my ‘73 Mustang’s basically on a first-name basis with the local tow guy. I swear, I’ve used roadside more for dead batteries than anything else.
That’s hilarious—my neighbor’s got an old Bronco and I swear the AAA guy knows his dog’s name at this point. Honestly, I used to think roadside assistance was just for people who lock their keys in the car or get flats, but after my third dead battery (in a year, no less), it started making a lot more sense.
I added it to my policy last semester when I started driving more for school and work. It’s not super expensive—like, less than what I’d pay for one tow out of pocket—and it covers stuff like jump starts, fuel delivery, and even if you run out of gas (which… yeah, happened once). The peace of mind is worth it, especially since my car isn’t exactly new. Haven’t noticed any rate hikes either, but maybe that’s because I haven’t had to use it as much as you have.
One thing I did notice: some insurance companies cap how many times you can use roadside per year before they start charging extra or flagging your account. My friend got dinged after five calls in one year. Might be worth checking your policy details if you’re racking up those tows.
Honestly though, even if you only use it once or twice a year, it pays for itself compared to calling a tow truck directly. Plus, waiting on hold with random towing companies is the worst—at least with insurance roadside they handle all that for you.
Guess the real question is whether it motivates anyone to actually fix their car problems instead of just relying on the tow guy... but hey, sometimes you just need to get home without drama.
Honestly, you nailed it—roadside is one of those things you don’t appreciate until you actually need it. I always tell people to double-check the fine print, though. Some policies only cover a set distance for tows or limit the number of service calls, and it’s easy to miss that. Still, the peace of mind is huge, especially if you’re driving older cars. I’d say it’s worth it, even if you end up using it just once.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’m still a bit on the fence about it. I had roadside through my insurance for years and, honestly, when my car broke down last winter, the wait time was ridiculous—like, over two hours in the cold. Ended up calling a local tow guy and paying out of pocket just to get home faster. Not to mention, some of these add-ons can quietly bump up your premiums over time.
I’m not saying it’s useless, but sometimes those standalone roadside memberships (like AAA or even some credit cards) offer better service and more flexibility. Plus, if you don’t drive much or you’re handy with basic repairs, it might not be worth the extra cost. I guess it really depends on how much you’re on the road and what kind of peace of mind actually works for you. Just feels like one of those things that sounds better in theory than it pans out in practice... at least for me.
Just feels like one of those things that sounds better in theory than it pans out in practice... at least for me.
Totally get where you’re coming from on the long wait times—nothing like testing your patience (and your winter gear) on the side of the road. Here’s how I usually look at it:
- If you’re driving a newer car and don’t rack up a ton of miles, roadside might not be worth the extra cash.
- Some insurance roadside plans are bare-bones—like, they’ll tow you five miles and then leave you stranded if you’re further out. Always check the fine print.
- Standalone memberships (AAA, etc.) do tend to have more perks, but they also cost more up front.
One thing I’ve noticed: claims for roadside through insurance don’t usually count against you for “accident” purposes, but yeah, adding any option can nudge your premium up over time. It’s a trade-off between convenience and cost. Personally, I keep jumper cables and a portable battery in my trunk—saves me from waiting when it’s just a dead battery. But for anything bigger, I’d rather have *some* backup than none.
Guess it really comes down to how much peace of mind you want versus how much risk you’re cool taking on.
Honestly, I hear this all the time—folks think roadside is a no-brainer, but then get frustrated when it’s not as speedy or thorough as they hoped. I always tell people: check what you’re actually getting. Some of those “included” plans barely cover a tow, let alone a lockout or flat. I’ve seen friends stuck waiting two hours for a jump in the middle of winter... not fun. If you’re on a tight budget and drive newer cars, maybe stash the cash instead. But if you’re like me and drive older cars (with a questionable sense of adventure), that backup is worth its weight in gold.
