Is Costco Roadside Assistance Worth It?
How does Costco's roadside assistance compare to services like AAA? Let's take a look.
Written by Claire Beaney
Reviewed by Shannon Martin
If you have a Costco credit card or Costco car insurance, you may be eligible for their roadside assistance. You can call 1-888-742-4572 for CONNECT or 1-866-918-4670 for Citi's roadside assistance services to get emergency roadside help through Costco.
- Costco offers roadside assistance to members with either a Costco credit card or car insurance through Costco.
- Some of the car repair services offered by Costco’s roadside assistance include towing, winching, fuel delivery, and jump starts.
- Costco offers roadside assistance for a range of prices, ranging from free to $69.95 per service call.
- Costco offers roadside assistance to members with either a Costco credit card orcar insurancethrough Costco.
- Some of thecar repairservices offered by Costco’s roadside assistance include towing, winching, fuel delivery, and jump starts.
- Costco offers roadside assistance for a range of prices, ranging from free to $69.95 per service call.
What does Costco roadside assistance cover?
Towing, gas delivery, and flat-tire changes are just some of the emergency services included in Costco's roadside assistance plan.
- Towing services: You'll get up to 25 miles of free towing to the closest repair shop, but if you choose to go somewhere else, you'll have to pay the difference.
- Winching services: Costco will winch your car out of the muck and snow if it's within 100 feet of an accessible road.
- Jump starts: If your car's battery dies or won't start, Costco will be there withjumper cablesto get it going again.
- Fuel delivery: Costco will bring you gas right to your car if you run out. You'll have to pay for the gas, but not for delivery.
- Locksmith services: Costco can send a locksmith to help you get into your car if you lock your keys inside. But if you lose your keys, you'll still have to pay to get a new set.
- Mechanical first-aid: If your vehicle isn't running, you can get minor repairs done on the spot. This does not include any auto parts or supplies needed.
- Flat tire changes: If your tire pops or goes flat, you can Request a tire change from Costco. But if you don't have a spare, you will have to pay to get a new one.
However, it's important to remember that just because you're a Costco member doesn't mean their roadside assistance program automatically covers you. You need either a Costco credit card or a Costco auto insurance policy to gain access to this coverage.
If you have a Costco credit card and need roadside assistance, you can get it for free around the clock through Citi. In most cases, a credit score of at least 750 is required to be approved for the Costco Anywhere Visa Card (by Citi).
CONNECT, a division of American Family Insurance, is the provider of auto insurance through Costco Wholesale. While policies vary in terms of coverage limits, tiers, and coverage options, most will allow you to add 24/7 CONNECT roadside assistance for just a few extra dollars per year.
Even though in most states you won't have to pay a deductible when you request roadside assistance, CONNECT will only pay up to $75 per incident.
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How to use Costco’s roadside assistance program
To contact Costco's roadside assistance, dial 1-888-742-4572 for CONNECT or 1-866-918-4670 for Citi's roadside assistance services. When you call, Citi will deploy a service professional to your area as quickly as possible.
Please note that some Costco credit card holders may be charged a one-time fee every time roadside assistance is used, but they can make unlimited calls. Check your paperwork to see if any specific coverage limitations apply.
Be aware that there are some restrictions—for example, in some cases, only vehicles 12 years old or newer may be eligible for roadside assistance. Also, some Costco credit cardholders are restricted to no more than four service calls in a single year.
MORE: Spare tire installation
How much does Costco roadside assistance cost?
Depending on your card's terms, this roadside assistance may or may not be complimentary. For example, through Visa Roadside Dispatch, some Citi customers pay a flat rate of $69.95 per service call.
Other Costco members say they pay $0 for services that are covered, like the ones above, and pay a fixed rate for services that are not covered.
The price that Costco charges for roadside assistance is unique in the industry, as most roadside assistance coverage is a flat rate charged on an annual basis. The average yearly cost of
towing and labor coverage
, which is what most insurance companies call roadside assistance, is between $15 and $150. In comparison to other insurance companies, GEICO’s
roadside assistance program is remarkably inexpensive at $14 annually. In contrast, annual AAA memberships start at $59.99.To sum up, Costco's roadside assistance is about average in terms of coverage but more expensive due to its per-call pricing structure. Are the benefits truly worth the price, or would you be better off with a
AAA membership
?Costco roadside assistance vs. AAA
Costco’s roadside assistance program has similar coverage to AAA’s Basic plan, but with a few significant differences.
The biggest? Costco’s roadside assistance is charged every time you make a call, while AAA offers an annual membership plan. AAA's Plus and Premier plans provide even more extensive services, including up to 100 miles of towing, a free day of car rental, and even free passport photos. Travel and lodging discounts are also available to AAA members.
If you're looking for roadside assistance, AAA is probably a better option than Costco due to its lower prices and easy accessibility.
AAA provides more services through its higher-tiered memberships—which are a little pricier—but they also provide discounts for numerous reputable businesses and services.
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Does using Costco roadside assistance count as a claim?
No. Roadside assistance is part of your car insurance, but using it won't raise your rates.
Do I need to be a Costco customer to use their roadside assistance?
Yes. Roadside assistance from Costco is only available to those who have either a Costco credit card or a Costco auto insurance policy.
