I’ve been debating whether to add roadside to my new policy, and honestly, stories like yours make me hesitate. The marketing makes it sound like you’re covered for anything, but when you dig into the details, it’s a lot of “we’ll tow you somewhere, maybe.” I’m pretty detail-obsessed, so I read the fine print and noticed a ton of exclusions—like if you’re more than a certain distance from a main road, or if it’s after hours. I’m leaning toward just investing in my own gear too. At least then I know what I’m getting, and I’m not stuck waiting around for hours.
Honestly, I’ve had roadside on my policy for years and barely used it. Last time I needed a tow, they took forever and still charged me extra because I was “too far off the main road.” Carrying my own jumper cables and a jack’s saved me more than once. Not sure it’s worth the extra cost unless you’re really stuck without options.
Carrying my own jumper cables and a jack’s saved me more than once.
You’re speaking my language. I’ve always kept a trunk full of “just in case” stuff—cables, fix-a-flat, even a ratty old blanket for those cold nights waiting for a tow. I did use roadside once when my alternator died in the middle of nowhere, but honestly, it took almost two hours for help to show up. Sometimes I wonder if the peace of mind is worth the yearly fee, or if I’m just paying for a number to call when I already know how to handle most issues myself.
Honestly, I get the appeal of having roadside through insurance, but I’m not totally sold. Like you said,
That’s a long wait if you’re stuck somewhere sketchy or freezing. I’m new to all this insurance stuff and the extra fees add up quick. I keep thinking—if I already know how to jump a battery or change a tire, is it really worth paying for a service I might use once every few years?“it took almost two hours for help to show up.”
I guess it could be good for situations where you’re totally stuck, like engine trouble, but most of the time I’d rather just call a friend or deal with it myself. Plus, I’ve heard some roadside plans have a bunch of fine print—like only covering certain distances or charging extra for towing. Maybe I’m just being cheap, but I’d rather stash some tools in the trunk and hope for the best.
Honestly, I’m with you—if you know your way around a jack and jumper cables, it feels like paying for peace of mind you might never use. I had roadside once and the only time I called, the tow truck got lost. Ended up fixing it myself before they even showed. Maybe it’s just me, but I’d rather keep a toolkit and some snacks in the trunk and hope my luck holds out. Those “up to 5 miles” tow limits are sneaky too... who breaks down that close to home?