Not only is it inconvenient to be stuck on the road somewhere, it can be dangerous not to have a plan if you are alone. With roadside assistance, your service will send a tow truck to take your vehicle to the nearest mechanic. You may have to pay more for towing if you exceed a certain distance, but that makes the service all the more necessary.

If your car won’t start some random morning, the battery may be dead. With no one to help you, or if you are in a time crunch, this delay can seriously impact the trajectory of your day. Roadside assistance coverage helps by sending someone to jump your car battery and get you on your way.

Some car troubles are more labor-intensive for the vehicle owner. Roadside assistance can send professionals to help replace your tire with your spare if you get a flat.

Another simple but frustrating vehicle trouble is if you are locked out. Your roadside assistance coverage will send a professional out to attempt to open the door with a pump wedge or a long-reach tool. If necessary, your coverage pays for locksmith services.

You may know where the nearest gas station is, but sometimes you aren’t able to reach it. Your roadside assistance coverage will bring you enough fuel to get to the closest fuel station. You may have to pay the local price for fuel.

Sometimes the fix when you’re stuck on the side of the road is simple. If the service can be done in under an hour, your coverage may pay to send a mechanic to perform the necessary repairs at the side of the ride.

If you’re gripping the steering wheel during a heavy storm, there is a risk of running off the road or getting stuck. Your roadside assistance covers winching to get your vehicle unstuck.

Like business interruption insurance, which pays for payroll when a business cannot operate due to covered damages, trip interruption coverage pays to take care of you when your vehicle breaks down far from home. This may pay for lodging and meals until you can resume your trip.

Roadside assistance is a service you can purchase in a few different ways. The best bundle is to select this coverage in addition to your auto insurance policy. You can also choose a membership service or pay for individual services as needed.