Many different companies, including insurance agencies, cell phone providers and even credit card companies are offering roadside assistance. With this many companies along with the traditional service companies, how does a consumer know which offers the best when compared with others. There are many differences when it comes to this type of coverage and none of the roadside assistance is offered for free, though some are more affordable than others. So how does State Farm compare to others?

Up Front Costs

One of the biggest issues with State Farm when compared to other insurance companies is that they require the policy holder to pay up front for any assistance. The policy holder is then reimbursed at a later date which can be off-putting for many. Suppose you just had a huge bill that you paid and next pay day is two weeks away? Your car breaks down and you need a tow to get it fixed. You don’t have any money and you can’t borrow it, you end up having to leave your vehicle because there really is no protection through your insurance. The best type of assistance is when the company only has you sign an invoice so you can get your car off the road and in a shop that can repair it when you have the money.

Response Time

Since State Farm does not have their own service vehicles, you could wait for very long periods of time for a tow truck or the gasoline to get you back on the road. This means if you have an important meeting the likelihood of you making it on time are very slim when you’re stuck waiting for assistance for an hour or two. Some of the best roadside assistance companies, such as Best Roadside Service, offer a response time of forty five minutes or less. This means you’re back on the road much quicker than with other companies.

Other Features

There are no other benefits from using State Farm’s roadside assistance program. In fact, it is pretty lackluster all together. Best Roadside Service offers a wider range of option and perks like discounts at hotels and an affordable price. Their call center is based in the United States so you don’t have to worry about trying to understand a foreign representative and they speak three languages, English, Spanish and French to cover just about every demographic in the US and Canada.

Basic Coverage

The type of coverage that State Farm offers is only for the vehicle and driver that is insured. Other companies offer two types of coverage, one for the vehicle which transfers to any other driver. This option is great for families with more than one driver who may have an issue while driving. The other is covering the driver and that transfers to any car that is being driven. A plan such as this is perfect for anyone who drives a company vehicle or who has more than one that they drive on a regular basis.

So, while State Farm may say that they have great roadside assistance, it is not for everyone. Those who live on a budget may not be able to afford the initial cost or they may not have funds when an emergency happens. It does not cover everything and can actually cost the policy holder more down the road. It is much better to go with a provider such as Best Roadside Service which is affordable and offers consumers a better deal.

If you are already a State Farm insurance policy holder you may be considering their roadside service to add additional coverage. There are some things that you should know about this assistance before spending any money or signing on the dotted line. If you own an older car you may wonder if this type of assistance, from any company, is appropriate. It is more than appropriate because older vehicles tend to break down much more frequently than a new car would.

Why Older Cars?

Anyone who drives an older car knows that there are issues with them that tend to crop up from time to time. One good thing about older cars is that you tend to know what the problems are so getting rid of them is difficult to do. You never know what issues you’ll have with a new used car. Having roadside assistance can be a blessing in disguise because you can at least be assured that if there are any mechanical issues while you’re on the road, you can get your car to a mechanic quickly. Just keep in mind, with State Farm, you have to pay up front and then wait until they send you a reimbursement.

What about New Cars?

While a new car should also have roadside assistance but State Farm is not really appropriate for them. Another company that offers more benefits would be a better option for new cars because of the cost. When you’re paying the high prices that State Farm charges and you never use their service then you’re basically paying for nothing. With a new car, you need more perks from your roadside assistance company in order to justify paying for it. If you choose a different company, your cost would be lower and you can use the other perks such as discounts at hotels to make up for the added expense.

While anyone with an older car needs to have a roadside assistance plan, new vehicle owners would do well to have coverage as well. Just make sure you choose a company that doesn’t require you to pay for services up front and that have added perks that make the cost more affordable. Not all companies charge an arm and a leg for roadside assistance so it can be cost effective even when it is not used. It’s just that safety net that allows you the assurance that no matter what happens or how much money you have, your vehicle or you won’t be stranded.