Glossary
Roadside assistance coverage, defined
An add-on to an auto policy that pays for help when the car breaks down: a tow to a repair shop, a jump start, a tyre change, fuel delivery or a locksmith. It is a service benefit rather than a loss benefit, and using it is not usually treated as an accident claim.
In practice
The limit is typically a dollar amount per incident or a towing distance, and calls above a certain number per year may lead the carrier to drop the endorsement at renewal. Whether a call counts against the policyholder's record varies by carrier; some record it as a claim, which can affect pricing, and asking is worthwhile. It overlaps with auto club memberships, new car warranties and credit card benefits, so a household may already have it twice. Motorcycles, RVs and trailers often need their own version. It does not pay for the repair itself, the parts, or a rental car, and a tow to a shop of the driver's choice beyond the distance limit is billed to the driver.
A worked example
Suppose a policy includes a $100 per-incident limit and a driver's car breaks down thirty miles from town. The tow bill is $180; the carrier pays $100 and the driver pays $80. Suppose she had chosen a tier with a 100-mile towing limit for $15 more a year; the whole tow would have been covered. Hypothetical figures.
Applies to: Auto InsuranceRV Insurance