What Allstate Motor Club Membership Is
Allstate Motor Club is a roadside information membership program sold by Allstate Insurance. When you join, you pay an annual or monthly fee in exchange for services like towing, lockout information, fuel delivery, and jump-starts if your car breaks down or you get stranded. You call a dedicated phone number, and the Motor Club dispatches help to your location.
The membership is separate from your car insurance policy — you can have it whether or not you carry Allstate auto insurance. Some people buy it as standalone coverage; others add it to an existing Allstate policy. The program operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Motor Club membership is not the same as roadside information coverage that comes built into some insurance policies. It is a distinct product with its own terms, limits, and cost. Understanding what it covers and what it does not is important before you decide whether it makes sense for your situation.
Key Takeaways
- Allstate Motor Club covers towing, lockouts, jump-starts, fuel delivery, and fluid delivery, with specific mileage and service limits depending on your membership tier.
- You pay a separate monthly or annual fee for Motor Club membership, and this cost is in addition to any car insurance premium you pay Allstate.
- When you need help, you call the Motor Club phone number on your membership card, and a dispatcher sends a service provider to your location.
- The membership covers your vehicle regardless of where you are, though some services have distance limits and you may pay out-of-pocket if you exceed them.
- Motor Club membership does not cover mechanical repairs, parts, or labor — it only covers the dispatch and transport of your vehicle to a repair facility.
What Services Are Included in Motor Club Membership
Allstate Motor Club covers several roadside services, though the exact coverage depends on which membership tier you choose. The most common services are towing (up to a certain mileage limit), lockout information, jump-starts for dead batteries, fuel delivery if you run out of gas, and fluid delivery for coolant or other fluids.
Towing distance limits vary by membership level. A basic tier might cover towing up to 7 miles, while a higher tier covers up to 100 miles. If you need towing beyond your plan's limit, you typically pay the difference out of pocket. The Motor Club does not cover the cost of repairs themselves — only the cost of getting your vehicle to a repair shop.
Lockout service means a technician will come unlock your car if you are locked out. Jump-start service sends someone to start your car if your battery is dead. Fuel delivery brings gasoline to your location if you run out. These services are usually included with no distance limit, though some plans cap the number of times you can use them per year.
How Much Allstate Motor Club Membership Costs
Allstate Motor Club membership is not free. You pay a monthly or annual fee, and the cost depends on which tier of service you choose and whether you bundle it with an Allstate insurance policy. Bundling often costs less than buying Motor Club standalone.
Exact pricing varies by state and changes over time, so you should contact Allstate directly or check their website for current rates. Some employers or membership organizations (like AAA alternatives) offer discounted Motor Club rates to their members, so it is worth asking if you may have access to for a discount through work or a group you belong to.
When you sign up, you will receive a membership card with the Motor Club phone number printed on it. Keep this card in your vehicle or store the number in your phone so you can reach them quickly if you need help.
How to Use Your Motor Club Membership When You Need Help
If your car breaks down or you get stranded, call the phone number on your Motor Club membership card. A dispatcher will answer, confirm your membership, and ask for your location and a description of the problem. They will then send a service provider — usually a towing company or roadside information contractor — to help you.
The dispatcher will give you an estimated arrival time. While you wait, stay in or near your vehicle and keep your phone line open. When the service provider arrives, show them your membership card and let them know what you need (towing, jump-start, lockout help, etc.).
For towing, the service provider will load your vehicle and transport it to a repair facility of your choice, up to your membership's mileage limit. For other services like jump-starts or lockouts, the provider will complete the work on the spot. You should not have to pay anything at the time of service if the work is covered by your membership.
What Motor Club Membership Does Not Cover
Motor Club membership covers only roadside dispatch and transport — not the actual repair of your vehicle. If your car needs new parts, labor, or mechanical work, you pay for that separately. The membership gets your car to the shop; the shop bills you for the repair.
Motor Club also does not cover accidents, collisions, or damage claims. If you are in a crash, you file a claim with your auto insurance, not with Motor Club. Motor Club is for breakdowns and roadside emergencies, not for accidents.
Some services have annual use limits. For example, your plan might cover up to four lockouts per year, or six jump-starts. Once you hit the limit, additional calls for that service may not be covered. Check your membership documents to see what limits explore to your tier.
Motor Club Membership vs. Roadside information on Your Insurance Policy
Many auto insurance policies include roadside information coverage as an add-on or built-in benefit. This coverage is similar to Motor Club membership — it covers towing, lockouts, jump-starts, and fuel delivery — but it is part of your insurance policy, not a separate membership.
The main difference is how you pay. Roadside information on your insurance policy is bundled into your premium, while Motor Club is a separate fee. Some people prefer Motor Club because they can buy it without buying insurance from Allstate. Others prefer insurance-based roadside information because it is one bill and one phone number instead of two.
If you already have roadside information through your auto insurance, you may not need Motor Club membership. However, if your insurance roadside coverage has low mileage limits or you want backup coverage, Motor Club could be worth the extra cost. Compare the two to see which offers better coverage for your needs.
When Motor Club Membership Makes Sense
Motor Club membership is most useful if you drive an older vehicle that breaks down more often, drive long distances regularly, or live far from repair shops. If you drive a newer car under warranty and rarely travel far from home, you might not use it enough to justify the cost.
Motor Club is also worth considering if your auto insurance does not include roadside information, or if the roadside information on your policy has very limited coverage (such as towing only 5 miles). In those cases, Motor Club fills a real gap.
If you already have roadside information through your insurance and it covers towing to 100 miles or more, Motor Club is probably redundant. However, some people buy both as backup — if one service is overwhelmed, they can call the other.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Allstate Motor Club if I don't have Allstate insurance?
Yes. Motor Club membership is sold separately from insurance. You can buy it as a standalone product whether or not you carry Allstate auto insurance. However, bundling Motor Club with an Allstate insurance policy usually costs less than buying it alone.
What happens if I need towing beyond my membership's mileage limit?
You pay the difference out of pocket. For example, if your plan covers 50 miles of towing and you need 75 miles, you typically pay for the extra 25 miles. The Motor Club will tell you the additional cost before they dispatch the tow truck, so you can decide whether to proceed.
Do I have to use a specific repair shop, or can I choose where my car is towed?
You can usually choose where your car is towed, within reason. Tell the dispatcher which shop you prefer, and they will tow your vehicle there. If you do not have a preferred shop, the dispatcher can recommend one nearby.
Can I cancel my Motor Club membership anytime?
Cancellation policies vary depending on whether you pay monthly or annually and whether your membership is bundled with insurance. Contact Allstate directly to understand the cancellation terms for your specific membership. Some plans allow cancellation anytime, while others have minimum commitment periods.
Does Motor Club cover rental cars or borrowed vehicles?
Motor Club typically covers only vehicles listed on your membership. If you are driving a rental car or borrowing someone else's vehicle, you may not be covered. Check your membership documents or call Motor Club to confirm coverage for vehicles other than your own.