Whether auto insurance covers labour depends on the type of repair needed and the cause of the problem. Standard auto insurance policies typically don’t cover repairs related to normal wear and tear or mechanical failures. However, some companies offer additional coverage options, such as roadside assistance or towing and labour coverage, that may cover these costs. This type of coverage is usually an inexpensive add-on and can be beneficial if you need assistance with a flat tire, a dead battery, or if you run out of gas.
What You'll Learn
- Towing and labour coverage is optional
- It covers towing, tire changing, gas, oil, water delivery, battery services, and lockout services
- You need comprehensive and collision coverage to be eligible for towing and labour coverage
- You can add towing and labour coverage to your policy at any time
- Towing and labour coverage is usually inexpensive
Towing and labour coverage is optional
Towing and labour coverage is an optional add-on to your auto insurance policy. It covers the cost of towing your car to a repair shop and the labour charges at the place of the breakdown. This includes services such as jump-starting a dead battery, changing a flat tire, providing lockout assistance, and delivering gas, oil, and water.
This coverage is especially useful if your car breaks down and you need assistance. Without it, you will have to personally pay for the towing and labour costs, which can be expensive, depending on the distance to the nearest repair shop.
It's important to note that towing and labour coverage usually doesn't include the cost of materials. For example, if you run out of gas, the coverage will pay for someone to bring you fuel, but you will have to pay for the fuel itself out of your own pocket.
The coverage limits and specific inclusions can vary between insurance carriers, so it's essential to carefully review the terms of your policy. Additionally, some insurance companies may require you to have comprehensive and/or collision coverage before offering towing and labour coverage.
Towing and labour coverage can provide valuable peace of mind and help you avoid unexpected expenses in the event of a breakdown. However, it is not mandatory, and you may already have similar coverage through another service, such as an auto club membership.
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It covers towing, tire changing, gas, oil, water delivery, battery services, and lockout services
When it comes to auto insurance, it's important to understand what is covered by your policy and what isn't. While basic auto insurance policies typically cover liabilities to other people and their property, they may not cover repairs to your own vehicle. This is where towing and labor coverage comes in.
Towing and labor coverage is an optional add-on to your auto insurance policy that provides assistance when your car breaks down and cannot be driven. This coverage includes services such as towing your car to a nearby repair shop, changing a flat tire, delivering gas, oil, or water, providing battery services, and helping with lockouts. These services can be invaluable when you're stranded on the side of the road and need immediate assistance.
The specific services covered under towing and labor insurance may vary depending on your insurance carrier. Some common services included are:
- Towing: Covers the cost of towing your vehicle to the nearest repair shop when it cannot be driven. This can save you a significant amount of money, as towing charges can be expensive, especially if you're far away from the city.
- Tire changing: Assists with changing a flat tire so you can get back on the road quickly.
- Gas, oil, and water delivery: Provides you with essential fluids like gas, oil, or water if your vehicle runs out unexpectedly.
- Battery services: Offers assistance with starting a dead battery, so you don't have to worry about being stranded with a car that won't start.
- Lockout services: Helps you get back into your vehicle if you're locked out, which can be a lifesaver if you accidentally lock your keys inside.
It's important to note that towing and labor coverage typically provides reimbursement payment. This means you'll need to pay for the service upfront and then file a claim with your receipt to get reimbursed. Additionally, most insurance companies offer this coverage only if you have physical damage coverage, which includes comprehensive and collision insurance as part of your policy.
By adding towing and labor coverage to your auto insurance, you can have peace of mind knowing that you'll be covered for these essential services if your vehicle breaks down. This type of coverage can be especially useful if you drive an older car that is more likely to experience breakdowns or if you frequently drive long distances.
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You need comprehensive and collision coverage to be eligible for towing and labour coverage
If you want to be covered for towing and labour costs, you will need to add this as an optional extra to your car insurance policy. However, most car insurance companies will only offer towing and labour coverage if you already have comprehensive and collision coverage in place.
Comprehensive coverage will protect you from damages caused by vandalism, theft, natural disasters, and other acts of nature, as well as collisions with animals. Collision coverage will protect your car from any accident, no matter who is at fault, including collisions with objects and damage from road hazards.
Towing and labour coverage will pay for the cost of towing your car to a repair shop when it is unable to be driven, as well as covering a specified amount of necessary labour charges at the place of the breakdown. This includes gas, oil, and water delivery, battery services, and lockout services.
Towing and labour coverage is not mandatory, but without it, you will have to pay for the cost of towing and labour yourself. The premium for towing coverage is typically low, and it is worth checking whether you already have this coverage through an auto club membership.
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You can add towing and labour coverage to your policy at any time
Adding towing and labour coverage to your auto insurance policy is a great way to ensure you're covered in the event of a breakdown. This optional coverage, often referred to as roadside assistance, offers protection against unexpected costs and hassles associated with car breakdowns. While some insurance companies include this in their full-coverage insurance policies, others offer it as an add-on, and you can add it to your policy at any time.
Towing and labour coverage typically includes the cost of towing your vehicle to a mechanic when it can't be driven, as well as labour costs incurred at the location of the breakdown. This includes services such as delivery of oil, gas, and water, battery services, and lockout assistance. It's important to note that this coverage usually doesn't include the cost of parts.
The premium for towing coverage is generally low, ranging from $10 to $15 per month on average. However, it's worth comparing stand-alone roadside assistance plans and prices to find the best coverage for your needs. You can also ask your insurance agent about reimbursement amounts, the number of claims allowed per year, and the impact of longer-distance tows.
Towing and labour coverage can be a valuable addition to your policy, especially if you drive frequently or outside the city. It provides peace of mind and financial protection in the event of a breakdown, ensuring you get the help you need without breaking the bank.
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Towing and labour coverage is usually inexpensive
If you've ever been stranded on the side of the road with a broken-down car, you know how valuable towing and labour coverage can be. This type of coverage, also known as roadside assistance, is an optional add-on to your car insurance policy that can provide peace of mind in case of unexpected car troubles. While it may not be mandatory, it can be a lifesaver when you need assistance with a flat tire, a dead battery, or a lockout.
Towing and labour coverage typically includes services such as towing your vehicle to a nearby repair shop when it cannot be driven, changing a flat tire, delivering gas, oil, or water, and providing battery services. It's important to note that this coverage usually has a maximum number of uses per year, and it often follows the car rather than the driver, so it may not apply if you're driving a friend's car.
The good news is that towing and labour coverage is usually inexpensive. Most major auto insurance carriers offer this coverage at a low premium, and it can save you a significant amount of money in the event of a breakdown. For example, without coverage, you can expect to pay between $75 and $125, on average, for a tow truck. With towing and labour coverage, you can avoid these unexpected costs and rest assured that assistance is just a phone call away.
When considering whether to add towing and labour coverage to your policy, it's important to compare stand-alone roadside assistance plans and prices to find the option that best suits your needs. Additionally, if you're a member of an auto club, you may already have similar services included in your membership, so duplicating coverage may not be necessary.
In conclusion, while towing and labour coverage may not be mandatory, it can provide invaluable assistance when you're faced with car troubles. With its low cost and comprehensive benefits, it's a worthwhile addition to your car insurance policy that can offer peace of mind and financial savings when you need it most.
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Frequently asked questions
Auto insurance may cover labor, but only in certain circumstances. If you have comprehensive and collision coverage, your policy may include roadside assistance, which covers labor at the spot where your car needs assistance. This includes labor for services such as changing a flat tire, delivering gas/oil, or providing lockout assistance. However, labor at an auto repair shop once your car has been towed is generally not covered.
Roadside assistance, also called towing and labor coverage, is an optional coverage that you can add to your auto insurance policy. It covers services such as towing, flat tire changes, and locksmith services if you're stranded on the side of the road.
If your auto policy only includes liability coverage, it probably doesn't include roadside assistance. You can add roadside assistance to your policy as a rider for around $5 to $15 per car.
The specific services covered depend on your insurance carrier. In addition to towing, roadside assistance typically covers fuel or battery delivery and locksmith services. Some providers offer multiple tiers of coverage with different distance limits for towing.
Most car insurance policies do not cover towing due to a mechanical issue unless you have roadside assistance coverage added to your policy. However, if you are involved in an accident caused by another driver, subsequent towing may be covered by the at-fault driver's insurance.