Understanding The 3 Core Features Of Any Roadside Assistance Program

Signing up for a 24-hour roadside assistance plan is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your vehicle for routine daily driving and longer trips. A good roadside assistance plan ensures that help is always available, whether your car leaves you stranded during your morning commute or in the middle of the night on a winter road trip through the mountains. 

However, not all roadside assistance plans offer the same features, and many may come with multiple tiers. Choosing the right plan for your needs requires you to understand what these features mean and how they'll affect your service. While different plans will often offer unique services, most will include these three essential features.

1. Free Towing Miles

Free towing is the primary benefit of paying an annual fee for a roadside assistance plan. In most cases, the annual fee is a much better deal than paying for even a single tow. However, most services also place some restrictions on towing distance. You'll usually receive a certain number of free towing miles each year with your plan. Going over the limit generally means paying an extra fee.

How many miles you need will depend on your usage. If you rarely drive far and your preferred mechanic is relatively close to your home, you may not want to pay extra for additional yearly miles. On the other hand, upgrading to a plan with more miles might make sense if you often drive out of state or your favorite auto shop is more than a few miles away.

2. Yearly Assistance Calls

In addition to a miles allowance, most roadside plans will also limit the number of calls you can make per year. This limit may apply individually to different services, such as towing or jump starts, or the limit may only consider the total number of calls you make. Whatever the case, it's important to know how many times you can call for assistance before you need to pay.

As with free towing miles, it's important to consider your particular situation and use case. Do you drive a relatively new and well-maintained car? If so, you may rarely need more than a handful of calls per year. On the other hand, you may want to opt for a service that offers a greater yearly allowance if you know your car tends to be less than reliable.

3. Battery Service

Nearly all roadside assistance programs offer roadside battery assistance. This service can help give you a jump start if you find your car unresponsive on a cold morning, but it can sometimes be even more valuable than that. Some plans may also offer additional features, such as battery delivery and replacement or charging system testing.

When evaluating a roadside assistance program's battery service, it's worth considering these extra features. Additionally, you may want to ask if battery calls count against your total yearly assistance limit. These factors can help you decide which plan best fits your needs.

For more info, contact a company like On-Time Truck and Trailer Fleet Service.

Share