Are you satisfied with YOUR roadside assistance?
Roadside assistance is amazing because you don’t have to pay out of pocket if you get locked out of your car, have a flat tire, or break down. AAA is one of the most well-known names in regards to roadside assistance services in the US.
And when purchasing a AAA membership, you also get other perks like discounts at auto repair shops and hotels, car buying services, travel planning resources, and other benefits. But, a AAA membership is pretty pricey and has an F rating with the Better Business Bureau.
Plus, let’s get real for a second here, folks: Most people don’t need all those bells and whistles of having a membership. So isn’t there a better option? Stick around as I go over 10 roadside assistance alternatives to AAA you’ll want to check out!
Allstate
Allstate delivers the most flexibility of any roadside assistance provider. You have the option of buying roadside assistance as an add-on to an existing Allstate policy or purchasing a subscription plan regardless of your insurer.
Plus, you can use Allstate’s mobile app to get access to pay-per-use roadside assistance, regardless of whether you’re insured with Allstate. Adding roadside assistance to your Allstate policy or getting a pay-per-use service will cover your everyday needs, including tire changes and lockouts.
But for drivers who want the full benefits of an auto club, then an Allstate Motor Club subscription can provide additional perks and discounts, including trip interruption coverage.
Better World Club
Better World Club is one of the best roadside assistance companies because of its fairly low price, above-average coverage options, and A rating from the Better Business Bureau. Its plans are more affordable for auto clubs, and its website says that the company will match AAA’s prices.
For those unfamiliar, Better World Club is a subscription-based service that boasts itself as the only eco-friendly auto club. The club advertises its carbon-neutral fleet, bicycle roadside assistance, and donations to environmental charities, among other endeavors.
Farmers
Farmers provide an affordable and basic policy, though it includes winching if your car gets stuck within 10 feet of a public road that’s paved.
Farmers received an A plus rating from the Better Business Bureau, as well. At the end of the day, it’s a reliable option for those who want only the essentials covered and who don’t plan on taking long road trips.
Nationwide
Nationwide provides excellent roadside assistance for a car insurance company and offers you a choice of two plans, basic and plus. The basic plan provides above-average service, and it includes ditch extraction.
The Plus plan is a suitable choice for long-distance drivers due to the fact that it offers towing for up to 100 miles and trip interruption reimbursement of roughly $500 if you get stranded farther away than they’re willing to tow.
Good Sam
This roadside assistance option is an auto club that offers a larger variety of plans for different vehicles, including motorcycles, RVs, cars, and trailers.
The basic Good Sam plan will provide you with towing to the closest service center, regardless of mileage. And members can also save at AAMCO transmission centers.
Travelers
Travelers can offer you the best assistance from a car insurance company because drivers can choose between two affordable plans. The basic coverage plan and the premier package will include winching, which is seldom available from a car insurance company’s roadside assistance.
Furthermore, the premier choice provides you with up to 100 miles of towing, personal property coverage, and trip interruption.
AT&T
AT&T delivers standard roadside assistance for a mere $2.99 monthly for customers with one phone line. The plan covers up to four assistance calls annually and will pay for services up to $75 per disturbance.
If you need to call more than four times in a calendar year, you have to pay for any service yourself, though AT&T can help arrange it. I should mention that AT&T coverage is tied to a specific phone. So, the phone and the subscriber have to be physically present in the car to qualify for this roadside assistance.
This means that the phone’s owner can be the driver or a passenger, but they can’t call on behalf of someone else who’s stranded. With that being said, AT&T’s plan is a suitable choice for drivers who want inexpensive roadside assistance but can’t or don’t want to buy it from their car insurance company.
State Farm
State Farm’s roadside assistance option is one of the most affordable choices, costing as little as $1 monthly. It’s an outstanding choice for budget-conscious drivers who expect minor issues rather than huge disasters.
On the other hand, those who want extra coverage, like travel discounts or long-distance towing, should probably look somewhere else.
Progressive
Progressive can offer you a fairly affordable roadside assistance program. Besides their standard services like fuel delivery and towing, this option covers winching your car out of snow, mud, sand, or water up to 100 feet from a highway or road.
So Progressive is an excellent choice for those who drive in hazardous weather conditions or on roads in poor shape.
American Family
American Family roadside assistance might only include standard services but it’s an affordable, solid option.
Adding to an existing car insurance policy will cost you anywhere from $10 to $20 per year, and as a bonus, American Family earned an A with the Better Business Bureau.
Why not just choose the ever-so-popular AAA?
It’s worth mentioning that the most well-known auto club in the US, AAA, ranked 13th out of 22 providers in an analysis.
Even though it has extensive coverage options and even a few add-ons, AAA has a grade F with the Better Business Bureau because they have too many unresolved customer complaints.
Tips for Choosing the Best Roadside Assistance
-First, decide if a roadside assistance subscription is worth it for you: For instance, buying extra roadside assistance is probably excessive if a manufacturer’s warranty already covers your car.
Besides that, if you don’t expect to use roadside assistance often, apps like Honk and Blink don’t require a subscription but can connect you with providers for a fee per service call.
-Weigh the pros and cons of the more basic coverage most car insurance companies provide you with vs. an auto club: Auto club subscriptions tend to have higher towing limits. At the same time, insurers offer more affordable, more basic coverage.
-Take any special circumstances into account: Do you take road trips to Mexico or Canada often? Do you own a motorcycle or RV? If so, be sure to tailor your search to these exact needs.
-Consider if you want to be covered as an individual or if you want your vehicle to be covered: Recurring car renters or business travelers should buy plans that cover them rather than a specific automobile.
But, if you have multiple family members using the same car or one insurance policy, coverage on your vehicle or the policy is likely the most cost-effective choice.
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What to look for when purchasing roadside assistance
-How much does it cost?
-Is the cost one time, or do you have to pay every time you use the service?
-How many times a year can you use the service?
-Is there an additional cost for adding family members?
Note: The number of times you can use the service per year varies by plan. Some offer service three times, and others offer more. Be sure to choose a strategy based on the age of your car and your service needs.
What option do you have now? Are you satisfied with it? And did I miss any providers on this list? Be sure to share your thoughts in the comments section.
Meanwhile, if you found this article informative, you might also like: 9 Reasons to Avoid Automatic Car Washes at All Costs!
