- Not sure I buy that it’s always worth it.
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“For the price of a couple tanks of gas, I’ll take the backup.”
- That adds up, though. Year after year, if you’re not using it, that’s money down the drain.
- Most newer cars have roadside included for a while anyway—why double up?
- Honestly, I’d rather stash a jump pack and a mini toolkit in the trunk. Yeah, it’s not as comfy as calling for help, but it’s not rocket science to swap a fuse or change a tire, even with all the plastic covers.
- If you’re driving long distances in the middle of nowhere, maybe it’s different. But around town? I’ll risk it.
Most newer cars have roadside included for a while anyway—why double up?
That’s a fair point. A lot of folks don’t realize their warranty or even their credit card might already cover basic roadside stuff. If you’re just driving around town and can handle a flat or jump, it’s probably not worth paying extra every year. But if you’ve got an older car or do road trips, that backup can be a lifesaver—tow bills aren’t cheap. I’ve seen people get hit with $200+ tows for something simple. Just depends on your comfort level and how much risk you want to take on, really.
- If you’re already paying for coverage through your warranty or credit card, doubling up just burns cash.
- Older cars or long trips? Yeah, maybe worth it—one tow can wipe out years of “savings.”
- Ever had a roadside plan actually *not* come through when you needed it? Curious if people have been left stranded despite coverage...
- Ever had a roadside plan actually *not* come through when you needed it? Curious if people have been left stranded despite coverage...
Yeah, I’ve seen this happen more than you’d think. Sometimes it’s “covered,” but the response time is hours, or their service area is way smaller than advertised. Also, a lot of plans have limits buried in the fine print—like number of tows per year, or max distance. Doesn’t mean they’re useless, but it’s easy to overestimate what you’re actually getting. For newer cars or folks who barely drive, I’d double-check what’s already included before paying extra.
I’ve had mixed luck with roadside plans, honestly. One time my car died in the middle of nowhere (like, actual cows and tumbleweeds territory), and the “24/7” service said it’d be a 6-hour wait. I ended up calling a local tow guy myself and just paid out of pocket. The plan did reimburse me... eventually... but it was a hassle.
I get why people like having that safety net, but I’m always side-eyeing the fine print now. Some of these plans sound great until you realize they only tow you 5 miles, and after that it’s like $10 a mile. That adds up fast if you’re not near a big town. And yeah, the limits on how many times you can use it per year—found that out the hard way after a string of bad luck with flat tires.
I will say, if you drive an older car or do a lot of road trips, it’s probably worth it for peace of mind. But if you’ve got a newer car with warranty coverage or you’re mostly just commuting in town, half the time your insurance or even your credit card might already have some kind of roadside help baked in. No sense paying twice.
Guess my take is: don’t assume you’re covered for everything just because you have a card in your wallet. Read the boring stuff, or at least skim it. And maybe keep a backup plan—like knowing the number for a local tow truck—just in case your “plan” turns out to be more of a suggestion than an actual rescue.
