In today’s world it is important to have as much insurance coverage as possible. Things go wrong at the wrong time and if you are not prepared then you could lose a great deal of money. One of the most popular types of additional coverage is roadside assistance. This can save a driver tons of money and is offered through roadside assistance companies, mortgage brokers, credit card companies as well as insurance companies such as USAA roadside assistance.
The one thing that consumers need to look at when choosing the right roadside assistance for them is not how much it costs, as many would think. Instead, it is important to look at how much coverage is offered for the cost. Each company has different services and some companies are sorely lacking in what they offer. It can take a bit of time to do all of the research but the work is well worth it if you don’t want to end up on the side of the road with no help whatsoever.
For instance, USAA offers changing flat tires which is a great service but you have to have your own spare tire. You need to make sure that the one in your trunk is aired up and ready to go. They deliver gasoline if you run out but you do have to pay for the gasoline as it is no free as a part of the assistance program. If you lock yourself out of your car, you are required to pay for a new key but the locksmith service is covered. This may seem like a good deal but with new cars the keys can run into hundreds of dollars.
Finally, towing is offered as a free service but this is only for those who are on public roads. So, if you go fishing, camping or just visit a friend who lives in the country on a non incorporated road and you get stuck, you are literally stuck. There is no service to help you out in this instance. If you do get towed, it is only to the closest “preferred” repair shop and this not the one preferred by you, it is preferred by the company.
There are better deals on the market that offer free gas and other free amenities that are not offered with USAA. The price is in the same ballpark, too so it’s not like you’re paying for these extra services. This is the reason why it is so important to do your homework and shop around.