Which car insurance company has the best roadside assistance program?
Roadside assistance can give you some much-needed peace of mind. If you’re stranded on the side of the road with a dead battery or flat tire, your roadside assistance service is available to help you. While most major providers offer roadside assistance — usually as an add-on for an additional cost — not all policies are created equal. Let’s compare some roadside assistance programs from top insurers to options offered by third-party service providers so you can decide which will offer you the best value.
Many car insurance companies offer roadside assistance. While these programs vary by location and company, most apply only to the vehicle and drivers listed on the policy. Roadside assistance through a car insurance provider is typically cheap. See below for roadside assistance prices and coverage options from top providers in the United States.
| Insurance Provider | GEICO | State Farm | USAA | Progressive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency Jumpstart Services | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Towing | Yes, to the nearest service station | Yes | Yes | 15-mile radius |
| Emergency Fuel Services | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Vehicle lockout | Up to $100 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Flat Tire Service | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Extrication/Winching Service | No | No | No | Yes |
| Labor/Small Mechanical Repair | No | No | No | Up to One Hour |
The primary options that are inconsistent from company to company are extrication and winching services, as well as small labor and mechanical repair. Progressive is the only company that offers this service.
The price of roadside assistance services may vary based on how many vehicles you insure. Below are estimated prices of popular insurers' roadside assistance plans.
| Provider | Cost of Program |
|---|---|
| GEICO | $14 per car, per year |
| State Farm | $5-$7 per policy period |
| USAA | Not listed |
| Progressive | $10-$18 per policy period |
| AARP | $58-$74 per year |
The Zebra’s Auto Security Plan follows the individual, rather than the driver: you can apply this coverage to another driver’s vehicle, as long as you’re in the car with them. This provides more flexibility than other insurance companies’ roadside assistance packages: GEICO’s and State Farm’s coverage applies only to the vehicle listed on the insurance policy.
As an added bonus, the Auto Security Plan is the same price no matter how many dependents — family members like your spouse or children — you add to the policy, unlike AAA or AARP’s products. The Zebra’s plan is similar to those of AAA and AARP in that you do not need to participate in the auto insurance plan from Auto and Home Plus — the roadside assistance provider — in order to qualify.
If you’re interested in discussing the Auto Security Plan with a representative, click the buy now button below the following chart or call (888) 444-2833.
| Coverage | Basic — $60 biannually | Premium — $100 biannually or $25 monthly |
|---|---|---|
Roadside assistance:
| 3 events covered per year | Unlimited |
| Auto maintenance services | 15% off services | 30% off services, up to $500 per year and $250 per event |
| Deductible reimbursement | No | Up to $500 |
| Medical reimbursement | No | Yes |
| Auto repair reimbursement | No | Yes up to $250 |
| Travel/entertainment/food discounts | No | Yes |
Please note: the Auto Security Plan is available in the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah*, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.
*In Utah, The Zebra provides only the basic $60 plan.
AAA is what most people think of when they think about roadside assistance. AAA’s program is among the most reliable and in-depth of roadside assistance options, but that service comes at a price. See below the coverage options offered by AAA’s membership tiers.
| Coverage Detail | Classic Membership | Plus Membership | Premier Membership |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jump Start | Included | Included | Included |
| Towing | Up to 7 miles, 4 times a year | Up to 100 miles | One per household up to 200 miles, remaining tows up to 100 miles |
| Emergency Fuel Services | Free delivery, pay for fuel | Free delivery and fuel | Free delivery and fuel |
| Vehicle lockout | Coverage up to $60 | Coverage up to $100 | Coverage up to $150 |
| Flat Tire Service | Included | Included | Included |
| Extrication/Winching Service | One service per year | Two services | Two services |
| Rental Car Benefits | Discounted | Discounted plus one car-class upgrade | One-day complimentary midsize rental car |
| Rental Car Benefits | Discounted | Discounted plus one car-class upgrade | One-day complimentary midsize rental car |
AAA includes basic roadside assistance coverage plus additional perks and benefits, displayed below. Learn more about AAA's roadside assistance and how it compares to other programs here.
| Coverage Detail | Classic Membership | Plus Membership | Premier Membership |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Registration Renewal Help | Included | Included | Included |
| Discounts on shopping, dining, hotels, and entertainment | Included | Included | Included |
| Identity Theft Protection | Daily monitoring, email alerts, fraud resolution support, loss card protection | Daily monitoring, email alerts, fraud resolution support, loss card protection | Daily monitoring, email alerts, fraud resolution support, loss card protection, $10,000 in identity theft insurance |
| Discount to Carfax Vehicle Report | 20% off CARFAX | 20% off CARFAX | One free year, 40% for additional reports |
| Vehicle inspection service | Free 40pt, or discount 86pt | Free 40pt, or discount 86pt | $45 mail-in rebate for 86pt |
| Extrication/Winching Service | One service per year | Two services | Two services |
| Rental Car Benefits | Discounted | Discounted plus one car-class upgrade | One-day complimentary midsize rental car |
This extra coverage comes at a cost. AAA roadside assistance costs more than does assistance provided by an insurer. AAA typically has better reviews, thanks to its response time and quality of service. Furthermore, if you’re interested in discounts on hotels, dining, and other services, AAA might be a good option.
| Cost | Classic Membership | Plus Membership | Premier Membership |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Fee | $5 | $7.75 | $9.75 |
| 6-Month Fee | $30 | $47 | $59 |
| Annual Fee | $60 | $279 | $351 |
If you’re an AARP member, you can purchase a roadside assistance policy with tiered services and features, similar to AAA. See below the basic and premier coverage options.
| Service | Basic | Premier |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Delivery | You pay for the fuel | Up to 2 gallons free |
| Total Service Calls | Single: 3 Couple: 3 | Single: 4 Couple: 5 Family: 7 |
| Dead Battery Jump | Yes | Yes |
| Flat Tire Change | Yes | Yes |
| Winching | Yes | Yes |
Lockout Service | Yes | Yes |
| Towing Service | up to 5 miles | up to 100 miles |
AARP’s program offers additional benefits not provided by a standard insurer.
| Service | Basic | Premier |
|---|---|---|
| Car Rental Savings | Yes | Yes |
| Hotel Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| Pathfinder Trip Routing Service | No | Yes |
| Warranty Repair/Referral Service | No | Yes |
| Trip Interruption Guarantee | No | Up to $1,500/yr |
| Auto Theft Reward | N/A; except CA: up to $5,000 | Up to $10,000/yr |
| Legal Defense Reimbursement | No | Up to $1,000/yr |
| Hospital Emergency Bond | No | Up to $1,000/yr |
| Arrest Bond Certificate | No | up to $1,000/yr |
| RV Coverage | No | Yes |
| Free Smartphone App | No | Yes |
| 60-Day Money-Back Guarantee | No | Yes |
Like AAA, AARP’s roadside assistance coverage is more expensive than coverage from an insurance company.
| Plan Name | Basic | Premier |
|---|---|---|
| People covered | 1-2 | 1-3+ |
| First-Year Membership Fee | $58 | $74 (1 person), $84 (2 people), $104 (3 people) |
| Renewal Pricing | $58 /yr | $84 (1 person), $94 (2 people), $114 (3 people) |
If you're deciding between a third-party roadside assistance company or your current car insurance company with whom you have an auto insurance policy, consider the following suggestions:
If you have too many roadside claims with your current car insurance provider, your coverage can be dropped altogether. If you file multiple claims with a third-party vendor, your car insurance coverage should be unaffected.
Third-party roadside service vendors offer more products and better service, but they are more expensive. If you prefer to keep your rates low, the coverage provided by your current company might be a good solution for you.
Which plan works best for you may depend on how you drive, who you are, and what you want out of your roadside assistance package. If you’re already an AARP member, its program might be an easy option for you. If you prefer AAA’s stellar reputation and extra amenities, choose this option. If you’re content with more barebones service, your current provider’s package might be sufficient.
The Zebra's roadside assistance package, backed by FMIC, is a good mix of the two. While it doesn’t include as many amenities as AARP and AAA, it does cover more than a standard car insurance company’s roadside assistance option. The best choice is to define for yourself what you want and what you’re willing to pay for.
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