I don't like phones myself, but since I always drive alone, I consider mine insurance. I also have AAA, and those two, plus 911 if necessary, are all I need beyond the usual car insurance.
I have Tracfone, and have for years. I live in CA and can call my kids in Texas, it is always on and I have had absolutely no problems with it. Like I said, I don't like phones, but in today's world they are necessary, especially when a woman travels alone.
With Tracfone, you buy the phone, costs from 10 dollars to 30, and a year's card with 400 minutes of air time for about 100. That is for ONE YEAR, and should you use all the 400 minutes up (I never have) then you can buy more minutes, from 30 to 90 and probably more, not too sure on that. With the added minutes, you put the card's number on line or on the phone and immediately you have that many more minutes added to that phone. You can use that phone for years, or get a new one each year and transfer your phone number to the new one.
There's no contract, no surprises on costs.