Is it better to add roadside assistance through your current provider or buy an AAA membership?
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. Each option comes with costs and benefits, including price and coverage differences. Let’s explore the AAA vs. insurance roadside assistance debate to decide which is most cost-effective.
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.
| 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's roadside assistance package is more comprehensive than similar programs offered by other car insurance providers. Each of these is consistent with the tier membership plan as described above.
| Coverage Detail | Classic Membership | Plus Membership | Premier Membership |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Registration Renewal Help | 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 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 |
The primary difference between AAA and your auto insurer is that AAA is a full-service auto owners' organization, rather than a company focused on insuring your vehicle.
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.
| Coverage Detail | Classic Membership | Plus Membership | Premier Membership |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Fee | $5 | $7.75 | $9.75 |
| 6-Month Fee | $30 | $47 | $59 |
| Annual Fee | $60 | $279 | $351 |
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.
| Insurance Provider | 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 Service | 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 |
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.
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. Below are average costs to 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 |
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.
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