How to Get the Best Roadside Assistance Plan
The best roadside assistance plans reduce the hassles of a car breakdown. Most insurance companies offer cheap add-on coverage for basic roadside services. A membership plan like AAA or Good Sam may be a better fit if you don’t mind paying extra for more protection.
Best roadside assistance plans
State Farm, Erie and AAA Plus are the best roadside assistance plans for most drivers.
- State Farm’s plan covers a few more services than most other car insurance plans.
- Erie covers longer towing distances than most other car insurance companies.
- AAA Plus has the best combination of service and price for membership plans.
Best car insurance plan coverages: State Farm
State Farm’s roadside assistance plan includes locksmith labor. This can come in handy if you need to replace a lost key or fob. State Farm also covers battery deliveries, though you still have to pay for the battery.
For other breakdowns, State Farm only covers tows to the nearest repair shop. If your preferred shop is farther away, you’re billed for the extra towing miles.
Pros
Covers some locksmith labor
Battery delivery available
Costs about $5 a month
Cons
Only covers tows to the nearest shop
Best car insurance towing distance: Erie
Erie covers tows for up to 20 miles past the nearest shop from your breakdown location. Most other car insurance plans only take you to the nearest shop. A longer towing distance gives you more choices on where to take your car for repairs.
Erie’s comprehensive Comprehensive covers your car for theft and damage from non-collision causes, like fire, flood and vandalism. (comp) coverage includes up to $75 in locksmith coverage. Its add-on for roadside assistance covers things like battery jumps and tows. These plans usually cost about $10 a year per vehicle, or less than $1 a month.
Pros
Longer towing distance than most other car insurance plans
Less than $1 per month per vehicle
Also covers lockouts, battery jumps and fuel delivery
Cons
Erie is only in 12 states and the District of Columbia
Best roadside assistance membership plan: AAA Plus
Extended towing, locksmith coverage and a reasonable price make AAA Plus the best roadside assistance membership plan.
AAA Plus is the second highest of AAA’s three membership tiers. It costs about $100 a year, or less than $10 a month. The plan covers up to 100 miles in towing and $100 in locksmith fees.
All three AAA membership tiers include battery testing and replacement. AAA also covers you in any car as a driver or passenger. Unfortunately, it costs extra to add family members to your plan.
Pros
Covers tows of up to 100 miles
Up to $100 in locksmith coverage
Covers you in any car
Cons
Associate memberships required for family members
More expensive than car insurance plans
AAA’s rates and benefits vary by state and region
What’s the best roadside assistance plan for me?
The best roadside assistance plans minimize the time and expense of getting your car to a shop or back on the road. The most common roadside rescues include flat tires, empty fuel tanks, dead batteries and lockouts, according to AAA. With this in mind, here are key features to look for in any roadside assistance plan.
- Direct payment for services: The best roadside assistance plans pay service providers directly. Plans that make you pay for service up front are usually worth avoiding.
- Coverage limits: Some insurance company plans place a dollar limit on service calls. If your plan has a $75 limit and your tow costs $100, the $25 overage comes out of your pocket. Plans without limits like this are usually better.
- Locksmith services: Most roadside assistance plans cover lockouts. They pay a technician to get you back into your car. However, only a few plans also cover locksmith services, which you may need for a lost key or fob.
- Long towing distances: Most basic plans only cover short tows from your breakdown location. If your preferred shop is farther away, the extra mileage fee comes out of your pocket. Higher towing limits take some of the worry over where to get your car fixed.
- Battery delivery: Most roadside assistance plans cover battery jumps. Only a few cover battery delivery and installation. Battery delivery gets you back on the road quicker if your dead battery no longer holds a charge.
- Fuel delivery and flat tires. Most roadside assistance plans cover fuel delivery, though you usually have to pay for the fuel itself. Most plans also cover flat tire replacements if you have a usable spare.
How does insurance company roadside assistance work?
Most insurance companies’ roadside assistance plans cover basic services for a few dollars a month, including:
- Jump starting a dead battery
- Getting you back into your car after a lockout
- Replacing a flat tire with your spare
- Fuel delivery if you run out of gas
- A short tow
A few insurance company plans have longer towing distances and locksmith coverage.
You usually won’t choose an insurance company based solely on its roadside assistance plan. However, it’s a factor to consider when you compare car insurance quotes.
Insurance company roadside assistance plans
| Company | Towing limit | Lockout/locksmith services | Battery service | Annual cost* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | 10 miles | Lockout only | Jumps starts | $25 |
| American Family | Not specified | Both | Jumps starts | $60 |
| Erie | Nearest shop plus 20 miles | Lockout (comp includes $75 locksmith labor) | Jumps starts | $10 |
| Geico | Nearest shop | Lockout | Jumps starts | $14 |
| Liberty Mutual | Nearest shop | Lockout only | Jumps starts | $50 |
| Progressive | Nearest shop or 15 miles | Lockout only | Jumps starts | $16 |
| State Farm | Nearest shop | Lockouts, 1 hour locksmith labor | Jumps starts, battery delivery | $21 |
Source: Costs are based on auto insurance quotes for a typical male driver in Ohio.
How do roadside membership plans work?
Membership plans require you to pay an annual fee to get roadside assistance. Most membership plans have tiered levels of service. The most basic plans often have similar coverage as insurance company plans at a higher price.
A Classic membership from AAA, for example, covers about five miles of towing and costs $65 a year. Better World Club’s Basic Auto plan costs $63 a year and also covers up to five miles of towing.
Upper-tier plans from AAA and Better World cover up to 100 miles of towing. Upper-tier plans often also have trip interruption coverage. This pays for food, lodging and transportation if your car breaks down far from home.
Roadside membership plan comparison
| Plan name | Tows/calls per year | Lockout/locksmith service | Battery service | Annual cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AAA Classic** | 5 miles/four | Lockouts plus $50 locksmith | Jump starts and replacement | $65 |
| AAA Plus | 100 miles/four | Lockouts plus $100 locksmith | Jump starts and replacement | $100 |
| AAA Premier | 100 miles/four*** | Lockouts plus $150 locksmith | Jump starts and replacement | $125 |
| Allstate Roadside Assist | 10 miles/five | Lockouts only | Jump starts only | $78 ($73 first year) |
| Allstate Roadside Advantage | 10 miles/five | Lockouts only | Jump starts only | $105 ($89 first year) |
| Better World Basic | 5 miles/four | Lockouts only | Jump starts only | $63 |
| Better World Premier | 100 miles/four | Lockouts only | Jump starts only | $115 |
| Good Sam Platinum | Nearest shop**** | Lockouts only | Jump starts and replacement | $100 ($50 first year) |
| Good Sam Platinum Plus | Nearest shop | Lockouts only | Jump starts and replacement | $110 ($55 first year) |
| Good Sam Platinum Complete | Nearest shop | Lockouts only | Jump start and replacement | $180 ($90 first year) |
**AAA membership rates and benefits vary by state. New customer discounts available in some states.
***Includes one tow of up to 200 miles.
****Good Sam’s Go Anywhere coverage extends tow coverage to 50 miles.
AAA vs. Good Sam and other membership plans
Each of the roadside membership plans have their own pros and cons.
AAA, for example, covers you in any car as a driver or passenger. However, you have to pay for associate memberships to get coverage for your spouse and kids. AAA’s upper-tier memberships include trip interruption coverage, which pays for lodging, food and transportation after a breakdown. AAA’s trip interruption also covers other types of travel interruptions, including those in other countries.
A single Good Sam membership covers you, your spouse and dependent children, but only in your own cars. It tows you to the nearest shop unless you add “Go Anywhere” coverage for longer tows. Good Sam’s upper-tier memberships include trip interruption for car accidents more than 100 miles from home.
Allstate memberships cover you and one other driver in your home. Additional drivers cost more. Its upper-tier membership includes a trip interruption benefit. The company gives AARP members an exclusive discount on its membership plans.
Better World appeals to eco-conscious drivers. The company is carbon neutral and donates a portion of its profits to environmental causes. Members are covered in any car, but coverage for your family members costs extra. Both membership tiers include trip interruption coverage.
Who else offers roadside assistance?
Some credit card issuers and cell phone providers also offer roadside assistance plans.
For example, most Visa credit cardholders get basic roadside assistance for $80 a call. You have to call for service on Visa’s helpline. You should check your cardmember agreement to confirm your eligibility and details.
Verizon offers a roadside assistance plan to its wireless customers for $5 a month. This plan covers jump starts, tire changes, lockouts, fuel delivery and up to 10 miles in towing.
T-Mobile doesn’t have its own roadside assistance plan. It gives new wireless customers a free one-year AAA Classic membership, instead.
Frequently asked questions
Some form of roadside assistance is usually worth it. It can be difficult to search for help after your car breaks down. Most roadside assistance plans give you a number to call for help. The best plans also pay the service provider directly, so you don’t have to.
Roadside assistance is often included with the warranty for a new car. These plans usually cover basic services like jump starts and fuel delivery. They typically also cover tows to the nearest dealership.
Tip interruption covers things like lodging, travel and food if your car breaks down. Progressive offers it as an add-on to its roadside assistance coverage. AAA, Allstate, Better World and Good Sam also offer it, though restrictions vary by company.