Top Reasons To Buy Roadside Assistance Insurance

Emergency roadside assistance insurance (ERS) provides 24-hour on-site aid in the event of a breakdown, flat tire, empty gas tank, or of locking yourself out of a vehicle. While the services provided by a roadside assistance policy vary, potential services include the following:

• Tow truck services.

• Gas delivery.

• Oil delivery.

• Locksmith services.

• Tire changing.

• Battery jumping.

• Labor for vehicle repairs, up to a predetermined amount.

 

Top 3 Reasons to Purchase ERS Insurance

Below are three of the most important―and attractive― reasons to purchase emergency road service coverage.

1) Roadside Assistance Insurance Helps Most Drivers

Of course ERS insurance will help every driver who has it, but it's especially helpful to certain subsets of drivers.

In addition to the benefits of free towing services and repair labor services, general maintenance and manual labor services are particularly helpful to people with limited knowledge of automobiles. For example, for the person who doesn’t know how to change a flat tire, having roadside assistance can the difference between walking and driving to the nearest tire repair shop.

Roadside assistance is also available for motorcycles. If you are a beginner rider just learning to handle your first bike, or if you are riding a new model type not yet familiar to you, you might want to consider purchasing motorcycle roadside assistance coverage.

2) ERS Insurance Packs Plenty of Benefits

The more roadside assistance coverage you purchase, the more services you will have at your disposal. Also, purchasing additional roadside assistance coverage might lift certain auto insurance limits, such as the number of times per year you can take advantage of roadside services, and the number of miles your vehicle can be towed without charge.

Purchasing additional roadside assistance might also provide coverage for additional drivers or multiple vehicles.

3) Roadside Assistance Isn't Expensive

Roadside assistance is fairly inexpensive, considering the amount it can save you in towing and repair expenses. The actual cost of roadside assistance depends on the car insurance provider, and the amount of services the policy includes. You can compare roadside assistance rates and policy details online, or by contacting the Insurance Department in your state.

 

Before Purchasing Roadside Assistance Insurance

Before purchasing emergency road service coverage, be sure to read the fine print. Many basic roadside assistance plans have certain limits, such as:

• How far a vehicle can be towed free of charge.

• How often you can take advantage of roadside services.

For example, say you ask for a vehicle to be towed to your regular mechanic 29 miles away, not knowing that your policy only covers towing within a five-mile radius. What this means is that, while the first five miles of the trip might be covered under your policy, you will have to pay for the remaining 24 miles out of pocket.