Motor Club Membership vs. Roadside Assistance: Which Is Better?

By Brad Davis, CIC (August 13, 2026)
Davis Insurance Associates – Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Roadside assistance is one of those services you may not think much about until you need it. A dead battery, flat tire, locked car, or breakdown can quickly leave you stranded. For boaters, an engine problem or other issue on the water can create an even bigger problem.

Many auto and boat insurance companies offer some type of roadside or on-water assistance that can be added to an insurance policy. That can be a convenient and inexpensive option.

But it isn’t your only option.

Another choice is to purchase a separate motor club membership for roadside or on-water assistance. Depending on your situation, keeping these services separate from your insurance policy may make sense.

At Davis Insurance Associates, we now have access to motor club memberships through Way.com for automobiles and Sea Tow for boats.

Roadside Assistance Through Your Auto Insurance

Most people are familiar with adding roadside assistance to their auto insurance policy. Depending on the insurance company, it may include services such as:

• Towing
• Battery jump-starts
• Flat tire assistance
• Vehicle lockout service
• Fuel delivery
• Winching

The exact services, towing distances, limits, and restrictions vary by insurance company and policy. For example, insurers such as Progressive and GEICO offer roadside-assistance coverage with services including towing, jump-starts, tire changes and lockout assistance.

Adding roadside assistance to your auto policy can be inexpensive and convenient. However, there is another factor worth considering: you are using a benefit attached to your insurance policy.

Here is a previous blog post – Why Roadside Assistance Coverage in South Carolina Is Worth Considering (A Myrtle Beach Case Study)

Why Consider a Separate Motor Club Membership?

One advantage of having roadside assistance through a separate motor club is that a roadside service call is handled through the membership rather than through your auto insurance policy.

That means needing a tow because your car won’t start, requesting a battery jump, or using another membership benefit does not require you to submit that roadside-assistance request through your auto insurance policy.

This distinction can be important.

Insurance companies have different underwriting rules, and not every roadside-assistance claim will increase your premium. However, keeping routine roadside service separate from your insurance policy can help reduce the number of small service-related claims or requests associated with that policy.

We generally believe consumers should have a choice. For some drivers, adding inexpensive roadside assistance directly to their auto insurance makes perfect sense. Others may prefer having a separate membership specifically designed for roadside services.

Neither option is automatically right for everyone.

Way.com Motor Club Memberships for Cars

Davis Insurance Associates is licensed to offer Way.com motor club memberships at a discounted rate compared with purchasing directly through Way.com. SEE RATES.

Way’s roadside services can include common problems such as:

• Towing
• Flat tire assistance
• Battery jump-starts
• Lockout assistance
• Fuel delivery
• Winch-out service

Way also offers additional automotive-related membership benefits and savings beyond roadside assistance.

For someone who wants roadside assistance but would rather keep it separate from their auto insurance policy, a motor club membership can be an option worth comparing.

What About Roadside Assistance for Boats?

The same basic decision applies to boat owners.

Many boat insurance policies offer some form of towing or on-water assistance. Depending on the carrier, that coverage can be useful and relatively inexpensive.

However, boaters can also purchase a separate membership from an on-water assistance provider.

For our clients, Davis Insurance Associates can offer Sea Tow memberships.

Sea Tow Memberships for Boat Owners

Sea Tow provides 24/7 boat towing and on-water assistance. Its Gold Card membership includes services such as boat towing, fuel delivery, jump-starts, covered ungroundings, oil or parts delivery, and propeller disentanglements. Sea Tow also states that Gold Card members receive unlimited towing without distance or dollar limits within their home area.

One feature especially relevant to this discussion is that Sea Tow specifically notes that members do not have towing claims to submit to their insurance company.

That makes Sea Tow an option worth considering for boat owners who want their on-water assistance handled separately from their boat insurance.

Davis Insurance Associates can currently offer a one-year Sea Tow Gold Card membership for $200 for the first year, compared with Sea Tow’s regular $249 annual Gold Card price.

Insurance Roadside Assistance or a Motor Club: Which Should You Choose?

There isn’t one answer that works for everyone.

Roadside assistance through your insurance policy may be a good choice if:

• The cost is very inexpensive.
• You prefer keeping everything with one company.
• You don’t anticipate using roadside assistance very often.
• You’re comfortable having the service connected to your insurance policy.

A separate motor club membership may be worth considering if:

• You prefer to keep roadside service separate from insurance.
• You want additional membership benefits.
• You drive frequently or want dedicated roadside assistance.
• You’re a boater who wants dedicated on-water towing and assistance.

The important thing is understanding that you have options.

Compare Your Options Before You Need a Tow

Nobody plans to have a dead battery in a parking lot or an engine problem several miles from the boat ramp.

That’s why the best time to compare roadside and on-water assistance options is before you need them.

Davis Insurance Associates can help our clients compare adding roadside or towing assistance to an insurance policy with purchasing a separate motor club membership.

We currently offer Way.com memberships for automobiles and Sea Tow memberships for boats.

Visit our Motor Club Memberships page for more information or contact Davis Insurance Associates in Myrtle Beach or North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, to learn more.

Disclaimer: Way.com and Sea Tow motor club memberships are not insurance products. Membership benefits, terms, limitations, prices, availability, and services are subject to the applicable membership agreement and may change. Insurance roadside and towing coverage also varies by insurance company and policy. The information provided in this article is for general educational purposes only and should not be considered a guarantee of coverage, benefits, pricing, eligibility, or claim handling. Always review the specific terms and conditions of any membership or insurance policy before making a purchasing decision.