That “5 miles free, then $10 a mile” thing gets me every time.
—totally agree, but how do you actually keep track of what’s covered by your insurance or credit card? I swear, every time I try to check, it’s buried in some 30-page PDF. Has anyone actually used their credit card’s roadside and had it work out, or is it just as much of a headache as the paid plans?No sense paying twice.
I tried using my credit card’s roadside once when I locked my keys in the car. It technically worked, but it took forever to get someone out, and I had to call three different numbers before I got the right department. The coverage was only up to $50, too, so if you’re far from home, you might still end up paying. Honestly, I still don’t know if it was worth the hassle compared to just paying out of pocket. Those PDFs are a nightmare to read, for real.
Title: Is Paying For Roadside Help Worth It Or Just Extra?
- I get where you’re coming from on the credit card roadside thing, but I’d push back a bit on whether paying out of pocket is always better. A lot depends on how often you run into car trouble and how far you usually travel from home.
- That $50 cap is pretty common with credit card perks, but some standalone roadside plans (like AAA or even some insurance add-ons) cover way more—sometimes up to 100 miles for towing, or unlimited service calls per year. If you break down in the middle of nowhere, that can save you a ton compared to calling a local tow on your own.
- Yeah, the phone tree nightmare is real. But I’ve seen just as much hassle with pay-as-you-go services, especially late at night or in bad weather. At least with a dedicated plan, there’s usually one number and they coordinate everything.
- Those PDFs are brutal, totally agree. But it’s worth digging through them once so you know what you’re actually getting. Some plans sneak in weird exclusions (like not covering flat tires if you don’t have a spare), and others are surprisingly generous.
- Not saying everyone needs to shell out for premium roadside, but if you drive an older car or do a lot of road trips, the peace of mind can be worth it. I’ve had clients who used their plan three times in a year—definitely got their money’s worth.
- On the flip side, if you’re mostly city driving and have a newer car, maybe it’s overkill. But I’d be careful about assuming “just pay out of pocket” is always cheaper—one long tow can wipe out years of savings.
Curious if anyone’s actually done the math on average costs vs. plan fees? It probably comes down to risk tolerance and how much hassle you’re willing to deal with when something goes wrong...
I used to think roadside plans were just another way to nickel-and-dime drivers, but after my battery died in the middle of a snowstorm last winter, I changed my tune. Towing alone would’ve cost me over $200, but my plan covered it. If you’re commuting long distances or driving older cars like I do, that peace of mind is hard to put a price on. That said, when I had a newer car and stuck to city driving, I barely touched the service—felt like wasted money then. It really does depend on your situation and how much risk you’re comfortable with.
It really does depend on your situation and how much risk you’re comfortable with.
That’s pretty much it. I’m with you—when my cars were new, I never thought twice about skipping roadside coverage. But now that I’m running a ten-year-old sedan into the ground, I wouldn’t go without it. The one time I needed a tow from a rural highway at night, it paid for itself in one shot.
I get why some folks see it as an unnecessary expense, especially if they’re always close to home or have reliable vehicles. But for anyone dealing with unpredictable weather or driving older cars, it’s just not worth the gamble in my opinion. One bad breakdown can wipe out years of “saved” money.
Guess it’s all about what helps you sleep at night. For me, that extra layer of security is worth the small monthly hit to my wallet.
