The best roadside assistance companies for rideshare and delivery drivers

Being a rideshare or delivery driver is a demanding job. Strict deadlines, fierce competition, and performance-linked incentives leave very little room for delivery delays or failures. 

Still, breakdowns happen, even when you take every precaution to avoid them.

So, what can you do to minimize the impact for you and the customer when your vehicle breaks down in the middle of an Uber, Lyft, or food delivery trip? 

What should you do if your car breaks down while driving for Uber or Lyft?

Any vehicle breakdown is bad, but adding passengers to the mix is even more complicated, not to mention aggravating. Uber and Lyft drivers must be extra cautious and take the proper steps to reduce the chance of breakdowns. 

You should also have a plan to tackle any challenges if a breakdown does occur:

• Pull over safely and clearly communicate the situation to the rider;
• Contact Uber or Lyft driver support immediately to let them know about the situation;
• If you can fix the car, let the rider know approximately how long it will take;
• If you cannot fix the car, end the trip immediately and assist the rider in booking another ride;
• Always take care of the rider first, then your vehicle.

What should you do if your car breaks down while driving for DoorDash or Uber Eats?

Delays when delivering groceries or food orders might not be the same as being stranded in the middle of nowhere, but it can still inconvenience your customer and impact your tips and rating. 

Here are a few options if you get stuck making a food delivery order: 

• Pull over safely and contact customer support;
• Contact the customer directly to inform them about the situation;
• If the vehicle issue is something you can fix, let the customer know how long you expect the delay to be.

Tip: Even if the company has already contacted the customer, it leaves a good impression if you can personally communicate with the person and apologize directly for the inconvenience. You may even be able to save your tips.

A little preventative maintenance goes a long way

As the saying goes, “Prevention is the best medicine.” 

While we’re certainly no doctors, this adage applies to vehicle maintenance as well. 

Though breakdowns and repairs are inevitable, particularly as cars age and depreciate, you can prevent many emergencies by taking measures such as:

• Schedule regular maintenance and servicing;
• Avoid rash or reckless driving;
• Get your oil changed on time;
• Learn to perform basic roadside repairs, and keep a toolbox and a spare tire in your vehicle;
• Address small repairs quickly before they turn into bigger issues.

If all else fails, who can you call? 

Enrolling in a roadside assistance program can help you get back on the road quickly in the event of a breakdown – or if you run out of gas. 

It’s a form of insurance that is often sold as an add-on with your auto insurance. The situations/incidents covered under roadside assistance programs can include:

• Mechanical failure 
• Towing 
• On-site refueling 
• Tire changes
• Vehicle lockouts 
• Courtesy vehicles: A few premium policies also supply a vehicle to the policy owner at the site of the breakdown for temporary use.

Since roadside assistance is an insurance policy, different providers offer different benefits – all to provide you with seamless relief when a vehicle breaks down. 

There are many popular roadside assistance insurance providers in the U.S., each with its own pros and cons: 

Uber Pro (managed by urgent.ly)

Pros

1. Complimentary service, as part of the Uber Pro rewards program
2. Real-time tracking and status updates 
3. Uber-like on-demand service with a connected network of 45,000 service vehicles
4. Around-the-clock customer support

Cons

1. Only available for select Uber drivers
2. Can only be used while driving for Uber 

Allstate (great for Lyft drivers)

Pros

1. Membership and pay-per-use plans available 
2. Focused plans
3. Membership plans also cover family members
4. Can be purchased as an inexpensive add-on to an Allstate car insurance policy
5. Platinum status Lyft drivers get free roadside assistance as part of Lyft’s Accelerate driver rewards program
6. Lyft drivers get pre-negotiated and discounted flat rates for roadside assistance services

Cons

1. No premium plans
2. Limits on benefits can be restrictive

AAA 

Pros

1. Established provider with a proven track record of reliability and quick service
2. Multiple membership options to match your requirements and budget
3. Free identity-theft monitoring for all members
4. Partner discounts and perks

Cons

1. Requires full membership
2. Membership benefits can be costly and unhelpful for drivers
3. Prices vary significantly by region

Good Sam Roadside Assistance

Pros

1. Multiple membership options to match your needs
2. Single plan to cover all your vehicles
3. Family members included in the plan at no extra cost
4. No limit on towing distance (restrictions apply)

Cons

1. Benefits geared toward families with multiple vehicles
2. Restrictions can limit actual benefits to drivers 
3. Requires full membership

State Farm Roadside Assistance

Pros

1. Available add-on with State Farm auto insurance
2. Policyholders can request roadside assistance only when needed without buying the add-on, as long as they are willing to pay for the services
3. Inexpensive option for State Farm policyholders

Cons

1. Available only to State Farm auto insurance policyholders
2. Only one basic plan with many restrictions
3. No option for extensive coverage even if you are willing to pay more

Gridwise is there when you need it! 

Want a little more assistance? look no further than Gridwise. The #1 gig-driving assistant pulls together all of your driver data, so you can see exactly how much you’re earning at a glance, all in one centralized location. 

Plus, we provide you with driver offers and an engaged community to take your earnings to the next level. So download the Gridwise app today and get started on the path to higher earnings.

And if you have experience using any of these roadside services, or a helpful tip to offer, we’d love to hear from you. Drop us a comment below or join our Facebook group!