As a driver there are a lot of expenses to think about. There are the one-time expenses, like a drivers ed courses to get a license. Then there are the ongoing expenses like gasoline or charging up an EV. Of course, you also have to have basic car insurance coverage to legally drive a vehicle, and a certain level of maintenance is needed to keep the vehicle running.
Then there are the costs that aren’t an absolute necessity, but some drivers find that they are worth the extra expense. A roadside assistance plan falls into this category. And if you ever have to actually utilize the plan, you’ll probably find it’s a good use of your money.
Are you one of the drivers that should invest in a roadside assistance plan? The good news is you may already have roadside assistance coverage and not even know it. Even better, is it could be a free benefit.
Pros to Having Professional Roadside Help
Everyday - Reassurance Every Trip
How much do you value peace of mind? For many drivers, knowing they have roadside help any time they need it is worth the extra expense.
In the Moment - Immediate Roadside Help
You’ll be much less stressed in the moment with common roadside issues since help will be on the way, possibly at no cost.
In the Moment and Later - Towing Service
One of the biggest monetary hits related a roadside breakdown is towing. A towing service is usually going to be about $100 minimum. However, if you have to tow your vehicle more than 5-10 miles the cost can go up quick. It’s not unheard of for a tow to cost $250. That could be an expense that you feel for weeks or months after the tow.
During a Road Trip - Trip Interruption Coverage
Millions of Americans take a road trip every year. They book hotels, buy attraction tickets and fuel up their vehicles before hitting the road, hopefully with a roadside emergency kit. But unfortunately, some people don’t make it to the destination because they end up on the side of the road.
Some roadside assistance plans will help you get the vehicle back up and running or get it to a mechanic, and it will help you recoup the cost of your trip being interrupted. If you plan to take a road trip or two, it’s a perk worth considering.
Cons of Professional Car Emergency Services
Annual or Monthly Fee
By far the top con of a roadside assistance plan is the service fee. You’ll have to pay a monthly or annual fee just to be able to utilize the basic services.
Additional Expenses
Often what’s covered in a roadside assistance plan is limited. You’ll have to pay an extra fee for add-on coverage that’s more extensive or pay a higher fee for a premium plan.
Exclusions in Coverage
Some things are going to be outright excluded, even if you’re willing to pay an additional fee.
Limited Service Area
Just like phone service, you have to look at the coverage area for roadside assistance. Is it provided in just your immediate area, inner city or everywhere?
Long Response Time
A technician may be in the service area, but it may take them a while to get there. Even if they aren’t that far away the response time could be long.
Breaking Down Roadside Assistance Costs
Since roadside assistance costs are the biggest sticking point for most drivers, it’s worth looking at them in more detail. Let’s begin with the typical costs associated with roadside assistance plans:
Monthly membership costs
Annual membership cost
Per-call fee
Cost per mile for towing
Fees for gas or parts
Cost by Type of Plan
Now, what’s covered on a plan typically depends on the type of plan you have. The roadside assistance service could be:
Free Service or Perk
Many service providers actually offer roadside assistance services as a free perk. It could be access to a service for a small one-time fee or a free membership for a limited time.
Did you know a free roadside assistance plan from Allstate is included with DriversEd.com courses? Yep, it’s just one more way we’re helping drivers save!
Basic Plan
A basic plan will cover common issues including tire changes, battery jumps, refueling, unlocking and towing service.
Premium Plan
A premium plan is a step up providing more services and longer towing distances than a basic plan.
One-Time Service/Fee
Some roadside assistance services are offered on a one-time basis for a fee. That fee will often cover a variety of issues.
Add-On Service
Instead of being a free perk for purchasing another product or service, some roadside assistance plans are offered as an add-on for an extra cost.
What It Would Cost to Handle a Roadside Emergency on Your Own
The only way to truly gauge if the benefits outweigh the costs is to know what it would cost you if you didn’t have a roadside assistance plan. Here’s a general idea for several common issues:
You can expect it to cost at least $75-$250 to tow a car, depending on how far you need to go.
You’ll pay at least $20 for the gasoline canister if you run out of gas, plus a lot of time walking.
The range for a locksmith to come unlock your vehicle is $40-$250.
Long-Term Cost vs. Benefit Analysis
In the short-term it’s easy to see how the annual expense of a roadside assistance plan could be worth it. But what about longer term? That all depends on how often you think your vehicle could have a roadside issue, and how much correcting the issue on your own will cost. Someone who travels a lot with a vehicle that’s older or on rougher roads may want to make sure they have a vehicle breakdown cover.
Cost Analysis Example With and Without Roadside Assistance
Let’s take a look at an example to get a better gauge on the value of roadside assistance. In this scenario there are three different drivers taking similar trips that run into the same common problem, but each one has different roadside coverage.
Driver A is taking a road trip to a national park several hours away from home. Not far from the park Driver A senses something is off with the handling of the vehicle and pulls over. They must have picked up a nail at the last gas station and now the tire is almost flat. The worst part is they don’t have a patch kit and no one on the road trip knows how to change the tire. But the good news is the driver’s auto insurance can send a technician out for a one-time fee of $65.
Driver B just moved to a new area a few hours from their home town. Since they were making a few trips back and forth for the move, Driver B decided to get a premium roadside assistance plan than cost $130 annually but covered just about everything. And it’s a good thing because Driver B ran over debris and got a flat tire on one of the trips without a spare on board. Stranded about a half hour from anything, it would have easily cost $200+ just for a tow or for a mechanic to come out to the vehicle. Fortunately, the plan covered the fix for less, and driver B can still get assistance if they need it again.
Driver C had low pressure in one tire before setting off on a short drive to the city 30 miles from their rural home. About half way there Driver C is alerted that the pressure is significantly lower and they have to pull over. Sure enough the tire is about completely flat. Driver C knows they are about 10-15 miles from the city, there’s no jack to put on the spare tire and they don’t have any roadside assistance coverage.
After calling a few of the closest mechanics Driver C finds that even with using the spare tire it will be $130 for the technician to come out and replace the flat.
Closer Look at the Costs:
This is a really good example because two of the costs are very similar: Driver B pays $125 and Driver C pays $130. However, should these drivers break down again within the year Driver B is still covered whereas Driver C must once again pay for assistance.
That’s the consideration point between Driver A’s situation and Driver B’s circumstance. Driver A paid less when you think of it as a single service, but if they have to use the service again they are going to pay another $65 for a total of $130.
Price Points From Different Providers
Who is providing the roadside assistance will impact how much the service costs and what you get for your money. Here’s a breakdown of the cost for roadside assistance from different providers.
Auto Clubs and Organizations
You’ve probably heard of the AAA. It’s a well known auto club that assists motorists who are members of their organization. The pricing for roadside help is unique with an auto club, because technically you are paying for a membership with the club.
Average Pricing for Roadside Assistance Plans: The AAA has annual membership rates as low as $53.
Private Companies
There are a lot of private companies that can provide roadside assistance, usually as an add-on service for a primary product such as a car navigation system. One thing to be mindful of is the locations that are served. You’ll also want to know more about response times in your area or areas where you’ll be driving the most.
Average Pricing for Roadside Assistance Plans: Varies, starting as low as $10 a month
Insurance Companies
Whether roadside assistance is going to be an extra cost through your car insurance company is a bit of a toss up. It all depends on your insurer and your auto insurance plan. However, most insurance providers offer roadside assistance as an add-on service that can be included with the monthly premium.
Average Pricing for Roadside Assistance Plans: Usually $15-20 extra a year
Credit Card Companies
Credit card companies offer a lot of perks to attract consumers. Check your credit card benefits, because you may have that it gives you access to roadside assistance services.
Average Pricing for Roadside Assistance Plans: Free, but may cost one-time fee per call
Auto Manufacturers and Dealerships
Many auto manufacturers now offer roadside assistance in some form. Why? Because the technology on board can now make it easy to detect and analyze a problem from miles away. You may also get roadside assistance included if you are leasing a vehicle from a dealership.
Average Pricing for Roadside Assistance Plans: Free to thousands if special package or equipment must be purchased.
Rental Car Companies
Many rental car companies offer some sort of roadside assistance with their vehicles. But they also usually have a premium plan that cost extra.
Average Pricing for Roadside Assistance Plans: Daily fee that’s anywhere from $5-15 a day or per trip fee.
Final Verdict on the Value of Roadside Assistance Plans
Should you get a roadside assistance plan, or should you save your money for a time when you actually do end up on the side of the road?
If you already have the basics covered through another plan or you can easily access a roadside service for a reasonable cost, then you might want to save your money. But if you aren’t covered at all, especially if you drive in remote areas or don’t have someone nearby to help, having dedicated roadside help could be well worth the cost.
BUT - before choosing a roadside assistance plan, see what kind of coverage you may already have. Check your:
Auto insurance policy
Credit card perks
Auto manufacturer
Auto loan lender
Navigation system
Phone service provider
Membership organizations
Professional organizations
Any and all of these could provide free roadside assistance or discounts that increase the value.