Battery issues
Whether you need a jumpstart or your battery is faulty and needs to be replaced, most technicians can help on the spot.
Roadside assistance insurance helps with a wide range of motor vehicle problems beyond just breakdowns, such as locking yourself out of your car or waking up on the morning of a road trip to a dead battery.
Coverage depends on your provider and how much insurance you can afford. However, most insurance companies include:
There are several reasons people need roadside assistance.
Whether you need a jumpstart or your battery is faulty and needs to be replaced, most technicians can help on the spot.
If you accidentally lock your keys in your car, your provider helps you access your vehicle, or contact a locksmith.
Mobile technicians normally carry an emergency supply of gasoline.
Sometimes you just can’t get the engine running.
Replacing a tire is a hard and dirty job. Even if know you can do it, there are plenty of reasons to call for help.
Many providers offer to tow your vehicle if it is within their size and weight limits. If your vehicle gets stuck, you can get help getting it back on the road.
Sometimes roadside assistance comes as part of your premium, but usually you have to pay for it. Many insurers offer roadside assistance as an extra to a comprehensive car insurance policy.
Alternatively, with membership-based roadside assistance, you can usually choose from different levels of coverage. Popular membership-based programs include CAA and Canadian Tire roadside assistance. This ranges from cheaper options that includes a limited number of calls per year, basic mechanical assistance and towing, to top-of-the-line coverage that helps with replacement rental cars and accommodation. Roadside assistance may also be included in your credit card perks.
No. Roadside assistance is part of your car insurance coverage, but using it won’t raise your rates like making a claim would. However, if you abuse the service, your insurer may charge you a higher premium upon renewal, or refuse to renew your policy.
Motor clubs like CAA offer full-service packages that include roadside assistance. While some insurers offer roadside assistance as an add-on, it’s generally more limited.
Policies vary across insurers, but you can generally expect coverage to look like:
Compare insurance providers that offer roadside coverage
Roadside assistance membership programs usually cost around $60 to $80 or more a year, but there are cheaper options. Memberships usually include access to emergency assistance and a free hour of labor. But you’ll need to pay for any fuel, parts or supplies to get your vehicle back on the road.
They sometimes include a few free tows within a certain distance. So if the repair shop you choose is outside that range, you’ll likely be charged for extra kilometres.
Prices for roadside assistance vary depending on your area and local service providers, but shopping around to compare your options can help you save money.
Roadside assistance is normally limited to small-scale mechanical problems. Usually you won’t be covered for:
Major providers typically allow you to become a member when your car breaks down, but they’ll charge you an additional “on-the-go” fee. This fee also applies to calls usually within 24 to 72 hours after you purchase membership.
Some stand-alone services charge a flat rate for each call for assistance. So, instead of joining a membership program for a year and forking out an additional on-the-go fee, you only pay for the one-off help you need. This can be a lot cheaper than taking out membership on the spot for a tire change. However, stand-alone assistance rapidly becomes more expensive if you need to make more than one or two calls in a year.
Whichever option you choose, always read the terms and conditions to know exactly what you’re covered for.
If roadside assistance is available through your insurer, cell phone or credit card company or automaker, you may get a good price since you’re already a member. However, dedicated roadside assistance companies and motor clubs can provide greater coverage and a number of other benefits that you might not get elsewhere.
Here are a few things to consider when comparing roadside assistance services.
Once you’re eligible for roadside assistance, you’re covered no matter where you are. Most province-based organizations have reciprocal arrangements, meaning you can use the service even if you’re out of province or country.
Like other coverage, roadside assistance covers a specific vehicle, rather than a specific driver. So in most cases, it doesn’t matter who is driving the car, as long as the car is covered for roadside assistance.
With some organizations, if you’re already a member but the car you’re in is not covered, you’ll need to pay an on-the-go fee, but usually at a discount.
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