If you need to have your car towed, get a flat tire or you get trapped in a snow bank, you can take advantage of roadside assistance insurance protection and avoid costly fees and charges for services. Roadside assistance insurance can offset many of the costs when your car breaks down, when you get locked out of your vehicle, or when you run out of gas. If you were paying for help on your own, you could be spending several hundred dollars for services during the emergency. This is why roadside assistance insurance can be such a valuable asset.
What Roadside Assistance Insurance Covers
Roadside assistance insurance plans typically cover the following costs:
– Towing services to a local repair facility or mechanic
– Battery jump-start services
– Flat tire changes on location
– Locksmith services
– Emergency fuel delivery
In most cases, you are given a toll-free number that connects you to an emergency roadside professional. These professionals are often available 24/7 and will be dispatched to your specified location immediately after your call.
How to Get Roadside Assistance Insurance
When you purchase your car insurance policy, make sure you ask your insurance agent if roadside assistance is included in your package. Some car insurance companies offer emergency roadside assistance coverage as part of your regular insurance package, while others charge a fee for services.
You also have the option to get roadside assistance services from a third-party company such as the American Automobile Association (AAA , regardless of which car insurance provider you are working with.
You can get roadside assistance coverage in several ways:
– Through your automaker when you buy a new or certified used car
– Electing additional coverage through your current car insurance provider
– Authorizing roadside assistance protection under your existing car insurance policy
– Through your credit card company
If you think that the fee for additional coverage is too high, you can enroll in a separate program by joining an auto club such as AAA or the AARP. You will need to pay an annual membership fee to be enrolled in this program and to be eligible to receive roadside assistance coverage and other member services. These are considered “full-service” plans because they offer discounts on other services, including travel. You may also have the option to add another car to your plan.
Some credit card companies offer free roadside assistance to their customers. Some Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express cards offer complimentary roadside dispatch services and roadside assistance services to all of their cardholders. Check your credit card’s terms and conditions to see if you are eligible to receive roadside assistance insurance free of charge.