How Towing Insurance Works and What It Covers
Demystify towing insurance: learn how it works, what coverage provides, and how to obtain and activate roadside assistance.
Towing insurance, often referred to as roadside assistance, provides financial protection for drivers when their vehicle becomes inoperable. This coverage helps manage costs associated with vehicle breakdowns, offering support beyond standard auto insurance policies. Its primary purpose is to alleviate the financial burden and logistical challenges that arise when a vehicle cannot be driven.
Understanding Towing Coverage
Towing insurance covers a range of incidents and services designed to get a disabled vehicle to a repair facility. Common services include vehicle towing, often with specified distance limits or to the nearest qualified repair shop. Policies also encompass other roadside assistance needs like flat tire changes, battery jump-starts, and fuel delivery. Lockout services and minor mechanical adjustments that can be performed on-site are common inclusions.
Coverage limits are a standard feature, dictating the maximum towing distance or a dollar amount per service call. Understanding these limits is important to avoid unexpected out-of-pocket expenses. Common exclusions involve towing due to illegal activities, off-road recovery situations, or pre-existing mechanical issues. Towing after an accident might fall under collision or comprehensive coverage rather than standard roadside assistance.
Activating Towing Insurance
Activating towing insurance involves a process to secure assistance. The first step is for a policyholder to contact their insurance provider or roadside assistance program. Many providers offer hotlines or mobile applications for requesting service.
Upon contact, the policyholder will need to provide necessary information to the dispatcher. This includes the exact location of the disabled vehicle, its make and model, and a description of the problem. Having policy information or membership details readily available is important. After relaying the details, the policyholder waits for the dispatched service provider to arrive.
Many towing insurance policies handle billing directly with the service provider, meaning the policyholder does not need to pay upfront for covered services. In some cases, however, the policyholder may need to pay the service provider directly and then submit a claim for reimbursement to their insurer. To facilitate reimbursement, retain itemized receipts and any required documentation for submission.
Obtaining Towing Coverage
Drivers have several avenues for acquiring towing insurance or roadside assistance. One common method is adding it as an endorsement or optional coverage to an existing auto insurance policy. Many insurance companies offer this as an add-on, with annual costs typically ranging from $5 to $30. This option can integrate roadside protection into one’s overall vehicle coverage.
Another option is standalone roadside assistance programs, such as auto clubs like AAA or other independent providers. These programs operate on a membership basis, providing services regardless of the driver’s primary auto insurance carrier. Membership costs for these services can range from approximately $50 to $180 per year.
Some credit cards offer complimentary roadside assistance, though these often come with limitations, such as a flat fee or maximum towing distance. Vehicle manufacturers also include complimentary roadside assistance with the purchase of new or certified pre-owned vehicles, often for a duration of several years or a specified mileage.