Want to be in good hands during roadside emergencies? Consider looking no further than Allstate Motor Club, a subsidiary of the Allstate family.
Allstate keeps members and non-members in good hands with its suite of roadside assistance products, packages and more. That said, the number of options can be overwhelming for those new to Allstate, which maintains its focus on providing insurance coverage first and foremost. The Allstate Motor Club gives members maximum coverage while on the road, and Good Hands Rescue and Towing & Labor plans provide only certain one-off services at a charge.
Cost Annual fee | $52-$99, not including one-off services |
Warranty How easy to return or replace? | Money-back guarantee within the first 30 days; pro-rated thereafter |
Ease How easy to put to use? | Immediate availability |
Cancellation Cost or difficulty to cancel? | Call customer service; pro-rated refunds after 30 days |
Customer support Ease of access | 24/7 by phone; GPS and mobile app strongly encouraged |
Coverage What services are included? | 24/7 help, nationwide access, mobile access, towing and more |
Limits to coverage What services are excluded? | RV coverage and personal concierge limited to Platinum Elite plans |
Eligibility Cost or difficulty to upgrade? | Easy; Plans are available to both members and non-members |
Payment Types of payment accepted | All payment is accepted, but online is preferred |
Allstate Motor Club is geared toward insurance policy owners first and foremost, but definitely keeps seniors in mind by offering a 10% discount on membership plans. The number of options and plans for roadside assistance, however, can be confusing and frustrating, especially when stranded along the side of the highway. Having to choose between two Motor Club plans or simply electing to go with the Good Hands Rescue service is confusing enough, and that’s not even factoring in the Towing & Labor option for insurance members.
The Good Hands Rescue might be the best option for folks who get their insurance elsewhere, since it is a pay-as-you-go service that gets the stranded individual in touch with a nationwide network of service providers fast. Do note, however, that payments for jumpstarts and similar services carry a fee between $69 and $99, with the latter being the cost of an annual Platinum Elite membership.
Whether one considers Allstate’s myriad of roadside assistance plans to be health-related or health-focused comes down to whether the senior in question is tech-savvy. Allstate boasts a GPS location feature for those who download the Good Hands Rescue mobile app, as well as real-time updates via the app. The app even helps a stranded member locate a repair facility and get an estimate on how much a tow will cost. This, of course, does not help if the member does not have a smartphone.
Additionally, and unlike other roadside assistance companies, Allstate does not offer medical response assistance and other critical features when a member is left stranded hundreds of miles away from home.
Pros:
Cons:
Bottom Line:
Roadside assistance is not the forte of Allstate. For this reason, it should be carefully considered against niche providers and companies that are dedicated to rescuing the stranded. None of the plans proffered by Allstate are all-inclusive, meaning that the company only reimburses certain activities up to a previously agreed upon amount and for only very narrow reasons.
For instance, the trip interruption reimbursement only applies for a breakdown when that issue arises over 100 miles from home and if the member is on the Platinum plan. Ultimately, the senior shopper would be well-advised to look elsewhere for true peace of mind and upfront coverage options.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What if I move? Am I still covered?
Members and non-members are covered anywhere in the United States and Canada as well as Guam, but would be encouraged to call Allstate to update their coverage details as well as request a new card.
If I am a commercial driver, am I still covered?
Members with commercial businesses and a fleet of cars are encouraged to consider Motor Club service coverage, as the traditional roadside service packages are intended for privately-owned vehicles only.
What if my vehicle is stuck in mud, snow or worse?
Members that might have gaps in their go-to insurance provider or roadside assistance plans are encouraged to consider purchasing the Towing & Labor plan, which can help in the event a winching service is required.
More Information:
Overview: Allstate certainly has a buffet of options when it comes to roadside assistance plans, but each tends to fall short as a stand-alone product. The Motor Club options both feature travel discounts, car rental savings, hotel savings, retail discounts, online savings, trip planning tools, vacation packages, cruise savings, trip interruption reimbursement, vehicle buying tips and legal defense advice, but at very different tiers.
For instance, the Advantage plan only covers trip interruption fees in the event of a wreck while the Platinum service covers both a wreck and a breakdown. Both must occur, however, over 100 miles away from home. All that said, the Allstate Motor Club plan may be more trouble than it’s worth after one has read through all of the fine print.
Package Details: The RV plans come in two categories: Standard and Platinum. Both offer members flat tire repair servicing, tire delivery, battery jumpstarts, emergency fluid deliveries and emergency medical referral services. The latter, however, includes multiple RV coverage, SUV trailer coverage, assistance with rented vehicles, $1,500 in roadside services in Mexico, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Home Locksmith Services, hotel discounts and rental car discounts.
Add-on Services: Many offerings from Allstate are add-on services, as they are expensed in a pay-as-you-go manner. The company still provides additional savings through travel, trip interruption and legal savings, but to varying degrees. Additionally, RV coverage, motorcycle benefits and concierge services are only available to Platinum members.
Contract Details: Membership plans are good for one year but can be a struggle to cancel based on consumer feedback reports. Allstate requires that members call customer support to cancel their plans, and will provide a full refund within the first 30 days. If you find yourself outside of that grace period, then you get a pro-rated refund for the remainder of the contract. The pay-as-you-go options are non-contractual.
Warranty: Allstate offers an On-Time Arrival Guarantee that is hard to beat. To wit, if the service provider does not respond within 30 minutes of the estimated arrival time, then the Motor Club member receives 25% off of their membership dues the following year. This is assuming, of course, the member does not cancel due to the poor service.
Accreditations: Allstate has received a less-than-satisfactory Better Business Bureau rating of C- due to a multitude of complains regarding billing and collection system issues.This rating pales in comparison to many other roadside assistance providers.
Company Details: The Allstate Corporation was founded in 1931 as part of Sears, Robebuck and Co. This means members have been in good hands for over 86 years. The insurance arm was spun off in 1993, with the Motor Club branch falling under that portion of the company. The parent corporation remains the second-largest personal insurance provider in the United States, behind only State Farm. Allstate Corporation is, however, the largest publicly held insurance firm in North America that deals with products that cover everything from automobiles, homes, motorcycles and boats to life, renters, investment and business insurance needs.
Allstate Motor Club, Inc.
51 W Higgins Rd Ste 2
S Barrington, IL 60010-9350
Tel: (877) 810-2920
Website: https://www.allstate.com/roadside-assistance.aspx
7 min read
Sept. 20, 2019
