How to Choose the Best Roadside Assistance Plan for You
Consider your vehicles, your driving habits, and other factors to choose the right roadside plan.
What is a roadside assistance plan?
A roadside assistance plan provides emergency roadside services to get you moving again. Simply call your roadside assistance provider, and a technician will arrive on the scene to help. Most roadside assistance plans offer basic services like fuel delivery and battery jump start. Some also offer car lockout assistance, winching services, and minor mechanical repairs. They may also provide towing if you need your vehicle towed to a repair shop.
AAA Membership plans include 24/7 roadside assistance, no matter whose car you’re in.
AAA Members also get hotel discounts, discounted trip planning services, and more. Plans start at less than $6 per month. Membership is charged annually.
What to Consider When Buying a Roadside Assistance Plan
From cell phone companies to car insurance providers, there are a lot of ways to get roadside assistance coverage. Here’s what to consider before buying a roadside assistance plan.
1. Commute and Driving Distance
Roadside assistance plans that provide towing services typically have towing limits. Service providers might tow your vehicle to the nearest repair shop or a certain number of miles. (You can get a tow that exceeds a plan’s tow mileage limits, but it will typically cost you extra.) Many roadside assistance plans also come in different tiers, from basic roadside assistance services to more comprehensive coverage. Higher-tier plans often include a greater towing distance.
If you have a long commute or frequently drive long distances, it’s nice to know you can get a free tow to a repair shop wherever you are, so consider a plan with greater towing distances.
2. Family Size
Some roadside service providers cover a specific vehicle. For example, many car insurance companies offer roadside assistance plans but only for the car protected by the auto insurance policy. Other emergency roadside service providers, like auto clubs, cover the person, rather than the vehicle. This means the covered individual can call for help whether in their own car, a rental car or a friend’s car. Roadside assistance plans that cover the person (rather than the vehicle) may also cover the driver’s entire family, or you may be able to add family members to your plan for an extra (sometimes discounted) cost—so your family members can get gas delivery and flat tire service, too.
3. Types of Owned Vehicles
Some roadside assistance plans only tow cars. Others provide towing for electric cars, motorcycles, RVs, and even bicycles. Consider a roadside assistance plan that covers all the vehicles you drive.
4. Driving History and Habits
While comparing roadside assistance plans, think about which services you may need. If you frequently drive long stretches of road, you might prioritize emergency fuel delivery. If you log lots of miles or drive on roads with potholes, flat tire service should be included in your roadside assistance plan. If you have an older car, a full-coverage plan may make the most sense.
5. Additional Service Call Fees
Some roadside assistance plans respond to calls for no additional charge, with the exception of any required purchased parts, such as a new battery. Other roadside assistance plans charge for service calls. (For example, some credit card companies provide roadside assistance coverage, but you pay a fee for each service call.) Most plans also provide a certain number of service calls a year.
6. Other Perks
Some roadside assistance plans come with additional perks to sweeten life on and off the road. They may offer auto repair shop discounts or travel benefits like trip interruption coverage. Compare roadside assistance plans to see which perks appeal to you most.
Before purchasing a roadside assistance plan, think about your needs and review the service provider’s benefits and limitations. Read the fine print to check for service call limits and towing limits—especially if you frequently drive long distances—so you know what to expect.
Explore Roadside Plans