Jeffrey Wade
Road service insurance, also known as emergency roadside assistance, is a type of coverage that helps drivers in the event of a breakdown or other emergency. It typically includes services such as towing, jump-starting a dead battery, changing a flat tire, fuel delivery, and lockout assistance. Some providers also offer additional benefits, such as trip interruption coverage, which reimburses customers for meals and lodging if their vehicle breaks down far from home. Road service insurance can be purchased as an add-on to an existing car insurance policy or through a membership with an auto club. It is designed to provide peace of mind and save money by offering quick assistance in emergency situations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cost | Between $10 and $20 per year as an add-on to car insurance. A basic membership to an auto club like AAA, Better World or National General Motor Club starts at around $50 per year. |
| Services | Towing, jump-start, fuel delivery, flat tire change, locksmith labor, battery service, winching, vehicle lockout, trip interruption coverage, personal property coverage. |
| Availability | Available as an add-on to car insurance policies. Can also be purchased separately through auto clubs or credit card companies. |
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What You'll Learn
Towing services
Road service insurance provides coverage for emergency roadside assistance, including towing services. This means that if your vehicle breaks down and you can't drive it, your insurance company will help pay for the cost of towing it to a repair shop or your preferred destination.
Different insurance companies offer varying levels of towing services. For example, State Farm's emergency road service coverage includes towing to the nearest repair location if your covered vehicle is not drivable. They also offer towing if the vehicle is stuck on or next to a public road. GEICO, on the other hand, offers towing to the nearest repair facility where the necessary repairs can be made. They also allow customers to choose their towing destination, with some mileage limitations.
In addition to towing services, road service insurance typically includes other benefits such as jump-starts, lockout assistance, flat tire changes, and fuel delivery. Some companies, like Travelers Insurance, offer different levels of coverage. Their Premier Roadside Assistance package provides towing services up to 100 miles and includes additional benefits such as trip interruption coverage and personal property coverage.
It's important to note that there may be limitations and exclusions to your towing coverage, so be sure to review your specific insurance policy. For example, some policies may have mileage limitations or exclude towing costs beyond what it would cost to tow your vehicle to the nearest repair facility.
Overall, having road service insurance with towing services can provide peace of mind knowing that help is just a phone call away if your vehicle breaks down.
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Flat tires
If your insurance policy does not cover flat tires, there are still other options for assistance. Many roadside assistance programs offer help with flat tires, including tow services to a tire repair shop or tire replacement services. Basic roadside assistance plans typically cost around $40 to $60 per year and cover basic services such as flat repair and towing. Some companies offer more extensive plans that can cost more. When choosing a roadside assistance program, consider the towing limits and whether the company charges any fees or deductibles at the time of service.
If you feel comfortable changing a tire yourself, make sure your car is in park with the parking brake on and follow these steps:
- Check that your spare tire is in good shape and properly inflated.
- Place wheel wedges in front and behind the tire you are changing.
- Use a lug wrench to remove the nuts from the wheel.
- Lift the vehicle with a jack until the flat tire is off the ground.
- Remove the flat tire and replace it with the spare.
- Tighten the nuts by hand, then use the lug wrench to tighten them further.
- Lower the vehicle and remove the jack.
To prevent flat tires, it is important to properly maintain your tires. Check your tire pressure regularly and keep your tires properly inflated. Take your vehicle to a tire shop for balancing, rotating, and aligning your tires to ensure they are fitted properly. Check your tires' tread at least once per month, and replace your tires if the tread is worn.
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Jump-starting a dead battery
Road service insurance, also known as emergency roadside assistance coverage, is an option that can be added to your car insurance policy. This insurance covers common expenses incurred during a vehicle breakdown, such as towing, locksmith services, and mechanical labour.
Park the working vehicle close to the one with the dead battery
The two cars should be parked either parallel or facing each other, with their engines within two feet of one another. This ensures that the jumper cables can easily reach both batteries without being stretched too tightly.
Turn off both vehicles and engage the parking brakes
Before you begin the jump-starting process, it is important to turn off both vehicles and engage the parking brakes. This step is crucial for safety reasons and ensures that the vehicles do not move during the process.
Connect the jumper cables correctly
The correct order for connecting the jumper cables is as follows:
- Connect the red clamp (positive) to the positive terminal (+) of the good battery.
- Connect the other red clamp (positive) to the positive terminal (+) of the dead battery.
- Attach the black clamp (negative) to the negative terminal (-) of the dead battery.
- Attach the other black clamp (negative) to an unpainted metal surface on the engine block of the working car, away from the battery.
- Start the working vehicle and allow it to charge
Start the engine of the working vehicle and let it run for a few minutes to charge the dead battery. If the dead car doesn't start right away, check the connections and wait a little longer.
Attempt to start the vehicle with the dead battery
After a few minutes, try turning the key in the car with the dead battery to start the engine. If it doesn't start, wait a few more minutes to allow the battery to charge further.
Remove the jumper cables in reverse order
Once the dead car is running, it's important to carefully remove the jumper cables in the reverse order they were connected. First, remove the black clamp from the working car's engine block, then the black clamp from the dead battery. After that, remove the red clamp from the positive terminal of the dead battery, and finally, remove the remaining red clamp from the positive terminal of the working car.
Keep the jumped car running
If the dead battery was due to a one-time issue, such as leaving the lights on, let the engine run for at least 20-30 minutes to allow the alternator to recharge the battery fully.
Consider taking the scenic route
Even after a successful jump-start, your battery may still need some extra time to recharge fully. Consider taking a longer route to your destination to give your battery more time to recover.
Schedule a battery test
A dead battery is a sign that your battery is due for a replacement. Consider scheduling an appointment with a local mechanic or service technician to have your battery tested and, if necessary, replaced.
Remember, if you feel unsure or unsafe at any point during the jump-starting process, it is always best to call for professional help. Additionally, always refer to your car owner's manual for specific instructions related to your vehicle.
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Fuel delivery
Road service insurance, also known as roadside assistance, is an optional add-on to your car insurance policy. It covers emergency services for your vehicle if you are stranded on the side of the road. This includes fuel delivery, jump-starting a dead battery, towing, flat tire service, and locksmith services.
Running out of gas can be a stressful experience, but road service insurance can help alleviate that stress. Fuel delivery is a service offered by many road service insurance providers. If you run out of gas, your insurance provider will bring fuel directly to your vehicle. In some cases, the delivery and service are free, and you only need to pay for the cost of the fuel.
Some insurance providers, like AAA, offer different membership levels that may include fuel at no extra cost. With AAA, for example, Plus, Plus RV, and Premier Members get free fuel with their emergency fuel delivery service, while Classic Members must pay for the fuel at the market rate.
Other insurance providers, like Progressive, offer fuel delivery as part of their 24/7 Roadside Assistance coverage. This extra coverage can be added to your policy and includes other services such as towing, winching, jump-starts, vehicle lockout, and flat tire assistance.
It's important to note that the availability and specifics of fuel delivery services may vary depending on your insurance provider and your specific policy. Be sure to review your policy or contact your insurance provider to understand the fuel delivery services included in your road service insurance coverage.
Additionally, some companies, like Root, offer roadside assistance as a standalone service that you can request through their app, providing help when you need it, regardless of your insurance provider.
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Lockout assistance
Road service insurance, also known as emergency roadside assistance, is an optional add-on to your car insurance policy that provides assistance when you're stranded due to car trouble. This could include a range of issues, from a flat tire or dead battery to more serious mechanical problems. With lockout assistance, you can get help with locksmith labour to unlock your vehicle if you're locked out. This is usually limited to a certain amount of time, typically up to one hour of labour.
The cost of lockout assistance is typically included in the overall price of the road service insurance package. When purchasing road service insurance, you can choose from different levels of coverage, including basic roadside coverage and more comprehensive options. The cost of the insurance will depend on the level of coverage you select and other factors such as your driving history and the state you live in, as coverage options may vary by state.
It's important to review the specific terms and conditions of your road service insurance policy to understand the limitations and exclusions of lockout assistance. For example, there may be restrictions on the number of times you can use the service or the distance the locksmith needs to travel to reach you. Additionally, while the labour cost for lockout assistance may be covered, you may still need to pay for any replacement keys or locks required.
Overall, lockout assistance as part of road service insurance can provide peace of mind, knowing that you have a reliable option to get back into your vehicle if you ever lock yourself out. This feature can save you time and money, especially when combined with other services offered by road service insurance, such as towing and labour costs for vehicle breakdowns.
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Frequently asked questions
Road service insurance, also known as emergency roadside assistance coverage, is an option that can be added to your car insurance policy. It covers the cost of emergency roadside services, such as towing, jump-starting a dead battery, changing a flat tire, and lockout assistance.
The benefits of road service insurance include saving money, as well as providing peace of mind. Without a plan, roadside services can be very expensive, especially if your car breaks down far away from home. Most drivers with roadside assistance use it multiple times per year, which lowers the cost of each service.
The cost of road service insurance varies depending on where you purchase it. If added to your car insurance policy, it usually costs between \$10 and \$20 per year. Purchasing a membership to an auto club like AAA generally starts at around \$50 per year, but you'll get additional perks like rental car discounts.
You can purchase road service insurance by adding it to your car insurance policy or by buying a membership with an auto club. Most car insurance companies offer roadside assistance as an add-on, but benefits and costs can vary by company. Auto clubs such as AAA, Better World, or National General typically include benefits like discounted rates on rental cars and other travel perks.
