What Is Towing and Roadside Assistance Coverage?
What is towing and roadside assistance coverage, and how does it help?
Written by
Christine Lacagnina has written thousands of insurance-based articles for TrustedChoice.com by authoring consumable, understandable content.
Reviewed by
Cara Carlone is a licensed P&C agent with 20 years of experience. She has her P&C license in RI and TX and holds CPCU, API, and AINS designations.
Whether your engine caught fire, you ran out of gas, or you've been in an accident, aside from ensuring your safety and the safety of your passengers, the first priority should be removing your car from the road. But what if it's late at night, or you're miles away from home or civilization? That's when your towing and roadside assistance coverage can save the day.
A local independent insurance agent can help you get towing and roadside assistance coverage included in your car insurance policy. But first, here's an overview of towing and roadside assistance coverage and why you'd need it.
What Is Towing and Roadside Assistance Coverage?
Towing and roadside assistance is an optional type of coverage that can be added to standard car insurance policies. It can cover many unfortunate incidents that can occur on the road, including engine shutdowns, dead batteries, accidents, and more. If you end up stranded while out on the road, your towing and roadside assistance coverage can pay for a professional service to come out and tow your vehicle or perform necessary mechanic services to help you get your car home or to a repair shop.
What Does Towing and Roadside Assistance Cover?
The list of covered services under towing and roadside assistance can vary by carrier and policy, but typical policies cover:
- Towing
- Tire changes or flat tire fixes
- Locksmith/key replacement
- Mechanical labor
- Jump starts
- Fuel delivery
- Winching (i.e., pulling your car out of mud, snow, ditches, etc.)
- Trip interruptions (e.g., reimbursement for food and lodging if you're stranded more than 50 miles away from home)
Be sure to look for a policy that offers 24/7 roadside assistance. Your independent insurance agent can help you find coverage that's available for you, no matter when you need it.
How Much Does Towing and Roadside Assistance Coverage Cost?
Depending on the type of towing and roadside assistance and the insurance company you choose, you can expect to pay between $10 and $20 per year for this coverage. Considering the amount of coverage you get, that's not much to add to your overall car insurance premium.
You can also get roadside assistance coverage with a membership to an auto club like AAA, Better World, or National General. These memberships usually start at around $50 per year, which is more than what a typical driver would pay to add the coverage to his or her car insurance.
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Does Your Car Warranty Include Roadside Assistance?
It's becoming more common for car manufacturers to offer limited roadside assistance as part of their warranty. But be aware that many car warranties expire after three to five years, and some only offer towing services to a specific dealership. Review your vehicle's warranty information to decide if adding towing and roadside assistance coverage to your car insurance makes sense.
Do I Need Towing and Roadside Assistance Coverage?
No matter how reliable you think your car is, every vehicle has a risk of breaking down eventually. Even a newer car can get a flat tire and leave you sitting in a parking lot with no way to get home.
The good news is that some auto insurance policies include towing and roadside assistance, so this coverage isn't always an add-on with an extra charge. But if you choose not to add roadside assistance coverage and find yourself stranded one day, you could be stuck with a hefty bill that includes charges like:
- $99 and above for towing, on average
- $75 for lockout services, on average
- $75 for flat tire changes, on average
- $75 for dead battery changes, on average
You could also find yourself having to pay for the cost of lodging, meals, and more if you're stranded away from home and don't have towing and roadside assistance coverage. Considering the average price of a hotel room for a single occupant is around $130 per night, you can easily see how much more affordable adding a towing and roadside assistance endorsement to your car insurance policy is for most people.
When to Consider Adding Towing and Roadside Assistance
Towing and roadside assistance coverage is more beneficial for some people than others. If any of the following apply to you, you might want to consider adding this coverage to your car insurance:
- Having a long work commute
- Taking long or frequent road trips
- Owning an older vehicle
- Lacking experience in vehicle maintenance or repairs, such as changing a tire
- Lacking the budget for emergency car services
For those with older vehicles, longer commutes, etc., having towing and roadside assistance coverage as part of a complete car insurance policy makes the most sense.
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The Benefits of Working with an Independent Insurance Agent
You might not be aware of whether your existing car insurance includes towing and roadside assistance, or you may just be starting to look for the right coverage. Either way, an independent insurance agent can help you find all the coverage you need. They'll get you matched to the policy that offers the best overall blend of coverage and cost. And down the road, they'll be there to help you file claims or update your coverage as necessary.
https://www.valuepenguin.com/roadside-assistance-car-insurance/
https://www.pacaso.com/blog/average-vacation-cost/