Imagine cruising down the highway, wind in your hair, when suddenly, your car emits a concerning noise. Within moments, it grinds to a halt, leaving you stranded on the roadside, with the frigid Winnipeg winter howling against your skin and the Prairie wind blowing through the streets.
Panic begins to set in as you realize you’re stranded with no money to spare for help. At this point, you start wishing you had paid for roadside assistance that you can call to help you out of this messy situation.
Thankfully, there are free roadside assistance in Canada that can minimize that stress and get you out of some sticky situations. When your vehicle decides to betray you at the most inconvenient moment, these free roadside assistance come to the rescue without costing a dime.
In this blog post, we’ll highlight the best free roadside assistance in Canada, explore their features and benefits and guide you through the best ways to ensure you’re never left stranded again.
Best Credit Cards With Free Roadside Assistance Benefits in Canada
Don’t let unexpected car troubles derail your plans or drain your wallet. There are credit cards in Canada that offer free roadside assistance benefits, ensuring you’re prepared for whatever the road throws at you.
Here’s a list of the best credit cards that offer great rewards and perks and provide the best roadside assistance in Canada:
1. BMO Cashback World Elite Mastercard
The BMO Cashback World Elite Mastercard offers free roadside assistance in Canada by providing complimentary membership in the Dominion Automobile Association. This membership lets you enjoy basic BMO roadside assistance coverage, ensuring you’re never stranded in emergencies.
What’s more, BMO frequently runs promotions that allow you to waive the annual fee for the credit card if you hold a Premium Chequing Account with them. However, it’s worth noting that the Premium Chequing Account does come with a monthly fee of $30.
Features and Benefits
- Get four service calls per year
- Towing of the car because of a mechanical breakdown for up to 10 km
- They offer a battery-boosting service
- You can get a flat tyre change
- Winching service
- Lockout coverage
- Fuel delivery of up to 10 litres.
RELATED: Best BMO Secured Credit Card vs. Alternatives Reviewed (2024)
2. TD Cashback Visa Infinite Card
The TD Cashback Visa Infinite Card from TD offers a free TD Deluxe Auto Club membership, courtesy of AXA Assistance Canada. With this membership, you can access reliable roadside assistance whenever needed.
As an added bonus, TD is currently running a promotion for new cardholders. For the first three months within the first year, you’ll enjoy a 10% cashback on your purchases, with a maximum total spend of $2000.
It’s a fantastic opportunity to earn rewards while benefiting from the peace of mind that comes with free roadside assistance.
Features and Benefits
- Unlimited tows of your vehicles
- Tows of your vehicles of up to 200 km per service call to any destination
- Flatbed and reimbursement option up to $250 at a go
- Battery boost of your vehicle
- Flat tire change
- Auto coverage includes winching service
- Lockout services have a reimbursement option of up to $100
- Fuel delivery of up to 5 litres or more
- Personal transportation of up to $25
- Traffic accident services
- Stolen car emergency services
- Accident towing of your car up to $200
- Transportation or rental vehicle (up to $200)
- Accommodation and meals during waiting times of up to $200
- Returning your vehicle to repair location service (up to $200).
- Personal emergency needs up to $50
- Motorist legal services for your car
- Trip planning services for your vehicle
3. Canadian Tire Triangle World Elite Mastercard
By signing up for the Canadian Tire Triangle World Elite Mastercard, you can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with reliable roadside support. To be eligible for this card, you’ll need a yearly personal income of $80,000 (or a household income of $150,000), and registration can be conveniently done online.
With the Canadian Tire Triangle World Elite Mastercard, you can choose between vehicle-specific roadside assistance or coverage that extends to you as a driver. Their Gold Member Plan, which is their most appealing option, costs $99.95 and offers an array of benefits.
For more details on Canadian Tire’s comprehensive roadside assistance program, we invite you to check out our informative article specifically dedicated to Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance.
Features and Benefits
- 24-hour roadside assistance in Canada
- Services include towing, changing a flat tyre, boosting a battery, extrication, and lockout service.
- Coverage for roadside assistance begins after 24 hours starting from when you registered.
- To activate a plan, it is necessary to be a primary holder.
- Tows vehicles to Canadian Tire service centres within towing limits of 250 km.
- You get five service calls per year
Cons
- Sometimes, verifying as an active user can take 24 hours after registration.
RELATED: Canadian Tire Financing: How Does It Work (2024)
4. Home Trust Preferred Visa
Home Trust Preferred Visa’s roadside assistance service is the perfect fit if you need excellent roadside assistance. While not as widely known as other alternatives, Home Trust offers a valuable option that can come to your aid when you need it most.
With Home Trust Preferred Visa, you can enjoy the benefits of free roadside assistance and other perks. Firstly, there are no annual fees to worry about, allowing you to save on expenses.
Additionally, you’ll receive a generous 1% cashback on all your purchases, making it a rewarding credit card choice.
Another advantage of the Home Trust Preferred Visa is that it spares you from surcharges on foreign currency exchanges. This feature can particularly benefit travellers who frequently purchase in different currencies, helping you avoid unnecessary fees.
Paid Roadside Assistance Membership in Canada: Canada Tire vs CAA
A paid roadside assistance membership can be a game-changer when it comes to ensuring you’re prepared for unforeseen car troubles on the road.
In Canada, several reputable companies offer comprehensive roadside assistance services that go beyond the basic coverage provided by insurance or credit cards.
From 24/7 emergency towing to fuel delivery, lockout assistance, and jump-start services, these memberships ensure that help is just a phone call away.
Now that we know about free roadside assistance in Canada, it’s time to check out the paid ones and see what they offer.
1. Costco Roadside Assistance
In Canada, one noteworthy option is Costco Roadside Assistance, which includes a range of services limited to 4 service calls per year. With this membership, you can count on essential features such as towing, jump-starts, tire services, gas delivery, winching, and lockout assistance.
The Standard Plus Emergency Roadside Assistance is available for $54.99. The coverage is specifically designed for vehicles under 12 years of age.
Features and Benefits
- Four service calls per year
- Towing of cars
- Get jump start service
- Offers tyre service
- Gas delivery
- Lockout service
- Winching service
2. CAA Roadside Assistance
The Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) is renowned for its roadside assistance, offering more than just towing services. When you’re stuck with car troubles, a CAA membership can be a lifesaver.
CAA boasts 6.4 million members nationwide. The most popular membership option, the CAA Plus Membership priced at $115, offers comprehensive benefits.
Additionally, membership provides access to the CAA Dollars rewards program, allowing you to earn rewards that never expire.
With this program, you can instantly save money at over 120,000 retail partners in Canada, earn a percentage of your purchases back in CAA Dollars, each worth $1, on in-store and online purchases, and redeem your rewards for various purposes including travel, membership renewal and upgrades, and entertainment.
Features and Benefits
- Four service calls a year
- Towing for up to 200km
- Free emergency fuel delivery
- Battery services
- Free passport photos
- Discounted merchandise
- Bicycle assistance
- Road trip accident support.
Tips for Maximizing Free Roadside Assistance Benefits
Here are some tips to help you maximise the free roadside assistance benefits offered by your credit card or other memberships:
- Understand the Coverage: Familiarize yourself with the specific details of your roadside assistance coverage. Read the terms and conditions to know what services are included, coverage limits, and any restrictions or exclusions.
- Save the Contact Information: Keep the contact details for the roadside assistance provider easily accessible. Save their phone number in your phone or keep it in your vehicle’s glove compartment for quick access during emergencies.
- Regularly Maintain Your Vehicle: Properly maintaining your vehicle can help prevent breakdowns and minimise the need for roadside assistance. Regularly check the tyre pressure, engine oil, battery, and other essential components to ensure they are in good working condition.
- Be Prepared with Basic Supplies: Keep essential items in your vehicle, such as a spare tyre, jack, jumper cables, flashlight, and basic toolkit. These tools can assist you in handling minor issues and may reduce the need for immediate roadside assistance.
Final Thoughts on Free Roadside Assistance in Canada
When it comes to free roadside assistance in Canada, there are several reliable options. Whether you prefer the convenience of credit card benefits or the comprehensive coverage of dedicated memberships, you can rest easy knowing that help is just a phone call away.
Explore the offerings from trusted providers and find the perfect fit for your needs. Don’t wait for car troubles to strike; take proactive steps to ensure your peace of mind on the road.
Stay protected with free roadside assistance and drive with confidence. Get started today and enjoy worry-free journeys!
FAQS on Free Roadside Assistance in Canada
What Is the Best Free Roadside Assistance in Canada?
It’s all about what you want. Find what suits your circumstances and your pockets. If you are going for a free roadside assistance service, BMO, TD, and Canadian Tire are undoubtedly Canada’s biggest and most reliable. For paid roadside assistance, Costco and CAA should be your go-to. Keep in mind that Costco generally costs less than CAA.
Is Paid Roadside Assistance Better Than Free Roadside Assistance?
Paid roadside assistance services offer additional perks and benefits that enhance the value of your investment. These extras set them apart from free services and elevate the overall quality of assistance provided. With paid roadside assistance, you can expect a higher level of effectiveness and a greater range of services than free alternatives.
What Is the Difference Between Breakdown Cover and Roadside Assistance?
Roadside assistance is a basic level of breakdown cover. It simply means you get help by the side of a road if your vehicle breaks down. Roadside assistance covers you if you have been stranded a certain distance from your home (at least a quarter of a mile, in most cases).
If your car can’t be repaired where it broke down, it will eventually be towed to a nearby garage, a garage approved by your paid or free roadside assistance service, or a place of your choice (as long as it is not farther than a garage that’s approved).
