Roadside assistance insurance is an option that comes with your car insurance and sometimes with a cellular service plan. This type of supplement to your current automobile insurance generally includes some form of towing service. Unfortunately, some drivers have several misconceptions regarding how the roadside assistance 24-hour towing services work. Here are some key things to know about towing services and your roadside assistance insurance.
Distance
Many people assume that the 24-hour towing services limit how far they will drive your car in an emergency. The actuality is the way the mileage limits are determined by the roadside assistance providers. In some cases, the rule for mileage is based on the nearest auto shop. There are also some insurance companies that offer roadside assistance through 24-hour towing services where the car is towed to the towing service of the insurance's choice. The rules for this are not determined by the towing service, but by the roadside assistance option you have chosen.
Flat Tire Services
One of the most common services available from 24-hour towing services is a flat tire service. This is also one of the most common services offered through roadside assistance insurance providers. The flat tire service means the company will arrive at your location and help replace the flat tire with an emergency tire or they will help you get it back on the road with a plug fix service to plug the hole causing the flat tire. The owner of the roadside insurance must be present or be able to give permission for the use of the insurance.
Gas Services
There are times when you may run out of gas during a long road trip or on the way home from work. If you are not within walking distance of a gas station, you may need to use your roadside assistance and call a 24-hour towing service. This is an ideal way to use your roadside assistance, especially in the middle of the night on a rural stretch of road. You can get the gas you need and stay in the safety of your car as your wait.
Before you have a roadside emergency, make sure you understand how your roadside assistance insurance works. Check with your insurance to determine if you must use a 24-hour towing service in a particular insurance network. Also, prepare yourself for the services the towing company provides and which ones are out-of-pocket expenses.
Contact a 24-hour towing service near you to learn more.