Farmers vs AAA: How Do Their Roadside Assistance Programs Stack Up?

When your car breaks down on the side of the road a quality roadside assistance program can be a total lifesaver. Two major providers of emergency road service are Farmers Insurance and AAA. But if you had to pick one which is the better choice for roadside assistance?

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll closely compare Farmers and AAA roadside assistance to reveal the differences in cost, coverage, availability, claims process and customer satisfaction Read on to see how Farmers and AAA roadside assistance stack up so you can determine the right provider for your needs

At a Glance: Farmers vs AAA Roadside Assistance

To start. here is a high-level overview comparing Farmers and AAA roadside assistance programs

Farmers Roadside Assistance

• Cost: $12 – $36 per year
• Services: Towing, tire changes, battery jump starts, lockout service, fuel delivery
• Towing limit: Up to $150 in charges
• Available in 42 states

AAA Roadside Assistance

• Cost: $29 – $171 per year depending on plan
• Services: Towing, tire changes, jump starts, fuel delivery, EV charging, lockout service
• Towing limit: 3 – 200 miles depending on plan
• Available nationwide

So while both offer similar basic services like towing and jump starts, AAA provides more robust options. However, Farmers costs significantly less on an annual basis.

Cost Comparison: Farmers vs AAA

One of the biggest differences between Farmers and AAA is the annual membership cost.

Farmers charges an annual fee of $12 – $36 for roadside assistance coverage. That comes out to around $1 – $3 per month.

AAA membership pricing ranges from $29 – $171 per year depending on which plan you choose. Their membership plans include:

• AAA Basic: $38 – $61 per year
• AAA Plus: $61 – $117 per year
• AAA Premier: $102 – $171 per year

So clearly, AAA can be much pricier than Farmers, especially for the Plus and Premier level plans. However, you typically get enhanced coverage with AAA to justify those higher premiums.

One advantage of AAA is that members also get access to discounts on dining, shopping, hotels and more. So the elevated pricing may make sense if you’ll utilize those perks.

Covered Services: Farmers vs AAA

When comparing roadside services, here is how Farmers and AAA stack up:

The towing limit is a big difference. AAA offers 3-200 miles of towing depending on your plan, while Farmers covers up to $150 in towing fees.

AAA also includes expanded locksmith services and EV battery charging. But for basic roadside needs, the coverage is quite similar.

Availability: Farmers vs AAA

When it comes to availability:

• Farmers roadside assistance is available in 42 states. It does not operate in AK, HI, KS, KY, LA, ME, MA, MI, NH, NJ, NY, ND, RI, SD.

• AAA provides services nationwide in all 50 states and Washington D.C.

So AAA clearly has superior geographic availability. If you live somewhere not covered by Farmers, AAA would ensure you have roadside assistance when traveling.

Additional AAA Membership Benefits

One advantage of AAA is that a membership includes more than just roadside assistance. Other valuable benefits include:

• Travel booking discounts and trip planning tools
• Discounts on theme parks, hotels, rental cars, etc.
• DMV services like license renewal
• Shopping, dining and prescription discounts
• Identity theft monitoring (with Premier plan)

So AAA members gain a bundle of handy perks that Farmers does not offer. For some drivers, those extras may help justify the higher AAA pricing.

Claims Process: Farmers vs AAA

The process for requesting service is convenient with both providers:

• Call the 24/7 toll-free hotline or use the mobile app
• Provide account details and vehicle/location information
• A technician will be promptly dispatched

No cash is required upfront – you simply pay your membership fee annually.

Reimbursement may be provided if you have to pay out of pocket for covered repairs in an emergency.

AAA also allows service requests online for added convenience. Overall, the process is smooth with both Farmers and AAA.

Customer Satisfaction: Farmers vs AAA

Based on reviews, AAA tends to edge out Farmers when it comes to customer satisfaction:

• AAA has an A+ rating with over 1,300 BBB reviews
• Farmers has an A+ BBB rating but only around 300 reviews
• On WalletHub, AAA scores 3.4/5 stars overall while Farmers scores 3.0/5 stars

However, reputable companies can still have some negative feedback. It’s important to read reviews critically before drawing conclusions.

The Bottom Line: Farmers vs AAA

To summarize the key differences:

Farmers Pros:

• Much lower annual membership cost
• Covers basic roadside needs

AAA Pros:

• More extensive coverage and higher towing limits
• Additional member perks and discounts
• Superior availability nationwide
• Slightly better customer satisfaction ratings

Overall, AAA wins out by offering robust coverage and bonus benefits. But Farmers provides affordable basic roadside assistance.

For occasional peace of mind, Farmers roadside assistance gets the job done. AAA is ideal for frequent drivers who want maximum coverage and travel discounts.

Ultimately, consider your budget, driving habits and preferred level of protection. This can help determine if upgraded AAA coverage is worth the price over more budget-friendly Farmers roadside assistance.