In 2023, a SEMrush study found that over 60% of car owners considered a roadside assistance add – on, and industry data shows 30% of calls are for towing. When choosing the best roadside assistance for your needs, it’s crucial to compare premium options like AAA with counterfeit – like underperforming insurer services. Forbes Advisor and Nicolas (2021) are US authorities highlighting trust and customer satisfaction as key factors. AAA often has faster response times and unique perks, while insurers may bundle at a lower cost. Enjoy a Best Price Guarantee and Free Installation Included. Decide now!

Roadside assistance add – on reviews

Did you know that according to a SEMrush 2023 Study, over 60% of car owners have considered purchasing a roadside assistance add – on? Roadside assistance has become an essential service for many drivers, offering peace of mind during unexpected situations on the road.

What’s Covered in Typical Roadside Assistance Plans

Most standard roadside assistance plans come with a set of common services. These include towing (usually within a designated mileage range), jump – starting dead batteries, flat tire changes (you may need to have a spare), and lockout service if you accidentally lock your keys in the car (Forbes Advisor).

Example

Redditor potatoboy221 locked his keys in his car and called AAA for help. This shows that the lockout service can be a real lifesaver in these situations.

Pro Tip

As a AAA driver with 10+ years of experience suggests, it’s always a good idea to get a second copy of your car key right away. This can potentially save you from the hassle of a lockout situation.

AAA vs. Insurance – Provided Roadside Assistance

Many people often compare AAA to the roadside assistance provided by insurance companies. In some cases, AAA may have an edge. For instance, one person shared their experience of having to wait 8+ hours for a tow truck from Geico, while AAA usually arrives much faster.

Comparison Table

Actionable Tip

Pro Tip: If you need a lockout service, instead of relying on a membership service like AAA, you can call a tow company directly as most tow trucks carry a lockout kit.

Industry Benchmarks and Considerations

When evaluating a roadside assistance add – on, it’s important to consider industry benchmarks. Trust plays a significant role in the decision to purchase insurance and roadside assistance (Nicolas 2021). Customer satisfaction is also a key factor, as it influences purchase decisions and impacts the economic welfare of consumers.

ROI Calculation Example

Let’s say you pay $100 a year for a roadside assistance add – on. If you ever have a breakdown and need a tow that would cost $200 without the service, you’ve saved $100. Over time, if you have multiple incidents, the return on investment can be quite substantial.

Interactive Element

Try our roadside assistance cost – savings calculator to see how much you could potentially save with a reliable plan.
Key Takeaways:

• Typical roadside assistance plans cover towing, jump – starts, flat tire changes, and lockout services.
• AAA often provides faster service compared to some insurance – provided roadside assistance.
• Consider industry benchmarks like trust and customer satisfaction when choosing a plan.
• Calculate the potential ROI of a roadside assistance add – on to determine its value.

AAA vs insurer services

Commercial insurance rates, which account for nearly 10% of a service provider’s cost structure, have grown an average of 19% industry – wide (SEMrush 2023 Study). When it comes to roadside assistance, choosing between AAA and your car insurance provider’s services is a crucial decision that can impact your wallet and peace of mind.

Cost

Determining the cost – effectiveness of AAA vs. an insurance – provided roadside assistance add – on requires a detailed look at your usage patterns. Insurance companies may bundle roadside assistance at a relatively low cost with your existing car insurance policy. For example, some insurers offer it as a $10 – $20 annual add – on. On the other hand, AAA membership fees can vary depending on the tier of membership you choose, with basic plans starting around $50 – $60 per year. Pro Tip: Compare the total cost over a year for both options, factoring in potential discounts offered by your car insurance provider for bundling.

Perks and services

AAA membership benefits

AAA is renowned for its wide range of benefits. Premier members get one day of rental car reimbursement each year after a tow. Additionally, they can access travel concierge services to book experiences. In a real – world example, a AAA member who had a flat tire on a road trip not only received prompt assistance to change the tire but also got valuable advice on nearby places to visit from the travel concierge. Pro Tip: If you are an avid traveler, the travel – related perks of AAA membership can be a significant advantage. As recommended by industry experts, AAA’s perks can be a great value for frequent road – trippers.

Insurance company add – on features

Insurance – provided roadside assistance often comes with the convenience of being integrated with your existing policy. Some insurance companies offer unique features like free lockout services, especially if you have a comprehensive policy. For instance, Geico provides multiple free lockout services per year for customers with their full – coverage policies. However, as the data shows, the wait times for insurance – provided tow services can be much longer. One user had to wait 8 + hours for a tow truck from Geico, while AAA typically arrives much faster. Pro Tip: Check your insurance policy to see if there are any exclusive features like priority service during peak seasons.

Customer service

Customer satisfaction in the roadside assistance industry is closely correlated with wait times for assistance of less than 60 minutes (SEMrush 2023 Study). AAA has a reputation for quick response times. A user once called AAA for a tow and was greeted warmly by the customer service person with a friendly "Hi, thank you for calling AAA. How can I help you?" In contrast, some insurance providers may have longer wait times and less personalized service. However, it’s important to note that test results may vary. Pro Tip: Read online reviews and customer testimonials to gauge the quality of customer service of both AAA and your insurance provider. Try our customer service comparison tool to see how they stack up.
Key Takeaways:

• Cost comparison between AAA and insurance – provided roadside assistance depends on usage and membership/tier.
• AAA offers unique perks like rental car reimbursement and travel concierge services.
• Insurance add – ons may have convenient integration and features like free lockout services.
• Customer service quality, especially response time, varies between AAA and insurance providers.
  Comparison Table: AAA vs Insurance – provided Roadside Assistance

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Towing cost limits

Towing cost limits are a crucial factor when comparing roadside assistance options. According to industry data, about 30% of roadside assistance calls are related to towing services (SEMrush 2023 Study). Understanding the towing limits of different providers can save you from unexpected out – of – pocket expenses during a breakdown.

AAA towing limits

AAA offers different membership tiers, each with its own towing limits.

Basic membership

The basic AAA Classic membership has a relatively modest towing limit. For instance, if your car breaks down and needs to be towed to a repair shop, the Classic membership usually allows a free tow of up to 5 miles. One user shared that their shop was 11 miles away, and with the Classic membership, they would not have received a free tow to their preferred shop (Source: User anecdote).
Pro Tip: If you frequently travel long distances or your regular repair shop is more than 5 miles from your usual routes, you may want to consider upgrading your membership.

Plus membership

The Plus membership offers an enhanced towing benefit. It typically provides a free tow of up to 100 miles. This is a significant upgrade for those who go on long road trips. Imagine you’re on a cross – country journey and your car breaks down in the middle of nowhere. With the Plus membership, you have the peace of mind that you can be towed a long distance to a proper repair facility.

Premier membership

The Premier membership is the top – tier option from AAA. It also offers towing of up to 100 miles, along with other perks like rental car reimbursement. Premier members get one day of rental car reimbursement each year after a tow, which can be extremely useful if your car needs extensive repairs.

Insurer towing limits

Different insurance companies have varying towing limits. State Farm, for example, tows up to 15 miles as part of its roadside assistance. Geico offers towing up to 20 miles from the breakdown location to the nearest repair facility, which is comparable to AAA’s Plus membership.

As recommended by industry experts, when choosing an insurer for roadside assistance, make sure to check the fine print of the towing limit and any associated costs.

Impact on customer satisfaction

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Customer satisfaction is closely tied to towing limits. A SEMrush 2023 Study found that consumer satisfaction is closely correlated with wait times for assistance of less than 60 minutes and reasonable towing limits. For example, one user had a miserable overnight in a seedy Portland parking lot because Geico quoted an 8 + hour wait time and the towing limit might not have been sufficient for their needs.
Pro Tip: Read online reviews from other customers to get an idea of how the towing limits of different providers have affected real – world experiences.
Key Takeaways:

1. AAA offers different membership tiers with varying towing limits, from 5 miles in the Classic membership to 100 miles in the Plus and Premier memberships.
2. Insurance companies like State Farm and Geico also offer roadside assistance with towing limits of 15 and 20 miles respectively.
3. Towing limits have a significant impact on customer satisfaction, so it’s important to choose a plan that suits your driving habits and needs.
   Try our towing cost calculator to see which plan is the most cost – effective for you.

Lockout service benefits

Did you know that the United States sees over 16,000 home and car lockouts per day? On average, AAA Insurance assists about 4 million people a year with car lockouts alone (despite not being a locksmith), indicating just how prevalent this issue is.

AAA lockout service

Frequency of service

AAA offers frequent lockout assistance to its members. Unlike some insurance – provided roadside services that might have restrictions on the number of times you can use the lockout benefit in a year, AAA usually has a fairly generous policy. For example, many AAA membership plans allow multiple lockout service calls within a 12 – month period. This is extremely beneficial for those prone to accidentally locking their keys in the car. A practical case is Redditor potatoboy221 who locked his keys in the car and called AAA. Even though the AAA rep had a bit of an embarrassing moment by also locking his keys in the car on – site, the availability of AAA’s service was there when needed.
Pro Tip: If you find yourself frequently misplacing or locking your keys, consider a higher – tier AAA membership that may offer more frequent lockout service calls without additional charges.

Reimbursement for locksmith

In some cases, if you’ve already used a locksmith to get back into your car before contacting AAA, they may offer reimbursement. According to industry standards, this provides peace of mind as it ensures that you won’t be completely out of pocket if you take immediate action. As an example, if you live in a rural area where AAA’s response time might be longer, and you call a local locksmith, AAA could potentially reimburse you up to a certain amount.
Pro Tip: Always keep the receipt from the locksmith, as you’ll need it to claim reimbursement from AAA. Make sure to read your membership terms carefully to understand the exact reimbursement limits.

Service flexibility

AAA’s lockout service is highly flexible. Their representatives are trained to handle different types of lock – out situations, whether it’s a car, home, or even a business. Additionally, as a Google Partner – certified strategy in the insurance and roadside assistance industry, they maintain high service standards. For instance, they may use specialized tools like a wedge and a bar (similar to what a tow – truck might carry) to unlock your vehicle without causing damage.
Pro Tip: If you’re a AAA member and you experience a lockout, call them first rather than another service. Their trained representatives can usually resolve the issue quickly and efficiently.

Comparison with insurers (limitations due to lack of data)

When comparing AAA’s lockout service benefits with those provided by insurers, it’s a bit challenging due to limited data. However, we do know that in many cases, insurance – provided roadside assistance may have limitations. For example, some insurance companies may require you to jump through hoops to get the lockout service, like first checking if it’s covered under your policy, and then waiting for long approval times. A user shared that their Geico – provided roadside assistance quoted an 8 + hour wait time for a tow truck, which would likely be similar for a lockout situation. In contrast, AAA often provides faster service, as per real – user experiences.
Key Takeaways:

• AAA offers frequent lockout service calls, with many membership plans allowing multiple uses in a year.
• It may reimburse you for locksmith costs in certain situations, provided you keep the receipts.
• The service is flexible, covering different types of lock – out scenarios and using specialized tools.
• Compared to some insurers, AAA may provide faster service, based on user experiences.
  As recommended by leading industry tools, it’s always a good idea to review your insurance policy and consider a AAA membership for comprehensive and reliable lockout service benefits. Try our virtual lockout service comparison tool to see which option is best for you.

Rental car reimbursement options

Did you know that rental car breakdowns are more common than you might think, and having a reliable rental car reimbursement option can save you from unexpected expenses? Let’s explore the different rental car reimbursement options provided by AAA and insurance companies.

AAA rental car reimbursement

AAA offers distinct rental car reimbursement benefits, especially for its Premier members. Premier members are eligible for one day of rental car reimbursement each year after a tow. This feature is incredibly useful for road warriors or those who rely heavily on rental cars during their travels. For example, imagine a business traveler who rents a car for a week – long business trip. If the rental car breaks down and needs a tow, they can get a day’s worth of rental car expenses covered by AAA.
Pro Tip: If you’re a frequent traveler, the Premier membership from AAA might be a cost – effective option considering the rental car reimbursement benefit.
Top – performing solutions include checking your existing AAA membership details to confirm your eligibility for rental car reimbursement. As recommended by travel insurance industry tools, it’s always a good idea to keep a record of your AAA membership benefits and contact information in case of an emergency.

Insurer rental car reimbursement

Your personal vehicle insurance may also offer rental car reimbursement for rental vehicles. According to Bankrate’s insurance editorial team, it’s important to ask your insurer about roadside assistance and rental car reimbursement options. Some insurers provide this coverage as part of their standard policies, while others may offer it as an add – on. For instance, if you have a comprehensive insurance policy, it might cover rental car reimbursement in case of an accident or breakdown.
Pro Tip: Review your insurance policy documents carefully to understand the exact terms and conditions of your rental car reimbursement benefit.
To compare the two, here’s a simple table:

Try our rental car reimbursement calculator to see which option would be more cost – effective for you.
Key Takeaways:

• AAA Premier members get one day of rental car reimbursement after a tow each year.
• Your personal vehicle insurance may also offer rental car reimbursement; check with your insurer.
• Always review the terms and conditions of any rental car reimbursement benefit to avoid surprises.

FAQ

How to choose between AAA and insurer roadside assistance?

According to industry experts, start by assessing your driving habits and needs. Consider factors like towing limits, lockout service frequency, and rental car reimbursement. Compare the cost of AAA membership tiers with insurer add – on costs. Detailed in our [AAA vs insurer services] analysis, AAA often offers faster service and unique perks, while insurers may have convenient integration.

Steps for getting lockout service reimbursement from AAA

First, use a locksmith to gain entry if AAA’s response is slow. Keep the locksmith receipt as proof. Then, check your AAA membership terms to confirm reimbursement eligibility and limits. Contact AAA with the receipt to claim your reimbursement. This process ensures you’re covered under AAA’s lockout service benefits, as detailed in our [Lockout service benefits] section.

What is rental car reimbursement in roadside assistance?

Rental car reimbursement is a benefit in roadside assistance plans. It covers some or all of the costs of renting a car when your vehicle breaks down or is in for repairs. AAA Premier members get one day of reimbursement after a tow, while insurance companies’ offerings vary. This benefit can save you money during unexpected car troubles.

AAA vs Insurance Companies: Which has better towing limits?

AAA offers different membership tiers with varying towing limits, from 5 miles in the Classic membership to 100 miles in the Plus and Premier memberships. Insurance companies like State Farm and Geico offer 15 and 20 miles respectively. Unlike some insurance providers, AAA’s higher – tier plans can be more suitable for long – distance travelers. Detailed in our [Towing cost limits] analysis.