When your car breaks down and you are stranded on the side of the road, what is the first thing you do? For some people, it is calling their roadside assistance company. Many people subscribe to these roadside assistance programs to provide peace-of-mind during stressful times.
Most roadside assistance programs are an annual subscription that range from $50 to $100 per year. They offer benefits such as:
- Towing to repair shops
- Battery services
- Lockout services
- Flat tire replacement
- Emergency fuel replacement
- Extrication
If you are not sure whether or not emergency roadside assistance is worth the money, consider this:
The average cost from a simple five mile tow could be as much as $150. Depending upon the level of service you subscribe to, that towing could be included in your membership for up to five tows per year. That means that after the first tow, your membership has more than paid for itself.
Emergency roadside assistance is also available with some insurance plans depending on the company. While this could mean saving money, it could be an extra option and could cost more per year than subscribing to an outside company. They also generally do not provide the same level of service either.
Another benefit is discounts on travel, hotels, car rentals, and shopping. Most companies offer these discounts as an extra membership benefit. If you travel frequently and stay in hotels often, you could also more than make up for you membership dues in discounts.
Having an emergency roadside assistance membership can make owning a car less stressful. They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help with almost any car-related problems and breakdowns. Also, you never have to worry about being stranded if your car has problems. If you do not have an emergency roadside assistance membership, consider how it might help prevent expensive towing costs and stressful situations.
If you have more questions about emergency roadside assistance, ask your mechanic next time you’re getting an Albuquerque timing belt replacement or a Sacramento brake check.
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