I get where you're coming from, but I still go back and forth on it. I had a dead battery last winter—figured I'd just jump it myself, but my car's got one of those weird setups where you can't even find the terminals without digging through the manual. Ended up waiting for a tow anyway. On the other hand, I hate paying for stuff I might never use. Do most plans actually cover things like lost keys or just the basics? Sometimes it feels like they nickel and dime you for every little thing...
Sometimes it feels like they nickel and dime you for every little thing...
Yeah, that’s the part that bugs me too. I looked into a couple of those plans and half the time, “roadside assistance” just means they’ll tow you five miles and then start charging by the foot. Lost keys? Some cover it, but usually only if you pay extra for the “premium” version, which is basically just a fancier way to take more of your money.
I get the peace of mind angle, but honestly, I’ve had my license for a year and haven’t needed it yet. The one time I locked my keys in the car, I ended up calling my roommate who had a spare. Felt kind of dumb, but at least it was free. I guess if you drive a lot or have an older car, it might be worth it, but for me, it still feels like paying for gym membership I never use. Maybe I’ll regret it when I’m stranded in the rain, but until then… I’m rolling the dice.
I totally get where you’re coming from. The “five miles free” thing cracks me up—like, what happens if you break down just a little further out? Suddenly it’s $100 for a tow. I’ve had roadside assistance bundled with my insurance for years, but honestly, I’ve only used it once for a dead battery. It was nice not having to stress about finding someone to jump me, but yeah, most of the time it feels like I’m paying for something I barely use.
That said, I do a lot of long drives for work, and my car’s not exactly new anymore. For me, it’s more about not wanting to be stuck in the middle of nowhere with no cell service or whatever. If you’re mostly driving around town and have backup like your roommate, I can see why it doesn’t seem worth it. But if you ever end up with a flat at 2am on a road trip, that peace of mind starts looking a lot more appealing... Guess it just depends on your situation and how much risk you’re cool with.
Honestly, I get the peace of mind thing, but I’ve never bothered with roadside help. If I break down, I’ll just call a local tow—probably ends up costing the same as a year of coverage anyway. Most of the time, it’s just extra cash for nothing. But yeah, if you’re out in the sticks a lot, I can see why you’d want it. For city driving? Meh.
If I break down, I’ll just call a local tow—probably ends up costing the same as a year of coverage anyway.
Yeah, but what if it’s not just a tow? Had a flat once in the pouring rain and the spare was shot. Roadside got me sorted in like 30 minutes. Ever had something go sideways where a tow wasn’t enough?
