WHAT DOES ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE COVER?

Roadside assistance as offered by insurance companies varies. Some insurance policies will send out an automotive technician who will attempt to assess your situation and your vehicle and try to get it running again, so it’s driveable. This will save you a tow as you can then take your vehicle to a mechanic when it’s convenient for you and you can immediately be on your way. However, with a seemingly infinite list of things that can go wrong with a car, this may not be an option. In the case your vehicle is undriveable, other roadside assistance includes:

• Towing. Most insurance companies will cover a tow truck within a certain distance. If you’re in the middle of nowhere, your car would be towed to the nearest service station. If you are travelling and want your car delivered further than the service area, you will most likely have an additional charge assessed.
• Battery service. Batteries go dead. Your car will not run without a battery to feed the starter to start the engine. Otherwise known as a jump start, using another vehicle, you can use someone else’s battery to recharge your battery, at least long enough for you to start your engine. Most likely, you will need a new battery. This service can be provided by a nice person as well who may stop and assist you. This is why jumper cables are important to have on hand for emergencies (whether your own or someone else’s). Do note: electric cars work differently and don’t take a traditional jump start. Hybrid vehicles fall into the same category, which shouldn’t need a jump-start because they use the battery which powers the electric motor to turn over the gasoline engine.
• Flat tires. Depending on your insurance provider and your roadside assistance package, some will send out a service professional to fix your flat tire for you by the roadside or will have you tow your vehicle to an automotive repair shop for the tire fix. Unfortunately, most roadside assistance programs don’t offer tire repair services for motorcycles.
• Lockout service. If you locked your keys in the car, most roadside assistance programs will send out a locksmith to allow you to gain entry to your vehicle. Be aware that some service professionals are not locksmiths that insurance companies employ. Hence, there may be a separate charge for a locksmith who most likely is not contracted with the insurance company for payment. Luckily, with keyless entry and smart keys, this is a rarer occurrence than it used to be.
• Fuel delivery service. If your vehicle won’t run because you ran out of gas, roadside assistance may provide for fuel delivery to your location. There may or may not be a charge for the fuel itself, depending on your policy.
• Extrication services. Extrication is when your vehicle is stuck and needs to be towed or winched out. This can be if you slide off the road during a snowstorm, you become stuck in the mud while off-roading (which may not be covered either due to the nature of your activity), or you run your vehicle off the side of a cliff and down an embankment.