No matter how safely you drive, an issue could always happen on the road. Even professional drivers who have planned out their route and prepared for just about anything can run into a problem that leaves them stranded on the side of the road.
That’s why roadside assistance services exist. Roadside assistance companies provide car emergency services so that you’re never left to figure things out on your own in the middle of nowhere or on the side of a busy street. Of course, the tradeoff is there are roadside assistance costs that have to be paid to get that assurance.
So, is roadside assistance worth the cost? The only way to find out for sure is to weigh your options and compare the alternatives, which is exactly what we’ve done below!
Benefits of Roadside Assistance
Owning a vehicle isn’t cheap. If it’s not a necessity, there’s got to be a benefit for most drivers to sign up for a service. Let’s get right into it by taking a look at the top benefits of having roadside help a call away.
Gives Drivers Peace of Mind
By far the top reason for getting a roadside assistance plan is knowing that you have help when you need it. People are paying for peace of mind first and foremost.
Immediate Roadside Help
When your car is on the side of the road it’s the last place you want to be. Immediate help is priceless and can even be a matter of safety depending on where you end up.
Towing Service That Pays for Itself
Towing services are extremely expensive. Just one tow ride could easily exceed the annual cost of a roadside assistance plan.
Trip Interruption Coverage
If your car breaks down on a road trip you’ll have a few less things to worry about when you have a roadside assistance plan. Not only are the basics like towing covered, but plans could also provide trip interruption coverage. That way if you can’t get to your destination you can at least get financially reimbursed.
Concierge Services
Do you like having extra support that’s personalized to your needs? Is VIP treatment something you prioritize? Then the concierge services that come with some roadside plans is a perk you’ll appreciate. These high level services aim to help customers save time and energy.
Potential Drawbacks of Roadside Assistance Plans
If it were nothing but benefits just about every driver would have a roadside assistance plan. The reality is, the upsides of roadside help can come with potential drawbacks that include:
Roadside Assistance Costs
The most obvious downside to some plans is how much roadside assistance costs. There are going to be fees involved one way or another unless you get a free trial. It will either be a monthly fee, annual fee or per-call fee.
Limitations and Exclusions in Coverage
There are going to be limitations to the coverage and some services that are outright excluded.
Limited Availability and Response Time
Depending on where you are and your plan, available services may be limited. Another issue could be a long response time for a technician to reach your location.
Coverage Options
It’s important to know exactly what vehicle breakdown cover a plan provides to get the best coverage possible. Coverage options vary by provider, type of plan and add-on features.
Services Commonly Covered by Roadside Assistance Plans
If you’re looking to at least have the basics covered most roadside assistance plans will include:
- Flat tire replacement
- Towing service to a shop
- Refueling/fuel delivery
- Unlocking
- Jumpstarting a dead battery
- Stuck tire(s)
Coverage by Plan Type
Some providers offer basic plans or even free roadside services along with premium plans that have more coverage. The premium plans are for the drivers that prioritize safety and preparation. They generally offer more extensive coverage and priority services. With a premium plan you may even get mechanical fixes done roadside so you can get going again quickly.
Additional Features
Some roadside services aren’t a concern most of the time, but they’re good to have when you need them. These additional features can include trip protection, seasonal services and rental cars.
Comparing Roadside Assistance Service Providers
Car emergency services can come from a number of sources. You might even have coverage from more than one of the providers below at once without knowing it!
Auto Clubs
Auto clubs used to be more common, but one organization has stood the test of time. AAA is probably the best known provider of car emergency services in the world. Auto clubs charge a membership fee rather than monthly rates.
Unique Features: Comprehensive coverage, it’s a membership in an organization that can come with many other perks rather than a singular monthly service.
Pricing: Annual membership tends to cost a little less than paying monthly fees. AAA is currently offering plans starting at $52.50 for the first year.
Customer Satisfaction: Customer satisfaction typically hinges on the value of the membership overall, not just based on the roadside assistance services.
Private Companies
There are a number of private companies that offer roadside assistance plans as a standalone service, an add-on service or a special perk. OnStar is an example of a private company that provides roadside assistance. You can add on the Safety and Security plan to get 24/7 help.
Unique Features: Some in-car systems can call for help for you and they can automatically grab your location for fast response.
Pricing: With a private company you may not be paying for roadside assistance directly. Instead it could come as a part of a package or is built into other products that you’ve paid for. Right now, OnStar’s Safety & Security plan is $25-$30 a month.
Customer Satisfaction: Response time is huge when a driver is paying for a plan from a private company.
Did you know you can get special roadside assistance services from Allstate when you sign up for an IDriveSafety course? Check out the other benefits that come with each course!
Auto Insurers
In addition to providing financial assistance when there’s damage or an accident, car insurance companies sometimes offer roadside assistance. Military service members, veterans and their direct family members are all eligible for USAA auto insurance plans that come with additional perks like roadside assistance services.
Unique Features: Can start a claims process with your car insurance company right away if necessary.
Pricing: Roadside assistance may be covered by the monthly premium for the insurance plan or it might be considered optional coverage that costs extra.
Customer Satisfaction: The easier it is to make use of the benefit, the happier people will be with their auto insurer.
Vehicle Manufacturers
The manufacturer of your vehicle may also offer roadside assistance plans, especially if you bought the vehicle new from a certified dealership.
Unique Features: Complete understanding of your vehicle and help from certified technicians is a plus.
Pricing: Often free with the purchase of a new vehicle or included in an upgrade package that can be hundreds to thousands of dollars. Keep in mind the service may be included for a limited time.
Customer Satisfaction: How easily the problem is solved will greatly affect customer satisfaction since the auto manufacturer should know the vehicle better than anyone.
Credit Card Companies
Believe it or not, a perk of having some credit cards is roadside help. But the perk may only extend to having the service at your disposal. Actually having to use roadside assistance services could cost extra.
Unique Features: There may be fees related to the card and services may be very limited, but the extensive network of most major credit cards could prove to be important.
Pricing: Typically a free perk, but there could be fees associated with the credit card. Some credit card providers also offer roadside services on a per-call basis.
Customer Satisfaction: Follow through is huge since roadside assistance is an ancillary service for a credit card company.
Real-Life Roadside Assistance Scenarios
The vast majority of trips are fairly uneventful, but anything can happen out on the road. Let’s consider some potential real-life scenarios to see if a roadside assistance plan would be a good investment.
What If You Moved to a New City?
Let’s imagine that you’ve moved to a new city about four hours away from your closest relatives and friends. If you break down they aren’t in the position to provide help - at least not immediately - and you aren’t knowledgeable about cars. This is a scenario where you’d want to have a roadside assistance plan so you have a reliable source of help.
What If You Sign Up for a Credit Card That Comes With AAA Membership?
You finally decided to get a new credit card, and the one you choose comes with a lot of perks. One of them is an annual membership with the AAA. That’s a great deal, but there are still some real-world situations to think through. For starters, is it just one year’s membership then an automatic renewal on your credit card? Or is this a free perk as long as you have the account? Are there annual fees for using the credit card? Is it a full membership or a special limited membership? These are some things to consider when you’re thinking about whether a roadside assistance plan is worth it.
Should You Sign Up for Professional Roadside Help?
Choosing a roadside assistance plan begins with knowing if you already have roadside services covered through another service provider or plan. If not, there are certainly scenarios where it makes sense to sign up for a dedicated roadside assistance plan. If you know nothing about mechanics, drive a lot and don’t have someone nearby who can help you if you get sidelined, you may want to consider your roadside assistance options.
The key takeaway is that you have to base choosing a roadside assistance plan on your needs and your individual circumstances. Weigh the pros and cons for all of the viable options. Sure, it’s always reassuring to know you’re covered in the event you break down, but for some drivers it’s hard to justify the cost.
Of course, even if you do have a roadside assistance plan it’s important to have an emergency preparedness kit for your car, keep your vehicle well maintained and to drive safely!
Updated 08/30/2024
