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Monday, January 25th
Auto Road Service is a division of auto warranty company Auto Advantage Inc. a well-respected business with an A+ rating and accreditation by the BBB. They pride themselves on being a "truly affordable" provider of roadside assistance coverage, and their no-frills plans include a towing range of 35 miles, three allowable claims per year, and travel planning and discount programs similar to the big-name companies within the auto coverage industry.
Their website has a thorough FAQ for customer questions, and a quickly-answered call to their toll-free number resulted in a confirmation that Auto Road Service's coverage follows the member regardless of the car driven. We would have liked to see this information featured on the site, along with several customer testimonials or reviews indicating their overall experience with the services provided.
Customers should understand that Auto Road Service truly does offer just the basic roadside assistance services-towing, battery jump start, fuel/fluids, etc.-and not any of the additional services commonly offered by other roadside assistance memberships, such as legal defense assistance, arrest bond coverage, or travel interruption benefits. However, their coverage does extend beyond the fifty states to Canada and Mexico, unlike a few of the bigger-name companies. Also, coverage is available for RVs and motorcycles.
While their call center handles over 4 million roadside assistance calls annually, using the same network as many other major companies, Auto Road Service offers a $100 reimbursement if a network provider is not available for a needed service. Within their network, they offer "Sign and Drive": Auto Road Service pays the provider directly, while the member only needs to sign for the qualified services and drive away.
Unfortunately, Auto Road Service's membership price offers less coverage for services extended by other major roadside assistance companies with comparable membership fees.
Whether on a cross-country road trip or a quick errand across town, it's never a good time for a vehicle to break down. With a Roadside Assistance plan, drivers have protection against the inconvenience and danger of being stranded by the side of the road and can trust that help will be on the way.
While motor clubs used to be the only way to access these protection plans, today there is a wide range of Roadside Assistance plans from which to choose, from credit card providers to insurance companies. Plans can include flat-tire changing, fuel or coolant delivery, help with stuck vehicles, and some even offer financial help with legal defense in the event of a speeding ticket!
Some plans also tie the coverage to specific vehicles, while others allow the covered member (and often the other drivers in the household) to receive roadside service regardless of the vehicle. The latter can be particularly useful if a covered member is riding in a car belonging to another driver when a breakdown occurs, as the coverage will be extended to servicing that vehicle.
If you're shopping for a reputable provider of Roadside Assistance, you should consider the following.
TopConsumerReviews.com has reviewed and ranked the best Roadside Assistance providers available today. We hope this information helps you find the right roadside assistance plan for you and your family!
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