Getting yourself a flat tire or even running out of gas sometimes disrupt your daily commute or derail a vacation road trip. An estimated 69 million breakdowns happen on America’s roadways every year, roughly equivalent to one for every three drivers.
Road assistance insurance usually comes in handy when your vehicle is damaged and leaves you stranded. There are several ways for you to get coverage, and prices can vary from around $0 and above. Here is how to compare.
What is Roadside Assistance Insurance
Roadside assistance insurance is designed to help you if you run into vehicle issues while you are on the road or even at home. The range of services it covers usually varies. But generally, you might be covered for things like:
- Towing to the nearest repair location
- Replacement of a flat tire
- Jump-start if your battery goes dead
- Locksmithing services if you get locked out
- Fuel delivery if your car ran out of gas
- Extrication if your car gets stuck in the mud, snow, or a ditch
- Rental car discounts if you require to rent a car temporarily
Roadside assistance coverage is different from regular auto insurance. Auto insurance is built to protect you and your vehicle in case of accidents, theft, vandalism, or damage related to acts of nature. Also, it can cover repairs to the vehicle, as well as medical expenses and personal liability for injuries to some other people or their property. You might be able to get roadside assistance as a part of your auto insurance policy, but the two of them are different things.
How Roadside Assistance Insurance Works
Assuming you have emergency aides’ protection, you can utilize it like you would some other protection. In particular, assuming that you have what is happening that you think needs help, you’d begin by calling the organization you have your inclusion through. Some emergency aides suppliers likewise have a portable application you can utilize.
The roadside assistance company would quickly check your policy to see if the problem with your vehicle is covered, and you would need to explain the kind of problem you’re having with it. If this is the case, a partner company, such as a towing company, would be sent to your location to assist you. Any out-of-pocket expenses that are not covered by your roadside assistance policy would be your responsibility. You would also be responsible for paying the deductible if the policy has one.
Where Can I Get Roadside Assistance Insurance
There are several ways for you to get your hands on roadside assistance insurance coverage, and it includes:
- Car insurance companies
- Roadside assistance membership services (such as AAA)
- Vehicle manufacturer’s warranty
- Cell phone company
- Credit card company
- Membership organizations
Two of the most important things that you need to consider when comparing roadside assistance insurance are what’s covered and what you would need to pay for. In terms of cost, you might be required to pay $15 to $60 per year for coverage through your current car insurance policy. Having to enroll in a roadside assistance membership plan might actually cost anywhere from $50 to 360 a year.
Credit card companies might not charge a separate fee for this coverage; instead, it would be included as a card benefit. But you might still be making an annual fee for the card itself and there might be some out-of-pocket costs that you might be required to pay to take advantage of this feature. Cell phone companies may also offer this as an add-on to your account. Depending on the type of plan you are making use of, this may or may not require a small monthly fee.
If you are purchasing a new or newer car that’s still covered by the manufacturer’s warranty, free roadside assistance services might be added automatically. You also can ask the dealer whether it’s included, what it covers, and how long it lasts.
Do You Need Roadside Assistance Insurance?
At the moment, there is no legal requirement for you to have roadside assistance insurance, as there is in most states with regular car insurance.
When you are making the decision on whether it is worth purchasing roadside assistance, you need to consider things like:
- The condition and the age of your car
- The number of people in your household that drive your vehicle
- How many miles do you usually drive in a year
- How often do you commute versus taking road trips that are longer
- How adept you or other members of your household are when it comes to handling minor car troubles, which includes a flat tire?
Regular maintenance and service can reduce the likelihood of a breakdown in your vehicle. Furthermore, if you only drive short distances frequently, dealing with car issues may not be a major problem. But if you are still worried about being stranded on the side of the road, then roadside assistance insurance can get you some peace of mind.
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