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What Is Roadside Assistance?

Roadside assistance is a service made for vehicle breakdowns or accidents on the road. Roadside assistance plans can be optional add-ons for car insurance company plans. This coverage can really save you when you end up stranded and need help to get back on the road.


Credit card companies and the American Automobile Association (AAA) also have roadside assistance services.


Most roadside assistance plans cover the same situations, such as dead batteries, towing, lockouts and flat tire services. In general, coverage depends on the specific plan you’re paying for.




Most auto insurance companies who are affiliated with a roadside assistance company offer roadside service as an add-on to vehicle insurance. This way drivers save much more money than they would calling an independent roadside assistance company.


Some credit card companies have roadside assistance services included in their membership plans, for example, American Express.


Also, new vehicles are mostly covered for roadside situations by the automobile company during the first period of time after purchase. 


Other organizations also offer roadside assistance services. The American Automobile Association, better known as AAA, is a private, member association and federation of automobile clubs nationwide. AAA provides roadside assistance plans, car insurance and road maps. Individuals can pay yearly about one hundred dollars for roadside assistance services.


All of these companies and organizations have different roadside assistance plans, with different prices and benefits. Buyers should consider every option before choosing a roadside assistance plan keeping in mind their most important needs.




There is a great variety of roadside assistance plans. Here are some of the situations most of them confront everyday:


  1. Towing: Roadside assistance plans will tow your vehicle in case of severe damage done to the vehicle due to a collision or mechanical breakdown.


  1. Battery jumpstart: Roadside assistance will start up your vehicle’s battery in case it dies in the middle of the road.


  1. Lockouts: When you accidentally end up locked out of your own car, roadside assistance will unlock it as soon as possible for you to get back on the road.


  1. Flat tires: If you get a flat tire and forget to bring a spare one, roadside assistance will send someone to change your flat tire for a brand new one. 


  1. Fuel delivery: If you happen to run out of fuel in the middle of the road, roadside assistance will fill your tank with enough fuel to get your vehicle to the nearest gas station.




Roadside assistance sounds great, but you might simply not need it in your situation. Make a quick check to confirm if a roadside assistance plan is convenient for you before adding it to your current insurance, credit card or AAA plan.


  • Cost: Price of roadside assistance coverage plan.
  • Vehicle age: Older and newer vehicles have different needs.
  • Mileage: Distance you usually travel through.
  • Personal needs: Some people prefer to take care of roadside issues themselves.


If your budget is not an issue, it’s recommended to pay for roadside assistance, just in case.

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