About Roadside Assistance Insurance

Roadside assistance insurance may just be the most helpful auto insurance in which you ever invest in. While there are many types of automobile insurance, roadside assistance insurance can pay for itself in just one road call. What is there to know about roadside assistance insurance beyond the very well-known AAA? Here are the essentials.

Function

The major function of roadside assistance insurance is to provide repair, towing and other assistance to drivers who need emergency repairs and assistance while traveling. Many roadside assistance policies also will cover the cost of emergency services if your car won't start at home. In addition, many emergency roadside assistance insurance policies offer other features and savings for automobile owners.

Benefits

Roadside assistance may pay for the cost of roadside repairs like changing a flat tire, replacing a broken fan belt or jump-starting a car. It may also cover the cost of a tow truck to your home or to the service station of your choice, or for locksmith services if you accidentally lock your keys in the trunk. In addition, many emergency roadside assistance insurance policies offer at least partial coverage for other expenses incurred when your car breaks down. The specific benefits offered vary from one insurance company to the next.

Types

There are two major categories of roadside assistance insurance--standalone polices and riders that can be added to your other automobile insurance to extend your coverage to roadside emergencies. The best known standalone roadside assistance insurance is offered by AAA, formerly the American Automobile Association. AAA offers 24-hour roadside assistance in any emergency as well as many discounts and free services for automobile owners. While there are other providers for roadside assistance insurance, the only other that comes close to being as well known is the Better World Club.

Roadside assistance coverage is also often included or offered as an extension to standard automobile insurance policies. These policies are often less expensive than standalone roadside assistance, but seldom offer the same level of benefit. In addition, using roadside assistance offered by your auto insurance company may increase your insurance premiums by raising your loss profile with the insurance company.

More recently, many other providers have stepped up to offer roadside assistance insurance. These include credit card companies, cell phone providers and car makers. The newest roadside assistance plans are offered in conjunction with services like OnStar, which uses GPS and other high-tech solutions to help you with everything from changing a tire to finding an open restaurant at 3 a.m.

Features

All roadside assistance insurance policies offer some basic features. Those features include free (or reimbursed) towing, delivery of gas and/or coolant fluids, jump-starting a dead battery, changing a flat tire or unlocking your car if you accidentally leave your keys inside. Other features are not as universal. Those features include discounts with travel agencies, shopping discounts with major merchants,discounts on other insurance products, special auto loan deals and services, auto monitoring and reminder services and free or discount services for basic automobile maintenance.

Considerations

As more providers enter the automobile roadside assistance business, the array of plans available can become extremely confusing. If you are trying to decide whether to choose a stand-alone plan like AAA or use a roadside assistance plan offered by your cell phone provider, insurance company or other business, these are some of the things you should consider.

Some roadside insurance plans only cover you if you are driving your own car. Others will cover you in any car as long as you are driving and still others will cover you in any car, even if you are a passenger. One, the Better World Club, will even cover you if you are riding your bicycle when misfortune strikes.

Depending on the roadside assistance plan, you may only be covered for towing to a dealership, or to a repair shop within a specific number of miles from your breakdown. Other plans allow you to choose your destination, and may offer discounts on mileage outside their stated mileage limits.

Roadside assistance that comes with a service like OnStar offers extra safety reassurance. Because your automobile is equipped with technology that reports back to the service center, your car can actually call for help even if you can't.

Be sure to check the fine print of any roadside assistance program that you are considering. There may be unexpected limitations on the circumstances in which you can call for help. For instance, some roadside assistance insurance providers will not cover service for emergencies caused by fire, flood or theft.

Expert Insight

Consumer Reports, one of the nation's oldest consumer monitoring and testing agencies, makes the following recommendations about choosing roadside assistance insurance.

If you buy a new car and it is your only vehicle, opt for the service plan that comes with your new car.

If you own more than one car, or if there is more than one driver in your family, consider an auto club stand-alone policy.

If you frequently travel far from home, look for a roadside assistance insurance plan that includes a generous towing allowance and insurance for trip interruption.

Resources

• Consumer Reports article on roadside assistance insurance
• AAA Roadside Assistance website
• Better World Club website

Photo Credit

[e-mail]