Roadside assistance comparison: which insurance company's program is best?
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.
Emergency roadside programs from car insurance companies
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 |
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 | $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
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: Towing, battery, lockout, tire change, emergency gas delivery, extraction/winching | 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 |
Key terms explained
- Medical reimbursement: This will provide reimbursement of the first 48 hours of emergency medical expenses and ambulance expenses that are not covered by your insurance and that result from car accidents.
- Deductible reimbursement: This is specific for qualifying events (defined in your policy agreement) and will apply after the claim has exceeded the deductible.
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 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 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.
| 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 |
AARP Roadside Assistance overview
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 Roadside Assistance coverage options explained
- Pathfinder Trip Routing Service: Tips and maps on destinations in the US, Mexico, and Canada.
- Trip Interruption: This means if the vehicle you are traveling with is disabled as a result of an accident, you will be reimbursed up to $1,500 for your travel expenses. You must be more than 100 miles away from home to be eligible.
- Auto Theft Reward: This will provide a monetary reward for information leading to the arrest of the thief if your vehicle is stolen.
- Legal Defense Reimbursement: Provides litigation defense in the event you are taken to court over a traffic violation. Certain restrictions apply.
- Hospital Emergency Bond: If you're injured more than 100 miles away from and are required to present evidence of financial responsibility at a hospital, this will provide support.
- Arrest Bond Certificate: An AARP edition of a get out of a "get out of jail free card." If you're arrested for a driving-related offense (but cannot be DUI/DWI related), you can use this coverage as a jail bond. Up to $1,000.
- RV Roadside Coverage: You can add this coverage for $24/yr and will get two additional service calls for this coverage.
AARP’s program offers additional benefits not provided by a standard insurer:
Like AAA, AARP’s roadside assistance coverage is more expensive than coverage from an insurance company.
| Plan | 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) |
Roadside assistance comparison: third-party vendors versus insurance companies
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.
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, 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.
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 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.