The TRUTH about The General’s Roadside Assistance: Review

The General has been providing low-cost auto insurance products to consumers across the U.S., bringing nearly 50 years of experience to the table. Aside from their well-known logo/mascot of a general, they are well known for their affordable rates, even if you have less than perfect credit. Their customers seem to like them, giving them an overall rating of 4.7 on Trust Pilot with over 59,000 reviews. They even offer budget-sensitive payment plans and ease of use for all their products through their mobile app. As part of their insurance products, they offer roadside assistance, a much-desired supplemental product that can give you the coverage you need in an emergency. Keep reading to learn more about the key features of The General Roadside Assistance plan.

How Much Does The General’s Roadside Assistance Cost?

According to The Generals company website, A 6-month roadside assistance plan costs $60, or $65 in the state of California, and a 12-month plan costs $120, or $125 in California. They also state that “the service is not part of the insurance policy, but the fee is included as a convenience.” So, if you have a standard insurance policy with The General, you should check to see if you have roadside assistance factored into your current policy already.

What is Included in The General’s Roadside Assistance?

The General’s optional roadside program provides 24-hour assistance for towing and other emergency services such as battery service, fuel delivery, and lock-out service. Here are some details on each of these services:

Towing – Get your vehicle towed to the location of your choice. The maximum coverage is 15 miles or $50.

Fuel Delivery – Get a delivery of emergency supplies such as gas, water, and oil. You pay for the cost of the supplies, not the delivery.

Battery service – Get a Jump-start to your battery by a service tech. This can also include battery adjustments like tightening cables or cleaning battery connections. It does not include the replacement of the battery.

Mechanical Adjustment – Minor adjustments to your vehicle or engine by a service tech to help you get you back on the road. Does not include major repairs.

Flat Tire – Get your flat fixed by a service technician. Your own spare tire is required.

Car Locksmith – get back into your car with a professional locksmith.

One thing to consider would be what your out-of-pocket expenses would be for some of these services. The mechanical adjustment service is a delightful addition for minor repairs if your vehicle breaks down. This could save you a tow and having to spend your own money and time at a shop to get going again. For the most part, The General’s plan seems to offer all the basic features one would need in a roadside plan.

What is NOT Included in The General’s Roadside Assistance?

Although The Generals roadside plan is missing features other companies offer, such as winching and premium services, keep in mind that other overall factors can be as valuable for choosing a plan. The General has a solid reputation in the insurance industry, along with solid customer reviews to back it. They offer affordable insurance options for those on a budget. These could outweigh other factors in your decision.

There is always the option of adding an outside motor club for your roadside assistance, such as AAA. They offer premium plans and multiple features with much lower costs. They do not require you to have other insurance with them, so you could keep your low rate with The General for your standard insurance and get the roadside coverage you need. This is an outstanding example of doing your research and thinking outside the box to find a plan that best suits your needs.

How do I Contact The General’s Roadside Service?

To get help on your roadside assistance with The General, you can call dispatch services at 1-844-608-4726. Service is available 24/7 in the U.S. and Canada. You can also go to their website or contact them via their app on iOS and Android devices.

How Does The General’s Roadside Assistance Compare to Other Providers?

In the table below you can see a comparison of The General Roadside Assistance against other well-established insurance competitors. We could not find how many incidents per year they allow.

The Generals roadside assistance plan seems over priced for what it offers. Their plan averages about $10 a month. This is high compared to other roadside programs such as, Farmers, Progressive, and State Farm, whose plans are no more than $48 annually. At this higher price they also have a lower towing limit and it’s not even clear from their website that winching and extraction would be included.

Which Roadside Assistance Should You Choose?

In choosing a roadside assistance plan, always look at all the variables. Key things to consider are cost of your standard car insurance, if they require this for roadside coverage, the cost of the roadside plan itself, the services offered, and the limits for each. Company reputation should also be considered. Based on the positives discussed earlier, The General seems like a good insurance company all around. They have even won Telly awards for their commercials, and in 2019, they were certified as a “Great Place to Work.” They seem to be both progressive and professional. If having coverage and peace of mind through a trustworthy company is at the top of your list, The General could be a great option for you. Remember, there are always ways to cater to your specific needs, such as having standard insurance with one company and roadside coverage with another. Yes, this can require more research, but it could pay off in the end.