Life is full of uncertainty. For example, when you drive on the road, your car may break down suddenly. When such a thing happens, it is a major hassle. To make that hassle a little less major, many companies offer Emergency Road Service coverage.
Almost every auto insurance policy includes an Emergency Road Service coverage. Generally, a car insurance company will work with businesses that offer roadside assistance services, or employ a team to contact and arrange services on their customer’s behalf. The driver’s location, vehicle, and circumstances determine which service provider is sent to them. The closest and most appropriate service providers are more likely to be dispatched. Below is an introduction about what Emergency Road Service coverage includes.
- Towing Service
When the Emergency Road Service fails to make a vehicle drivable again, a towing service will be provided. Your roadside assistance provider will tow your vehicle to a mechanic up to a limited number of miles. If you want or need your vehicle towed beyond that limit, however, they will charge you extra.
- Battery Jump-Start Service
Unless otherwise advised by the manual, the battery jump-start service tries to start a vehicle by jump-starting the battery. Since every electric car operates differently on the road, the car owners should strictly refer to the operational manual. For example, hybrid vehicles use a battery that powers the electric motor to turn over the gasoline engine. So, hybrid vehicles do not need a jump-start if they break down.
- Replace Flat Tire
A service professional will come to your location and replace a flat tire with the spare inside your vehicle if you are a member of emergency roadside services. Emergency roadside services for an automobile do not undertake a flat tire for any two or three-wheel vehicles.
- Lockout Service and Locksmith Service
When a driver cannot enter their own car, they will need the lockout and locksmith service. Lockout service means that an emergency roadside service professional helps a driver open the car. The service professional usually uses a pump wedge or a long reach tool to unlock the door. A locksmith service will be called if the roadside service professional cannot gain entry to the vehicle. Some emergency roadside assistance coverage does not cover the cost of a locksmith while others partially cover the cost.
- Fuel Delivery Service
Drivers may run out of gas while driving. When this happens, a service professional will come to the driver’s location with enough fuel so that the driver can drive their car to the nearest gas station. Some emergency roadside services charge for the fuel, and others do not. Those that do charge will use the area’s pump price to determine the fuel fee.
- Extrication or Winching Service
If a car is constrained or stuck, the driver will need the extrication or winching service to move it. Additional costs typically will be added if it takes more than one service professional and truck to dislodge the vehicle.
Featured image: DepositPhotos – Justaman
