What is an alternative to AAA?

Yes, AAA does offer free towing for customers who have the company’s roadside assistance coverage. AAA roadside assistance generally costs $67 per year and includes towing services up to 5 miles for basic plan subscribers (may vary by region). AAA customers can request roadside assistance online, or they can call 800-222-4357.… read full answer

What AAA Roadside Assistance Covers

• Towing services up to 5 miles for basic plan subscribers (may vary by region)
• Flat tire services
• Lockout services
• Winching
• Fuel delivery
• Jump starts and battery replacement

While AAA’s roadside assistance covers towing and other services, it doesn’t cover the cost of repair parts, replacement keys, or major fixes due to things like engine failure or structural damage.

Yes, AAA offers discounts on rental cars from Hertz, Budget, Thrifty, and Dollar Car Rental. The exact amount of a AAA rental car discount depends on factors such as the type of car and the length of the rental period, but AAA customers can save up to 20%. In order to get a discount, you will need to provide the rental car company with your AAA policy number.… read full answer

AAA Rental Car Discounts

AAA roadside assistance is worth it if a driver has multiple cars, an older car, or a car with frequent mechanical problems. AAA roadside assistance might also be worth it if a driver plans to make frequent use of AAA discounts or wants extensive roadside coverage.

AAA ranked 14th out of 22 companies in WalletHub’s analysis of 2021’s … read full answerBest Roadside Assistance. The biggest drawback is that AAA received an F from the Better Business Bureau due to a large number of unresolved customer complaints. However, AAA does offer above-average protection for a reasonable price.

Drivers can choose between three different levels of AAA roadside assistance, but they all include the same base services.

AAA Roadside Assistance Benefits

• Towing
• Locksmith services
• Tire changes
• Battery changes and jump starts
• Stuck vehicle services
• Fuel assistance
• Bicycle coverage

Other AAA benefits include trip planning services like maps and guides. AAA also provides miscellaneous discounts and perks, including hotel and rental car discounts, free or discounted passport photos, legal defense insurance, and identity theft monitoring.

The details of AAA’s services depend on the level of coverage that you choose. Prices also vary by location, just like with car insurance premiums, and some regions have a one-time enrollment fee of around $10-$15. Drivers can add family members to their plan for an additional fee, often ranging from $30 to $65 per year.

AAA Roadside Assistance Plans

AAA Basic and Plus members who are in a collision up to 100 miles from home qualify for the trip interruption benefit, while Premier members can receive the benefit for a wider variety of reasons. Basic and Plus memberships also include daily credit monitoring, lost wallet assistance, and bicycle assistance up to the plan’s towing limits. Premier members receive these perks, too, as well as $10,000 in identity theft insurance and coverage for motorcycles, RVs, and trailers.

Alternatives to AAA Roadside Assistance

The top alternatives to AAA roadside assistance are your car insurance provider, your cell phone company, and competitor auto clubs.

Car Insurance Provider

Adding roadside assistance to your car insurance policy is usually cheaper than purchasing a AAA plan. However, using it – especially more than once or twice a year – might cause your premium to increase, since it can be treated as a claim. That makes AAA a good option if you can’t afford for your premium to rise.

Cell Phone Company

Cell phone companies like Verizon and AT&T offer cheap roadside assistance for their customers. In general, these plans cost $3 a month and cover four incidents per year. Verizon and AT&T roadside assistance plans cover towing, fuel delivery, flat tire changes, lockout services, and dead batteries. Verizon also includes winching. If the coverage options are enough for you, these plans can be a good value.

Credit Card

Many rewards credit cards offer roadside assistance benefits, but they usually involve a flat fee for each service call rather than a subscription model like AAA.

AAA Competitors

AAA competitors like Allstate Motor Club and Good Sam sell similar roadside assistance subscription services.

It’s worth noting that some providers, including AAA, might charge a small one-time enrollment fee in addition to the annual price. However, these fees vary by state and are sometimes waived.

New-Car Roadside Assistance Plans

Drivers with newer cars might not need AAA if their car warranty includes roadside assistance. If roadside assistance is not included, drivers might be able to purchase it separately at the dealership. Most plans will cover the car for 2-5 years or up to a certain mileage limit.

Bottom Line: Is AAA Roadside Assistance Worth It

Yes, AAA roadside assistance is worth it for the average driver. Whether AAA roadside assistance is worth it for you depends on how much coverage you need and how much it costs in your state. The added perks and discounts are worth considering, too, though these bonuses will not cover the cost of membership for every driver. You can join AAA by applying online on their website or in person by visiting your local AAA branch.