Best Roadside Assistance Plans (2023)

A roadside assistance plan is a very specific type of auto insurance that helps drivers cover the costs of emergency road services when their car malfunctions or breaks down. It’s an add-on option with almost every auto insurance policy and is generally available for a monthly, semiannual, or annual fee. The best roadside assistance plans on the market typically cover basic services such as:

• Towing
• Battery services
• Flat tire replacements
• Emergency fuel deliveries
• Lockout services
• On-site repairs
• Trip interruption coverage
• Winching

Roadside assistance plans are a common offering for major auto insurance companies, but they are also offered by standalone roadside assistance companies, vehicle manufacturers, and even credit card companies and cell phone providers like American Express and Verizon. Plan costs vary depending on whether you bundle into your auto insurance rate or choose a standalone plan.

How To Use Your Roadside Assistance Plan

To use a roadside assistance plan, simply contact your provider whenever you need service. Customer support will walk you through what to do and contact the necessary services on your behalf. Some providers have their own dedicated roadside technicians, and others hire local independent contractors.

Be aware that almost all roadside assistance plans have limits. There is usually a maximum towing distance, a ceiling on service hours, and a coverage liability limit.

Have you ever needed a tow, winch, locksmith, or someone to replace your flat? If the answer is yes, then you might find a lot of value in a roadside assistance plan. Even if the answer is no, it might give you peace of mind just to know that the service is there for you. Hopefully, you won’t have to use it, but it’s still nice to have on hand in case something goes wrong on the road.

Some roadside assistance plans are much cheaper than the cost of a towing or winching service, while others could cost you several hundred dollars. Sometimes, roadside assistance is included in your policy for free, such as if you’re a Costco member and you purchase Costco car insurance. 

The best roadside assistance plans help you deal with unexpected situations, especially ones you may encounter during long road trips far from your accustomed surroundings. Ultimately, whether roadside assistance is worth it depends on the provider you choose and if you find the coverage valuable or not.

What To Look For In A Roadside Assistance Plan

Not all roadside assistance plans are the same, and some offer better coverage than others. However, there are a few key things that you should look for when shopping for a plan, such as:

• Towing limits: Many roadside assistance providers specify the maximum distance they’ll tow your vehicle, so make sure you’re comfortable with what the provider you’ve chosen offers and that it suits your needs.
• Service call limits: If you anticipate making more than one call per year, you’ll want to ensure that the roadside assistance plan you choose offers you a service call limit that you’re comfortable with. Some providers offer unlimited service calls, so it may be wise to consider them if service calls are a main concern for you.
• Winching: If you’d like to have coverage in case you get stuck in snow, mud, or a ditch, look for a plan that offers winching services.
• Trip interruption benefits: This coverage can pay for transportation, accommodation, and meals if you’re far away from home when you call for assistance. This isn’t something found in a basic roadside assistance plan, so search for a more comprehensive plan if you’re looking for this benefit.

There is no single best roadside assistance plan for everyone. When shopping for a plan, you should consider both your needs and budget. High-end roadside assistance providers can be expensive, and very low-cost roadside assistance companies may not offer the services you need. We recommend looking for a provider with a high rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to ensure you’re getting legitimate coverage.

Here’s a closer look at some of the most popular roadside assistance providers and the services they offer.

#1 AAA

AAA roadside assistance is often considered the gold standard in roadside assistance plans. AAA offers three different policies: Basic, Plus, and Premier. The Basic plan limits towings to a short range, but with the Plus plan, you can have your vehicle towed up to one hundred miles, which is much farther than most roadside assistance packages.

The perks of the Plus and Premier AAA memberships are that they offer reimbursements for locksmith fees, trip interruption, emergency medical transport, and even windshield repair. Keep in mind that AAA services are run by different clubs throughout the nation, so your region’s roadside assistance coverage plans may vary. Read our full review of AAA insurance to learn more about the provider.

#2 Progressive

Progressive offers its customers useful emergency roadside services, such as towing, winching, and lockout services. If your vehicle isn’t within a 15-mile radius of a repair shop, Progressive will tow it to the closest qualified shop no matter how far that might be. Additional roadside assistance services offered by Progressive include fuel delivery, battery jump-start or charge, and flat tire changes.

If you have Progressive car insurance already, going with Progressive roadside assistance is a no-brainer. Even if you don’t have Progressive, we recommend looking into the insurer for its great coverage. To learn more about the provider, read our full Progressive auto insurance review.

#3 Better World Club

Based out of Oregon, Better World Club is committed to providing great roadside assistance while protecting the planet through its 100% carbon-neutral services. This provider is the only green roadside assistance and car insurance company in the space. Plans are available in all 50 states plus Canada, and Better World Club even offers protection for bicycles.

Its two sustainable roadside assistance plans offer towing, battery jump-starts, flat tire changes, lockout services, winching, trip routing, and additional discounts. Each new member pays a $15 sign-up fee, but this can be waived for new members switching from AAA to Better World Club. If you’re interested in learning more about roadside assistance from this provider, check out its website.

#4 USAA

We think USAA car insurance provides great value, and this opinion extends to its roadside assistance program. Services offered by USAA include towing, flat tire repair, fuel delivery, battery jump-start, and lockout services. While you’ll pay next to nothing for roadside assistance if it’s included in your USAA auto insurance policy, you can still receive roadside assistance at a special negotiated rate if you don’t have it on your policy.  

Towing is included up to 50 miles, and the only thing you’ll need to pay for is fuel delivery at a contracted rate if you have a roadside assistance plan through USAA. If you’re interested in learning about USAA auto insurance, check out our USAA insurance review.

#5 Good Sam

Good Sam’s roadside assistance plans can cover cars, motorcycles, sports trailers, and RVs, making it stand apart from other providers. Offering three plan levels, coverage includes flat and spare tire service, dead battery replacement and recharging, trip interruption assistance, and lost key and lockout services.

In addition, Good Sam offers some unique coverages that you won’t find with other providers, such as emergency medical assistance. It also offers family member coverage, so your spouse or dependent children can use its services with a member-owned vehicle. If you’d like to learn more about Good Sam’s roadside assistance services, check out its website.

Other Roadside Assistance Plans

See the table below for other popular roadside assistance providers and what each covers. Keep in mind that coverage can depend on the plan level you choose.

*Included free with American Express Serve^® or Bluebird^® by American Express membership.

At the end of the day, you probably shouldn’t pick an auto insurance provider based on which has the best roadside assistance plan. It may be a factor, but a reliable claims process, affordable rates, and the right level of coverage are ultimately most important.

If you’re shopping for car insurance and roadside assistance, it’s wise to compare free quotes from multiple providers to find the best fit for you. We recommend starting with two of our top-rated car insurance providers: State Farm and Geico. Learn more about them below.

State Farm: Best Overall (4.7 Stars)

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) states that State Farm is the most popular auto insurer in the nation, accounting for 16.8 percent of all car insurance policies sold. It offers affordable rates, a wide range of coverage options, and quality customer service to its policyholders, which is why we give it 4.7 out of 5.0 stars and name it Best Overall.

State Farm offers discounts such as multi-policy, safe driver, defensive driving, and safety equipment discounts. In addition, it offers a usage-based driving program called Drive Safe & Save™ that can lower your insurance rates based on your safe driving habits.

Read more in our State Farm auto insurance review.

Geico: Best Discount Availability (4.6 Stars)

Geico’s affordable rates, easy claims process, and nationwide availability make it one of the best options out there. That’s why we rate Geico auto insurance at 4.6 out of 5.0 stars. Geico scored above the national average in the J.D. Power 2022 Auto Claims Satisfaction Study℠ and has an AM Best financial strength rating of A++.

Geico’s numerous discounts include safe driver, military, good student, and multi-policy, prompting us to name it the provider with the Best Discount Availability. Geico also offers a usage-based program, called DriveEasy, which customers can also use to save money. Many customers find that Geico offers the lowest premiums among major providers. For that reason, we think it’s a good idea to check out Geico car insurance and roadside assistance in your search.

Read more in our Geico auto insurance review.

Here are commonly asked questions about the best roadside assistance plans.