Roadside Assistance and Insurance: What You Need to Know ?

For a long time, roadside assistance came in the form of personal help, such as a friend or neighbor, or from designated companies like AAA. But some insurance carriers saw a way to offer this benefit to tempt more customers to sign up for a policy. Learn more about this feature and whether it's worth it for you.

The Nature of Roadside Assistance 

Not every company offers any degree of roadside assistance, so you'll first want to check with the terms of your auto insurance carrier. If your company does offer it, it may not include certain benefits. For example, there will be limits on how far your car can be towed before additional charges set it. For the most part though, it should cover minor repairs that can be quickly made so you can at least drive home.

Is It Worth It? 

This benefit is not necessarily enough to be the only consideration as to whether you choose a certain carrier. You may feel comfortable making many of these repairs yourself or using AAA or a similar service if you can't. However, there's no doubt that this is a valuable service, especially because breaking down on the side of the road can be a harrowing experience.

Things to Consider 

You may think that roadside assistance is only recommended for those with older cars, but the reality is more complex than that. Brand-new cars can just as easily be damaged on the road. For example, few tires can withstand a stray nail in the middle of a highway at 70 miles an hour. Maybe you can change a tire fairly easily when the conditions are right, but if you can't pull off on the shoulder or you don't feel comfortable setting up a jack during rush hour, you're really better off having a professional do it.

Roadside repairs can be more dangerous than drivers realize, especially if they're already stressed from experiencing a breakdown. Ultimately, you'll want to consider everything from your average commute to the age of your car before you decide, but it can be valuable service overall. Whether or not you need it from your car insurance carrier though is up to you.