How to Get Roadside Assistance in Arkansas
Arkansas does not offer free roadside assistance, so you’ll need to purchase some kind of coverage if you want to be protected in case of a breakdown.
Written by Amber Reed
Reviewed by Brenna Swanston
Arkansas doesn’t offer any free roadside assistance programs, so it might pay to be prepared with a membership to a roadside assistance club or have a policy through your
car insurance
provider. They say that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and one area where that’s particularly relevant is when it comes to having car troubles. Having roadside assistance can mean the difference between summoning help with a single phone call and schlepping down the road with a gas can or searching for “mechanic open now near me” on your phone at 2 a.m. in the middle of nowhere.
Here’s what you need to know about your roadside assistance options in Arkansas!
How to get roadside assistance in Arkansas
Even though there’s no free roadside assistance, there’s still a good number of options to choose from. You might even already have roadside assistance and not know it, as a lot of organizations include it as a perk.
Roadside assistance clubs in Arkansas
The name that everyone knows when it comes to roadside assistance is
AAA
. They’ve been around since 1902, and have over 60 million members in the US and Canada. They are one of the more expensive options, but they also offer a high level of service and reliability.Prices vary by region but typically range from $60 to $120 annually.
There are three different membership tiers available, with the basic one offering:
- Car lockoutservices up to $50
- Jumpstart services
- Flat tire services
- Towing services within a set range (varies by area)
- Fuel delivery
Opting for one of the higher levels gets you things like a wider towing range, emergency winching, increased lockout services, and trip interruption coverage. If you are the cautious type, spend a lot of time driving in remote areas, or have a vehicle that’s less than trustworthy, a AAA membership could be
well worth the cost
. But AAA isn’t the only option when it comes to roadside assistance clubs. Other roadside assistance service providers in Arkansas include
HONK
, Good Sam
, and Curbside SOS
.Want to keep it eco-friendly? The
Better World Club
advertises itself as the only carbon-neutral roadside assistance club, and also offers services for bicycles! MORE: How to join AAA and make sure you have roadside assistance coverage
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Automakers that offer roadside assistance
If you’ve recently bought a new car, many manufacturers include roadside assistance as part of the new car warranty. The services and limits vary by maker, but here’s what a few of the major manufacturers offer:
If you are purchasing an extended warranty for your car (either through the dealership or a third party) it often includes roadside assistance as well.
Other companies and organizations that offer roadside assistance
Roadside assistance is a perk that credit card companies frequently provide—you might already have it! A few cards that offer some version of roadside assistance include:
- Bank of America
- Capital One
- Chase
- Citi
- U.S. Bank
- American Express
- Discover
- Visa
Keep in mind that the roadside assistance benefits offered by these cards vary quite a bit, and they’re not always free of charge. It’s smart to take the time to figure out what benefits your credit cards offer ahead of time, so you know what’s available and how to get help if the need arises.
Some credit unions also offer roadside assistance to their members, so if you are a member of a credit union make sure to ask if this is an included benefit. Some mobile phone providers also offer roadside assistance as an add-on service. Bottom line? You’ve got plenty of options.
MORE: Why your car breaks down and how to avoid it
Insurance companies that offer roadside assistance
One of the easiest (and most cost-efficient) ways to get roadside assistance is through your car insurance provider.
Sometimes it’s called roadside rescue, sometimes it’s called
towing and labor coverage
, but it’s essentially the same thing. Travelers
, Nationwide
, Progressive
, Allstate
, and Farmers
all offer roadside assistance policies. Prices can range quite from around $30 to $200 per year, and there are sometimes different levels of protection available depending on the company and the area. Just like with any other insurance policy, you should always get several quotes for comparison when you’re shopping for a roadside assistance policy.
Is there free roadside assistance in Arkansas?
Unfortunately, no, not that we can find. Some states and major cities do offer a free roadside assistance program, but it doesn’t look like Arkansas is one of them.
There are plenty of services to call, mind you—but they all result in a bill of some sort. So if you get a
flat tire
, run out of gas
, or need an emergency jumpstart
while you’re in the Natural State, you’ll have to pay up to get help—unless you can get a friend to pick you up, of course. (But even then, you’ll probably have to spring for pizza.)Let Jerry find your price in only 45 seconds
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What is the phone number for AAA?
The roadside assistance number for AAA is (800) 222-4357. This number works anywhere in the US, and members can call 24/7.
Does Arkansas have free roadside assistance?
Unlike some other states or major metropolitan areas, Arkansas doesn’t appear to offer free roadside assistance. There are a few services and apps that promise no “upfront fees,” but nothing that is totally without cost.
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