Roadside Assistance vs. AAA

AAA roadside assistance costs $62–$121 annually.
Insurance company roadside assistance programs vary, but can be anywhere from $10 to $89 per year.
Plans are available through third parties as well as insurance carriers.

Looking for car insurance that includes roadside coverage? Enter your ZIP to get quotes today.

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By Kristine Lee

Updated January 14, 2026

Reviewed By Beth Swanson

Edited By Renata Balasco

AAA vs roadside assistance: which is better?

Drivers can add roadside assistance to most personal auto policies (like a GEICO or Progressive policy), or they can buy a secondary policy through a company like AAA, AARP, Good Sam, or FIMC. Each option comes with costs and benefits, including price and coverage differences. Skip right to our comparison charts with all the details below.

AAA is good for:

Frequent travelers who don't want to change their car insurance policy
Drivers who qualify for an affinity discount through a company or organization
Families with multiple drivers who need solid support for several vehicles
Want the option of service on the road without worrying about impact on insurance
Those who want additional perks like hotel and travel discounts

What's the difference?

Let's break down the options for roadside service products

AAA

AAA is a well-known name in the industry with a large service network
It offers insurance products as well as standalone roadside assistance
Multiple options to find a package that works for your needs and budget

Insurer programs

Prices vary drastically between carriers
Not all insurance companies offer roadside assistance
Service calls may count as insurance claims
Benefits can change at policy renewal

Third-party

Membership levels offer choice, but also limitations
Focused on service, not insurance policies
Follows the member, not the car
Strong rural and travel coverage

Jump to

Program differences
AAA coverages and costs
How much does AAA cost?
Third-party roadside plans
AAA vs insurance companies
Which program is best for me?
FAQs

Is AAA only for roadside assistance?

No, they also offer a variety of insurance products. However, AAA is known for its roadside assistance program, which is one of the oldest auto clubs in existence. Offering more coverage than a typical insurer-provided roadside assistance program, AAA’s roadside assistance package comes in tiers — and you don't need to be insured with AAA to be a member.

See below what's included in AAA’s Classic, Plus, and Premier membership levels. Keep in mind that these packages can change, so be sure to verify the details before you commit.

AAA coverage tiers

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.

Emergency Roadside Assistance Comparison: AAA Tiers

Coverage Detail	AAA Classic Membership	AAA Plus Membership	AAA 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 Additional Benefits

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	Not included	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
Notary benefits	Not included	Discounted	Up to 10 per day

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 included in the plan. The rates listed below reflect a one-driver, one-vehicle household. You can add drivers to your AAA membership with a slight increase in membership fees. The website also notes that these rates are subject to change.

AAA Roadside Assistance Plan Costs

Coverage detail	Classic membership	Plus membership	Premiere membership
One-time admission fee	$20	$20	$20
Annual fee	$62	$93	$121

Compare insurance rates quickly and easily.

Third-party roadside assistance programs

There are multiple companies offering roadside assistance these days, outside traditional insurance companies and AAA. Here are a few that are worth looking into:

Good Sam
- Offers plans with unlimited towing distance and unlimited service calls
- Popular with RV owners but also available for standard passenger vehicles
Better World Club
- Membership-based roadside assistance that follows the driver, not just a specific vehicle
- Known for generous towing limits on higher-tier plans and U.S. + Canada coverage
Auto-Hero
- Portable coverage that applies even if you’re riding in or driving someone else’s car
- Includes extras like deductible reimbursement and repair discounts, not just roadside help
Urgently
- App-based, on-demand roadside assistance using a nationwide service provider network
- Designed for fast dispatch and real-time tracking rather than traditional memberships

✅ The Zebra's Recommendation: Auto Hero

Auto Hero is a third-party roadside assistance plan from FIMC that operates independently of an auto insurance policy. It provides standard roadside services like towing up to 30 miles, battery jumps, lockout assistance, tire changes, and fuel delivery, with coverage that follows the driver rather than a specific vehicle.

Compared to basic roadside add-ons, Auto Hero also includes repair discounts and limited deductible reimbursement, and a single plan can extend to multiple drivers within a household. Payment options are available on a monthly or annual basis.

To learn more about the Auto Hero Plan or to speak with a representative, reach out to our agency today or click the button below.

Please note: the Auto Hero Plan is available in the following states:


Alabama	Arizona	Arkansas
California	Colorado	Connecticut
Delaware	Florida	Georgia
Hawaii	Illinois	Indiana
Iowa	Kansas	Kentucky
Louisiana	Maryland	Michigan
Mississippi	Missouri	Nebraska
Nevada	New Jersey	New Mexico
North Carolina	North Dakota	Ohio
Oklahoma	Oregon	Pennsylvania
Rhode Island	South Carolina	South Dakota
Tennessee	Texas	Utah
Virginia	Washington	Washington, D.C.
West Virginia	Wisconsin	Wyoming

*In Utah, The Zebra provides the Auto Security plan, which differs from Auto Hero.

Get Auto Hero today and stay prepared for the road ahead.

Get Auto Hero!

Insurance companies' roadside assistance vs AAA

The roadside assistance programs of top insurers share some features with AAA's. The only insurance 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.

The list below gives you an overview of what they offer, but there may be different levels of service to use all the benefits, so check with the company to confirm. For example, if auto repair and deductible reimbursement are offered, the amounts may vary by company and plan.

Top insurance company programs

Program offerings	GEICO	State Farm	USAA	Progressive	AARP	Allstate
Jumpstarts	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Towing	Yes to nearest service station	✅	✅	15-mile radius	✅	✅
Emergency fuel	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Vehicle lockout	Up to $100	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Flat tires	Yes	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Extrication/winching	❌	❌	❌	✅	✅	❌
Labor/small repair	❌	❌	❌	Up to one hour	✅	❌
Towing in any vehicle	❌	❌	❌	❌	❌	✅
Unlimited service calls	❌	❌	❌	❌	❌	❌
Deductible reimbursement	❌	❌	❌	❌	❌	❌
Auto repair reimbursement	❌	❌	❌	❌	❌	❌

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 four blocks, 7 miles, or 100 miles.

Other companies' roadside assistance programs

Insurance provider	Roadside assistance cost
GEICO	$14 per car, per year
State Farm	$10 to $20 per year, on average
USAA	Unlisted
Progressive	$10-$20 per policy period
AARP (Allstate's plan discounted)	$58-$74 per year
Allstate	$73-$89 per year
FIMC's Auto Hero	$159.99 per 6-month plan, $265.99 per annual plan

It's important to remember that insurance company rates vary by driver, and roadside assistance prices do too, just like policy premiums. These are approximations of what you might expect from roadside assistance programs, but factors like your location and driving history matter when they calculate a specific cost.

Should you use AAA, your insurance, or another program?

It comes down to how and where you drive.

AAA is known for reliable, nationwide service and can be worth the cost if you often travel or drive in remote areas.
A third-party option may be the best value if you’ve had accidents or expect to need repairs, since discounts can add up.
Your car insurance provider can be a simple, low-cost option if you don’t drive much and mainly want basic roadside help in a metro area.

If you want to see car insurance quotes with roadside assistance included, enter your ZIP code below to compare rates.

Compare car insurance policies and make an informed decision.

Roadside assistance vs. AAA FAQs:

What company has the best roadside assistance?

AAA has a solid reputation as a roadside assistance provider, but there are many quality third-party options, such as Auto Hero. Many insurance companies also offer roadside assistance products that are worth asking your insurer about. Each program offers slightly different services at different rates, so check the prices and what each coverage includes.

What is the downside to AAA?

AAA has an annual membership fee that ranges from $62 to $121, depending on the level of coverage you choose. Each level has limitations on what types of assistance it offers. Sometimes insurance carriers or independent third-party providers offer lower rates. If you rarely encounter issues with your vehicles, the cost may not be worth it. There is also a one-time membership fee and a small subscription fee for the AAA magazine.

Is Progressive roadside assistance better than AAA?

It depends on what you value. If you already have insurance with Progressive, it's worth looking into their roadside assistance as an add-on to your policy. AAA has flexibility in case you switch insurance providers. If price is your sole focus, Progressive is likely going to be cheaper. If you want more options and customizable service levels, then AAA is probably the better option.

Questions about roadside assistance

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About The Zebra

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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.
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