Roadside Help and How to Get It
What is roadside assistance? What is included with roadside assistance? How can you get roadside assistance?
Roadside assistance is a program that provides various services depending on your plan that range from reimbursement from a tow, manufacturer plans, and full-service auto clubs.
Depending on which plan you choose, some or all of the following things may be covered: towing, flat-tire changing, lost-key replacement, help with vehicles that are stuck, delivery of fuel or coolant, maps and directions, travel and hotel discounts, trip insurance, and help finding hotels or alternative transportation when your vehicle is disabled. Also there are high-tech services, like OnStar, where your car will call for help and give your location.
When deciding which plan is right for you, be sure to look at who and what the plan covers. Examples of this are:
- Which vehicles are covered?
- Who in your family are covered by the plan?
- Are you covered only in certain vehicles, or anything that you drive?
- Is there a limit to towing distance? For most plans it is usually to the nearest dealer
There are many different places to get roadside assistance; this is a list of the main ones:
- Your automaker’s service that came with your vehicle. Know the terms of your factory warranty because this varies between manufacturers. This also will vary depending on
Full-service auto club plans such as AAA, the GM Motor Club, AARP, and the BetterWorld Club. - Some cell phone providers and credit cards issuers also have roadside assistance plans.
Most importantly make sure you have the number for roadside assistance on you, or programmed into your cell phone so that it is easily accessible when you need it.
