Roadside assistance is a service provided by various companies to help drivers who have run out of gas, have a flat tire or are locked out of their car. Some of these services are free, while others cost a fee for use. The most common way to get roadside assistance in indianapolis is through an auto insurance company as an add-on policy or included in a car warranty. It is also available through credit cards and automobile clubs. Many cellphone providers like T-Mobile and Verizon offer roadside assistance as a standard benefit for a monthly add-on cost per phone line. Several major auto manufacturers include roadside assistance services as part of the limited-time manufacturer warranty for the vehicle.
Should You Buy Roadside Assistance Insurance?
Roadside assistanc services are valuable for both individuals and businesses. If you find yourself stranded with a flat tire on a busy highway, or in the middle of nowhere on a country road after dark, having access to a reliable provider to change that tire or get your car started again may make all the difference. In addition, roadside assistance can save businesses money when their vehicles are down. Fleet managers are often faced with the challenge of finding a qualified service professional to come to their vehicle location in an emergency, which can delay driver schedules and increase costs.
The key factor when deciding whether to purchase roadside assistance is the specific coverage you need and how much you are willing to pay for it. For example, some services are free, while others have limits like the number of calls a person can make or the amount they will cover for towing and other services. You should also consider whether the plan follows the driver or the car, and how far a provider will travel to reach you for roadside assistance.
In addition, many of these plans also have different features like roadside assistance tips and tricks, or discounts on other services like hotel stays or restaurant meals. The cheapest options for getting roadside assistance are credit card providers, which often have plans that range from $0 to $15 per year per card, and some automobile manufacturers, which offer such services for the first few years or miles of the vehicle or as part of a limited-time manufacturer warranty. You can also sign up for membership with third-party providers who specialize in such services, like AAA or Better World Club, which offer a variety of annual plans with different towing mileage limits.
In addition to traditional roadside assistance plans, some car insurers are integrating this feature into their telematics software platforms. This allows drivers to contact their insurance provider, which can then dispatch a qualified service professional to the vehicle location in real time. Some apps even allow the customer to track the service professional, similar to how a pizza delivery app can show you the status of your order. Some providers even promise help will arrive within a certain time frame, depending on the region.