I totally get where you’re coming from—rental coverage is one of those things you don’t appreciate until you need it. Same goes for roadside assistance in my book. I’ve had a flat in the middle of nowhere, and having that coverage saved me a ton of stress. Some folks skip it to save money, but with kids and all the unexpected stuff on the road, I’d rather play it safe. Not everyone needs it, but for us cautious types, it’s worth every penny.
Couldn’t agree more about the peace of mind. I used to think roadside assistance was just another add-on they try to upsell, but after getting stuck with a dead battery in the pouring rain, I changed my tune real quick. It’s one of those things you hope you never need, but when you do, it’s a lifesaver—especially if you’ve got kids in the backseat asking “are we there yet?” every five minutes.
I get that some folks want to cut costs wherever they can, and hey, maybe if you’re always close to home or have family nearby, it makes sense. But for those of us who end up on random backroads or have unpredictable schedules, it’s just not worth the risk. The little extra each month is nothing compared to the headache of being stranded.
Honestly, I’d rather skip a fancy coffee here and there than gamble with being stuck on the side of the road. Just my two cents...
That’s a fair point about the peace of mind. I’ve reviewed plenty of claims where folks thought they’d never need roadside assistance—until they did, and it made all the difference. Once had a case where someone broke down late at night on a rural stretch, no cell signal, and it turned into a much bigger ordeal than it needed to be. The small monthly fee for that coverage seems trivial after seeing situations like that play out. I get wanting to save, but sometimes the “just in case” stuff pays for itself in stress avoided.
I hear you on the peace of mind factor—there’s nothing like being stranded in the middle of nowhere to make you rethink that $5 a month. Still, I’ll admit, I’ve been guilty of rolling the dice and skipping roadside before. Sometimes it feels like every little add-on just piles up. But yeah, after my cousin’s “adventure” waiting three hours for a tow on the Hana Highway, I’m starting to see the wisdom in paying for backup... even if I grumble about it.
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You’re not wrong about the add-ons stacking up. I used to scoff at roadside assistance too, figured I’d just handle it myself or call a buddy if something happened. But after my ‘67 Mustang decided to die halfway up Tantalus Drive, in the rain, with zero cell service... let’s just say I’m not as cocky about skipping coverage anymore.
Here’s how I look at it: yeah, $5 here and there adds up, but getting stuck out here isn’t like being stranded on the mainland. Tow trucks can take hours, and if you’re on one of those backroads, good luck finding someone who’ll even come out without charging an arm and a leg. That peace of mind is worth more than a fancy coffee or whatever else I’d blow five bucks on.
If you’re still on the fence, try this—make a list of what you actually need versus what’s just fluff. For me, roadside is non-negotiable now, but rental car coverage? Never needed it once in 20 years, so I skip it. Glass coverage? Only if you drive behind gravel trucks all day. It’s about picking your battles.
One thing I’ve learned: don’t trust the first quote you get. Call around, ask local shops who they see most often for claims (they know which companies are a pain). And don’t be afraid to negotiate—sometimes they’ll knock off a few bucks if you mention you’re shopping around.
Bottom line: nobody likes paying for stuff they might never use, but out here, being prepared isn’t just smart—it’s survival. If your cousin had backup that day on Hana Highway, bet they’d have been home before sunset instead of swapping mosquito stories by the mile marker.
Anyway, don’t beat yourself up for grumbling about it. We all do. Just better to grumble with coverage than curse yourself when you’re stuck in the mud with no help coming for hours...