Is Roadside Assistance Covered Under an Extended Warranty?

Many people research extended car warranties, reading in-depth resources like Carchex reviews, only to not purchase them in the end. Often, that is because they don’t understand exactly what they’ll get with the various plans available. There are many different extended warranty options on the market today, but they don’t all come with the same features. Research to ensure the warranty you choose meets your specific needs.

For instance, is roadside assistance something that you’re interested in? There’s no telling when disasters are going to strike out on the open road. If you haven’t thought about this service, it’s a good idea to look for an extended warranty with this feature. After all, who wants to get stuck on the side of a road somewhere with no help in sight?

Research shows that nearly all warranties, those of the manufacturer and extended car varieties, come with some form of roadside assistance coverage. Regardless of which company or extended warranty plan you choose, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that someone will come when you call for help.

The sections below explore roadside assistance and its various benefits.

What does Roadside Assistance Cover?

Be sure to discuss the roadside assistance option with the warranty company representative. You’ll definitely want to know which other services come with the feature, and he or she can help with that. Some policies have different features than others. However, the most common services that these policies contain include:

  • Lockout service
  • Accidental tow
  • Fuel delivery
  • Battery jump-start
  • Winching

That’s not even close to being all, though. With roadside assistance, people can also commonly get their flat tires changed by professionals. Not to mention that if a mechanical failure occurs, towing is available for that as well. Just be sure to ask your warranty provider what roadside assistance means for you. The last thing you’ll want is to be trying to figure things out on the fly and when your car is having issues.

What about Trip Interruption Coverage?

Sometimes, extended warranties have trip interruption coverage instead of roadside assistance. Trip interruption coverage benefits only kick in when a vehicle becomes disabled 100 miles or more away from a person’s residence. Owners of this coverage can use it for help securing a rental car or taxi. In addition, upon request, people can use this service to obtain emergency hotel reservations.

There is something else that makes trip interruption coverage worthwhile. Those with the coverage can get reimbursed $100 a day for up to three days. That’s a total of up to $300 they can be repaid while dealing with the venture.

Roadside Assistance is not always Available

Never invest in an extended warranty and assume it comes with roadside assistance. Many companies offer this feature as an extra perk, and clients who want it must pay an additional fee. So, talk to the agent selling you the policy to determine if the bonus is included. If it isn’t and you want it, all may not be lost. Ask if roadside assistance is available for a fee. If it is, and you don’t mind spending the cash, make the investment and gain peace of mind.

Try to Buy it through Insurers

It may also be possible to purchase roadside assistance coverage through your insurer. That means if you trust them, you don’t even have to buy the product via a third party. Instead, you can select a plan with your current insurance provider. Then again, if you’re shopping around for new insurance, you can also look into switching providers to get top-notch roadside assistance.

Plenty of insurers offer roadside assistance and much more. So, be sure to research and see what insurance products and services providers bring to the table. Once you choose a policy that offers roadside assistance, you should be good to go when it comes to getting your car towed or a flat tire changed. So, talk to your insurer to see if roadside assistance or another suitable alternative is available to you.

Final Words

People elect to buy extended warranties for different reasons. However, consumers are looking for more and more out of these safeguards these days. They want the most bang for their buck, and who can blame them?

If you desire roadside assistance coverage, you could be in luck because most providers offer this feature in some form or fashion. It might come with the plan you purchase, but you may also have to pay an extra fee for the benefit. You also have the option to purchase roadside assistance coverage through insurers.

Cedric Jackson’s writing draws on his rich life experiences, time spent traveling and years working with the written word. He is passionate about internet marketing, automotive, travel and the entertainment world. When not busy writing, he spends his time traveling, reading and keeping up with world events.

Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author.

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