Basic service gives me the confidence that someone can hear me, and I can hear them.
Obviously if you do want to talk to someone, you are probably better off at getting traffic advisories where available. If it is radar derived even better. In the US it is called Flight Following. Internationally it is known as FIS.
Basic Service implies non-radar. You pass them your details, they collect it on a strip, only to trash it later. They don't even have to pass it to the next guy. And 10 minutes later they have no clue where you've gone if you don't tell them anything. It's a useless tie up of the frequency. You'll be far better off by just listening in.
If you just want to check you radio, go to 121.5 or 123.45 and see who can hear you.
If something happens, I've only got to press that button on the control column. Worth more than any FPL.
You can never plan for this. What if your radio fails at that moment? What if your distress call gets stepped on?
A FPL would already hold your details if you so wish to file one. Obviously the intention of any well designed modern system is that it should be electronically distributed appropriately. And if you don't close your flight plan, any sensible country would automatically initiate overdue action.