Roadside Service – Determine Your Needs Before You Start Shopping

Shopping for roadside service plans is similar to shopping for groceries: If you don’t know what you want, chances are you’re going to walk away with a lot of unnecessary products, a lighter wallet, and still nothing for dinner.

Well, maybe not the dinner part.

Having coverage for roadside services is important because oftentimes, when you need the services, you’re stranded on the side of the road in an unfamiliar area – not the best time to find out you purchased the wrong coverage. That’s why it’s important to determine your needs before you start shopping. Ask yourself the following five questions to get started.

One: How many drivers do I need to cover?

Not only do you need to determine how many drivers you need to cover, but you also need to determine what kind of drivers you need to cover. Having this information will help you figure out the kind of coverage you need.

For example, if you’re the only driver included in the roadside service plan and you have some experience with vehicle repair, you might only want to purchase a roadside assistance plan with basic coverage options; however, if your driving child is going to be under the plan, purchasing a more premium roadside service plan might give you more peace of mind.

Two: How many vehicles do I want to cover?

This is another easy one for folks who own one vehicle, but if you own two or more vehicles it’s important to decide whether you want to include just one or every vehicle under the roadside service plan before you start shopping. Think about how often each vehicle is used and who usually uses each vehicle; you might find that you only want to cover your primary vehicle or that you need to cover every vehicle you own.

Three: What are the basic roadside assistance services I need?

Basic roadside assistance services include coverage for the most common roadside emergency situations people experience. Such coverage includes changing your flat tire, providing you with fuel when you run out, charting your vehicle’s battery, retrieving your keys if you lock them in your vehicle, and towing your vehicle if it becomes inoperable.

Fortunately, most roadside assistance plans automatically offer these kinds of basic services; however, if you run into a company that requires you to add them as extras at additional costs, you’re best bet is to keep looking.

Four: Do I need any extras with the roadside assistance plan?

Whether you need – or want – extras with your roadside assistance plan generally depends on how often, how far, and why you travel. Extras include services such as assistance with travel planning and directions and discounts on hotel and other travel accommodations. Some drivers will benefit from these extras; others won’t.

Too, some roadside service plans already offer extras as standard coverage types. These additional coverage types might or might not affect the overall price, so be sure to compare the plans that automatically offer them to the plans that don’t.

Five: How does all this coverage work with my budget?

The kinds of roadside assistance services you want with your plan will affect the price you pay; however, it’s possible to find companies that offer the exact services you want for a low yearly price. The key is to know exactly what you want before you start shopping, and then spend time comparing plans and prices.