Roadside assistance vs. AAA: which is better?
The fear of being stranded on the road can be daunting, but there are plenty of roadside assistance options out there. You can add roadside assistance to your personal auto policy — your GEICO or Progressive policy, for instance — or you can buy a secondary policy through a company like AAA. If you're already shopping for new car insurance, it can be included in your quote.
Each option comes with costs and benefits, including price and coverage differences.
Key Takeaways:
- AAA is primarily known for their roadside assistance program, offering more comprehensive options.
- Most major auto insurance companies also offer roadside assistance at an additional cost.
- A AAA membership includes deals and discounts on many other services like rental cars, registration renewal, hotels and dining, and more.
What is AAA and what insurance coverage does it provide?
Although AAA is a car insurance company, it is known for its roadside assistance program. Offering more coverage than a typical insurer-provided roadside assistance program, AAA’s roadside assistance package comes in tiers. See below what's included in AAA’s Classic, Plus, and Premier membership levels.
AAA's roadside assistance package is more comprehensive than similar programs offered by other car insurance providers. Each of these is consistent with a tier of the membership plan, as described below.
| 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 |
| Coverage detail | Classic membership | Plus membership | Premier membership |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle inspection service | Included | Included | Included |
| Discounts (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 on 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 |
The difference between AAA and your auto insurer: AAA is a full-service auto owners' organization, rather than a company focused on insuring your vehicle.
How much does AAA cost?
Because AAA is built on a tiered membership system, the cost changes by tier. The price depends on the number of people and vehicles you have on the plan. The rates listed below are reflective of a one-driver, one-vehicle household. You can add drivers to your AAA membership with a slight increase in membership fees.
Compare insurance rates quickly and easily.
| Coverage detail | Classic membership | Plus membership | Premiere membership |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | $5 | $7.75 | $9.75 |
| 6-month fee | $30 | $47 | $59 |
| Annual fee | $60 | $279 | $351 |
Insurance companies' roadside assistance program comparison
The roadside assistance programs of top insurance companies share some things in common with AAA. The only companies that provide small labor or mechanical help and winching services (if your vehicle is stuck in the mud and needs to be extracted) are Progressive and AARP.
| Program offerings | GEICO | State Farm | USAA | Progressive | AARP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency jumpstart services | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Towing | Yes to nearest service station | Yes | Yes | 15-mile radius | Yes |
| Emergency fuel services | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Vehicle lockout | Up to $100 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Flat tire services | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Extrication/winching service | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Labor/small mechanical repair | No | No | No | Up to one hour | Yes |
AAA vs. competitor programs
One major difference between AAA and insurer-provided roadside assistance is the level of detail they provide regarding their obligations. AAA has a more comprehensive and clearly outlined program. AAA outlines within its policy documentation the services it will and will not cover — for example, for how many miles the service will tow your vehicle. Personal auto insurance policies usually describe their towing limitations as “to the nearest towing facility.” Depending on your location, this could be 4 blocks, 7 miles, or 100 miles.
Zebra tip:
Insurance-provided roadside assistance programs are usually cheaper than AAA. Roadside assistance is factored into your monthly bill just as your comprehensive or collision coverage would be. See the table for average costs you can expect from these services.
| Insurance provider | Roadside assistance cost |
|---|---|
| GEICO | $14 per car, per year |
| State Farm | $5-$7 per policy period |
| USAA | Unlisted |
| Progressive | $10-$18 per policy period |
| AARP | $58-$74 per year |
Should you use AAA or your car insurance for roadside help?
That depends on what level of service you require. AAA's offerings go beyond roadside assistance, and it is renowned for its quality of service. If you travel to remote locations, the piece of mind provided by AAA could be worth the extra investment.
If you live in a metro area and don’t drive much, but still want roadside support, your current provider’s roadside service might be a suitable solution.
If you’re looking for car insurance quotes with roadside assistance costs included, enter your ZIP code below to compare rates.
Compare car insurance policies and make an informed decision.
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About The Zebra
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