Drivers should have a plan for help if their car breaks down while traveling. Roadside assistance plans are available from multiple organizations, including auto insurance companies, auto manufacturers and credit card companies, Ward says.
Some plans are free. For example, emergency services from automakers are often offered as a complimentary perk after buying a new car.
Other roadside assistance plans with more comprehensive coverage -- such as the premier service from the AAA auto club -- can cost more than $100.
Some auto insurance policies offer roadside assistance as optional coverage, Crawley says. The extra cost could be as little as $15 for a six-month policy, he says.
But prices and specific benefits vary, Ward says.
"Some assistance plans have restrictions on how far they'll tow a car," Ward says. "Other roadside assistance plans allow you to use a car rental for a short period of time (free of charge) if your car is inoperable."