Roadside assistance is an important service to have for roadside emergencies, like when you get a flat tire. If you get a flat tire or have another breakdown while you are out driving your car and something goes wrong, a good roadside plan can help. Here are some options for where to get help for changing a flat tire and other emergencies with roadside assistance.

Need to Replace a Flat Tire? Will You Find a Repairman at 1 A.M. or Get Last Minute Roadside?

At some point in the time we drive cars, we will probably have an emergency or have to call someone for roadside assistance. There is nothing worse than frantically searching your phone for companies that may be able to help after hours, weekends or even the middle of the night.

How to Add Roadside Assistance During an Emergency

Some insurance companies may allow you to add or request a roadside assistance service at the time of the emergency. This is usually a more expensive option, but may be able to save you some money or help you out especially if you are stuck in a bad situation in the middle of the night and don’t know who to call.

Get Roadside Assistance Through Your Insurance Company

Getting a flat tire in the middle of the night on a long road trip could easily happen to anyone. But, if the driver would have decided to purchase roadside assistance from their insurance company or another available source, the outcome could be much more pleasant and safer.

Examples of Roadside Assistance Coverages Through an Insurance Company

When you buy your car insurance policy, you should ask about whether they can offer you roadside assistance. The insurance company may allow you to choose a roadside assistance program or endorsement to add to your policy and you might have different options to choose from with many levels of coverage.

Here are some of the most common emergency roadside assistance coverages to ask about:

Flat Tire Change

Got a flat? All the customer has to do is call the 24/7 toll-free number and the emergency roadside assistance customer service representative will send out someone to do the tire change on the scene.

Emergency Towing

If that flat can’t be fixed on the scene or if a different mechanical issue arises and the vehicle needs to be towed to a garage, the towing may be covered too.

Drained Battery, Lock Out’s and Lost Keys

The lights were left on and now the battery is drained and the car won’t start. The emergency roadside service will come out and take care of that too. Also, if the keys are lost or locked in the car, the emergency roadside assistance company will send out a locksmith to get into the vehicle or will have new keys made.

Run Out of Gas

Yes, the emergency roadside assistance may send out someone with gas to get the driver back on the road again.

Mechanical Breakdown

Normally roadside assistance will help you if you have a mechanical breakdown and have to be towed to the nearest service station. However, the actual breakdown may not be covered, this would only be covered if you had a mechanical breakdown insurance coverage.

An Important Tip When Shopping for an Emergency Roadside Assistance Company:

Many emergency roadside assistance companies offer most services fee-free at the time of service. This means, for example, if a repairman that is sent by the roadside service company has to come out to change a flat tire or help with another covered repair, there is no cost at the time of service. After the repair, the customer just signs a form and they are back on the road. So, if one does not want to have to pay any fees out of pocket for the roadside assistance, they will want to make sure they choose a company that does not charge any fees or deductibles at the time of service.