Roadside Assistance Program Comparison
Which car insurance company has the best roadside assistance program?
Roadside assistance comparison: which program is best for you?
If you’re stranded on the side of the road with a dead battery or flat tire, knowing you have roadside assistance service can give you some much-needed peace of mind.
Many insurance companies and third-party providers offer these services for an additional fee. We're here to help you compare the options available to find the best program that offers you the best value.
The Zebra partners with FIMC to provide a roadside assistance plan called Auto Hero. This third-party plan can be purchased independently from your car insurance policy and comes with features like deductible reimbursement, repair discounts, and more.
Emergency roadside programs from car insurance companies
Many car insurance companies offer roadside assistance, which is usually affordable and specific to the vehicles and drivers listed on your policy. We've compiled prices and coverage details from top U.S. providers in the table below.
| Service | GEICO | State Farm | USAA | Progressive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency Jumpstart Services | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Towing | Yes, to the nearest service station | Yes | Yes | Yes, within 15-mile radius |
| Emergency Fuel Services | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Vehicle Lockout | Up to $100 coverage | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Flat Tire Service | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Extrication/Winching Service | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Labor/Small Mechanical Repair | Yes, up to 1 hour | Yes, up to 1 hour | Yes, up to 1 hour | Yes, up to 1 hour |
Which insurance company has the cheapest roadside assistance program?
The price of roadside assistance services may vary based on how many vehicles you insure. Below are the estimated prices of popular insurers' roadside assistance plans.
| Provider | Cost of Program |
|---|---|
| GEICO | $14 per car, per year |
| State Farm | $30 per year |
| USAA | Not listed |
| Progressive | $13-$36 per year |
| AARP | $66 - $143 per year |
The Zebra’s Auto Hero Plan
We work with FIMC to deliver the Auto Hero program as a top-notch roadside assistance option. One of the best features of The Zebra’s plan is that you don't need to participate in the auto insurance plan to qualify for roadside assistance, which makes it similar to AARP and AAA.
How is Auto Hero different from insurer's roadside assistance?
The Zebra’s Auto Hero Plan follows the individual, rather than the vehicle: you can apply this coverage to another driver’s vehicle, as long as you’re in the car with them. This gives you more flexibility than other insurance companies’ roadside assistance packages: GEICO’s and State Farm’s coverage, for example, applies only to the vehicle listed on the insurance policy.
As a 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.
If you’re interested in discussing the Auto Hero Plan with a representative, contact one of our knowledgeable agents, and they can help you find the right option.
Auto Hero benefits:
✔ Unlimited 24/7 roadside assistance: Towing, battery, lockout, tire change, emergency gas delivery
✔ Auto repair discounts: 50% off qualifying services up to $500/repair, $1,000/year
✔ Auto insurance deductible reimbursement: Up to $500 for a collision or comprehensive claim on covered vehicles
✔ Discounts on repairs: tires, mufflers, brake services and more from participating providers
✔ One low price: it covers your entire family and their cars too!
✔ Flexible payment options: Pay in full or monthly for a 6 or 12-month policy term
Please note: the Auto Hero Plan is available in the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Maryland, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Utah*, Virginia, Washington, Washington D.C., West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
*In Utah, The Zebra provides the Auto Security plan which differs from Auto Hero.
Third-party vs insurance carrier roadside assistance
When deciding between roadside assistance from a third-party provider or your car insurance carrier, consider the following differences:
Carrier roadside assistance:
- Convenience: Added directly to your car insurance policy with one point of contact.
- Cost: Often cheaper when bundled with your insurance.
- Coverage specificity: Specifically ties to the vehicles and drivers listed on your policy.
Third-party roadside assistance:
- Broader coverage: Can cover the member, not just specific vehicles, which means you’re covered even as a passenger in another car.
- More services: Often includes extra perks like trip planning.
- Flexibility: Available to drivers who might not own a car but still need protection when driving or riding in others’ vehicles.
It's advised to purchase a third-party roadside for a few reasons:
- If you use your roadside assistance with your carrier, it counts as a claim and can increase your premium rates. Some carriers could even choose not to renew your policy if you use it often.
- Third-party roadside like Auto Hero is unlimited with a stable monthly fee
- Third-party roadside memberships usually offer more extensive coverages and other benefits like discounts on car repairs, deductible reimbursements, etc.
Hunter Black — Licensed insurance professional at The Zebra
Questions to consider
The decision on which type of roadside assistance package to choose is based on several factors. We've come up with some key questions to help you evaluate your options and make an educated choice.
If you're opting to purchase a brand new car, having a roadside assistance plan automatically included at purchase is a nice (and easy) way to have peace of mind behind the wheel. However, not all of the included plans are equal in length or benefit levels.
- Coverage duration and benefits: New cars often come with complimentary roadside assistance. Luxury brands may offer longer terms with extra perks, while standard makes typically provide shorter coverage periods. After this initial term, you’ll need to explore other options.
- Dealership extensions: Dealerships might offer extended warranties that prolong roadside assistance, matching the warranty length for added security. This can be particularly beneficial if the original plan is short.
Your current insurer can be an easy way to begin if you haven't had roadside assistance before, or if you feel confident in your relationship with your agent and company.
- Integration and ease: Adding roadside assistance to your existing policy can simplify your coverage. However, frequent claims might lead to policy cancellation.
- Cost vs. service: Insurance-based roadside assistance is generally cheaper than third-party services but offers basic help compared to comprehensive plans from specialized providers like AAA, FIMC, Better World Club or Good Sam.
Third-party roadside service vendors offer more products and better service, but they are more expensive. Most people are familiar with companies like AAA or AARP and these can be great options depending on your needs. But if you prefer to keep your rates low and don't want to necessarily join a membership-based organization (or won't use the added discounts and perks), the coverage provided by your current company might be a better choice.
Similar to comparing car insurance quotes, 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 from FIMC, Auto Hero, 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.
AAA Roadside Assistance overview
AAA is what most people think of when they think about roadside assistance. AAA’s program is among the most reliable and in-depth 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 3 miles; 4 times a year | Up to 100 miles; 4 times per year | One per household up to 200 miles, remaining tows up to 100 miles; 4 times per year |
| 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 per year | Two services per year |
| 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.
| 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% off additional reports |
| Vehicle Inspection Service | Free 40pt or discount on 86pt | Free 40pt or discount on 86pt | $45 mail-in rebate for 86pt inspection |
| Extrication/Winching Service | One service per year | Two services per year | Two services per year |
| Rental Car Benefits | Discounted | Discounted plus one car-class upgrade | One-day complimentary midsize rental car |
AAA membership tiers
This extra coverage comes at a cost. AAA roadside assistance costs more than assistance provided by an insurer. But AAA typically has better reviews, thanks to its response time and quality of service. Furthermore, AAA might be a good option if you’re interested in discounts on hotels, dining and other services.
There are currently three different membership levels, each with a yearly fee. For each membership tier, you're allowed four free calls per year; there is a service charge for each call over this amount. The AAA membership also includes a bonus subscription to the AAA Explorer magazine.Â
| Cost | Classic Membership | Plus Membership | Premier Membership |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $62 | $91 | $118 |
Find the car insurance coverage that gives you peace of mind on the road.
AARP Roadside Assistance overview
If you’re an AARP member, you can purchase a discounted roadside assistance policy through Allstate Roadside with tiered services and features, similar to AAA. See the table below for details of the basic (Roadside Assist) and premier (Roadside Elite) pricing and coverage details.Â
| Coverage Level | Roadside Assist | Roadside Elite |
|---|---|---|
| First year: annual rate | $66 | $131 |
| First year: monthly rate | $5.50 | $10.92 |
| Renewal rate | $83 | $143 |
| Household members included | 2 | 2 |
AARP annual pricing
When you become a member AARP offers discounts for multi-year plans that auto-renew, so it can be significant savings if you plan on continuing membership for several years. The following fee structure is based on new members signing up for plans between one and five years (the more years, the higher the discount). You can also get a discount for auto-renewing from year to year.Â
| Plan length | One year | Three years | Five years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Membership fee | $12 - $16 | $43 - $48 | $63 - $80 |
Like AAA, AARP’s roadside assistance coverage is more expensive than coverage from a typical insurance company. But its additional benefits and perks might warrant membership due to the extra savings outside of roadside assistance.
AARP additional benefits
AARPÂ also offers a multitude of additional benefits and discounts with your membership that aren't provided by a standard insurer in the following categories (with examples added):Â
- Health and wellness discounts (pharmacy, hearing and vision)
- Travel (cruises, rental cars)
- Finance (retirement, investments)
- Work (job board, resume help)
- Shopping and grocery (flowers, deliveries)
- Technology (phone plans, anti-virus software)
- Restaurant discounts
- Vehicle (Allstate Roadside, oil changes)
- Entertainment (Ticketmaster, games)
- Family caregiving (medical alert services)
- Home and resl estate (home warranty, mobility services)
- Magazine discounts
- Community (virtual and in-person activities)
- Advocacy
Manufacturer or dealership roadside assistance
One of the simplest ways to get a roadside assistance plan is right at the dealership when you purchase the car. However, coverage quality varies by manufacturer. For example, a new Audi R8 or A8 includes perks like trip interruption reimbursement and concierge services, unlike more basic plans. Details can differ even between models from the same maker, so be sure to verify specifics with the dealership.
Manufacturers typically include a roadside assistance plan with the purchase of a new vehicle — but how long the benefit lasts can vary greatly. Since new vehicles are less likely to have issues initially, consider choosing plans that provide longer coverage, such as five to six years, to ensure help is available as your car ages. It's a good idea to compare the length of coverage and the benefits included for the best overall protection.
Below are some of the most purchased vehicle makes and their new car roadside assistance limits, listed in miles and years.Â
Compare car insurance policies today!
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About The Zebra
The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.
- The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
- The Zebra’s insurance editorial content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
- The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
- The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.