Global Crisis

New or used cars

Stand-alone companies

• Cost: Basic or plus membership options; fees vary by region: Around $56 for basic or $90 for plus (single), $91 or $151 (2 members), $126 or $206 (3 members), and $161 or $262 (4 members).  There is also a $10-$20 signup fee.
• Coverage:  Up to three calls per year for basic, and five calls per year for plus for individual members.  Standard assistance mentioned above is covered, plus three miles of towing with basic, or 100 miles covered for plus.
• Extras:  No-fee travelers checks, trip tickets, maps and travel discounts.  Attraction ticket discounts: $1-$12 off tickets for zoos, amusement parks, water parks, movie theaters and more.

• Cost:  $55.95 for basic or $89.95 for premium (bicycle, motorcycle or RV plans also available).  You can add up to three additional members for $25 or $35 per person respectively.  There’s a $12 new member sign up fee, which is waived if you’re making the switch from AAA.  They will also match AAA membership costs if you’re an AAA member.
• Coverage:  Up to four calls per year for individual members. Standard assistance is covered, plus five miles of towing with basic, or 100 miles covered for premium (no secondary tows from a repair facility).
• Extras:  If you drive a hybrid, diesel or biodiesel vehicle, your membership fee will be discounted. Better World will  match your AAA membership fees.  It can provide travel services and discounts (some with fees), free maps/trip routing and discounts with other eco-friendly companies.

• Cost: Standard plan costs $36 (single), $46 (couple) or $66 (family up to 4 dependents);  Premier plans are $61 (single), $71 (couple) or $91 (family up to 4 dependents).
• Coverage:  Up to four annual calls for single, five calls for couple, or seven calls for family. Standard services, plus five miles towing for Standard or 100 miles towing for Premier.
• Extras: Lodging and car rental discounts.

• Cost:  $84 couple, $99 couple with one child, or $114 couple with two children.
• Coverage:  Members are covered in any passenger car; includes basic services plus unlimited towing to repair facility.
• Extras: Free maps, discounts, trip planning and some expense reimbursement if you have an accident more than 100 miles away from home.

• Cost: $59 for Good, $69 for Better or $79 for Best plans for new members.
• Covered:  Up to five calls per year.  Good – owned vehicle is covered, basic services plus towing up to 100 miles.  Better – Owned vehicles plus spouse and dependent children are covered, basic services plus unlimited towing to nearest facility (no return towing).  Best – Covers all of the above plus travel discounts, coverage for motorcycles and trailers, leased, borrowed, or rented vehicles, and auto service discounts.
• Extras:  Three months free Internet special.

• Cost:  $52 for Roadside Advantage or $108 for Deluxe.
• Coverage:  Covers immediate family members in any car. Standard assistance is covered, plus towing, but only up to $100 benefit for Roadside Advantage or $150 benefit for Deluxe for all services.
• Extras: Some travel planning and discounts. A service provider is guaranteed to arrive within 30 minutes of the dispatch time estimate or you receive 25% off next year’s service.

• Cost:  No annual fee; most basic services cost $50 or $75 per tow.
• Coverage:  Up to five registered drives and vehicles are covered.
• Extras:  Nothing – you only pay for the services that you use.

Add-on Coverage Plans

• Cost:  $2.99/month billed monthly, 30 days free ($36/year).
• Coverage:  Up to four calls per year with a $50 service benefit per call.  This service follows the phone, covering drivers or passengers, family members or friends, your car or theirs, as long as the enrolled phone is present. You, or anyone you authorize, can use the service. This plan provides up to $50 of coverage for basic services within 72 hours of enrollment, along with towing (for mechanical failure only), winching up to 30 minutes and minor mechanical adjustments.  For services over the $50 limit, payment must be made at the time of service and will not be billed to the cellphone account.
• Extras:  Avis rental car savings. AT&T does not charge for up to three gallons of fuel (many companies charge for the fuel cost).

• Cost:  $3/billed monthly per cellphone line.
• Coverage:  Up to four service calls per year.  Coverage follows the cellphone, so any vehicle is covered as long as the phone is present.  Coverage is active 48 hours after enrollment and includes basic services, plus towing up to 10 miles (for mechanical failure only) and winching (up to $100 worth).
• Extras:  No charge for up to three gallons of fuel.