I hear you on the wait times—been there, shivering on the side of the road with my ‘93 Caprice, wondering if the tow truck even got the right address. It’s true, a lot of those insurance add-ons sound great until you actually need them. I’ve had plans that “covered” tows but only up to five miles, which is pretty much useless if you break down outside of town. Ended up paying out of pocket anyway.
One thing I’ve noticed is that some of the standalone roadside companies (like AAA or even some credit cards) seem to have better service than what’s tacked onto regular insurance. Not always, but I feel like they’re more reliable. I guess it comes down to what you drive and how much you’re on the road. If you’re commuting daily in a car that’s seen better days, that peace of mind can be worth the yearly fee. But if you mostly stick close to home or have a newer ride, maybe just keep a little emergency fund set aside.
Has anyone ever tried comparing the response times between their insurance plan and something like AAA? I’ve always wondered if it’s just luck of the draw or if some providers really are faster.
Has anyone ever tried comparing the response times between their insurance plan and something like AAA?
I’ve wondered about this too. My insurance’s roadside took almost two hours last winter, but a friend with AAA said he got help in under 30 minutes. Maybe it depends on the area or time of day? Anyone ever had a luxury car towed—did it make any difference in speed or care?
My insurance’s roadside took almost two hours last winter, but a friend with AAA said he got help in under 30 minutes.
I just got my first car and added roadside to my insurance because it seemed cheaper than AAA. First time I needed it—flat tire in the rain, middle of nowhere—it took them an hour and a half to show up. Not gonna lie, I was freezing. My friend with AAA keeps bragging about their 20-minute rescues, but honestly, I’m not sure I want to pay extra just for faster tow trucks. Maybe I’m just unlucky, but “totally worth it” feels like a stretch so far.
Roadside insurance through my policy seemed like a no-brainer at first—cheaper, bundled, easy. First breakdown, though? I was sitting in my car with a dead battery, watching the tow truck ETA creep up minute by minute. Ended up scrolling through memes for nearly two hours. At least I had snacks.
Here’s my step-by-step breakdown of “worth it”:
Step 1: Compare the price. Insurance roadside is usually a few bucks a month. AAA is more, but you get perks (maps, discounts, the occasional free donut at random hotels, apparently).
Step 2: Assess your patience. If you’re cool with waiting and you don’t break down often, insurance might be fine. If you’re the “I want help before my coffee gets cold” type, AAA might be worth the splurge.
Step 3: Consider where you drive. City? Help’s faster. Middle of nowhere? Bring a book.
Honestly, I’m still on the fence. Faster service sounds great, but my wallet keeps voting “nah.” Maybe I’ll just pack a thicker blanket next time...
If you’re the “I want help before my coffee gets cold” type, AAA might be worth the splurge.
Curious if anyone’s actually compared response times between insurance roadside and AAA? I’ve heard luxury brands sometimes offer their own roadside too—has anyone tried those, and are they any faster or just more expensive?
