Roadside assistance services are lifesavers when you are stranded with your car in the middle of nowhere. Tesla Roadside Assistance and AAA roadside assistance are two such services to pull you out of the ditch.
So, which is better, Tesla Roadside Assistance or AAA? Tesla Roadside Assistance is a more suitable option for Tesla owners under warranty. Owners of other vehicles or Teslas without warranty may find the AAA as a better option.
Let’s dig into the details of both services and compare them to find out the best roadside assistance service.
Tesla Roadside Assistance Vs AAA: Comparison Chart
Before getting into the details, check out this comparison chart to get a quick idea of the features and benefits of these services.
| Features | Tesla Roadside Assistance | AAA |
| Coverage | Breakdowns, Flat Tire, Lockouts, Out of Range | Towing, Lockout, Flat Tire, Dead Battery, Fuel Delivery |
| Eligibility | Tesla vehicles | All vehicles |
| Cost | Free if the vehicle is under warranty | $65-$125, based on plans and locations |
| Response Time | A few hours | 20-30 minutes |
| Ease of Claim | Very easy | Fairly easy |
A Detailed Comparison of Tesla Roadside Assistance and AAA
Let’s take a closer look at the features and benefits of these two roadside assistance services.
Service Coverage
Tesla Roadside Assistance is a complementary service. Tesla provides this to the owners of Tesla vehicles under a limited warranty or extended service agreement. This service is only available in countries with a Tesla store or service center.
Under this service, Tesla provides the following coverages.
- Towing: If the vehicle is undrivable due to a warrantable issue, Tesla Roadside assistance will tow it to the nearest service center up to 500 miles. If the vehicle issue isn’t covered by the warranty, you need to pay the transportation cost.
- Flat Tires: For Tesla owners having flat tires, Tesla Roadside Assistance is provided within 50 miles of Tesla service centers. If the vehicle needs towing, the first 50 miles will be under coverage.
- Lockout: If you are locked outside your Tesla and don’t have any way to get into the vehicle, Tesla Roadside Assistance can be handy. It provides key retrieving, manual unlocks, towing, etc., under this service.
- Out of Range: In case the battery in your Tesla is empty, Tesla Roadside assistance will provide charging or towing services. But this service isn’t covered by Tesla.
AAA roadside assistance offers all of the above services and some extras. Check them out.
- Jump Start: For vehicles with a weak battery, AAA provides jump-start services to get the car on the road.
- Fuel Delivery: If you are out of fuel, AAA delivers fuel free of cost. But this service isn’t available on all plans.
Response Time
Even though Tesla Roadside Assistance is a name of hope for Tesla owners, the hope may take hours to appear. The response time of Tesla Roadside Assistance depends on the overall size of the operation in your location.
For example, Tesla owners in cities with a few Tesla service centers might face a delayed response.
On the other hand, AAA is highly satisfactory in terms of response time. After contacting AAA roadside assistance, you can expect to see a service team within 20-30 minutes. When you are in a hurry, AAA is a better option.
Cost Breakdown
Tesla’s roadside assistance pricing plan is very simple as long as your vehicle is under a limited warranty or extended service agreement. You should check out the roadside assistance policy before requesting the service.
AAA offers three pricing plans for its customers. Here is a quick overview of the plans.
- Basic Plan: It is the cheapest plan. You have to spend $64.99 for the annual membership of this plan. It includes towing of up to three miles every year.
- AAA Plus: In this plan, you get towing services up to 100 miles for every service. This plan costs $99.99.
- AAA Premier: This is the most expensive plan, with up to 500 miles of towing per service. It will cost $124.99.
Ease of Claim
Both services are simple to request. For the Tesla Roadside Assistance, you can use the mobile app. On the app, you can select the ‘Roadside’ option and select the issue you are facing. You might need to fill in a few other details to confirm your ownership. Once you press ‘Request help’, the request will be submitted.
To avail of the AAA roadside assistance, you need to go to the official website of the AAA or call them at 1-800-222-4357. Once you provide the detailed information and confirm the request, the AAA roadside assistance team will be on its way.
Tesla Roadside Assistance vs AAA: Which One Should You Choose?
It depends on a few factors. Let me elaborate on them a bit.
- Vehicle Type: If you are a Tesla owner, Tesla Roadside Assistance is a better option. For other vehicle owners, AAA is the only option available.
- Warranty Period: Tesla owners under warranty coverage should choose Tesla Roadside Assistance because it is cost-free. When the warranty period is over, calling any service is fine.
- Budget: Tesla Roadside Assistance is a more affordable option for Tesla owners. If they choose the AAA service, they need to take an annual membership that can cost more. For other vehicles, you need to select the right plan according to your needs.
- Problem Type: Tesla Roadside Assistance offers a few services. If your problem is excluded from the service list, you need to contact AAA. Check the roadside assistance policy to know the details about excluded services.
FAQs
You should also check the answers to some frequently asked questions about Tesla Roadside Assistance and AAA.
AAA roadside assistance is only available in the United States and Canada. In these two countries, the coverage area is bigger than Tesla Roadside Assistance. However, Tesla has more coverage in many other countries where AAA doesn’t offer services.
If the warranty period of your Tesla is over, you need to pay for towing or other services. The service cost will be determined according to the type of the problem and your location.
Yes. Tesla Roadside Assistance is available for all models that are under warranty. And this service is available 24/7.
Final Words
When you are stuck with a Tesla or another vehicle, the first two names coming to your mind are probably Tesla Roadside Assistance and AAA. So, which one of Tesla Roadside Assistance vs AAA is better? For Tesla owners under warranty, the Tesla Roadside Assistance is definitely a better option.
For owners of other vehicles, AAA is the only option because Tesla Roadside Assistance is limited to Tesla vehicles only. I compared both services in detail to help you choose the right provider if you are a Tesla owner. If you have other vehicles, you can choose from the available plans.
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