Roadside assistance is an insurance add-on people don’t usually think about until they’re stranded on the side of the road. Even the best car insurance policies won’t help with a flat tire or dead battery unless you have roadside assistance.
Not all roadside assistance plans were created equally, though. Some insurance companies have basic plans that offer little more than a helping hand for the most common problems. Others offer plans perfect for people who put thousands of miles on their cars each year.
Best Insurance Companies for Roadside Assistance
Nationwide
Starting off the list is Nationwide’s roadside assistance plan. With Nationwide, you can choose between either the basic or plus plans.
You get excellent service with even the basic plan because it includes ditch extraction. Long-distance drivers will find extra value with the plus plan because it guarantees towing for up to 100 miles. In addition, if you break down more than 100 miles from home, the plus plan offers a trip reimbursement of up to $500.
Nationwide gets high praise for its customer service and commitment to helping its customers resolve roadside problems.
American Family
While American Family’s roadside assistance only offers standard services, it comes at a low price. American Family provides drivers with a simple add-on package with gas delivery, locksmith services and battery jumps. Getting roadside assistance is as easy as pushing a button with the MyAmFam app.
While the American Family roadside assistance plan is basic, customers say the service is not. They love that American Family representatives genuinely care about their problems.
Farmers
Farmers offers another simple, inexpensive plan similar to American Family. Farmers steps up its service by including winching services if your car gets stuck within 10 feet of a public street.
Farmers is an excellent choice if you want a basic plan covering essential roadside assistance services. However, if you put a lot of miles on your car, you might want to look elsewhere.
Most customers say Farmers’ roadside assistance is a great option if you already have a policy. Farmers proves itself a reliable option for assistance.
Allstate
Allstate has the most flexibility of all the roadside assistance plans out there.
You have two choices with Allstate. You can buy roadside assistance as an add-on to an existing policy or a standalone subscription plan. If you don’t want a roadside assistance plan but need help, you can also use the Allstate pay-per-use feature on the app, no matter where you get insurance.
Drivers that need a simple roadside assistance plan will do fine with the Allstate add-on or pay-per-use feature. However, if you want the best coverage Allstate offers, you’ll need to join the Allstate Motor Club.
Despite its popularity, Allstate’s Motor Club has very few reviews. However, those who do have it are generally impressed with the service.
Progressive
Progressive is known for offering affordable rates and friendly service. This insurance provider continues that trend with the Progressive roadside assistance program.
Roadside assistance with Progressive offers standard services. It also includes winching services from mud, sand, snow or water up to 100 feet away from a paved road. So if you frequently drive in poor weather conditions, Progressive might be the best choice.
Progressive gets mixed reviews for its roadside assistance like most big insurance companies. Some customers say they’ve used it several times and never had to wait more than half an hour, while others say it’s a complete scam.
USAA
While USAA has high customer satisfaction rates, only active or retired military members and their families are eligible for coverage.
If that applies to you, USAA’s roadside assistance is an affordable add-on option to your standard car insurance policy. A unique feature of USAA’s plan is you can contact USAA after an incident and request reimbursement.
Abby Andrews