Discover the importance of roadside assistance services and how they provide essential support during vehicle breakdowns and emergencies
Roadside assistance is an inexpensive way to protect yourself in unforeseen circumstances. If you are not prepared, a car breaking down can be a stressful experience, whether in secluded areas or on highways. Roadside assistance is a specially designed service to help you in such situations. It includes services like towing, jump-starting, and changing flat tires. Since there are many roadside assistance providers in the market, let us help you choose the one that fits your needs.
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What is Roadside Assistance?
Roadside assistance services can help drivers who face unexpected car trouble. This service can help you fix a flat tire, charge a dead battery, or have any other mechanical problems. The type of services vary from one roadside assistance provider to another. A variety of organizations provide roadside assistance services. This includes car insurance companies, automobile clubs, and government agencies. While ideally this service is offered as an add-on to car insurance policies, you can also purchase them separately.
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Types of Roadside Assistance and Services They Give
Roadside assistance service aims to help motorists experiencing a breakdown or roadside emergencies. Some of the commonly offered roadside assistance services include:
- Jump-starting a dead battery
- Changing a flat tire
- Towing a disabled vehicle
- Providing fuel
- Delivering a spare key
- Unlocking a locked vehicle
- Providing roadside medical assistance
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Importance of Roadside Assistance
Roadside assistance is quite important for a peaceful journey. Whether you are on a city road or a scenic highway, a car can break down anytime and ruin your plans. The situation can be worse if you are in a secluded area. If you don’t find any help, things can turn stressful and dangerous quickly. In such cases, roadside assistance can be a lifesaver. It promises essential support during unexpected car troubles. Let’s take a closer look at the key importance of roadside assistance:
Convenience
The convenience of having roadside assistance is unmatched. You don’t need to find a mechanic or a tow truck. You can simply call your roadside assistance provider, and they will send help.
Cost savings
Roadside assistance can also save you repair costs. Many service providers offer plans with a free tow to a nearby repair shop. This can save you a lot of money if your car breaks down in a remote area.
Emergency services
Selecting a good roadside assistance plan will also provide access to emergency services like lockout assistance or fuel delivery. This can save you a lot of unnecessary trouble if you leave your keys in the car by mistake or run out of fuel in a remote area.
Peace of mind
Getting roadside assistance will allow you to travel without worry. Knowing that you can help in case of an emergency offers peace of mind.
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The Cost of Roadside Assistance
Roadside assistance costs depend on the service provider and the vehicle type. The level of coverage also varies. There are three types of Roadside Assistance:
Basic coverage
The basic roadside assistance plan usually costs between Rs 92,000 and Rs 95,000 per year. These plans services like changing a flat tire, delivering fuel, and jump-starting a dead battery.
Enhanced coverage
This plan typically costs between Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000 per year. It includes services like lockout assistance, fuel delivery, and towing the vehicle to a repair shop.
Premium coverage
The premium roadside assistance plans cost more than 910,000 per year. You will get services like rental car reimbursement, trip interruption coverage, and even hotel accommodations.
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Does Vehicle Insurance Have Roadside Assistance?
Vehicle insurance typically covers the cost of repairs or replacement if your car is damaged in an accident. However, some of these policies include roadside assistance services that can help customers if their car breaks down or faces other problems.
Which Insurances Have Roadside Assistance?
There are three types of insurance that offer Roadside Assistance:
Comprehensive insurance
This type of insurance covers damage to a car that is not caused by an accident. This includes theft, vandalism, and fire. However, some comprehensive insurance policies also include roadside assistance as a standard feature.
Third-party insurance
Third-party insurance covers damage caused by your car. This includes property damage or injuries to other people. This type of insurance typically does not include roadside assistance.
Standalone roadside assistance
This policy only provides roadside assistance. Standalone roadside assistance is a good option for people who don’t have comprehensive or third-party insurance. You can also add this option to your existing policy that does not include roadside assistance.
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Which Insurance Does Not Have Roadside Assistance?
- Liability insurance
- No-fault insurance
If you are found liable for an accident, liability insurance can cover the cost of legal fees and damages. On the other hand, no-fault insurance pays for your medical expenses and lost wages. It does not matter who is at fault in this case. Both of these insurance types are designed to cover financial losses. So, they do not typically include roadside assistance/ practical assistance.If you have any of these insurances, getting a standalone roadside assistance policy is a good idea. You can drive peacefully and not worry about a car breaking down. Additionally, these policies typically cost less than comprehensive or third-party insurance.
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How to Purchase the Best Roadside Assistance for Your Vehicle
Getting a good roadside assistance service is a great idea. Here are a few things you should keep in mind while purchasing roadside assistance for your car/ bike:
Consider your vehicle
Some road assistance plans only cover certain types of cars or motorcycles. For a specialty vehicle, you will need to check with the insurance company to see if your vehicle is covered.
Consider your driving habits
For daily commutes or short-distance travel, basic coverage is sufficient. However, if you frequently go on long drives or trips, it is advisable to get enhanced or premium coverage.
Compare plans
Since there are many roadside assistance plans to choose from, it is important to compare plans before you choose one that fits your needs. Always compare factors like coverage, cost, and customer service of different plans.
Consider your needs
When comparing plans, have a clear idea if you really need enhanced/ premium coverage or if basic coverage is enough. Also, check if you need coverage for all types of vehicles, or just for your car.
Consider your budget:
Roadside assistance plans can range in price from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars per year. It is important to set a budget before you start shopping for plans.
Read the fine print
It is important to read the fine print before picking any plan. In the terms and conditions of the agreement, always look for important details like the deductible amount, the maximum annual mileage allowed, specific services, etc.
Ask questions
If in doubt, always ask the company questions to get a clear idea about a plan and its coverage. By following the above-mentioned tips, you can choose the best roadside assistance for your car/ bike. This will allow you to travel without worrying about scenarios of your car breaking down.
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Conclusion
Roadside assistance is an extremely convenient service to have, In case your car breaks down, it can quickly get you back on the road. Also, this service is a cost-effective way to protect yourself from unexpected accidents. It is advisable to get a roadside assistance service to save you time, money, and stress. A small investment can buy you peace of mind when driving.
