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
|
Tier
|
AAA Basic
|
AAA Plus
|
AAA Premier
|
|
Average Annual Cost
|
$38-$90
|
$60-$140
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$120-$171
|
|
Towing Services
|
Up to 7 miles
|
Up to 100 miles
|
Up to 200 miles
|
|
Locksmith for Car
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Covered up to $50
|
Covered up to $100
|
Covered up to $100
|
|
Fuel Delivery
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Free delivery (member pays for fuel)
|
Free delivery and fuel
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Free delivery and fuel
|
|
Extrication If Stuck
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One truck/driver
|
Two trucks/drivers if needed
|
Two trucks/drivers if needed
|
|
Tire Change, Jump Start, Battery Service, Lockout
|
Free
|
Free
|
Free
|
|
Trip Interruption Benefit
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Up to $250
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Up to $700
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Up to $1,500
|
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.
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