Sometimes understanding the relevance of something like the cheapest roadside assistance plans may be difficult without the right perspective.
It may tempt someone to ask the question, “why do I need to know what the cheapest roadside assistance plans are?”
Before writing this article, I almost asked the same question, but perspective prevailed.
If you have ever traveled on the road before and something unexpected happened to the car or bus you were to the point where you had to get down to take a look at the problem, then you will understand the importance of some things you take for granted.
This article discusses the different top 10 cheapest roadside assistance plans. This should interest everyone who drives and ever hopes to drive at some point, so read up.
Table of contents
Introduction
A certain Mr. Chucks I used to know many years ago was making a 5 hour trip from his house to another state and felt unconcerned about the journey, because “what’s the worst that could happen?” he asked.
It turns out that something that sounds as simple as overheating is enough to put a pause on your journey for as long as it can, cancel some other plans, and turn an otherwise good day into a pretty awful one.
Now imagine this happening to many people across the country regularly, every day. It warrants a service that attends to repeated cases like that.
That is why, in the early 1900s, someone thought of offering this service as a business. It was a perfect idea because the established business still prevails today.
This, with the adoption of cars by millions, has compounded. It has become even more imperative to know the most accessible and cheapest roadside assistance plan.
Roadside assistance means you can benefit from car unlock services, fuel discovery, battery boost, etc. It can be a lifesaver in emergencies.
Learn How To Get My Car Towed For Free: 5 Simple Ways
What Is A Roadside Assistance Plan?
Roadside Assistance is a professional service offering that ensures timely help by qualified automobile mechanics reaching out to motorists in case of a vehicle breakdown on the road, anywhere.
An increasing number of vehicles on the road requires more diverse and technologically advanced towing services capable of providing recovery and complete roadside assistance.
Accidents on the road can lead to damaged vehicles which would need to be cleared before anything can proceed on the road.
Apart from accidents, sometimes drivers get themselves in jams that mean that they require assistance and the kind that only roadside assistance services.
How Many Tows Do You Get?
How many tows you get depends on the plan you opt for in your roadside assistance service plan.
Some services offer 5 miles of towing per vehicle, and some other services and plans offer 100 miles of towing per vehicle. Some offer more, and on and on.
How many tows or the distance is dependent on your plan, which is dependent on factors like money paid, experience, psychology, amongst many other factors.
10 Cheapest Road Assistance Plans
#1 –AAA
The American Automobile Association (the “Triple-A”) was founded on March 4, 1902, in Chicago, Illinois. Nine motor clubs with a total of 1,500 members banded together to form the Triple-A in response to a lack of roads and highways suitable for automobiles.
Dues members pay finance all club services as well as the operations of the national organization. Wikipedia says about the AAA, “from the consumer’s standpoint, AAA clubs primarily provide emergency road services to its members.
These services, which include towing, lockouts, winching, tire changes, automotive first aid, battery replacement, and others, are handled by private local towing companies contracted by a state AAA club.
How AAA Works
AAA sells roadside assistance for a variety of motor vehicles, including motorcycles. In some areas, AAA also offers bicycle roadside assistance.
Many AAA clubs have an automotive fleet division serving large metro areas, while private towing companies cover the surplus call volume by area. Recently, certain clubs have implemented an ‘on the go’ diagnostic/installation automotive battery program.”
AAA offers three membership tiers, including Classic membership, Plus membership, and Premier membership.
Generally, signing up for a AAA membership includes a one-time new member fee that can cost anywhere from $10 to $20. To join the AAA classic, you pay the new member fee of $10 – $40 and start reaping benefits. You pay for any other additional costs.
#2 –Progressive
Progressive’s 24/7 Roadside Assistance services are provided by Agero, which is trusted by over 80 million drivers nationwide. Examples of services provided include towing, winching, jump-starts, fuel delivery, vehicle lockout, and a flat tire.
Progressive roadside depends on various factors, including the insured vehicle, your home state, and the location of your designated repair shop.
Progressive Roadside Assistance to your present policy typically costs less than $2 per month for passenger cars and trucks. For motorcycles, the price may be as low as $1 per month.
#3 –MCA motor club
The membership plans from Motor Club of America provide the service you deserve, and the peace of mind you most desperately want when the unexpected occurs at home, on the road, or at the job.
Your coverage is not only limited to roadside assistance. You also have the added assurance of personal accidental coverage, emergency room benefits, discounts on prescription drugs, dental care, and vision care.
The MCA offers a plan called “Total security.” With MCA’s Total security that costs $19.95 per month, you are given up to 100 miles of towing per service call, you are allowed to choose the destination you want the vehicle towed to.
#4 – Onstar
Onstar assists people who may be stranded or don’t have anyone to call for help when they exhaust their gas on a journey.
Roadside assistance is an OnStar service developed to provide assistance services, including Lock-out service, emergency tow from a public road or highway, flat tire change, battery jump-start, emergency fuel delivery.
They perform these services at no charge to existing OnStar subscribers. The basic plan is free for 5 years, but you pay $34 for guidance.
This is most definitely one of the cheapest roadside assistance plans.
#5 – AARP
AARP motor club works as a supplement to your auto insurance. They provide towing, emergency roadside service, lockout service, and more.
Choose the service that meets your needs from their range of plan options. One benefit touted by AARP’s Roadside Assistance program is trip planning maps.
The member website includes a link to order custom trip routing and maps. Members pay as low as $40.
#6 – Better World Club
Better World Club is the nation’s only green auto club, with 24/7 nationwide roadside assistance. Coverage is available for cars, RVs, motorcycles.
Better World Club Company provides its customers with high-quality, valuable, and environmentally responsible products and services.
From emergency roadside assistance to travel and insurance products and services, Better World Club is dedicated to the customer and being a socially responsible company.
The Basic Auto plan costs about $59 a year, or close to $5 a month. There’s also a $15 sign-up fee, something no other roadside assistance service charges.
#7 –Blink roadside assist
Blink Roadside is an award-winning roadside assistance service with a member base of more than 75 million drivers and one of the largest networks of service providers in the U.S.
Basically, Blink offers a mobile app, a technologically driven dispatch process, experience, and a host of other services.
Blink does not charge outright fees but has straightforward incidental costs for roadside assistance instead of starting at $39, so customers only pay when they seek help.
#8 –Good Sam roadside assistance
Known for its roadside assistance services for RVs, boat trailers, and motorbikes, besides standard passenger vehicles, Good Sam Roadside Assistance offers support in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
Good Sam offers unlimited towing miles, automatic family coverage, discounts to its members.
Prices vary based on membership terms. Current membership rates are $79 for a three-year membership, $50 for a two-year one, and $29 for a one-year one.
#9 –Hessco roadside assistance
HESSCO Roadside Assistance Motor Club Membership was built just for Jacksonville residents. Hesco is a local roadside assistance company that only serves Jacksonville, Florida.
That means you get reliable, professional, immediate service to ensure you or your family are never stranded for hours waiting for uncaring national companies.
Hessco’s basic membership plan costs $99.
#10 –Paragon motor club
Founded over 25 years ago, Paragon Motor Club offers 24/7 emergency roadside assistance services, including those geared toward commercial and business vehicles.
The motor club offers 24-hour towing with a towing radius of up to 100 miles. Once you join the auto club as a member, you can either pay monthly or annually.
No signup fee is charged if you elect to pay monthly. If you decide to pay monthly, your first bill will have a one-time small fee applied to it.
All of the memberships offered by Paragon cover you and one other adult household member. The company’s basic membership is its Classic Roadside plan which has an annual cost of $69.95.
The Classic Plan provides core coverage on roadside emergencies. This includes towing up to 15 miles, flat tire assistance, battery service, lockout service, and fluid delivery.
Conclusion
Some services offer as many as providing women’s assistance at night, repairs on the spot, towing on actual and emergency accident towing assistance, and free towing distance pre-towing.
Emergency breakdown services, emergency fuel delivery, medical and concierge, home breakdown, accommodation, car assistance, flat tire service.
If the cheapest roadside assistance plans offered all these, they would not be as cheap. They will strand this present easily affordable and people more.
The hope is – with time, these prices and fees will drop and become more affordable.
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