I once tried to change a tire in the dark with only my phone flashlight and a playlist of sad country songs. Not my finest hour.
Been there—except mine was rain, not country music. I always wonder, is it worth gambling on “it probably won’t happen to me”? For me, the yearly roadside fee is just insurance against that one time you’re stranded miles from anywhere. Even in the city, I’ve had a dead battery at 2am... not fun. Do you ever think about how much time you’d lose waiting for help vs. trying to fix it yourself?
I get where you’re coming from—waiting for a tow truck at 2am is nobody’s idea of a good time. Personally, I weigh the cost of roadside assistance against how often I’ve actually needed it. If your car’s newer and you’re comfortable with basic fixes, sometimes it feels like overkill. But then again, one bad night in the rain or a dead battery when you’re running late can make that annual fee seem pretty reasonable. Time lost waiting vs. DIY? Depends on your confidence and tools, honestly.
I hear you, but as someone who’s spent more than a few nights under the hood of a ‘72 Charger on the side of the road, I’ll say this—roadside assistance is like insurance. You hope you never need it, but when you do, it’s a lifesaver. Sure, I can swap out a battery or patch a hose, but if my carb decides to throw a tantrum at midnight? I’d rather have that tow number handy than be stuck improvising with duct tape and prayers. Sometimes peace of mind is worth the yearly fee, even if you only use it once.
Sometimes peace of mind is worth the yearly fee, even if you only use it once.
That pretty much sums it up for me. I’ve had my share of unexpected moments—once, my S-Class threw a sensor error in the middle of nowhere, and while I’m not totally helpless with a wrench, there’s a real limit to what you can do on the shoulder at 2 a.m. With modern cars especially, there’s so much tech packed under the hood that even basic issues can turn into a headache if you’re not equipped.
I get that some folks are handy enough to tackle most problems, but with these newer luxury models, half the time you need specialized tools just to access the battery. To be honest, I’d rather pay a little extra for that reassurance than risk damaging something or getting stranded for hours. It’s not just about convenience either—sometimes it’s about safety, especially if you’re stuck somewhere remote or late at night.
Sure, maybe it feels like overkill when everything’s running smoothly... but on that one bad day? Worth every penny.
Can’t argue with the logic there. I used to think roadside help was just another “nice to have” until my wife’s car died in the pouring rain, miles from anywhere. Towing alone would’ve cost more than a year’s coverage. With all the electronics in modern cars, even simple fixes can get complicated fast. It’s not just about being handy—sometimes you just need backup. Peace of mind isn’t always cheap, but it’s hard to put a price on not being stranded at 2 a.m.
