Given the nature of automobiles breaking down unexpectedly, investing in roadside assistance is proving to be a wise decision. It is not only cost-effective, but it also provides safety and convenience for both new and seasoned car owners. Many of us are probably reluctant to avail of such services because we don’t know how much roadside assistance costs.
While the cost of roadside assistance varies between auto insurance companies and third-party providers, the price will most likely depend on the services they offer. Some companies offer free towing for a specific distance, while others throw in perks like airline ticket discounts, for a steeper price of course. Ultimately, the services you’ll be getting will be based on how much you are willing to pay. Read on as we show you the average cost of roadside assistance along with its coverage.
What is Roadside Assistance?
Roadside assistance is a service provider that offers immediate car troubleshooting solutions every time your car breaks down or when you’re in a car accident. Since some drivers don’t know how to change a flat tire or jumpstart a battery, they’ll need roadside assistance to get themselves out of an unfortunate situation.
It is similar to insurance in a way that you avail a plan of coverage — either monthly or annually — to prepare yourself if you experience car problems in the future. You may purchase it through your existing auto insurance company or via third-party service providers. As the number of car owners increases each day, even phone companies now include roadside assistance in their programs.
What is the Cost of Roadside Assistance?
There are various car assistance programs covered that can be utilized by paying monthly or annually. Usually, it will cost you around $36 to $100 every year or more subject to the level of the assistance rendered.
To give you a better idea, the following are the average costs of roadside assistance from different providers:
- Auto insurance companies — $2 to $5 monthly or $15 to $60 annually.
- Auto club memberships — $50 to $360 annually with a specific clause such as maximum towing distance or inclusion of family members.
- Roadside assistance associations — Ranges from $50 to $70 a year (with 5 miles towing) or $90 to $115 a year (with 100 miles towing).
Before providing capital for roadside assistance, ensure that this does not include in your car insurance coverage. Many companies stipulate this as an inclusion when purchasing a new car and under a warranty of three (3) to five (5) years. There are what we also call roadside battery replacements and road tire services for emergency assistance.
With some unforeseen situations, roadside assistance is the best quick fix a driver can have. This is mostly part of auto insurance policies although some have third-party service providers as partners. One example is Neighborhood Roadside Assistance which provides a range of services to your car when in need.
What Does Roadside Assistance Cover?
Roadside assistance offers a wide array of car-related services to choose from. Cost and coverage may vary from company to company, but most providers handle the following situations:
These services can be customized or restructured depending on the plan of coverage you availed. To know more about the coverage of roadside assistance, you may check out a helpful article on roadside assistance coverage here.
How Much Does Roadside Assistance Cost Without Insurance?
There can be many reasons why a car suddenly malfunctions in the middle of the road. When this happens, this might stress you out. How much more when you experience this dilemma without enough money on hand.
Even though you can purchase a roadside assistance plan in different car companies as the need arises, calling every time you need help will cost you more in the long run. Many auto insurances offer a wide range of car services and that includes roadside assistance although non-compulsory.
The usual price for an emergency roadside assistance can amount to $50 to $100 and towing services cost $125 per 5-miles. Few service providers allow you to settle with additional payments based on the number of miles a car was towed.
While some car companies provide a plan with four (4) to five (5) times of assistance in a year, when availed in all, may charge you additional payment. Yet this is still a personal choice. If you want to avoid expensive car repairs, anxiety attacks somewhere down the road, feeling helpless when unable to fix your car, then maybe it is time to weigh things out.
Conclusion
Everyone hopes for a safe and hassle-free journey no matter where they’re going. However, some situations are not under your control like a dead battery, flat tire, and empty gasoline. These can come by surprise.
What the roadside assistance costs cannot be compared to the help it can give during unexpected car interruptions. Roadside assistance is essential, especially when you don’t know anything about fixing a car. And while some roadside assistance plans are costly, there are still other cheaper programs that can be availed with limited but necessary services.
The amount required can be inconsistent and may vary from one company to another. A budget plan can cost as low as $5 while an expensive one ranges from $30 and up per month. If you are starting to consider the need to have one, check your different car assistance options and have a financial estimate of what you can afford.
At the end of the day, you’re less likely to worry about the price you pay but rather think about the benefits you gain by being prepared.
