"Plus, wouldn't relying on your insurer for roadside assistance potentially raise your premiums if you use it too often?"
That's a valid concern. From personal experience, bundling roadside assistance with insurance hasn't noticeably improved response times—especially for luxury vehicles where specialized service matters more than speed alone. I've found dedicated roadside services (like AAA or manufacturer-specific programs) generally offer quicker, more reliable support. Also, frequent claims—even minor roadside calls—can indeed flag you as a higher-risk customer, potentially impacting future premiums. I'd recommend keeping them separate to avoid unintended consequences.
"I've found dedicated roadside services (like AAA or manufacturer-specific programs) generally offer quicker, more reliable support."
Hmm, interesting point... but is that always true? I've heard a few friends complain lately that AAA's response times aren't as fast as they used to be, especially in rural areas. Maybe it depends heavily on your location? I haven't had to use mine yet (fingers crossed!), but now I'm kinda curious if AAA is still worth it or if sticking with my insurer would be simpler.
I've noticed AAA response times slipping too, especially out in the countryside. Last winter, I got stuck with a dead battery about an hour outside town, and AAA took almost two hours to show up. My insurer's roadside assistance came through quicker another time I needed help closer to home. Could be location-dependent, but lately I'm leaning toward just sticking with my insurer—it's cheaper and seems reliable enough.
"Could be location-dependent, but lately I'm leaning toward just sticking with my insurer—it's cheaper and seems reliable enough."
That's a fair point. AAA's coverage and response times can definitely vary depending on where you are. I've had similar experiences on rural road trips—waiting times seem to stretch out the further you get from major towns. Your insurer's roadside assistance might indeed be a better value, especially if it's already bundled into your policy. It's always smart to reassess these services periodically based on your actual experiences and needs.
I hear ya on the rural thing. Last summer, got stuck near middle-of-nowhere Montana and AAA took so long I thought I'd have to start farming there.
Definitely makes insurer roadside look tempting these days..."waiting times seem to stretch out the further you get from major towns."