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Roadside assistance vs. AAA 2024
While roadside assistance coverage covers drivers for various emergency services and provides affordable towing options, AAA offers benefits that extend well beyond flat tires and breakdowns.
Powered by Coverage.com (NPN: 19966249)
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
Many insurers offer roadside assistance as an endorsement on your car insurance policy, while AAA offers this option as a standalone product, even if the company does not underwrite your insurance policy. But how do you know which is a better option: add-on roadside assistance vs. AAA? Every company's program is slightly different with a unique menu of perks and functionalities. For example, choosing between an insurance company like USAA vs. AAA may be a challenge. In this guide, Bankrate's insurance editorial team looked at the pros and cons for roadside assistance from top insurers compared to AAA's well-known standalone plans, to help you make the best decision for your needs and your wallet.
Our verdict
Roadside assistance is usually an inexpensive addition to your auto policy or can be free with some travel reward cards or dealership packages. While AAA has a higher cost, it offers various package options tailored to your location through its regional membership program. Both are helpful options, but AAA may be better for drivers who want more benefits.
What is roadside assistance?
Roadside assistance is a service that provides help when you find your vehicle inoperable. Whether the incident occurs while the vehicle is parked in a driveway, around town or even on a road trip, roadside assistance typically covers specified services such as:
- Vehicle refueling when your vehicle runs out of gas
- Locksmithing services
- Flat tire changing or spare tire mounting
- Extracting your vehicle from a collision
- Jump-starting a dead battery
- Towing
Roadside assistance plans are offered through almost all auto insurance carriers. The actual services offered through each carrier are quite varied, with most companies only offering towing up to a certain number of miles, or a limited number of lockout and fuel delivery services.
Membership organizations, such as AAA, are another option for roadside assistance. These organizations tend to offer additional perks on top of the roadside assistance, making it more enticing to enroll in an annual membership.
You may be able to purchase roadside assistance other ways, such as through your cell phone carrier or a credit card company. Some car manufacturers also include roadside assistance as an added perk for a certain number of months or miles after you purchase a new vehicle.
What is AAA?
AAA was founded in 1902 and is an all-in-one car, travel and insurance company. Many people recognize AAA as a company providing insurance products, travel discounts and roadside assistance. Over the years, AAA has grown to include a wide variety of financial products, including home mortgages, banking and credit cards.
AAA charges a yearly fee for roadside assistance and bundles the program with other discounts and incentives besides vehicle services.
AAA membership packages
AAA is also well known for its roadside assistance program, and the coverage is sold as a membership package.
AAA offers three levels of membership options, with each level increasing in the number of benefits and perks. However, exact plan inclusions may vary based on your location or ZIP code. One example of the packages available in the Carolinas include:
- Basic: This is the most bare bones option. It provides up to five miles of towing, lockout service, tire change, fuel delivery (you pay for the fuel) and a battery jumpstart. Plus, the membership comes with various discounts for attractions and services across the country.
- Plus: This package level provides up to 100 miles in towing and increased locksmith benefits, plus free fuel if you need AAA to provide fuel delivery. There are numerous other increased benefits, including higher accidental travel coverage and other perks.
- Premier: This level provides up to 200 miles of towing, even greater locksmith and legal defense coverage, identity theft insurance, free passport photos and all of the benefits of the lower package options.
Roadside assistance vs. AAA comparison
When looking at AAA vs. insurance roadside assistance, the choice typically hinges on some main factors: budget, potential benefits and customer service. For drivers with budget constraints, comparing quotes from AAA with the cost of adding a roadside assistance endorsement or purchasing the coverage elsewhere will help you narrow down the most cost-effective option. Keep in mind that you may earn discounts that lower the cost of your roadside assistance from companies such as USAA; AAA discounts do not exist for roadside assistance, however, since you are only purchasing a service plan rather than an insurance policy.
Equally important is evaluating how much you’ll utilize the broader benefits of a membership service like AAA compared to a more basic roadside assistance program. Lastly, roadside assistance is most useful in emergencies, so you’ll likely want to look at customer service reviews to see how people rate each assistance program you’re considering. If a program has a reputation for slow response times or poor service quality, it may not be worth it, even if it’s the cheapest option.
Roadside assistance pros and cons
Below are some of the perks and drawbacks of a non-AAA roadside assistance plan:
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May be more cost effective if available as an endorsement from your insurance carrier
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Some programs, like those from car dealerships and travel reward credit cards, may be available at no additional cost
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You may be able to customize the services and coverage to your needs
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You may be able to include this coverage on a liability-only policy
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Actual roadside services may be contracted out to a different company than the one you purchased the policy from
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Response times and availability are generally less reliable than AAA
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Usually does not apply for towing related to car accidents on policies without collision coverage
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Any additional benefits are usually limited to car insurance or car maintenance
AAA pros and cons
Some of the AAA-specific pros and cons are listed out below:
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Comes with additional potential membership perks
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Strong reputation as the most widely-available roadside assistance program with efficient response times
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Policies often allow assistance for any vehicle, not strictly limited to those owned by the member
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Service management is generally very simple, especially for AAA auto insurance policyholders
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Most basic membership tier may be more restrictive than other carrier’s roadside assistance endorsements
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Coverage may be more expensive than opting for your auto carrier’s endorsement
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Price and coverage options vary between regions
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Customer service with AAA varies between regions
Is roadside assistance cheaper than AAA?
When considering roadside assistance options, cost is often a primary factor for many drivers. AAA, known for its comprehensive service packages, starts its basic membership at around $65 annually, but this may vary based on your region. This fee covers a range of services, including towing, fuel delivery and jump starts, providing value for members who frequently travel or own older vehicles. Additionally, AAA offers benefits like travel discounts and more extensive towing options in its higher-tier memberships, which may appeal to drivers looking for broader coverage.
In contrast, roadside assistance through other companies, like insurance carriers, often presents a lower (or even no) upfront cost. However, these rates can vary significantly based on the provider, coverage level and additional service fees. For a precise comparison, it’s helpful to compare personalized quotes from AAA and other companies to see how rates vary for your location, vehicle type and selected services.
The table below compares some of the most popular roadside assistance programs available to a wide range of drivers, including both the costs and what makes the program one to consider.
| Company | Roadside assistance cost | Standout feature |
|---|---|---|
| AAA | Starting at $65/year | Multiple options to fit a variety of budgets |
| Geico | Starting at $14/year | Drivers can request assistance in as little as two minutes |
| Allstate | Starting at $73/year | You can track the location of the towing assistance |
| Better World Club | Starting at $63/year | Eco-friendly option for roadside assistance |
| AT&T | Starts at $3/month | No annual contract required |
Bankrate's take
Drivers with affordability in mind may want to consider roadside assistance through their insurance company or alternate companies. As an add-on, coverage tends to be much cheaper than a membership dedicated solely to towing and vehicle breakdowns. However, if you are someone who travels often, AAA’s exclusive discounts may save you more money in the long run. Just like when comparing car insurance rates, the best option for you depends on your needs and financial situation.
Roadside assistance vs. AAA: customer experience comparison
It can be beneficial to use forums like Reddit and Trustpilot to see how current customers feel about their experience with AAA or wherever they opt to purchase their roadside assistance. While finding reviews on AAA’s level of service and reliability is easy, it is good to keep in mind that AAA memberships are regional, so the reviews need to apply to your service area to be helpful. For other types of roadside assistance reviews, you will need to search under the name of your insurance provider.
The general online review consensus for AAA is that the additional benefits and towing distance are helpful, but only when the service call is handled properly. Some reviews are happy with their coverage while a significant group take issue with how long it takes to get a tow and how often service calls are dropped. However, reviews with insurance companies are also inconsistent. One topic that most drivers agree on is that the cost of roadside assistance on their insurance policies is affordable. However, long wait times and having to pay additional out-of-pocket expenses due to short towing radius are the top complaints.
How do I purchase roadside assistance?
If you choose to purchase AAA roadside assistance, you can sign up either online, by calling the customer service number or sending in your application through the mail. Keep in mind that AAA also offers car insurance if you’re interested in having your policies together. If you are interested in purchasing roadside assistance through another car insurance carrier, you could add it on by contacting your auto insurance company either online, via the app, through your agent or by calling customer service.
Frequently asked questions
