5 Things to Consider When Choosing Roadside Assistance as a Frequent Traveler
If you frequently drive long distances, you may need more than a basic roadside assistance plan. For peace of mind, look for these five benefits.
Did you know, drivers across the United States call roadside assistance millions of times each year? From installing spare tires to jumping dead batteries, roadside assistance is there to help drivers get back on the road. And if a roadside technician can’t fix the problem, they’ll tow you to the nearest gas station or repair shop. Roadside assistance plans can offer greater peace of mind, especially if you take long trips.
If you don’t have roadside assistance, you may be stuck finding emergency roadside service on your own and footing a larger bill, too.
Many car manufacturers, credit card companies, and membership clubs sell roadside assistance. But before you pick your provider, here are five things to consider when choosing a roadside assistance plan as a frequent traveler.
1. Towing Distance
Towing distances vary by roadside assistance provider. The best emergency roadside assistance will be there even when you’re far from home. If you like taking long road trips, or find yourself driving out of town often, it might be best to select a plan that offers greater towing distances.
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.
2. Services
Roadside services vary by service provider. You can get a basic plan or an upgraded plan with more comprehensive coverage.
Basic Roadside Assistance Plans
These plans include basic services like:
- Towing
- Flat tire replacement
- Fuel delivery
- Basic mechanical labor
- Car lockout assistance
- Vehicle extrication (using a winch with a cable to pull a vehicle out of the mud or from a ditch if near a paved road)
Comprehensive Roadside Assistance Plans
Upgraded plans come with basic benefits and extras such as:
- Dead battery jump starts and battery installation
- Discounts on auto repair
- RV and motorcycle towing
- One-day car rental with a tow
- Windshield repair or replacement reimbursement
3. Availability and Wait Times
A flat tire or a dead battery can happen anytime, anywhere. It’s important to make sure emergency services will be there when and where you need them. Prior to picking a roadside assistance plan, look into the provider’s:
- Availability: Find out when the provider operates. Not all roadside assistance programs are available 24/7.
- Coverage area: Are roadside assistance services available nationwide? If not, you might be on your own if you’re not within the coverage area.
- Size and capability of towing network: A small tow truck network often means longer wait times. Providers with a larger network, however, station tow trucks close to spots with frequent breakdowns. Some roadside assistance providers also have an app users can request help on and track the deployed service truck. Double-check if the roadside company has winching equipment, too.
4. Travel Discounts and Benefits
Some roadside assistance plans come with other travel discounts and benefits. Travel benefits may include:
- Car rental discounts: Car rental companies may reward roadside assistance plan members with a discounted rate, a complimentary additional driver, and elevated loyalty status.
- Auto repair discounts: Roadside assistance providers may have deals on labor and parts at participating repair shops.
- Hotel discounts: Certain hotels may offer discounted rates to plan members. And roadside plans like AAA offer a special AAA Diamond hotel rating, which awards one through five diamonds based on top-tier inspections and overall guest experience.
- Trip interruption coverage: If your trip is cut short due to a covered event, you may be able to recoup unused travel expenses like hotel costs and booked tours.
5. Coverage per Person or Multiple Cars
If your rental car breaks down, or if your partner was driving your vehicle when it gets a flat tire, can you call roadside assistance? It depends. Every roadside assistance plan has its own rules.
Some roadside assistance clubs cover any vehicle you’re in—whether you’re the driver or not. This means you can get roadside help if you're driving your car or someone else’s car. It also means you can get help if you're a passenger in a friend's car or your car. You’ll be covered if your rental car breaks down, too.
There are also some roadside assistance carriers that let you add drivers, like your spouse or teenager, to your plan. There's often a charge for adding household members to your roadside assistance plan.
Some car manufacturers provide roadside assistance with the purchase of a new or certified pre-owned vehicle, and some insurance companies offer roadside plans as a policy add-on. (You may need to buy collision and comprehensive coverage to get roadside assistance coverage.) So if you're driving a rental car or riding in someone else’s car when it breaks down, you probably won’t be able to use your roadside assistance.
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