Good Sam currently has one of the cheapest major roadside assistance plans for cars, with its Platinum Auto plan advertised at $49.95 per year for new members. The plan includes towing to the nearest network service facility, battery service, flat-tire assistance, lockout service, and emergency fuel or fluid delivery. The $49.95 price includes an auto-renewal discount and is an introductory rate for new members.
AAA is another popular option, but its Classic membership currently starts at $64.99 per year in the AAA region referenced here and includes up to four roadside events per year and towing up to 5 miles.
Cheapest Roadside Assistance Companies
| Provider | Starting price | Towing benefit | Best for |
| Good Sam Platinum Auto | $49.95/year | Unlimited to nearest network facility | Lowest advertised price |
| AAA Classic | $64.99/year | Up to 5 miles | Basic roadside coverage |
| AAA Plus | $99.99/year | Up to 100 miles | Longer-distance towing |
| AAA Premier | $124.99/year | One 200-mile tow + 100-mile remaining tows | Frequent travelers |
Prices and benefits vary by location, promotions, eligibility, and renewal terms. Good Sam’s $49.95 rate is an introductory price for new members, while AAA pricing varies by regional club.
Good Sam Has a Very Low Starting Price
If your main goal is to find the cheapest roadside assistance membership, Good Sam is currently one of the lowest-priced major options.
Its Platinum Auto plan is advertised at $49.95 per year, with the displayed rate including a $10 auto-renewal discount. The regular price is listed as $99.95.
The plan covers cars, pickups, vans, and SUVs and includes:
- Towing to the nearest network service facility
- Battery jump-start service
- Flat-tire assistance
- Vehicle lockout service
- Emergency fuel and fluid delivery
- Family coverage for eligible household members
The plan’s towing benefit is particularly notable because Good Sam advertises unlimited towing distance to the nearest network service facility. However, towing to a location chosen by the customer may involve additional fees.
AAA Classic Is Another Affordable Choice
AAA Classic currently starts at $64.99 per year in the referenced AAA region.
It includes 24/7 roadside assistance and up to four roadside service events per year. Towing is covered for up to 5 miles or to the nearest AAA Approved Auto Repair facility, with additional mileage costing extra.
AAA Classic also includes services such as:
- Battery jump-starts
- Emergency fuel delivery
- Flat-tire service
- Vehicle lockout assistance
- Winching
- Minor mechanical assistance
For someone who mostly drives around town, the lower-priced Classic plan may provide enough coverage.
AAA Plus May Offer Better Value for Long Tows
If you regularly travel long distances, the cheapest membership price may not be the most important factor.
AAA Plus currently costs $99.99 per year in the referenced region and provides up to 100 miles of towing per service event. It also includes four roadside service requests per year.
A driver who frequently travels on highways may get more practical value from this plan than from a cheaper membership with a very short towing limit.
Compare Towing Before Comparing Prices
When looking for cheap roadside assistance, don’t focus only on the annual membership fee.
A $50 plan with limited towing may cost you more than a $65 or $100 plan when you actually need a long-distance tow.
Compare:
- Annual membership price
- Introductory price
- Renewal price
- Towing distance
- Number of service calls
- Extra mileage charges
- Family coverage
- Vehicle eligibility
- Lockout coverage
- Battery service
- Fuel delivery
- Winching
- Waiting periods
This gives you a better idea of the plan’s actual value.
What Is the Cheapest Roadside Assistance for Towing?
If towing is your main concern, Good Sam currently has an especially competitive advertised benefit because its Platinum Auto plan includes unlimited-distance towing to the nearest network service facility. Its current introductory price is $49.95 per year.
However, “unlimited towing” does not necessarily mean you can choose any destination at no additional cost. Good Sam’s terms distinguish towing to its network service facility from towing to a location selected by the customer.
Therefore, read the destination restrictions before choosing a plan based solely on its towing mileage.
Is AAA Worth the Extra Cost?
AAA can still be a good value even though its basic plan costs more than Good Sam’s current introductory price.
AAA has multiple membership levels, allowing drivers to choose between shorter and longer towing benefits. Its Plus and Premier plans provide substantially longer towing than Classic.
AAA can make sense if you value:
- Multiple membership levels
- Nationwide roadside assistance
- Longer towing options
- Additional travel-related benefits
- Established roadside service infrastructure
The best choice depends on how frequently you drive and how far you travel.
Can You Get Roadside Assistance for Free?
You may already have roadside assistance without realizing it.
Check your:
- Auto insurance
- Vehicle warranty
- Manufacturer roadside program
- Dealership service plan
- Extended warranty
- Credit card benefits
- Employer benefits
If one of these already provides roadside assistance, you may not need to purchase another membership.
What Is the Cheapest Roadside Assistance for Families?
Family coverage can change which company is actually the cheapest.
Good Sam’s advertised Platinum Auto plan includes coverage for eligible family members, including a spouse or domestic partner and dependent children under 25.
AAA, meanwhile, charges separately for additional household members under the referenced plans. AAA Classic lists an additional-member price of $44.99 per year in that region.
If several people in your household drive, compare the total household cost, not just the price of the primary membership.
What If I Only Need One Tow?
If you rarely need roadside assistance, an annual membership may not always be the cheapest option.
For a single short-distance tow, call several local towing companies and compare their complete prices. Ask about:
- Hookup fees
- Mileage
- After-hours charges
- Destination fees
- Vehicle size
- Payment options
A one-time tow may cost less than purchasing an annual membership you will never use again.
On the other hand, if you expect to need roadside assistance more than once, a membership can potentially pay for itself quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has the cheapest roadside assistance?
Good Sam currently advertises its Platinum Auto roadside assistance plan at $49.95 per year for new members, making it one of the cheapest major plans by advertised starting price. The rate includes an auto-renewal discount and is subject to introductory pricing terms.
Is Good Sam cheaper than AAA?
Based on current advertised starting prices, Good Sam’s Platinum Auto plan at $49.95 is cheaper than AAA Classic at $64.99 in the referenced AAA region. However, pricing and benefits vary by location, and Good Sam’s displayed rate is promotional.
What is the cheapest AAA roadside assistance plan?
AAA Classic is currently the lowest-priced standard plan among the AAA plans referenced here, starting at $64.99 per year. It includes four roadside service events annually and towing up to 5 miles or to a qualifying AAA repair facility.
What roadside assistance has unlimited towing?
Good Sam’s Platinum Auto plan currently advertises unlimited-distance towing to the nearest network service facility. Additional charges may apply if you request towing to a location of your choice.
Is roadside assistance worth paying for?
It can be, particularly if you drive frequently or want protection against unexpected towing, battery, tire, lockout, and fuel problems. Compare the annual cost with the potential cost of one emergency tow.
Can I get roadside assistance without paying a membership fee?
Possibly. Check your auto insurance, vehicle warranty, manufacturer’s roadside program, dealership benefits, and credit card benefits before purchasing a separate membership.
Conclusion
Good Sam currently has one of the cheapest advertised major roadside assistance plans, starting at $49.95 per year for its Platinum Auto plan. It includes several roadside services and unlimited-distance towing to the nearest network service facility, although the advertised price is promotional and certain destination requests may involve additional charges.
AAA Classic starts at $64.99 per year in the referenced region and offers a shorter 5-mile towing benefit, while AAA Plus and Premier provide longer towing for drivers who need more coverage.
Before choosing the cheapest plan, compare the towing distance, service limits, renewal price, family coverage, and additional fees. The lowest annual price isn’t always the lowest overall cost when you actually need a tow.
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