Is AT&T Roadside Assistance Worth It?
Last Updated on March 26, 2022
AT&T Roadside Assistance gives you peace of mind wherever you take your AT&T phone.
Like other roadside assistance programs, AT&T Roadside Assistance covers towing, fuel deliveries, and certain other service visits when driving.
Is AT&T Roadside Assistance worth it? How does AT&T Roadside Assistance work? Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about AT&T Roadside Assistance and whether or not it’s worth it.
What Is AT&T Roadside Assistance?
Telecommunications giant AT&T offers a roadside assistance program to mobile subscribers.
It’s called AT&T Roadside Assistance, and it’s provided by Dominion Motor Club on behalf of AT&T subscribers. In the past, AT&T Roadside Assistance was also provided by The American Traveler Motor Club.
Like other roadside assistance programs, AT&T Roadside Assistance covers certain service calls from unexpected roadside emergencies. It can cover towing, fuel delivery, and other unexpected interruptions when driving. Although roadside assistance plans are optional, many people sign up for the plans for added peace of mind.
As of November 2021, AT&T no longer offers its Roadside Assistance program as an add-on for wireless accounts. However, if you are currently subscribed to AT&T Roadside Assistance, then you can continue accessing the program.
How Does AT&T Roadside Assistance Work?
Here are the basics of AT&T Roadside Assistance and how it works:
- Roadside coverage follows the subscribed wireless device and not the vehicle, allowing you to call even when you’re a passenger
- Includes 4 service events per year
- Has a $75 maximum benefit per event
- Available 24/7/365 throughout the United States, the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Canada
- Is not available for AT&T prepaid devices
As of November 2021, AT&T Roadside Assistance is no longer available for AT&T wireless customers (although current subscribers can continue to access the service)
How to Use AT&T Roadside Assistance
You can use AT&T Roadside Assistance via the following:
Using your AT&T device, follow these instructions:
- Press #4357 (#HELP) from your phone with AT&T; or, call 871-263-2600
- Wait for AT&T Roadside Assistance to call you (or the person with the AT&T phone)
The AT&T Roadside Assistance agent will tell you which service provider will be helping you and at which time you can expect the provider to arrive
That’s it.
What’s Included with AT&T Roadside Assistance?
AT&T Roadside Assistance covers 4 service calls per year, up to a maximum of $75 per service call. Beyond that limit, you’ll pay for the remaining service call expense out of pocket.
Service calls covered with AT&T Roadside Assistance include:
- Towing service due to mechanical failure
- Jumpstarts for dead or depleted batteries
- Flat tire changes with your spare
- Fuel delivery service if you have run out of gas (up to 3 gallons)
- Lockout assistance and key replacement
- Minor mechanical adjustments to get you back on the road
- Winching
Your plan also comes with car rental savings through Avis. If you cannot drive your ordinary car, for example, and you need to rent one, then you can save money with an Avis rental car.
How Much Does AT&T Roadside Assistance Cost?
AT&T Roadside Assistance is no longer available for new AT&T subscribers. However, those who have already subscribed to AT&T Roadside Assistance can continue using the service – and paying for it.
If you have subscribed to AT&T Roadside Assistance, then you’ll see the following charges added to your bill each month:
Roadside Assistance: $2.99 Per Month
Your subscription includes 4 service calls per year, up to a maximum of a $75 benefit per service call. You can cancel the subscription at any time.
What’s the Catch?
There’s no real “catch” with AT&T Roadside Assistance. However, there are certain restrictions on what is covered and what is not covered.
Some of the restrictions with AT&T Roadside Assistance include:
- The enrolled AT&T device must be present at the time of service
- Only covers light-duty passenger cars and tracks
- Includes up to 4 service calls per year
- Provides a maximum $75 benefit per service call
- Not valid when operating off-road
- Does not cover accident towing
These restrictions are similar to other roadside assistance plans.
Most roadside assistance plans have a specific coverage limit and a maximum number of calls per year, for example.
Most roadside assistance plans are also designed to cover unexpected emergencies but not accidents. If your car breaks down on the side of the road, for example, then roadside assistance covers the cost of towing to the nearest location. However, roadside assistance will not cover the cost of towing a vehicle after an accident.
What Makes AT&T Roadside Assistance Unique?
You have plenty of options for roadside assistance policies, including AAA and roadside assistance plans from your insurer. Most of these plans cost about the same as AT&T Roadside Assistance ($3 per month) and cover similar things. So what makes AT&T Roadside Assistance unique? Why pick AT&T Roadside Assistance?
The main thing that makes AT&T Roadside Assistance unique is that coverage follows your AT&T phone.
Most roadside assistance policies follow the car or the driver. If you buy roadside assistance through your insurer, for example, then your roadside assistance policy follows your car and any covered driver.
With AT&T Roadside Assistance, however, you can access roadside assistance wherever you have your phone. Even if you’re not the driver, and even if you’re driving someone else’s vehicle, you can use AT&T Roadside Assistance wherever you have your phone.
The only restriction with this coverage is that you must have your phone with you at the time of service. If your brother’s car breaks down on the side of the road, for example, and you are not present, then you cannot call roadside assistance on behalf of your brother. The AT&T phone must be present at the time of the service.
Is AT&T Roadside Assistance Worth It?
AT&T Roadside Assistance is worth it for some drivers but not others. Like all insurance, it depends on your personal aversion to risk. How much are you willing to pay for peace of mind?
Some people are willing to spend $3 per month knowing that towing, breakdowns, lockouts, and fuel deliveries are covered.
Some like the fact that AT&T Roadside Assistance covers the phone – not the driver or the vehicle. This can make it useful for someone with unique driving situations, like those who frequently drive rental cars or someone else’s vehicle.
Others are willing to accept the risk and save $3 per month.
You may already have roadside assistance. Some insurers bundle roadside assistance with your policy. Or, some credit cards offer roadside assistance. To make sure you’re not wasting $3 per month, check to make sure you do not already carry roadside assistance.
2021 Update: AT&T Roadside Assistance is Not Accepting New Signups
As of November 2021, AT&T Roadside Assistance is no longer available to new customers.
You can continue using AT&T Roadside Assistance if you have already signed up. However, if you have not signed up for AT&T Roadside assistance, then you cannot sign up today – even if you are an existing AT&T customer.
It’s unclear if AT&T will be canceling its Roadside Assistance program in the future – or renewing it.
Final Word on AT&T Roadside Assistance
AT&T Roadside Assistance is a subscription-based roadside assistance program that follows your AT&T phone. As long as you have your AT&T phone, you can request roadside assistance wherever you are.
Priced at $3 per month, AT&T Roadside Assistance covers 4 service calls per year, providing a maximum of $75 of coverage per event.
As of November 2021, however, AT&T Roadside Assistance is no longer available for new subscribers. However, current subscribers can continue to use the service.
To determine if AT&T Roadside Assistance is worth it, consider your personal aversion to risk, how often you may need to access roadside assistance services, and whether or not $3 per month is worth it for peace of mind.
