Tesla Roadside Assistance vs AAA Compared 2023

Tesla Roadside Assistance and AAA are two of the most popular roadside assistance programs that offer services to drivers with car trouble. However, first-time Tesla customers often find it difficult to choose between the two. 

This article will compare Tesla Roadside Assistance and AAA to help you decide which is the best for you. Read on to learn about the services these programs offer, as well as their pros and cons. This will help you to choose the right service for your needs.  

What Is Tesla Roadside Assistance?

Tesla Roadside Assistance is a service that provides help to drivers stranded with their Tesla. The service is available in certain countries and includes towing the car to a nearby Tesla service center. It also offers flat tire replacement and car unlock services. The service is free while your Tesla is under warranty.

Arguably, this program is one of the benefits of owning a Tesla. Other benefits include free access to Tesla’s Supercharger network for those who participate in the automaker’s referral program, and the ability to summon your car using the Tesla app. 

Tesla Roadside Assistance Services

Tesla Roadside Assistance offers the following services: 

• Towing the car to a nearby Tesla service center 
• Replacing a flat tire 
• Unlocking your Tesla 

I’ll describe each of these below. 

I also covered Tesla Roadside Assistance in a related article and uncovered whether it is free and how much exactly they do cover. Check it out!

Towing the Car to a Nearby Tesla Service Center

If your Tesla has a mechanical issue covered by the warranty, Tesla Roadside Assistance can be reached for towing services. They will tow it to a nearby service center for free. However, this only applies to the first 500 miles (800 kilometers). 

You will pay for the additional mileage if you need to tow the car further than 500 miles (800 kilometers). Also, you may incur towing charges if the warranty does not cover the mechanical issue. 

Is Tesla’s Extended Warranty Worth It? Also check out this related article that I wrote

The following video provides some insights into what happens when you request a towing service from Tesla Roadside Assistance: 

Replacing a Flat Tire

If you have a flat tire, Tesla Roadside Assistance will send someone to change it for you. In addition, the service provides loaner wheel and tire sets in some instances. Just ensure you return the loaner set within 72 hours or at the agreed time to avoid extra or unnecessary charges. 

This is a really helpful service as Teslas don’t come with a spare tire.

Note: You may need to opt for the towing service when loaner wheels are unavailable. 

Unlocking Your Tesla

In some cases, you may find yourself locked out of your Tesla due to internet connectivity issues, a malfunction of your Tesla app, and locking your keys in the car. In such a scenario, Tesla Roadside Assistance will help you get back into your vehicle manually or help retrieve the keys. 

Tesla Roadside Assistance Coverage Exclusions

The Tesla Roadside Assistance program specifies several instances where it will not assist. These include: 

• Transportation costs to your home after service completion 
• Stolen vehicles 
• Accident damage 
• Damage due to negligence 

These are just a few of the exclusions. You can find the complete list in Tesla’s Roadside Assistance terms and conditions. 

Pro Tip: What a great way to keep track of your car’s health and save money on future service costs?

If you need to keep a record of any maintenance or service done on your Tesla or other EV make, I recommend getting this Electric Car Maintenance Book from Amazon.com. 

What Is AAA Roadside Assistance?

AAA Roadside Assistance is a program that provides help to drivers stranded with any type of car. The service is available in the United States and Canada. It includes towing the vehicle to a nearby service center, replacing flat tires, and jumpstarting dead batteries. 

This video describes the AAA program in detail: 

Unlike the generic Tesla service, AAA’s program uses a subscription model that classifies members under three packages: 

• Classic/Basic 
• AAA Plus 
• AAA Premier 

Generally, the Classic/Basic package is ideal for those who don’t drive frequently, and the AAA Premier package is perfect for those who drive often.

How Much Is AAA For Teslas?

AAA charges a yearly fee for the roadside assistance. The insurance fees at the time of writing were as follows for each plan:

• AAA Classic. $64.99 per year
• AAA Plus. $99.99 per year
• AAA Premier. $124.99 per year

AAA Roadside Assistance Services

The following are some of the services that AAA Roadside Assistance offers: 

• Towing the car to a nearby service center 
• AAA car lockout service 
• Flat tire and dead battery services 
• Free fuel delivery 

Here’s a rundown of the mentioned services:

Towing the Car to a Nearby Service Center

If your car breaks down, AAA will tow it to a nearby service center. This applies to all types of vehicles.

The following is a breakdown of the towing services AAA offers under the packages I mentioned earlier: 

• Classic Plan/Basic Plan: Up to 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) per year. 
• AAA Plus: Up to 100 miles (160 kilometers) per service. 
• AAA Premier: Up to 500 miles (800 kilometers) per service. 

Note: You may incur additional charges for towing services if you exceed the limits specified in your package.

AAA Car Lockout Service

The AAA car lockout service assists motorists locked out of their vehicles. When drivers request this assistance, AAA sends someone to help them gain access to their vehicles. In some cases, motorists may need to call a tow truck to take their vehicle to a nearby mechanical garage.

Flat Tire and Dead Battery Services

If you have a flat tire, AAA will send someone to change it for you. However, AAA recommends bringing the car to a nearby mechanical garage for a permanent repair. 

Also, if your car battery is dead, AAA will provide a jump start. But if the battery is completely drained, you may need to tow your vehicle to a nearby service center. 

If your Tesla ever runs out of power, what are your options? Can you jumpstart the car? Check it out in this helpful article that I wrote.

AAA will provide all services to EV owners with the exception of charging.

Free Fuel Delivery

If you run out of fuel, AAA will deliver fuel to your car free of charge. This applies if you’ve subscribed to either AAA Plus or AAA Premium. If you haven’t subscribed to either of those packages, you will have to pay a small fee for the fuel delivery service. 

AAA Roadside Assistance Exclusions

Like the Tesla Roadside Assistance program, AAA has a list of exclusions. These include: 

• Stolen vehicles 
• Accident damage 
• Damage due to negligence 
• Impounded vehicles 
• Damage due to intentionally driving in dangerous or restricted areas, such as construction sites and beaches 

You can find the complete list of exclusions in the terms and conditions of the AAA Roadside Assistance program. 

Tesla Roadside Assistance: Pros and Cons

Now that you have an overview of the Tesla Roadside Assistance and AAA Roadside Assistance programs and the services they offer, it’s time to weigh their pros and cons. The following are some of the pros and cons of the Tesla Roadside Assistance program:

Tesla Roadside Assistance Pros

• Offers a wide range of services and immediate roadside assistance
• It’s convenient for drivers who need the service. 
• It offers quality service. 
• Tesla roadside assistance is free while your Tesla is under warranty

Tesla Roadside Assistance Cons

• The service is not available in all countries. 
• Some customers have complained of slow response times. 
• Limited to Tesla only

AAA Roadside Assistance: Pros and Cons

Before deciding which roadside assistance program to subscribe to, let’s examine the pros and cons of the AAA Roadside Assistance program as well. Like the Tesla program, AAA Roadside Assistance comes with unique pros and cons. They include: 

AAA Roadside Assistance Pros

• It’s available throughout the US and Canada. 
• It offers a wide range of services. 
• It’s convenient for drivers who need the service. 
• Quicker response time in some cases
• It is not limited to certain types of vehicles. 

AAA Roadside Assistance Cons

• It’s more expensive than the Tesla Roadside Assistance program. 
• The Classic/Basic plan does not offer as many perks and assistance coverage as the Plus and Premium packages. 
• AAA membership fees often vary with location, so you may have to do some research to find the best deal. 

The Verdict

So, which roadside assistance program is better? Tesla Roadside Assistance or AAA Roadside Assistance? 

In general, the Tesla Roadside Assistance program is a better choice for drivers who own a Tesla. However, if you’re not driving a Tesla, the AAA Roadside Assistance program is a better option. It offers more services and faster response times. 

Here’s how these programs from the two companies stack up against each other based on a few selected factors: 

That said, if you’re a Tesla owner, why not taste the best of both worlds and subscribe to both the Tesla Roadside Assistance program and the AAA Roadside Assistance program? Since the Tesla coverage is free while your car is under warranty, you’ll only have to pay for the AAA plan.

This way, you’ll have access to a wide range of services, no matter what happens on the road. 

Can AAA Tow A Tesla and Change Tesla Tires?

AAA roadside assistance can tow your Tesla. They can also change your Tesla’s tires. You just have to have an AAA subscription or pay their fees.

In comparison, Tesla Roadside Assistance is free to all Tesla owners while their electric cars are under warranty.

How To Request Tesla Roadside Assistance

In the United States, you can call the Tesla Roadside service phone number at 877 798 3752.

You can also use the Tesla mobile app to request assistance. In the app, tap on “Roadside.” You will have to select the issue your electric vehicle is experiencing and confirm any extra details regarding your problem to complete the request.

What Is the Triple A Roadside Assistance Number?

You can request AAA Roadside Assistance on one of these numbers: (800) AAA-HELP or (800) 222-4357.

You can also use their online tool or text HELP to 800-AAA-HELP (800-222-4357) to request assistance.

Check out these 20 great gift ideas for yourself or a Tesla fanboy.

Contact Us if you have any questions or queries.