Allstate Motor Club Review: Roadside Assistance Companies

The mere mention of Allstate immediately makes us think of Dennis Haysbert's voice, saying, "Are you in good hands?". There probably isn't anyone with a device that has ads that doesn't know about Allstate. With over 90 years of experience, this service offers a range of protection products, including auto, home, life, and other insurance. Roadside assistance is just one of its many offerings. To support you, Allstate is affiliated with Esurance, Encompass, SquareTrade, and Answer Financial to prove their services are backed by solid finances, and that you are, in fact, in good hands.

Coverage across the US and Canada

According to Allstate's website, you are covered by their roadside assistance no matter where you're located within the United States or Canada. There were no listed states or provinces where Allstate didn't offer assistance, which was exciting given the limitations at many other companies in our review.

Membership, pay-per-tow, or add-ons

For those in need of towing, assistance with a flat tire, jump starts, or help with locked cars, Allstate's Roadside Assistance plans come in two options: Roadside Advantage and Roadside Elite. Both plans offer extra benefits, such as flight deals, hotel bookings, savings on vacation packages, car buying services, discounted oil changes, movie tickets, spas, gym memberships, and more. And if you prefer to worry about a tow only when needed, Allstate offers on-demand tow services starting at $154 for a 5-mile tow. This one-time service doesn't require a policy or auto insurance through Allstate. Now, if you already have Allstate auto insurance, coverage for towing, tire changes, jump-starts, lockouts, and fuel delivery can be added to your existing policy for as little as $25 per vehicle.

Basic package: Advantage Plan

The least expensive tier from Allstate is the Advantage Plan. This is ideal if you drive locally and prefer to stay close to home. Your first-year fee is $89 per year, and you have the option to add a second household member at no extra cost. The details of the plan include 24-hour roadside assistance with up to 5 rescues a year, covering services like tow service (up to 10 miles per tow), jump start, fuel delivery, lockout service, and tire change. In case of trip interruption, there's a $1,500 benefit, reimbursing you for up to 3 days of expenses or until your car is fixed, whichever comes first. You're also covered for tire and wheel repair and replacement, with reimbursement up to twice per membership year ($100 each) for tire damage due to a road hazard. For RV protection, renewal pricing is $105, and household plans allow you to include up to 5 other household members for an extra fee.

Full Coverage package: Elite Plan

The top-tier plan at Allstate is the Elite Plan. If you're looking for a plan that's meant for individuals and families who travel frequently, this service is the one to check out. The Elite Plan costs $164 for the first member, and you have the option to add a second household member at no additional charge. The plan covers 24-hour roadside assistance with up to 7 rescues a year, including services such as tow service (up to 100 miles per tow), jump start, fuel delivery and cost of fuel, lockout service, and tire change. In case of trip interruption, you're entitled to the same $1,500 benefit as the Advantage Plan. On top of that, the plan includes the same 2-event tire and wheel replacement policy, but up to $250 each. Motorcycle and RV protection are also part of the package. For renewal, the pricing is $179, and you can include up to 5 other household members for an additional charge.

Money back if drivers are late

Allstate provides an on-time arrival guarantee for tow trucks. If the service provider arrives more than 30 minutes after the estimated time, customers qualify for a 25% discount on the next year's membership dues. According to customers, policies can be canceled at any time, with a prorated refund for unused services. A full refund is applicable if canceled within the first 30 days.

Solid BBB rating but concerning reviews

Allstate Motor Club holds an "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau for Roadside Assistance specifically. However, third-party reviews are a different story. According to Trustpilot, Allstate's reputation is pretty abysmal. The Roadside Assistance program has just 1.4 stars. Customers complain about plans and policies being modified without any warning. There was also a range of complaints about how hard it is to use the app for Allstate to call for Roadside Assistance. And despite the tow guarantee, there are tons of complaints about tow trucks not showing up as well as billing discrepancies, and more.

Mid-tier service overall

While the benefits for Allstate are solid, and the tow length is 10 miles for the basic plan, which is better than many other services in our review, the lackluster reviews are a little concerning. While it might be an excellent choice for those with Allstate auto insurance, it may not be the preferred option for everyone, especially given the concerns about getting your tow or difficulties with the app. However, with an "A+" rating from the BBB, there are definitely some high points to consider too.

On the Allstate Motor Club website