Yes, Geico does offer free towing for customers who have the company’s roadside assistance coverage. Geico roadside assistance generally costs $14 per vehicle per year and includes towing services to the nearest repair facility. Geico customers can request roadside assistance online, or they can call 1 (800) 424-3426.
What Geico Roadside Assistance Covers
Towing services to the nearest repair facility
Battery jump starts
Tire changes
Up to one hour of lockout services
Winching
Fuel delivery
While Geico’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.
Completing a Geico defensive driving course qualifies drivers for a discount of up to 5% or 10% on their Geico car insurance premium. Geico-approved online defensive driving courses cost $14.95 to $24.95, depending on the provider and your state of residence.
Why a Geico Defensive Driving Course Is a Good Idea… read full answer
In general, Geico defensive driving courses improve students’ driving skills by teaching them how to react effectively in hazardous situations. Main topics include how to drive in bad weather and on wet or icy roads, how to correct course if you lose control, how to veer off the roadway safely, and how to react if something crosses into your lane suddenly. Courses also cover the dangers of road rage, speeding, aggressive driving and driving under the influence.
Geico’s defensive-driving course discount is available in most (but not all) states, and rules and qualifications vary. Geico has a convenient directory to help you learn more about the defensive driving requirements in your state.
If you already have a course in mind, check with Geico to see if that course will qualify you for the discount. You can also find an approved Geico defensive driving course, and learn how to sign up, through the National Safety Council or the American Safety Council. Many states offer the option of taking the course online rather than in a classroom.
GEICO roadside assistance does not have a towing miles limit. If you have GEICO roadside assistance coverage, GEICO will contract with an independent towing company to have your car taken to the nearest qualified repair facility free of charge, whether it is one mile away or more than 100 miles away.… read full answer
You also have the option of paying out of pocket to have your car towed to a location farther away than the nearest qualified shop.
GEICO’s towing service compares favorably with that of AAA, which has a 5-mile limit for free towing. In less populated areas, you may not find a qualified repair shop within this distance. AAA also has a higher-tier service that includes free towing up to 100 miles, but it costs $100 per year. AAA’s basic roadside assistance package costs $67 per year. GEICO roadside assistance can cost as little as $14 per year.
In addition to towing, GEICO Emergency Road Service covers dead batteries, flat tires and lockout service. Only GEICO auto insurance policyholders are eligible for this add-on insurance. You can call (800) 424-3426 for more information or visit the GEICO website.
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 the … read full answerBest Roadside Assistance due to its above-average protection and reasonable pricing. Drivers can choose between three different levels of AAA roadside assistance, but they all include the same base services.
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
$120-$171
Towing Services
Up to 7 miles
Up to 100 miles
Up to 200 miles
Locksmith for Car
Covered up to $50
Covered up to $100
Covered up to $100
Fuel Delivery
Free delivery (member pays for fuel)
Free delivery and fuel
Free delivery and fuel
Extrication If Stuck
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
Up to $250
Up to $700
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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