Posted on January 18th, 2023

AAA alone reported rescuing more than 32 million drivers in America whose cars had broken down in 2015.

Cars, no matter how convenient they are, will eventually break down. When this happens, it's important to understand your options.

Towing and roadside assistance are two of the most commonly used options. But what's the distinction between the two? Many people mistake them for the same thing.

We'll explain the differences between towing and roadside assistance to help you make the best decision. Continue reading to learn more about them.

What Exactly Is Towing?

Towing is the transportation of your vehicle from one location to another. This is accomplished on the back of a specialized flatbed tow truck. In most cases, this is reserved for when a vehicle is no longer operational.

Vehicles may be towed in other circumstances, even if they are operational.

If someone is arrested or the police state that the driver is not permitted to move the vehicle, a tow truck company may do so instead. After purchasing a new vehicle, some people use towing services to get it home before registering it.

Towing services are used when a driver cannot or should not move a vehicle on their own.

For an additional monthly fee, most car insurance companies provide towing services. A roadside assistance package may or may not include this. There may be options for just towing services or roadside service packages available.

If a person only chooses towing services, they will not get the additional assistance that comes with full roadside packages. For some people, this is sufficient.

Others prefer the option of having extra help available if needed. That is, without the need to find someone else to help after the vehicle has been towed home.

When Should I Have My Vehicle Towed?

A person may need to have their car towed in a variety of situations. The most obvious and common reason is that the vehicle is not in motion.

Cars break down for a variety of reasons. Some of these issues can be easily resolved if you purchase a roadside assistance package that includes towing. Other items can only be repaired by a mechanic with a fully stocked garage and the necessary tools.

If this is your first car, you may want to have it towed. It is not legal to drive until it has been insured and registered at the DMV in your state. Towing the car to your residence is a better option than driving it.

What You Should Know About Roadside Assistance

Anyone who drives will eventually face these inconveniences. So, who do you call when something like this happens?

If you said Ghostbusters, you'd be mistaken! The solution would be roadside assistance.

But what exactly is roadside assistance, and why is it so important for all drivers? In this article, we will go over the ins and outs of roadside services and demonstrate their importance.

Is Towing the Same as Roadside Assistance?

Roadside assistance is a service package designed to assist drivers with minor repairs. It is a service that will assist you if your vehicle breaks down or leaves you stranded. For example, if you're driving and your car battery dies unexpectedly, you'd dial this number.

What Is the Purpose of Roadside Assistance?

Simply put, this type of service will come to your aid if you become stranded due to a problem with your vehicle.

When you become stranded, call your roadside assistance company and explain your situation. They will dispatch a mechanic to your location to assist you and inspect your vehicle.

What is included in the packages varies from provider to provider. Towing is frequently included as part of a service package, but it is not always. Aside from towing, the following items are commonly included:

• Battery maintenance
• Service for Flat Tires
• Fuel Supply
• Extrication Services 
• Lockout Service

What Is Included in Roadside Assistance?

But what exactly are these services for? The majority of policies have strict guidelines governing what their roadside assistance packages will cover. Let's take a look at what the most commonly included services are.

Towing

If your vehicle broke down and left you stranded, you'd need to get it to a mechanic. Towing is a feature that is typically included in most policies. Although towing companies will tow your car to the nearest mechanic, keep in mind that there may be mileage restrictions and that they may charge extra for driving to a preferred location.

Battery Maintenance

Batteries die and must be recharged on occasion. You can have your car jumped using a battery service. This service does not include the provision of replacement batteries if yours fail to charge. Most roadside assistance plans provide assistance with dead batteries by jump-starting them.

Service for Flat Tires

There are 220 million flat tires in the United States each year. A flat tire is dangerous to other drivers on the road, so get it fixed as soon as possible. Roadside assistance will dispatch a mechanic to swap your flat tire for a spare.

This is where someone will come to change your flat tire. They will remove the flat from the vehicle and replace it with a driveable one.

This service does not include a tire replacement. The person calling must have their own spare tire. Spare tires are typically found in the trunk or on the rear of some vehicles.

Fuel Supply

Have you ever forgotten to get gas? Because there is no more fuel to drive with, your car begins to sputter.

This is where fuel delivery comes into play. Someone will bring you an allotted amount of gas gallons to get you to the next service station with this service.

Service for Lockouts

This is also known as a ""car locksmith service."" Someone will come to assist you if you have locked your keys inside your vehicle. There is no need for broken windows.

Services for Extrication

This is similar to towing services, but only for a short distance. If your car becomes stuck, extrication services can help you get it moving again.

When is a vehicle likely to become stuck? It could become entrapped in mud, a ditch, or even soft sand.

When Do I Need to Call Roadside Assistance?

Use the roadside only in an emergency. If you purchase roadside assistance from your insurance provider and call several times per year, you are a high-risk customer. Use caution and common sense when deciding when and how to call for roadside assistance.

If you need a quick fix to get back on the road, you should contact roadside assistance. You must confirm that you have this service.

Aside from your car insurance provider, your cell phone provider may also provide a package. Individual service providers can also sell these packages. However, if you have roadside assistance through your insurance and use it frequently, this does not imply that your rates will rise.

It's also worth noting that roadside assistance is only available to the vehicle's owner. In other words, if you're driving with a friend and they get a flat tire, roadside assistance won't help them just because you're there.

Call roadside assistance if:

• You have a flat tire.
• Your battery has died.
• You've run out of gas.
• You left your keys in the car.
• Your vehicle is stuck and will not move.

Where Do I Go for Roadside Assistance?

In addition to your insurance policy, many insurance companies will provide roadside assistance. Other companies, such as AAA, only provide the service and are usually more expensive.

Roadside assistance is also provided by some cell phone companies, such as AT&T and Verizon, so check with your provider. Some car companies (but not all) provide roadside assistance when you purchase the vehicle, so you may have it and be unaware of it. Credit card companies, such as American Express, have jumped on the opportunity to provide motorists with roadside assistance as well.

Each company's plans vary, so read the fine print and ask questions before you buy. Not all providers provide the same services, and there may be limitations. Typically, all plans are processed as a flat rate regardless of your driving history.

Before you choose a provider, shop around until you find the best price for the services you believe are worthwhile. Begin with your insurance company and work your way out from there.

Is Roadside Assistance Beneficial?

The answer to this question is that it depends.

If you drive for an extended period of time or your car is more than a few years old, roadside assistance may be required.

Because older vehicles break down more frequently, roadside assistance may be a worthwhile investment.

If you drive a lot for work or other reasons, having roadside assistance may come in handy, especially if you're in an unfamiliar location.

When one of these 20 common car problems arises, roadside assistance may be able to provide the assistance you require. Hopefully, this has helped to answer the question, ""What is roadside assistance?"" Are you going to think about roadside assistance today?

Roadside Assistance vs. Towing

Many people are confused about the distinction between towing and roadside assistance. While towing is sometimes included in roadside assistance packages, the two are not the same thing.

When your car won't start, you'll need a tow truck. It assists in moving your vehicle to a safe location, such as your home or an auto mechanic shop.

The purpose of roadside assistance is to get your vehicle moving again. These packages provide assistance for minor issues that can be resolved quickly.

You drive the vehicle away on your own with roadside assistance. The vehicle does not drive when towed and must be transported on a flatbed."