I'm planning a trip and spent some time digging into my options for roadside assistance and below I've included details of some of the different services I looked at. I had been a member of AAA for a while and dropped it several years ago as I didn't feel it was a beneficial enough. I rarely use roadside assistance, probably once every 4-5 years, but my car is 15 years old now so that may change.
I want to be covered regardless of what vehicle I'm in, my own, a rental, or borrowing a car from someone. That typically rules out an auto insurance company add-on. Plus, using it through my auto insurance may result in it being counted as a claim and potentially higher premium if used too much.
I'm leaning toward preferring to use a pay per use service rather than a yearly fee for a motor club such as AAA. Here are the options I looked into.
For those with newer cars, your manufacturer may have included it with your purchase for a period of time like the first two years.
Do you have any other suggestions for roadside assistance with a pay per use model?
I want to be covered regardless of what vehicle I'm in, my own, a rental, or borrowing a car from someone. That typically rules out an auto insurance company add-on. Plus, using it through my auto insurance may result in it being counted as a claim and potentially higher premium if used too much.
I'm leaning toward preferring to use a pay per use service rather than a yearly fee for a motor club such as AAA. Here are the options I looked into.
- Allstate offers a pay per use plan here: Allstate Roadside pay per use. Current price for a tow is $159. Other services are a little under $100 each.
- There's an app called Honk available on Android and Apple. Current price for a tow as I type this is $120 + $6 per mile.
- One can also just Google "roadside assistance" when needed and call a highly-rated local tow truck company, which may get you faster service.
- Credit Cards: Although my particular AMEX doesn't provide roadside assistance, I have a Visa and Mastercard that do at pre-negotiated rates so I called both to get prices.
- Visa "Roadside Dispatch"-- $79.95 for a tow, battery jump, lockout, and fuel delivery (tow includes 5 miles + a small fee for each mile over). Visa uses third-party provider Agero to arrange service. The agent I talked to was fantastic.
- Mastercard "Road Assist"-- Cost of a tow is determined by where you are and where you want to go. Battery jump and lockout are $95. Fuel delivery is $105 and includes 2 gallons. Mastercard uses a company called Blink to arrange service. The Visa provider was more helpful and knowledgeable and would be my preference. I think using this service would be much like AAA where one has a dedicated phone number to call for service and follow up.
For those with newer cars, your manufacturer may have included it with your purchase for a period of time like the first two years.
Do you have any other suggestions for roadside assistance with a pay per use model?