Comparison of roadside assistance plans

[Jeremy5848]

I married my AAA membership in 1976 (the membership itself goes back to 1970). Over the years the membership costs have risen, some services (towing) have been limited, and we rarely use the service any more. Consequently, and especially since Mercedes will provide some things free, I am looking at changing to another roadside assistance plan.

The following [rough] comparison chart is based on two people driving two Benzes. Our major concern these days is getting stuck in the middle of Snowy Nowhere on our annual Xmas trip. Everything else is tame by comparison. [The "Limits" line in the chart is how many times you can use the service in a year.]

Regardless of the service provider, if you call for fuel, remember to specify diesel and get them to repeat it back to you. Otherwise they'll send gasoline and blame you. (Perhaps they carry both as a matter of course but I don't trust 'em.)

For close-to-home problems, Mercedes' "Sign and Drive" program will take care of a number of worries. Additionally, it's hard to lock yourself out of a Mercedes, so the risk of needing a locksmith is reduced (but not eliminated, I agree). [As a former GM owner, I always carry a second key, having paid the price in the past.]

At the moment, State Farm wins on a pure cost basis. Obviously, you have to have State Farm insurance to add this coverage but I would suppose most insurance companies have something similar.

The various "auto club" plans tend to offer services not in my small list – travel advice and maps and bail bonds and such stuff – very nice if you need it, a needless expense if you don't. We used to use AAA maps a lot but we aren't traveling as much and can get map info on the web.

AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) is for us old farts (age 50+) and so may not do some of you any good – but just wait! The Road/Tow plan is in addition to your AARP membership, by the way.

This applies to the US of A only and as always, YMMV. Use what I've done as a guide and develop your own comparison for your country and circumstances.

Jeremy

[jt20]

hmm. Where is the 'provide spare glow plug on annual X-mas trip' benefit?

[mobetta]

I've had RA for almost as long as I've been driving.

I had state farm for 8 years, used them maybe 4 times, always got towed home to do my own repairs. what happens is you pay for the tow, then bring them the receipt. They did raise their eyebrows at a $180 tow bill, but paid it.( towed 12 miles from St Paul to Minneapolis- gotta love the City life!! Aviod Budget towing- they don't specify what kind of budget .)

also I had a ranger truck which the ignition froze up on me at 7 PM when I needed to go to work at 4 am. $140 emergency locksmith, they reimbursed me for that, too.

the nice thing is you can call ANY tow company. I had a Driver drop the wifes LHS in the driveway, then pick it w/ the wheel lift and put it right in the garage.
AAA drivers can be hit or miss. some are good, some are pricks 'cause they know you dont have a choice. A cash tip always helps.
state farm has a clause where if you drive a POS that gets towed all the time, they can drop it from RA.

I have progressive now, you are supposed to call their 800# to get help, but if you do have to pay out of pocket, they supposedly re-imburse you. I have not needed it yet.

Almost every major insurance co offers RA, some you need to carry comp coverage to qualify.

your prices aren't quiet right- As I recall, state farm is less than $1/ month- $5 for six months

if you have AAA, you need to pay the $$ for + or it is not worth it. + RV will tow you and a trailer. or your big school bus(RV) the nice thing is they will tow ANY car that you are in. (and sometimes one's that your not in) THe Ins programs are for specific cars only.

[Dee8go]

I have my car insurance with Liberty Mutual and it includes roadside assistance. I've had to use it a couple of times and it was way better than my experience with AAA. I dropped AAA because they were so slow in responding that they were basically useless to me. I think the roadside assistance with Liberty Mutual tacks on about $5 to my regular premium.

AAA also has the benefit of a discount at NAPA.

[curtludwig]

AAA gives benefits all over the place, my wife has AAA and I'm always working the benefit, hotels are the best, negotiate the best rate you can over the phone or get the best rate you can online, then when you arrive say something like "Hey does my AAA membership get me anything?" lots of times they'll take another 10% off or get you a nicer room or better breakfast or something. With a little work the AAA membership will pay for itself over a year.

[Jeremy5848]

Originally Posted by mobetta

. . . your prices aren't quiet right- As I recall, state farm is less than $1/ month- $5 for six months . . .

That's a quote from my State Farm agent yesterday . . . $6.40/6 months per vehicle or about $25/year for two vehicles. Perhaps you thought I meant "per vehicle" or something, it's hard to completely avoid ambiguity.

[mobetta]

ahh- it's been a while.... still a good deal.