I get where you’re coming from, but I’d push back a bit on the “not as urgent in town” angle. Even in the city, a flat tire or dead battery can throw your whole day off, especially if you’re stuck somewhere inconvenient or it’s late at night. Sure, AAA and similar services aren’t always lightning fast—three hours is rough—but the alternatives can be just as bad or worse. Calling a random tow company can get expensive fast, and not all of them are reliable.
Also, some auto insurance policies actually include roadside assistance for just a few bucks extra per month. It’s not always advertised, but it’s worth checking your policy—sometimes it’s cheaper than standalone plans and you don’t have to think about it until you need it.
Rolling the dice is fine until you’re stranded with no good options. I guess it comes down to how much risk you’re willing to take on versus what that peace of mind is worth to you. For some folks, that gamble works out... others not so much.
That’s a good point about insurance—mine actually had roadside for like $5 a month, and I barely noticed the charge. I used to think it was overkill, but after one late-night battery fail, I was glad I had it. Peace of mind is worth something, even if you don’t use it often.
That’s a good point about insurance—mine actually had roadside for like $5 a month, and I barely noticed the charge. I used to think it was overkill, but after one late-night battery fail, I wa...
I’ve been shopping around for my first car insurance policy, and this roadside thing keeps popping up. I keep asking myself if it’s just another way for them to squeeze a few extra bucks out of me, or if it’s actually useful. Reading your story about the late-night battery fail makes me think twice.
Here’s how I’m looking at it, step by step:
1. I checked what my car warranty already covers—turns out, not much after the first year.
2. I compared the cost of adding roadside to my insurance (about $6/month) versus paying for a tow or jumpstart out of pocket. One tow could be $100+.
3. I asked a couple friends, and one said she waited three hours for a tow because she didn’t have coverage. That sounds rough.
I’m still not 100% convinced, but your point about “peace of mind is worth something” is starting to make sense. Maybe it’s one of those things you don’t appreciate until you really need it...
Honestly, I used to roll my eyes at all those “add-on” insurance options too. But then I locked my keys in the car at a gas station in the middle of nowhere—cue the world’s slowest facepalm. Ended up paying $85 for a locksmith and waiting almost two hours. That $6/month started looking a lot less like a scam and more like cheap insurance for my own forgetfulness.
I get being skeptical, though. If you’re handy or have friends/family nearby who can bail you out, maybe it’s not as necessary. But if you’re like me and your car knowledge ends at “turn key, hope for vroom,” roadside can be a lifesaver. Plus, peace of mind is hard to put a price on... unless it’s $6 a month, apparently.
One thing I’d double-check: some credit cards or phone plans sneak in roadside assistance perks too. Worth poking around before you pay twice for the same thing.
I totally get where you’re coming from. I used to think roadside help was just another way for companies to squeeze a few extra bucks out of us. But then my battery died in a grocery store parking lot during a snowstorm, and I realized I had no clue what to do besides panic and call my dad (who lives three states away, so… not super helpful). Ended up wishing I’d just paid for the service instead of standing there googling “how to jumpstart car safely” with frozen fingers.
You make a good point about checking your credit cards or phone plans. I found out after the fact that my card actually covered basic roadside stuff, but only if I booked the service through their app. Who knew? It’s kind of wild how many places sneak in those perks.
I guess it comes down to how much risk you’re willing to take on. If you’re the type who never loses keys or always has jumper cables handy, maybe it’s not worth it. But for the rest of us mere mortals, $6 a month feels like a pretty decent trade-off for not having to beg strangers for help when things go sideways.