If you have ever found yourself stuck on the side of a road with a broken-down car, you are definitely not alone. Whether it’s a dead car battery or a flat tire, car break downs are common and can happen when we least expect them.
In many cases, it’s expensive to get your car fixed once it gives out. It’s also a huge inconvenience if you happen to be on your way to work or picking the kids up from school. This is why many drivers choose to have roadside assistance coverage on their insurance policy.
What Is Roadside Assistance?
There are many different types of insurance coverage depending on the circumstance you are in. Roadside assistance coverage is a service that lends a helping hand to drivers when their vehicle breaks down. Policyholders will usually pay a yearly fee to keep it a part of their plan. By having roadside assistance coverage, you gain:
- Emergency roadside service: If your car breaks down while you are driving, emergency roadside service will provide you with the help you need to get moving again. These services could include battery charging, fuel delivery, replacing a flat tire, or towing to a mechanic if the necessary repair is something that needs more attention.
- Possible savings on maintenance: If your car breaks down unexpectedly, roadside assistance will cover the maintenance on the vehicle. This means that the driver will not have to pay out of pocket for the emergency services they receive, so long that the cost of repairs is less than or equal to the policy limit.
Roadside assistance differs from regular car insurance coverage in that it covers emergencies, whereas basic car insurance only covers damage from accidents. A manufacturer’s warranty tends to cover parts of the vehicle that are failing, but most likely isn’t going to cover flat tires and fuel deliveries.
When considering adding roadside assistance coverage to your insurance policy, you have options. You can either purchase it through the insurance provider that you already have, or you can add it on to your services that you have from your car manufacturer. Take your time and shop around before making a decision so that you can get the best available price.
What Will Roadside Assistance Cover?
When your car breaks down unpredictably, roadside assistance is there to help. You will have to check with your policyholder to see what your specific coverage offers, but for the most part it will cover:
- Replacing a flat tire.
- Jump-starting a dead battery or charging an electronic vehicle.
- Towing.
- Locksmith services if you lock your keys inside your car.
- Up to an hour of maintenance at the scene of the break-down.
- Fuel delivery.
What Will Roadside Assistance Not Cover?
While roadside assistance is a saving grace in an emergency, it is not a substitute for regular car insurance. In other words, if you’re stranded on the side of the road, roadside assistance has you covered. If your car is severely damaged from a more severe accident, your regular insurance should be used to cover the damages accrued. Either way, if you are ever involved in a car accident, contact the police immediately.
It’s also important to note that roadside assistance coverage only goes so far once you have been helped at the scene. For reference, here are some of the limits to roadside assistance coverage:
- The cost of car repairs in the shop: If your car needs more fixing following the incident, roadside assistance will not typically cover this.
- Unlimited towing miles: There is usually a limit to how many miles your vehicle can be towed from the scene, unless your plan specifically offers unlimited towing miles.
- Gas: Most roadside assistance plans will cover about a gallon of fuel.
- Diagnostic costs: If your car needs to be checked out following the incident, roadside assistance coverage usually will not cover this.
Always make sure that you carefully read the details of your plan before purchasing roadside assistance. There may be rules in place surrounding which cars are covered as well as which drivers are covered.