Is USAA roadside assistance as good as AAA? This question is about USAA Insurance

USAA roadside assistance is not as good as AAA because it offers a lot less coverage. Even for customers who already have a USAA car insurance policy, roadside assistance from USAA is a poor alternative to AAA’s plus and premier plans. USAA roadside assistance has one standard plan and costs $12 to $20 annually. AAA, on the other hand, has three levels of memberships with prices ranging from $38 to $171 per year, depending on the state and chosen plan. USAA Roadside Assistance vs. AAA Roadside Assistance Companies USAA AAA Annual Cost $12 to $20 $38 to $171 Towing Limits From the point of breakdown to the nearest repair shop, plus 10 miles 3 to 200 miles Locksmith Services Included Covers $50 to $100 of professional locksmith services Winching Included 1-2 hours of labor Tire Change, Jump-Start, Fuel Delivery Included Included Battery Charge for Electric Vehicles Not Offered One 15-minute quick charge State Availability 50 states and DC 50 and DC Multiple Plan Levels One Classic, Plus, and Premier Motorcycle Coverage Not Offered Yes RV Coverage Not Offered Yes for Plus and Premier Boats and Trailers Coverage Not Offered Yes for Plus and Premier Bicycle Coverage Not Offered Yes Trip Interruption Insurance Included Not Offered Yes Ultimately, USAA roadside assistance doesn’t offer as much coverage as AAA, so a roadside assistance plan from AAA is a better choice.

Ad Disclosure Ad Disclosure

Is USAA roadside assistance as good as AAA?

Answer Question Report Abuse

This question is about USAA Insurance

McKayla Girardin, Car Insurance Writer

@mckayla_girardin • 11/12/21 This answer was first published on 11/11/21 and it was last updated on 11/12/21.For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.

Permalink Report Abuse

USAA roadside assistance is not as good as AAA because it offers a lot less coverage. Even for customers who already have a USAA car insurance policy, roadside assistance from USAA is a poor alternative to AAA’s plus and premier plans.

USAA roadside assistance has one standard plan and costs $12 to $20 annually. AAA, on the other hand, has three levels of memberships with prices ranging from $38 to $171 per year, depending on the state and chosen plan.

USAA Roadside Assistance vs. AAA Roadside Assistance

Companies	USAA	AAA
Annual Cost	$12 to $20	$38 to $171
Towing Limits	From the point of breakdown to the nearest repair shop, plus 10 miles	3 to 200 miles
Locksmith Services	Included	Covers $50 to $100 of professional locksmith services
Winching	Included	1-2 hours of labor
Tire Change, Jump-Start, Fuel Delivery	Included	Included
Battery Charge for Electric Vehicles	Not Offered	One 15-minute quick charge
State Availability	50 states and DC	50 and DC
Multiple Plan Levels	One	Classic, Plus, and Premier
Motorcycle Coverage	Not Offered	Yes
RV Coverage	Not Offered	Yes for Plus and Premier
Boats and Trailers Coverage	Not Offered	Yes for Plus and Premier
Bicycle Coverage	Not Offered	Yes
Trip Interruption Insurance Included	Not Offered	Yes

Ultimately, USAA roadside assistance doesn’t offer as much coverage as AAA, so a roadside assistance plan from AAA is a better choice.

Find Cheap Car Insurance

Use the filters below to be matched with the right companies in your area.

Zip Code

Age

Credit Score

Currently Insured

Are you a homeowner or a renter?

Select

Homeowner

Renter

Have you been in an accident in the past 3 years?

Yes No

Do you have a DUI?

Yes No

Do you need SR-22?

Yes No

Answer Question

USAA Roadside Assistance and Towing Coverage… read full answer

Towing services to the nearest repair facility

Flat-tire changes

Jump starts

Gasoline delivery

Lockout services

While USAA’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. You should also be aware that USAA's towing services do not apply if you need winching (extrication from mud, snow, ice), and you can't get services at an off-road location (only on or near public roads).

show less

Is USAA roadside assistance worth it?

USAA roadside assistance is worth it for drivers who are looking for basic coverage at a low price. USAA customers can purchase roadside assistance as a policy add-on for $12 to $20 per year in order to get coverage for things like towing, gas delivery, and flat-tire changes.

USAA roadside assistance members can request service online or call 800-531-8555.… read full answer

What USAA Roadside Assistance Covers

Towing to the nearest repair facility

Locksmith services for lost keys or keys locked in the vehicle

Gas delivery

Jump starting a battery

Changing a flat tire

USAA Roadside Assistance vs. Popular Competitors

Company	USAA	Geico	Progressive
Average Cost	$12-$20 per year	$14 per year	$16 per year
Towing Limit	Anywhere within 50 miles	To the nearest qualified repair facility	15 miles or the nearest qualified repair shop
Winching	Only applicable if you're stuck on or near a public road	Safe distance	100 feet
Tire Change, Jumpstart, Fuel Delivery	Yes	Yes	Yes

Other Key Things to Know About USAA Roadside Assistance

It’s worth noting that USAA roadside assistance does not include battery replacement and only offers extraction if your car is stuck on or near a public road. Additionally, drivers will need to pay out of pocket for a new key or for the gas itself in the event of a lockout or refueling service call.

Since USAA roadside assistance is fairly basic compared to the roadside assistance offered by most auto clubs, it might not be worth it for drivers who want robust coverage and extra perks. Plus, if you are not already a USAA member, you’ll need to qualify in order to get USAA car insurance with roadside assistance.

USAA Roadside Assistance Reviews

USAA roadside assistance ranks 13th out of 22 companies in WalletHub’s analysis of the best roadside assistance providers. Despite its low cost, USAA roadside assistance offers only average coverage and does not allow customers to choose between multiple levels of coverage. Major insurance companies that rank above USAA include Travelers, Nationwide, and Progressive, since they offer more coverage options than USAA.

WalletHub’s USAA Car Insurance Review gave USAA 3.3 out of 5 stars, noting its low prices and many discounts. However, USAA’s customer service has received many complaints. This dissatisfaction extends to USAA’s roadside assistance, according to customer reviews. Several drivers have noted long wait times and difficulty getting in touch with a representative.

How to Decide if USAA Roadside Assistance Is Worth It

Your driving habits and budget are the most important factors when deciding if it’s worth purchasing roadside assistance through USAA. If you have a long commute or frequently take road trips far from home, USAA might not provide enough coverage for you. On the other hand, drivers who do not anticipate needing winching or long-distance towing will find USAA to be a budget-friendly choice.

If USAA roadside assistance does not offer enough coverage for your specific needs, it’s a good time to compare quotes and see if it’s worth switching car insurance providers. Otherwise, you can always maintain your USAA policy and purchase roadside assistance from an auto club like Better World Club or Good Sam. Auto clubs are generally more expensive than USAA but provide more coverage along with added discounts and perks.

show less

Does USAA roadside assistance have a towing miles limit?

USAA roadside assistance will tow your car to the nearest repair facility, plus an additional 10 miles of towing. The specifics of USAA roadside assistance coverage may vary by state, so drivers should check their policy to learn more about limits and exclusions.

In general, roadside assistance from a car insurance company is less expensive than purchasing a motor club membership with the likes of Better World Club or AAA. Coverage might be more limited, though. To see how USAA roadside assistance compares to the competition, check out the table below.… read full answer

USAA Roadside Assistance Compared to Popular Competitors

Car Insurance Company	Average Annual Cost of Roadside Assistance	Towing Limit
USAA	$12-$20	To the nearest qualified repair facility
State Farm	$8	To the nearest qualified repair facility
Geico	$14	To the nearest qualified repair facility
Progressive	$16	15 miles or the nearest qualified repair shop
Nationwide	$23+	15 miles (basic plan) 100 miles (plus plan)
Travelers	$12+	15 miles or the nearest qualified repair shop (basic plan) 100 miles (premier plan)

In addition to towing, USAA roadside assistance includes flat tire changes, battery jump starts, gasoline delivery, and lockout services. To add USAA roadside assistance to your policy, log into your online account or call USAA customer service.

show less

WalletHub Answers is a free service that helps consumers access financial information. Information on WalletHub Answers is provided “as is” and should not be considered financial, legal or investment advice. WalletHub is not a financial advisor, law firm, “lawyer referral service,” or a substitute for a financial advisor, attorney, or law firm. You may want to hire a professional before making any decision. WalletHub does not endorse any particular contributors and cannot guarantee the quality or reliability of any information posted. The helpfulness of a financial advisor's answer is not indicative of future advisor performance.

WalletHub members have a wealth of knowledge to share, and we encourage everyone to do so while respecting our content guidelines. This question was posted by WalletHub. Please keep in mind that editorial and user-generated content on this page is not reviewed or otherwise endorsed by any financial institution. In addition, it is not a financial institution’s responsibility to ensure all posts and questions are answered.

Ad Disclosure: Certain offers that appear on this site originate from paying advertisers, and this will be noted on an offer’s details page using the designation "Sponsored", where applicable. Advertising may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). At WalletHub we try to present a wide array of offers, but our offers do not represent all financial services companies or products.

Ask a Question

140

Ask Question

Ask Your Question

WalletHub Transparency

We are committed to being fully transparent with our readers. Opinions expressed here are the author’s and/or WalletHub editors'. WalletHub editorial content on this page is not provided, commissioned, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any company. In addition, it is not any company’s responsibility to ensure all questions are answered.