Many different companies, including insurance agencies, cell phone providers and even credit card companies are offering roadside assistance. With this many companies along with the traditional service companies, how does a consumer know which offers the best when compared with others. There are many differences when it comes to this type of coverage and none of the roadside assistance is offered for free, though some are more affordable than others. So how does State Farm compare to others?
Up Front Costs
One of the biggest issues with State Farm when compared to other insurance companies is that they require the policy holder to pay up front for any assistance. The policy holder is then reimbursed at a later date which can be off-putting for many. Suppose you just had a huge bill that you paid and next pay day is two weeks away? Your car breaks down and you need a tow to get it fixed. You don’t have any money and you can’t borrow it, you end up having to leave your vehicle because there really is no protection through your insurance. The best type of assistance is when the company only has you sign an invoice so you can get your car off the road and in a shop that can repair it when you have the money.
Response Time
Since State Farm does not have their own service vehicles, you could wait for very long periods of time for a tow truck or the gasoline to get you back on the road. This means if you have an important meeting the likelihood of you making it on time are very slim when you’re stuck waiting for assistance for an hour or two. Some of the best roadside assistance companies, such as Best Roadside Service, offer a response time of forty five minutes or less. This means you’re back on the road much quicker than with other companies.
Other Features
There are no other benefits from using State Farm’s roadside assistance program. In fact, it is pretty lackluster all together. Best Roadside Service offers a wider range of option and perks like discounts at hotels and an affordable price. Their call center is based in the United States so you don’t have to worry about trying to understand a foreign representative and they speak three languages, English, Spanish and French to cover just about every demographic in the US and Canada.
Basic Coverage
The type of coverage that State Farm offers is only for the vehicle and driver that is insured. Other companies offer two types of coverage, one for the vehicle which transfers to any other driver. This option is great for families with more than one driver who may have an issue while driving. The other is covering the driver and that transfers to any car that is being driven. A plan such as this is perfect for anyone who drives a company vehicle or who has more than one that they drive on a regular basis.
So, while State Farm may say that they have great roadside assistance, it is not for everyone. Those who live on a budget may not be able to afford the initial cost or they may not have funds when an emergency happens. It does not cover everything and can actually cost the policy holder more down the road. It is much better to go with a provider such as Best Roadside Service which is affordable and offers consumers a better deal.