be worth it. In addition, roadside assistance may be for you if you want peace of mind and are uncomfortable with tasks like changing a tire or jumpstarting a car.

What should I do if I don’t have roadside assistance and break down?

If you don’t have roadside assistance and your car breaks down, don’t panic. If the problem is the result of a dead battery or an empty gas tank, you may be able to get a friend or family member to come to assist you.

If the problem is more serious, you can call a towing company or mechanic to come to look at your car and give you a tow if necessary. The cost for assistance is usually around $100 without a roadside assistance plan.

When getting help without roadside assistance, ensure you don’t fall prey to common tow truck scams. Unsolicited tow truck drivers will try and tow your car and charge you an astronomical amount. If a tow truck driver shows up who you haven’t called, don’t accept their services.

You should always get a copy of the estimated charges for your tow before a tow truck company takes your car. Keep an eye out for unnecessary costs or high prices.

The Final Word on Roadside Assistance

Roadside assistance programs aren’t for everyone. As mentioned previously, if you drive long distances or your vehicle is prone to breaking down, purchasing a roadside assistance plan can save you significant money. It is often cheapest to purchase roadside assistance through your auto insurance company, but you can also buy from a membership organization, car manufacturers, and more.

If you want to search for a car insurance company with roadside assistance, it is wise to compare rates from multiple companies to make sure you’re getting the best deal possible. Use our free quote comparison tool to compare auto insurance rates in your area.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best roadside assistance plan?

With multiple roadside assistance plans, choosing which one is the best depends on your individual needs. Make sure to consider prices, coverage levels, and customer service reviews.

Where can I get roadside assistance?

You can purchase roadside assistance from a roadside assistance company like AAA, or you can purchase it from a car insurance company. You may also be able to purchase it through a cellphone carrier or credit card company.

When can I use roadside assistance?

The majority of roadside assistance plans provide 24/7 service, regardless of holidays. You may have to wait longer on busy days or in areas where the nearest service provider is further away.

Can I use my roadside assistance coverage on other vehicles that I don’t own?

Most companies will allow you to use your roadside assistance on cars you don’t own. For example, if you borrow a friend’s car and it breaks down, you can call your roadside assistance provider for help. Generally, policies apply to the person paying for the service, regardless of which car they are driving.

Who sells roadside assistance insurance?

Car insurance companies and auto assistance providers like AAA are the most common sellers of roadside assistance. However, car manufacturers, cell phone carriers, and credit card companies may also sell roadside assistance plans.

Should I get roadside assistance coverage through an insurance company or AAA?

It is usually cheaper to buy roadside assistance from your car insurance provider than to purchase coverage from AAA. However, AAA offers a number of perks that can make the higher cost worth it. In addition, if your car breaks down because of something that was your fault, such as getting a flat tire from speeding, using AAA won’t raise your insurance rates.

How can I avoid tow truck scams?

Make sure never to accept services from unsolicited tow trucks and always ask for prices before accepting services. If you don’t feel comfortable finding a tow truck service on your own, ask your insurance company to call a tow truck for you or recommend a service provider.

What is roadside assistance and what does it cover?

Roadside assistance is a service that helps drivers when their vehicle breaks down. It typically includes benefits such as fuel delivery, tire changes, jump-starts, and towing to a repair shop if needed.

How do I decide if roadside assistance is right for me?

Consider factors such as the condition of your car, your driving habits, and your comfort level with handling common roadside issues. If you have an older car, drive long distances, or prefer the peace of mind that comes with professional assistance, roadside assistance may be worth it.

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Written by:

Laura Kuhl

Insurance Content Team Lead

Laura Kuhl holds a Master’s Degree in Professional Writing from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Her career began in healthcare and wellness, creating lifestyle content for doctors, dentists, and other healthcare and holistic professionals. In 2018, she started writing for the cannabis industry. She curated news articles and insider interviews with investors and small business ow...

Insurance Content Team Lead

Reviewed by:

Tim Bain

Licensed Insurance Agent

Tim Bain is a licensed insurance agent with 23 years of experience helping people protect their families and businesses with the best insurance coverage to meet their needs. His insurance expertise has been featured in several publications, including Investopedia and eFinancial. He also does digital marking and analysis for KPS/3, a communications and marking firm located in Nevada.

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