Car troubles can happen, and they are never easy to fix. Sometimes, batteries fail, alternator belts wear, tires flatten, or people run out of gas. If your car dies unexpectedly, you will be left on the sidelines, late for the engagement, frustrated, and out of pocket.
Drivers have the option of roadside assistance, which allows them to receive help when they most need it. You can call to have a tow truck from a towing company in Brockton MA sent to your vehicle to fix it. You and your family can get a ride to safer places than the side of highways.
This guide will explain exactly what roadside help is. It will also describe what it covers, and doesn’t cover, how much it should cost and where you can find it. By the end of this guide, you’ll find the right coverage for you.
Roadside Assistance and Why You Need It
Roadside assistance is a bundle of services that can help you when your car has problems. These services can send professionals to your location to help you, whether on the sidelines, garage, or driveway. Here are some things you should know:
- The experts can repair your vehicle or get it moving quickly, depending on the severity of the problem.
- This service includes changing a flat tire or jumping-starting a dead cell.
- You can then drive to an auto shop for additional assistance.
- For more complex situations, such as an overheated motor or faulty alternator, the roadside assistance provider will need to arrange a tow truck so you can take your vehicle to service.
A tow truck’s price can be prohibitive. However, this can help you avoid a significant financial burden in stressful situations. Before you start shopping, let’s discuss what a roadside assistance policy covers.
What does Roadside Assistance cover?
Each provider will have a different coverage plan, but generally, they will cover the cost of having a professional come to your location to do basic repairs on your vehicle. These are just a few examples of the services that these plans usually cover:
- If you cannot repair your car quickly, you can tow it.
- Helping you unlock your car if you lock yourself out.
- If you run out, we can deliver gas.
- Jump-starting your battery.
- Change your tire and put on your spare.
- If your vehicle is stuck in the snow or mud, you can winch it out or lift it.
These are the most popular services, but other providers may offer additional benefits such as trip interruption coverage or glass repair.
What Roadside Insurance Does NOT Cover
Roadside assistance plans won’t pay for major repairs to your vehicle. Instead, these plans are designed to help you get your car back on the road quickly so you can later seek more extensive auto repair services.
Although many insurance companies offer roadside coverage, they are not an alternative to auto insurance. It doesn’t cover any damage to other drivers’ cars or vehicles caused by accidents.
What Should Roadside Assistance Cost?
Roadside service plans are similar to auto insurance in that they can vary significantly in price depending on the provider and how much coverage you want. The cost of your plan will depend on many factors, such as:
- There are limits to the distance they will tow your vehicle.
- There are limits on the number of calls you can make per year.
- How much the provider will pay for fuel.
- Additional services such as trip interruption, locksmithing, or discounted rental car prices are available.
Where to Buy Roadside Protection
You will first need to ensure that you have roadside assistance. Many auto insurance companies include essential services in their auto policies. To see precisely what your policy covers, you can look at it. You can go to several places if they do not include roadside assistance coverage or if you need more coverage than your policy offers.
Your Auto Insurance Provider
You can add roadside assistance to your policy even if it doesn’t. All major auto insurance companies, including Farmers, Allstate, Progressive, USAA, USAA, and Geico, offer options for customers to add roadside coverage to their policies.
Third-Party Insurance
These services are not available through your insurance company. However, many third-party providers will gladly serve you at a reasonable rate. The AAA is the most popular. These services offer a complete package at an affordable annual cost. While AAA membership will be more expensive than adding auto coverage, it comes with many other benefits that many drivers consider worth the extra cost.
Better World Club is another option for third-party suppliers. BWC, America’s only green car club, offers roadside assistance services and a commitment towards being 100% carbon neutral.
Make a Plan – Don’t get stuck on the side of the road
No matter which option you choose, it is essential to have a plan of how to get help if you are ever left on the sidelines. We know that every driver needs help from time to time. We hope we have helped you choose the best plan and provider to provide the right services at the right price.
