“Both Good Sam and USAA provide roadside support, but Good Sam offers a more robust safety net. While USAA is a basic insurance add-on, Good Sam covers you in any vehicle, including rentals. With unlimited towing and family-wide protection, Good Sam is the superior choice for frequent travelers.”
Not all auto travelers are the same and neither are roadside assistance plans. Some of us spend our weekends chasing new campgrounds and state lines. Others just want the peace of mind that comes with knowing help is available when the unexpected strikes on a local errand run. Regardless of how far you drive, one thing’s certain: breaking down is never convenient, and having reliable roadside assistance is a necessity rather than being a luxury.
That’s where two very different providers come in: Good Sam, an independent membership-based service built for drivers who need more than a few miles of towing, and USAA, a well-known insurer that offers roadside assistance as an optional add-on to its auto policies.
While both aim to get you back on the road quickly, they take very different approaches in how they serve you, what vehicles they cover, and how far their benefits stretch, literally. This guide breaks down their auto roadside assistance offerings head-to-head, based solely on official information. No guesswork. Just a clear look at what you really get, and how to choose a plan that fits the way you drive.
Comprehensive Auto Coverage Comparison
Here’s a side-by-side look at how Good Sam’s Auto Plan and USAA’s Auto Roadside Assistance add-on compare across essential features:
Good Sam Platinum+
Price (intro) - $54.95/year
Towing - Unlimited mileage to the nearest qualified service center
Jump-Start - Yes
Flat Tire - Yes
Fuel Delivery - Yes (up to 5 gallons; fuel cost not included)
Lockout -Yes
Winching - Yes
Household Coverage - Covers spouse/partner & dependents below 25 years
Geographic Coverage - U.S., Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, USVI
Service Caps - Coverage up to $500 per disablement event
USAA Roadside Assistance
Price (intro) - $12–$20/year
Towing - Towing to the nearest repair hub
Jump-Start - Yes
Flat Tire - Yes (with spare)
Fuel Delivery - Yes (you pay for the fuel)
Lockout - Yes
Winching - Yes
Household Coverage - Tied to insured vehicle only
Vehicle Flexibility - Only insured vehicles
Additional Benefits - Not mentioned
Geographic Coverage - United States, Canada, Mexico within 75 miles of the border, and U.S. territories
Service Caps - Not mentioned
Plan Tier Breakdown
When comparing roadside assistance providers, it’s not just about who offers service but it’s about how much, how far, and how flexibly they’re willing to go when you need help. Good Sam and USAA differ significantly in how they structure their offerings, especially when it comes to flexibility, coverage types, and how many vehicles or drivers your plan actually protects.
Good Sam Roadside Assistance Plans for Autos
Good Sam offers three main tiers for standard vehicles - cars, trucks, SUVs, and vans. Each level builds on the one before it, allowing members to choose based on how far they drive, how many vehicles they use, and how much support they want if things go south on the road.
Good Sam Platinum
Price: $49.95/year
Best for: Solo drivers or couples who want all the basics covered for one vehicle type.
Includes: ￮ Unlimited towing to the nearest service center and no mileage caps. ￮ Flat tire changes, battery jump-starts, fuel delivery, lockout services, and winching. ￮ Coverage for your entire household – spouse/partner or other dependents less than 25 years. ￮ Standard trip interruption benefits and access to travel discounts. ￮ Service across the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. ￮ No need to own the car - members are covered in any eligible auto they’re driving.
Good Sam Platinum+
Price: $54.95/year
Best for: Families, frequent travelers, or drivers who lease, rent, or borrow vehicles often.
Everything in Platinum, plus: ￮ Coverage for rentals, borrowed cars, and sports trailers (utility trailers, motorcycle trailers, etc.). ￮ Extra discounts and trip interruption support. ￮ AAMCO transmission center privileges. ￮ Medical referrals and travel planning help when away from home.
Good Sam Platinum Complete
Price: $89.95/year
Best for: Long-distance drivers or those looking for tire and travel protection beyond just breakdowns.
Everything in Platinum+, plus: ￮ Tire and wheel hazard coverage – up to 2 incidents/year, with a max of $500 each. ￮ Emergency medical and travel assistance – up to $25,000 in events, including things like emergency evacuation, and more. ￮ Adds layers of safety that traditional roadside assistance plans don’t usually touch.
Compare all Good Sam Auto Roadside Assistance Plans here.
USAA Roadside Assistance Plan (Auto Add-On Only)
Unlike Good Sam, USAA doesn't offer standalone roadside plans. Instead, it includes a single-tier roadside assistance add-on, available only to its auto insurance customers.
USAA Roadside Assistance
Price: Typically $12–$20/year per vehicle (added to your USAA auto policy)
Best for: Budget-conscious USAA members who want basic coverage attached to their insurance
Includes: ￮ Towing – generally does not cover accident-related towing. ￮ Battery jump-starts. ￮ Flat tire changes (you must have a usable spare). ￮ Fuel delivery (you pay for the fuel). ￮ Lockout service – up to $100 reimbursement. ￮ Winching/extrication when the vehicle is within 100 feet of a road or highway. ￮ No coverage for borrowed, rented, or non-USAA-insured vehicles. ￮ No additional benefits like trip interruption, discounts, or household coverage.
How Roadside Assistance Works
The Common Path
You request help: Good Sam via phone/service network; USAA via app or call 24/7.
Dispatch: Both assign local tow or service provider.
On-site fix or tow: They aim to resolve minor issues on the spot or tow your car to safety or the nearest service center.
Key Differences
Towing scope: Good Sam’s unlimited mileage to the nearest qualified repair facility gives you flexibility; USAA’s cap may leave you paying for longer hauls.
Vehicle flexibility: Good Sam supports rentals, borrowings, and trailers; USAA covers only the listed vehicle.
Extra benefits: Good Sam's package includes extras like hotel discounts and trip coverage. USAA remains strictly roadside-focused.
Choosing the Right Roadside Plan for How You Travel
Daily Commuter
What You Typically Need - Quick help close to home
Recommended Features - Basic coverage, low cost, app access
Family Driver
What You Typically Need - Multiple vehicles, peace of mind, broad protection
Recommended Features - Household coverage, unlimited towing
Road Tripper
What You Typically Need - Towing far from home, rental flexibility, hotels
Recommended Features - Unlimited towing + travel-related perks
Urban Driver
What You Typically Need - App convenience, short response, local service
Recommended Features - App-based dispatch, trusted partners
EV Owner
What You Typically Need - Fast jump-start, charging status assistance
Recommended Features - App-based support, mileage flexibility
So, Which Is Better—Good Sam or USAA?
If all you ever needed from roadside assistance was an occasional tow to your neighborhood mechanic, both Good Sam and USAA might seem interchangeable at first glance. They both offer the standard lineup: towing, flat tire service, jump-starts, lockouts, and fuel delivery. But the real difference emerges when you look past the surface—and consider how, where, and why you drive.
Let’s say you’re heading out for a weekend in the Smokies. Your car overheats an hour from the nearest city. With USAA, your towing may be limited to shorter distances, after which you’re paying out of pocket. But Good Sam will cover the full tow to the nearest qualified facility, no questions asked.
Or imagine your spouse is driving the family’s second car and gets a flat on the way to work. If you’re with USAA, they’ll only help if that specific car is covered. With Good Sam, everyone in the household is protected, regardless of the car.
These might seem like edge cases - until they happen to you.
Both providers serve distinct types of drivers, and the better fit depends entirely on your lifestyle.
Go with USAA if you're already insured with them, drive locally, and want an ultra-basic, insurance-connected roadside add-on.
Go with Good Sam if you: ￮ Want to be covered in any car you drive. ￮ Take long trips or travel frequently. ￮ Need coverage for the whole family. ￮ Appreciate the safety net of unlimited towing and value-added extras.
For drivers who see the road as more than just a route to work and go farther, travel with others, or simply don’t want to worry about who’s driving what - Good Sam confidently offers more than just roadside help with plans that scale with your life, not just your vehicle.
FAQs
Can you get roadside assistance without a membership?
With Good Sam, access is limited strictly to paid members. That means you’ll need an active membership to receive any roadside services. USAA does offer a limited fallback if you don’t already have their roadside assistance added to your auto insurance. You can still contact them for help, but you'll need to pay out-of-pocket before the service.
How fast can I get help?
Good Sam offers access to a nationwide network of over 40,000 providers through a dedicated 24/7 hotline. Whether you're on a cross-country trip or just far from home, their members often report reliable and timely service, even in remote areas, making it a solid companion for long-haul and frequent travelers. USAA, meanwhile, enables app-based roadside requests that use GPS to locate you and typically dispatch help for an insured vehicle within about an hour, depending on your location, local availability, and conditions.
What’s the average roadside assistance cost?
The national average for standalone, comprehensive roadside auto plans typically falls between $50–$80/year, which puts Good Sam squarely in the cost-effective, full-feature category with its platinum plus plan at $54.95 per year. This plan covers all your vehicles - owned, rented, or borrowed - and includes unlimited towing, family coverage, and added benefits like trip interruption assistance and discounts on lodging and repairs.
USAA’s roadside auto coverage costs between $12–$20 per year per vehicle and is added to your existing policy. It works just for the insured vehicle, so each household vehicle needs a separate insurance and roadside coverage and works only if you’re looking for minimal coverage and don’t drive far from home.
What distinguishes roadside assistance from breakdown cover?
Roadside plans handle immediate, on-site car issues, such as batteries, tires, fuel, locks, and towing. Breakdown insurance, such as towing & labor added to collision, may cover mechanical failures and parts but usually has strict limits and exclusions.
How reliable is Good Sam’s service?
Good Sam emphasizes a large, vetted service network with unlimited towing and clear add-on benefits which are ideal for travelers who want confidence across multiple situations and locations.
