Does MetLife have free towing?

Yes, you can get MBI for a used car, although it is quite difficult unless the car is only lightly used. Generally, if a used car has more than 15,000 miles on it, it will not qualify for mechanical breakdown insurance coverage, and many insurers refuse to offer MBI on used vehicles altogether.… read full answer

While your used vehicle might not qualify for MBI, you can still purchase similar protection through a vehicle service plan or an extended warranty. However, you should only purchase an extended warranty or service plan if you want peace of mind, not guaranteed savings. Generally, these coverage options are not worth the cost, as most people save less on repairs than they pay for their contract.

To learn more about MBI, check out WalletHub’s guide to mechanical breakdown insurance.

Car insurance does not cover towing if you have a liability-only policy, but it might if you have full coverage. Many full coverage car insurance policies will reimburse drivers for towing that results from a collision but won’t cover towing due to a mechanical issue or breakdown.

Some full coverage policies only cover towing if you pay extra for … read full answerroadside assistance, though. Roadside assistance is usually an easy and affordable add-on. You can add it to your policy for around $5 to $15 per car, per month.

When purchased as an add-on, roadside assistance typically includes:

• Towing (up to a certain distance, in most cases)
• Flat-tire changes
• Jumpstarts and battery replacements
• Fuel delivery if you run out of gas
• Locksmith services

Some insurers offer towing and labor coverage in addition to roadside assistance plans. Towing and labor plans typically cover towing, tire changes, and jump starts but not the full scope of services available with roadside assistance. Because towing coverage varies so much from policy to policy, it’s important to know exactly what is covered by speaking to your insurer directly.

If you don’t have roadside assistance as part of your car insurance, you could also consider purchasing roadside assistance from a third-party, like AAA. Third-party providers offer the same roadside services you would get by adding on to your insurance policy, but some have extra perks. AAA, for example, offers free trip-planning tools, identity theft monitoring, and thousands of shopping, entertainment, and dining 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 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

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.