A flat tire or running out of gas can disrupt your daily commute or ruin a vacation road trip. An estimated 69 million breakdowns occur in the U.S. each year, which equates to about one in every three drivers. Roadside assistance insurance will come in handy if your vehicle is stranding you. There are various ways to get insurance, and prices can range from $0. Here’s how to compare.
Key Takeaway:
About one-third of drivers experience vehicle breakdowns that require roadside assistance each year.
Roadside assistance insurance can cover a variety of situations, from flat tires to towing to work stoppages.
Auto insurance companies, AAA, and your credit card issuer are some options for getting roadside assistance insurance.
Having this insurance does not necessarily mean that you will not have some out-of-pocket expenses.
Roadside Assistance Insurance: What Is It?
Roadside assistance insurance is designed to help you encounter vehicle breakdowns on the road or even at home.
The range of services it covers may vary. But in general, you may be covered for:
Towed to the nearest repair location
for a flat tire replacement
when the battery is dead, start
the locksmith service, if you are locked
out of gas when providing fuel
, if your car is stuck in mud, snow or ditches, rescue
if you need a temporary rental car, rent a car discount
Roadside assistance insurance is different from standard car insurance. Car insurance is designed to protect you and your vehicle against accidents, theft, vandalism, or damage related to natural disasters. It can cover vehicle repairs, as well as medical expenses and personal liability for injury to others or their property. You may be able to get roadside assistance as part of a car insurance policy, but they are two different things.
Note:
Whether you qualify for roadside assistance insurance through your car insurance company or anywhere else may depend on the age and mileage of your vehicle.
How Roadside Assistance Insurance Works If
you have roadside assistance insurance, you can use it like any other plan.
Specifically, if you think you need help with a situation, call the company you covered first. Some roadside assistance providers also have mobile apps that you can use.
You will need to explain the type of vehicle problem you are experiencing, and Roadside Assistance will quickly review your policy to ensure it is covered. Assuming so, a partner company, such as a towing company, will be sent anywhere you are to help you. You will be responsible for paying any out-of-pocket expenses not covered by the roadside assistance policy. If the policy has a deductible, you are also responsible for paying.
Note that
there may be restrictions on how far a vehicle can be towed without incurring additional towing fees.
There are several ways to get roadside assistance insurance from where to get roadside assistance insurance
, including:
Car insurance company, roadside assistance membership services (such as AAA),
vehicle manufacturer’s warranty
, mobile phone company, credit card company
, membership
organization
The two most important things to consider when comparing roadside assistance insurance are coverage and what you’ll pay for it. In terms of cost, you may pay between $15 and $60 per year through your current car insurance policy. The cost of signing up for a roadside assistance membership program can range from $50 to $360 per year.
Credit card companies may not charge a separate fee for this insurance; Instead, it is included in the card benefits. But you can still pay an annual fee for the card itself, and you may have to pay some out-of-pocket costs to take advantage of this feature. Mobile phone companies may also offer it as an add-on to your account. Depending on the type of plan you have, this may or may not require a small monthly fee.
If you’re buying a new or new car that is still covered by the manufacturer’s warranty, free roadside assistance may be automatically available. You can ask the reseller if it includes it, what it covers, and how long it lasts.
Note:
Roadside assistance insurance provided as part of the car manufacturer’s warranty usually lasts for a certain period of time or a certain number of miles.
Membership of some member organizations can also unlock roadside assistance benefits. For example, if you belong to a university alumni association or professional organization, you can get a membership to AAA or similar services at a discounted rate.
When looking at roadside assistance coverage, pay close attention to what is included in the policy and the exclusions that may apply. For example, there may be limits to the towing company you can use or the number of covered vehicles. If you’re not the only one driving your car, it’s also helpful to ask about adding multiple drivers to your policy. This may involve additional costs.
There may be a limit to the number of service claims you can make per year through a roadside assistance insurance policy.
Do you need roadside assistance insurance?
There is no legal requirement to purchase roadside assistance insurance, as most states have regular auto insurance.
When deciding whether it’s worth purchasing roadside assistance, consider the following:
Age and condition
of the vehicle, the number of
people in your home who typically drive your vehicle, how many miles
a year you typically drive, how often
you commute and take long road trips, and how
skilled you or other family members are in dealing with minor car breakdowns, such as replacing flat tires Maintaining good maintenance and regular maintenance of your vehicle helps minimize the chance of breakdowns. And if you usually only drive short distances, dealing with a car breakdown may not be a major inconvenience in the event of a car breakdown.
However, if you’re worried about getting stuck on the side of the road, roadside assistance insurance can give you peace of mind. Be sure to compare costs and coverage so you know what you’re getting. If you buy insurance through a car insurance company, ask if there are any discounts that can save you money.
