Is it possible to purchase additional roadside assistance in addition to your auto insurance?
In the event of an unexpected mishap, such as when you have a flat tyre or your car breaks down, roadside assistance can be of great assistance. Roadside assistance is a resource that can teach you how to get help in precarious situations like these.
Help on the Side of the Road for Emergencies
The majority of us will at some point face an emergency that requires us to make a 911 call while we are behind the wheel. Naturally, calling on the assistance of a close friend or member of the family is frequently the most effective course of action. However, it is also possible for it to take place when we are very far away from home or in the middle of the night. Or, the problem might be so severe that we require the assistance of a professional.
There is nothing more frustrating than getting stuck somewhere and having a difficult time determining who can come to help you out of the situation. A significant number of businesses are inaccessible outside of normal business hours, on weekends, and at ungodly hours of the night.
It's possible that some insurance providers will let you add roadside assistance to your policy or make a request for it at the time of an emergency. It's possible that this solution will cost you money, but it could be your best bet if you're in a sticky situation in the middle of the night and don't have anyone else's number handy to call for help.
One company that provides emergency roadside assistance is Allstate. Due to the pay-per-use nature of the "Good Hands" programme offered by Allstate, having an insurance policy is not even required there.
On a lengthy road trip, anyone could wake up in the middle of the night to find that one of their tyres has a flat spot. On the other hand, if you decide to get roadside assistance from your insurer or some other source, it might make the entire situation a little less stressful.
How Assistance from the Roadside Can Be of Service to You
Make sure to inquire about the availability of roadside assistance when you are purchasing your auto insurance policy. It's possible that your insurance provider will give you the option to select a roadside assistance programme or endorsement that you can add to your policy. It's possible that you'll have a variety of options to choose from, each offering a different level of coverage.
Flat tyre change: Got a flat? Here are some of the most common emergency roadside assistance coverages you should ask about: Simply dial the toll-free number, which is available around the clock. The customer service representative for the emergency roadside assistance will dispatch someone to the location in order to change the tyre there and then.
Towing in an emergency: If the flat tyre can't be fixed on the spot, or if another mechanical problem occurs and the vehicle needs to be towed to a repair shop, the towing may be covered under the policy as well.
A dead battery, being locked out, or losing your keys: You forgot to turn off the lights. Because the battery has been discharged to this point, the vehicle will not start. The assistance for emergencies will arrive, and they will take care of that as well. In addition, if you misplace your keys or lock them inside the vehicle, the company will send a locksmith to your location to help you gain access to the vehicle or they will make you new keys.
Gas: If you find yourself in a situation where you are out of gas, the company may send someone with gas to assist you in getting back on the road.
Breakdown of a vehicle's mechanical components: If you experience a breakdown of your vehicle's mechanical components and need to be towed to the closest service station, roadside assistance can usually help you. However, there is a possibility that the breakdown itself will not be covered. This is something that would probably only be covered if you had insurance that covered mechanical breakdowns (MBI).
Charges, as well as Deductions
Many companies that provide emergency roadside assistance make most of their services available at no cost at the time they are rendered. This means that there will be no out-of-pocket expenses incurred at the time of service if, for instance, a repairman who is sent by the roadside service company has to come out to change a flat tyre or assist with another covered repair.
The customer only needs to sign a form when the repair is complete, and then they can get back on the road. Therefore, if you don't want to have to pay any fees out of pocket for roadside assistance, make sure you choose a company that doesn't charge any fees or deductibles at the time of service. This will ensure that you won't be required to pay any fees out of pocket.
Questions That Are Typically Asked (FAQs)
How much does it cost to get roadside assistance?
Plans that provide basic roadside assistance typically range in price from approximately $40 to $60 per year and include coverage for essential services such as flat tyre repair and towing. Some automobile manufacturers provide extended service contracts that can be purchased for a significantly higher price.
How far will emergency roadside assistance tow your vehicle?
Tow limits for standard emergency roadside assistance plans typically range anywhere between 5 and 25 miles. There are a lot of different carriers out there, and many of them offer optional policy upgrades that can extend your towing limits to either 100 or 200 miles.
How do I call roadside assistance?
You can file a claim for roadside assistance with many different insurance companies directly through their mobile apps or websites these days. Your insurance card should also include a number that you can call to place a request for roadside assistance. You can find this number by looking at the back of your card. If you are unable to locate that number, you can get more information by calling the office of your agent.