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The TRUTH about American Family Roadside Assistance
Cost of Roadside Assistance
American Family Insurance, also known as AmFam, is a well-known insurance provider offering vehicle, property, and business insurance, plus added protection options such as roadside assistance. Emergency roadside assistance is your lifeline should you become stranded on the road. Adding this simple and cost-effective coverage to your existing auto insurance policy can give you 24/7 peace of mind should you run into a mishap on the road. American Family Insurance offers a wide range of insurance products you can bundle, making them an intriguing choice for emergency roadside service.
How Much Does American Family Roadside Assistance Cost?
According to the American Family Insurance website, the average American Family customer pays between $10-$20 annually for roadside coverage. Even though it is not included with your auto policy, this is a competitive rate when compared to other carriers and after learning what their coverage offers.
Think about it this way, what would happen if your car broke down? How much would it cost to have your car towed 15 miles to the nearest repair shop? The answer is well over $20! Not to mention the added stress of dealing with it all on your own.
What is Included in American Family Roadside Assistance?
The following basic services are included in your roadside plan with American Family Insurance:
- Towing
- Battery jump
- Tire change
- Gas or Oil Delivery
- Locksmiths
- Minor Repairs
Aside from the standard features listed above, American Family Roadside also offers car repair priority through their Dreams Restored Program. This program gives you access to the most trusted, customer-oriented shops in your area, taking the hassle out of shopping around for the best service. Also, when you go through their DRP, American Family also handles paying your repair costs directly, minus any deductible or ineligible expenses. They will also reimburse you for up to one hour of labor at the site you break down. If this service is not available, they will send a tow truck to you.
AmFam also offers convenient access to its roadside assistance and other features via its mobile app. Features include:
- Roadside assistance support
- Filing claims
- Auto and glass repair shop locations
- 24/7 Agent access
- policy information access
- payment management
It seems the added customer support through their app has customers satisfied since both apps have received 5-star ratings from their users.
What is NOT Included in American Family Roadside Assistance?
American Family Insurance only offers coverage in 19 states currently; Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Also, their website does not specifically say that Winching/ Extrication is covered. However, since they offer other additional perks that more expensive Motor Clubs include such as their Dreams Restored Program, their roadside plan seems to offer value to its consumers.
How do I Contact American Family Roadside Service?
For your emergency roadside needs, call American Family Insurance at 1-800-MYAMFAM (692-6326). You can also download the MyAmFam App on your Apple or Android device.
How Does American Family Roadside Assistance Compare to Other Providers?
Here is a breakdown of the American Family Roadside Assistance compared to other well-known insurance carriers…
| American Family | Esurance | GEICO | Progressive | AllState | State Farm | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost Per Year | $10-$20 | Included w/ Full Coverage plan | $14 | $23 | $25 | $48 |
| Incidents Covered Per Year | limit varies | 3 | 3 | limit varies | 3 | 3 |
| Towing | limit varies | $75 | 100 miles | 15 miles | $100 | Nearest, no limit |
| Winching/ Extrication | $75 | 1 hr | 100 ft | $100 | Free if reachable from road | |
| Car Locksmith | 1 hr | $75 | $100 | 1 hr | $100 | 1 hr |
| On-Site Mechanical Adjustment | 1 hr | $75 | 1 hr | 1 hr | $100 | 1 hr |
| Fuel Delivery | √ | $75 | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Jump Start | √ | $75 | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Flat Tire Service | √ | $75 | √ | √ | √ | √ |
You can see, the number of incidents covered per year seems to vary according to American Family Insurance. However, their website addresses concerns with using your roadside coverage…
The AmFam website states that “most plans don’t cut you off when you hit a certain number of uses.” They also state “that most insurance companies want you to use your emergency roadside coverage in order to be proactive about your safety.” Seemingly, if you truly have an emergency, then you should receive assistance. As always, it is important to check your policy.
Although winching and extrication is not addressed, American Family Roadside seems to offer the services essential to a good roadside plan, plus a few additional features.
A Friendly Explainer
Check out this quick, easy-to-follow explainer video by American Family Insurance with information regarding their roadside service plan and how to reach out for more details!
Which Roadside Assistance Should You Choose?
Your auto insurance carrier or motor clubs such as AAA usually offers emergency roadside assistance. Since pricing and coverage can vary, it is important to do your research and consider all your other insurance needs. For example, American Family Insurance offers customizable home insurance policies and offers bundle options for homeowners needing auto insurance and added protection.
Aside from bundling, AmFam seems to offer more discount options than most other carriers, having a discount opportunity for almost every scenario, such as
- Loyalty and sign-up discounts offering early bird rates
- Multi-vehicle and multi-product savings
- Discounts for teen drivers Safety discounts for good drivers, defensive drivers, and low mileage drivers
American Family’s emergency roadside service seems appealing because it can be bundled with other coverages that offer discounts and can get you and your vehicle out of frustrating situations. Regardless of whichever company you decide to go with, having a roadside plan can give you the added peace of mind you need when you find yourself faced with unexpected car issues. It’s nice knowing you’ve got help when you need it without worrying about an overpriced bill.
