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The TRUTH about PEMCO Roadside Assistance
Cost of Roadside Assistance
PEMCO is a multi-line insurance carrier that has been providing auto, home, boat, and umbrella insurance to consumers for over 70 years. Their mission: Freeing northwest communities to worry less and live more. One way they are doing this is by offering roadside assistance to their current customers to add value to their auto insurance coverage. PEMCO currently only insures residents of Washington and Oregon.
How Much Does PEMCO’s Roadside Assistance Cost?
The exact cost of PEMCO Roadside Assistance is not listed on their website. Quotes will vary based on unique circumstances and the level of coverage you choose, but their roadside assistance is included when you purchase their comprehensive auto coverage.
A recent rate check from over 2 dozen carriers in the state of Washington showed PEMCO to be the cheapest for minimum coverage and young drivers, coming in between $24 and $57/mo. Something to consider since their roadside assistance is paired with their comprehensive coverage.
What is Included in PEMCO’s Roadside Assistance?
PEMCO roadside services include most of the standard components of a roadside assistance plan including fuel delivery, jump start, and flat tire service. They also offer the following perks: towing, car locksmith, and onsite mechanical adjustment.
These perks are covered at levels of $50/$100/$150 depending on plan level you choose. PEMCO’s roadside coverage will provide all perks regardless of which level of coverage is chosen. Just remember, the coverage limit you select is the most PEMCO will cover for any one incident, so be sure to pick a limit that you feel will best suite your needs.
What is NOT Included in PEMCO’s Roadside Assistance?
PEMCO’s website does not specify if their roadside plan offers Winching/ Extrication, a common service amongst other roadside providers. This can help if you are ever stuck and need help to get your vehicle out. A service like this could cost hundreds. It is always best to speak with an agent to determine the exact features of any roadside plan.
How do I Contact PEMCO’s Roadside Service?
You can call 1-800-467-3626 to speak with a Customer Service Representative weekdays from 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., or you can visit their website at https://pemco.com/
You can also go mobile with their app, Go PEMCO, for iPhone® and Android™. With Go PEMCO, you can access and make changes to your policy, pay your bill, find repair shops, and get answers to questions.
If you have a breakdown and need roadside assistance, contact support at 1‑866‑882‑4840.
If you’ve had a tow completed through PEMCO, you can submit a claim through their quick form for reimbursement. They’ll handle the expense for you according to your coverage.
How Does PEMCO’s Roadside Assistance Compare to Other Providers?
| PEMCO | Farmers | Progressive | AllState | State Farm | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost Per Year | ? | $23 | $23 | $25 | $48 |
| Incidents Covered Per Year | ? | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Towing | *$50/ $100/ $150 | $150 | 15 miles | $100 | Nearest, no limit |
| Winching/ Extrication | ? | 10 ft | 100 ft | $100 | Free if reachable from road |
| Car Locksmith | *$50/ $100/ $150 | $150 | 1 hr | $100 | 1 hr |
| On-Site Mechanical Adjustment | *$50/ $100/ $150 | $150 | 1 hr | $100 | 1 hr |
| Fuel Delivery | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Jump Start | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Flat Tire Service | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ |
Unfortunately PEMCO’s website does not make it clear how much their fee is for roadside assistance. This is probably due to the fact that they have a sliding scale regarding coverage limits.
Although PEMCO offers towing, it seems to offer varying limits of up to only $150. This might work if you are close to home, but it would not do much for a tow over 15 miles. State Farm seems more flexible offering an uncapped limit for their towing. PEMCO’s coverage structure for onsite mechanical adjustment is the same, but this seems standard when compared to other carriers.
PEMCO’s website was also unclear on how many incidents are covered per year. This can be an important deciding factor if it sits at a low limit compared to other competitive carriers.
Cost of Roadside Assistance
Which Roadside Assistance Should You Choose?
Overall, PEMCO seems like a solid company looking to help their territory safeguard responsible drivers. Just make sure to ask the right questions and read the fine print when purchasing any new product or service. One thing people may forget to ask is if their current policy covers towing with their roadside assistance. For example, you could be covered but only have basic assistance consisting of flat tire changes, jump starts, and fuel delivery. Not much help if you need a tow. Sometimes there are levels to coverage, as with PEMCO, so it is important that you ask what is included in the roadside policy, what are the different levels, and if it is included with your auto coverage. This type of knowledge could help create a customized solution perfect for your needs.
