When Your Car Breaks Down-Towing Insurance to the Rescue
Most drivers have endured the inconvenience of a mechanical breakdown on the road and subsequent need for a tow. It could be a dead battery, a blown tire or engine trouble. The first thing you probably think of is whether you have towing insurance. Secondly, what about the mechanic’s labor on the scene?
You will be in luck if you have added towing and labor costs coverage to your auto insurance policy. You can purchase towing insurance in a wide range of coverage amounts, and the coverage usually pays for labor costs on the scene. For example, if you have a flat tire, the tow truck driver might have to remove a tire before he tows your vehicle to the garage.
Most insurance companies will add towing insurance only if you already have physical damage coverage on your vehicle. That is, you need either comprehensive, which pays for things other than a collision, such as theft or storm damage; and/or collision, which covers damage from an accident.
A typical towing and labor costs endorsement (an endorsement is an addition or change to your policy) will pay towing and labor costs when your covered auto or a car you don’t own is disabled, up to the policy limit, when the labor takes place at the scene.
Find Out about Roadside Assistance
Many insurance companies also offer much broader coverage in addition to just towing and labor. The additional coverage is called roadside assistance and you can ask Anderson & Anderson Insurance about it.
Not only will roadside assistance cover you for towing and labor, but it will also pay for emergency fuel and fluid delivery. So, if you run out of gas, the roadside service professional will deliver more and you only pay for the fuel. Delivery service is free.
Many of these endorsements will also pay for a locksmith or lock coverage if you’ve locked yourself out of your car. It will pay the locksmith to get you back into your car and on the road. It won’t usually pay for your new keys, though.
Another nice feature that many insurance companies offer is a toll-free number to call a local towing service contracted with the insurance company. You don’t have to search the yellow pages or your cell phone apps to find a service near you when your car breaks down. This is especially helpful when you’re out of town and unfamiliar with your surroundings.
Another thing to keep in mind is that towing may be included in the physical damage insurance (damages to your car) on your auto policy. For example, under comprehensive coverage, you may find
towing and labor costs covered if your car is disabled. The labor in this case must be performed at the scene to apply.
This coverage would not pay if you have towing coverage elsewhere in the policy. In other words, you won’t be able to collect twice for the same tow. The downside here is that coverage is usually for a smaller limit than most towing companies would charge.
Also, if you are in an accident and are claiming the loss under your collision insurance coverage, your insurance company will pay for the tow if your car is not drivable from the scene of the accident to a garage.
Anderson & Anderson Insurance Is Here When You Need Us
It is frustrating when your car breaks down, so let us help you be prepared for such situations. We can explain your options for towing and labor coverage or complete roadside assistance. It will help make a difficult situation just a little bit better. We have been serving drivers in Northeast Nebraska, Southern South Dakota, and Northeastern Iowa for more than 50 years. Call us today at 402-254-3915