Car Insurance With Roadside Assistance And Towing: Everything You Should Know
Unexpected events might occur at any time when you’re driving, such as a flat tire, a dead battery, or even a car that simply won’t start. For this reason, it is quite wise for drivers in the United States to have auto insurance that includes roadside assistance and towing.
This post will define this kind of coverage, outline its typical contents, discuss its significance, and show you how to identify the best solutions for your requirements.
What Is Roadside Assistance and Towing Coverage?
An optional feature that you can include in your auto insurance policy is roadside assistance and towing coverage. It assists drivers in resolving typical vehicle issues that leave them stuck while driving.
Your insurance provider can send assistance directly to your location and cover the costs, up to the limits of your plan, saving you the trouble of finding a tow truck or having to pay for a jump start out of pocket.
What Does Roadside Assistance Usually Cover?
The majority of roadside assistance plans cover the following, though specific services may differ throughout insurance companies:
- Towing service: Your vehicle will be transported to a local repair facility if it breaks down or becomes unusable.
- Change your flat tire: A technician will swap out your flat tire with a spare.
- Battery jumpstart: Someone will come and jumpstart your automobile if the battery dies.
- Lockout service: A locksmith will assist you in getting back into your vehicle if you inadvertently leave your keys inside.
- Delivery of fuel: If you run out of gas, someone will bring you fuel, however you might have to pay for it.
- Winching: Roadside assistance can aid you in getting your car out of a ditch, mud, or snow.
Why Is Roadside Assistance Important?
Occasionally, even the most dependable cars may experience issues. For those unforeseen circumstances, roadside assistance and towing coverage provide piece of mind.
- It’s a wise addition for drivers for the following reasons:
- In tense situations, you don’t need to look for assistance.
- You can save money on emergency services and towing.
- No matter where you are, services are available around-the-clock.
- It keeps you and your family safe when you drive every day and on road trips.
Does Every Car Insurance Policy Include Roadside Assistance?
Roadside assistance and towing are not always included in auto insurance plans. Typically, it’s an optional feature that you can add later or when you buy your insurance policy.
While some insurance companies provide it as a stand-alone plan, others combine it with premium packages or full coverage plans.
Top Car Insurance Companies Offering Roadside Assistance and Towing in the USA
If you’re considering adding roadside assistance to your car insurance, here are a few well-known insurance companies in the USA that offer reliable services:
GEICO
- Roadside assistance is available around-the-clock for jump starts, towing, changing flat tires, and lockout services.
- can be inexpensively added to the majority of policies.
- accessible via the GEICO smartphone application.
2. State Farm
- State Farm auto insurance plans allow for the addition of roadside assistance.
- includes information about lockout assistance, jumpstarting, fuel delivery, and towing.
- Simple claims using their helpline or mobile app.
3. Progressive
- Provides roadside assistance through services like winching, fuel delivery, towing, and lockout assistance.
- Includes towing to the closest authorized repair facility.
- Accessible as a reasonably priced policy supplement.
4. Allstate
- offers roadside assistance via a membership program or their auto insurance.
- includes coverage for trip interruption, battery maintenance, tire changes, and towing.
- Both policyholders and members are eligible for roadside assistance.
5. Nationwide
- provides roadside assistance and towing as an add-on.
- includes winching, tire changes, jumpstarts, and lockout help.
- Both liability and full coverage plans might include it.
How Much Does Roadside Assistance Cost?
Depending on your insurance company and coverage restrictions, the price of adding roadside assistance and towing to your auto insurance can change.
Generally speaking:
- As an add-on to your auto insurance, it usually costs between $10 and $30 annually.
- AAA and other stand-alone roadside programs have annual fees ranging from $60 to $120.
- It can be a wise investment for your safety and peace of mind if you drive frequently or travel great distances.
Things to Check Before Buying Roadside Assistance
Here are some crucial points to consider before including this coverage in your policy:
- Service limits: Find out how many service calls you are permitted to make annually.
- Limit on towing distance: Some insurance only allow towing up to a specific distance before incurring additional costs.
- Availability: Verify if the roadside assistance program is open around-the-clock all around the country.
- Check to see if an average wait time is guaranteed.
- Details of coverage: Recognize the precise services that are covered and any that are not.
Is Roadside Assistance Worth It?
Including roadside assistance in your auto insurance is absolutely something to think about if you don’t currently have one and would prefer not to pay hefty towing or locksmith costs out of pocket.
Having coverage could pay for itself the first time you need it, as even a single towing bill can cost $75 to $150 or more.
It’s very helpful if
- Your car is older.
- You take road vacations or drive a lot.
- You reside in a remote or rural location.
- You like the ease of calling for emergency assistance just once.
Final Thoughts
A cheap and easy method to guard against life’s minor auto issues is to get auto insurance that includes roadside assistance and towing. Having coverage ensures that you won’t be left stranded and under stress in the event of an unexpected breakdown, dead battery, or flat tire.
Make sure to evaluate several insurance companies, comprehend the costs and limitations, and select the plan that best suits your driving preferences and financial situation.
