Does full coverage cover flat tires?

Yes, roadside assistance is worth it if you have an old car, regularly drive long distances, live somewhere with bad weather (especially snowstorms), or are unfamiliar with car maintenance. Roadside assistance can be cheap, and it can help with everything from towing and winching to jump-starts and lockout services.

When Roadside Assistance Is Worth It... read full answer

You have an old car. Cars that are at least 10 years old are twice as likely to be stranded on the side of the road and four times as likely to require a tow than younger cars, according to AAA. With that in mind, it is worth considering roadside assistance if your car is more than 10 years old.

You regularly drive long distances. Generally, it is worth buying roadside assistance if you commute every day or regularly take long-distance road trips, as your car will experience more wear and tear than the average vehicle.

You live somewhere with bad weather. Where there is bad weather, there are road hazards. Especially if you live in a place that gets a lot of snow, your risk for getting stuck in a ditch or losing control of your vehicle is much higher. Thus, buying roadside assistance, especially a plan that includes winching, is worth the money.

You are unfamiliar with car maintenance. If you feel uncomfortable changing a tire or jumpstarting your car’s engine—or you don’t want to worry about car maintenance at all— it is worth it to purchase roadside assistance to ease your anxiety.

You get it through your car insurance company. Roadside assistance is usually much cheaper through an insurance company than through an auto club. It is worth noting that before allowing you to buy roadside assistance, your insurer may require you to buy comprehensive and collision coverage.

To learn more and compare providers, check out WalletHub’s guide to the best roadside assistance companies.

Roadside assistance costs $8 to $125 annually from a car insurance company and $38 to $171 annually from a motor club such as AAA, Allstate Motor Club, or Better World Club. Some new cars also come with free roadside assistance through the manufacturer, often for 3-5 years or up to 50,000 miles. Roadside assistance generally covers towing, fuel delivery, tire changes, and jumpstarts for stranded drivers.... read full answer

Roadside Assistance Costs by Company

In general, there are a few basic options for purchasing roadside assistance. Customers can choose between adding roadside assistance to their car insurance policy, buying roadside assistance through their cell phone provider, or purchasing a motor club membership. Auto club memberships are usually the most expensive option, but they often provide the most coverage.

The alternative is to pay out of pocket for any roadside assistance needs as they arise rather than purchasing a subscription service. That can be stressful and more expensive in the long run, though.

For more information on the prices of different plans, check out WalletHub’s complete guide to the best roadside assistance.

You need roadside assistance if you have an older car, commute or travel long distances, or simply want peace of mind. Vehicles that are at least 10 years old are four times as likely to need a tow, according to research by AAA. Plus, 1 in 3 Americans experience a vehicle breakdown every year, according to ... read full answerAgero—the largest provider of wholesale roadside assistance in the U.S.

On the other hand, if your car is relatively new or still covered by a manufacturer’s warranty, roadside assistance is probably unnecessary.

Why Most Drivers Need Roadside Assistance

1. Roadside assistance covers a lot of different services

Common examples include:

• Mechanical repairs
• Towing services
• Fuel-delivery services
• Flat tire service
• Locksmith services
• Battery jump-starts
• Winching services

Your specific number of tows, miles of towing, and coverage costs will depend on the provider and assistance plan that you select.

2. Roadside assistance can be very affordable.

Insurers usually offer the cheapest roadside assistance coverage—around $20 per year. It costs a bit more if you buy roadside assistance through an auto club. However, clubs often offer additional coverage options and discounts at affiliated businesses.

3. Roadside assistance is available from a variety of sources.

You can get roadside assistance from:

• Your existing car insurance coverage
• An automobile club like AAA
• Certain credit card benefits packages

To learn more, check out WalletHub’s guide to the best roadside assistance.