Comparing Roadside Assistance Programs

This post is part of a sponsored series. 

Is it safe to say that we’ve all been in a situation where you end up stuck on the side of the road for one reason or another? Maybe it’s a flat tire, a vehicle that’s having issues, or any other number of reasons. It’s those times that make you wish you had looked into a roadside assistance program, or at least that’s usually what runs through my head at the time. So it makes you wonder, what is there to know when comparing roadside assistance programs? Here’s a quick run-through.

Top Contenders

Some of the most popular programs include AAA, Allstate Motor Club, National Motor Club, AARP, Better World Club, AutoVantage and GM Motor Club.

Services to Consider

Roadside assistance programs typically include a gamut of services ranging from towing, getting locked out of your car, tire change services, gasoline delivery, dead battery assistance, car rental discounts, and more.

Some offer premium services as well, such as concierge and travel planning services, legal defense reimbursement, retail discounts and more.

How to Compare

When it comes down to comparing the different roadside services, obviously there are a few things to consider that differ from one person to the next. You’ll want to compare:

• Price
• Number of service calls per year
• Services offered for each plan (and which you think you might use most often)
• 24/7 assistance

Our Pennsylvania Jeep dealer recommends another thing to think about; what coverage you might already have, since you don’t want to pay twice for the same service. Where else would you get that coverage? You’d see it in your auto insurance, possibly through the car dealership you purchased from, or even on certain credit cards.

What to Expect in Pricing

If you’ve never looked into a roadside assistance program, you may be surprised at the cost, I was. I’d expected these type of services to cost an arm and a leg but actually it’s not horrible. Pricing can range anywhere from around $90-$350 per year depending on the plan you choose. When you break it down to possibly needing just one tow a year, it could pay for itself right there.