Does Full Coverage Car Insurance Cover Towing?
Full Coverage Car Insurance
Today my coffee machine decided to go on strike. It reminded me of my old car that broke down at the worst times. So does comprehensive car insurance cover towing if the car is not used for a day? Let’s talk about it.
Car insurance is a fundamental aspect of responsible vehicle ownership. It provides financial protection in the event of accidents, theft, and various unforeseen circumstances. While most drivers understand the need for third-party insurance and comprehensive coverage, many underestimate the importance of additional insurance options, such as towing insurance. Towing insurance, also known as roadside assistance, offers invaluable benefits if you’re stranded on the side of the road due to a breakdown or other vehicle-related issues. In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn the benefits of towing insurance and why it should be part of your car insurance policy.
What Is Towing Insurance?
Towing insurance, often called roadside assistance or emergency roadside assistance, is an additional feature you can add to your car insurance policy, even for your high-value car. It helps when your vehicle becomes inoperable for a variety of reasons, such as mechanical breakdowns, flat tires, dead batteries, accidents, running out of fuel, or even if you lock yourself out of your car. Towing protection can be purchased standalone or as an add-on to your existing car insurance policy. Rest assured, most professional towing service providers recognize the value of towing insurance and are able to work seamlessly with insurance companies to provide the assistance you need. That means when you have towing insurance, you can rest assured that experienced professionals will be there to assist you when you need them most.
How Do I Add A Trailer Cover?
Adding towing insurance to your car insurance can be a smart move. It ensures that you will get help if your car breaks down. In this section, you will learn how to add this coverage. We will analyze the insurance add-ons and the steps to include towing service.
Policy Plugins
Insurance companies offer various add-ons to policies. These add-ons extend existing insurance coverage. Adding trailer coverage is one of these options.
- Roadside Assistance often includes towing, tire changes, and battery jump-starting.
- Rental Reimbursement: Covers the cost of renting a car while your vehicle is in the workshop.
- Gap Insurance: Pays the difference if your car is totaled and you owe more than it’s worth.
- Purchasing Trailer Insurance: is often affordable and can save you money and stress in an emergency.
Steps To Embed The Trailer
To add towing insurance to your policy, follow these simple steps:
- Check Your Policy: Check if you already have towing insurance.
- Contact Your Insurer: Call your insurance company. Ask about the possibility of adding towing coverage.
- Compare Costs: Get quotes to add a towing service. Compare them with those of other providers.
- Add Coverage: Confirm the addition with your insurer. Make sure it is documented.
- Obtain Confirmation: Request written confirmation of the new insurance coverage.
- Adding a trailer cover is easy and beneficial. Provides peace of mind in case of car problems.
Trailer Cover Costs
Knowing the cost of towing insurance is crucial for car owners. Towing insurance can save you money in the event of unexpected breakdowns. But how much should you expect to pay for this service? Let’s examine the factors that affect the cost and compare different insurance providers.
Factors That Influence Costs
There are several factors that affect the cost of trailer insurance. Knowing these factors can help you make an informed decision:
- Vehicle Type: Towing larger vehicles can be more expensive.
- Distance: Longer distances can increase towing costs.
- Coverage Limits: Higher limits often mean higher premiums.
- Location: Different rates may apply in urban areas than in rural areas.
When Does Insurance Not Cover Towed Vehicles?
The most common case where insurance won’t cover towing is when the vehicle being towed doesn’t have its own policy. This happens even if the vehicle being towed isn’t another car, such as a boat or motorcycle. Your car’s comprehensive and collision insurance won’t cover any additional vehicles you tow.
If you’re towing a trailer that has personal belongings inside it, your auto insurance may cover the trailer itself but not the contents inside it. Instead, your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance may cover damaged property inside the trailer.
Rentals
Your personal auto insurance probably won’t cover damage to a rented trailer, such as a moving truck or van. It’s also unlikely that your liability will be covered if you injure someone or cause property damage while driving the moving truck. Likewise, your insurance may not cover damage to a trailer you rent, even if you’re towing it with your personal vehicle.
Most trailer rental companies offer their own insurance that you can purchase when renting a truck or trailer. Additional insurance can give you peace of mind, especially if you’re not used to driving a large vehicle or towing a trailer. Check with your rental company for their specific policies and coverage details.
Additional Trailer Cover
If your car insurance does not include trailer coverage, you may be able to purchase additional trailer insurance. Again, towed vehicles are not covered by towing insurance and require separate policies.
If you plan to transport a vehicle using a trailer, you will not be able to use roadside assistance or towing insurance for this purpose. Roadside assistance and towing insurance will only help you to reimburse the cost of towing your vehicle in the event of a breakdown.
5 Tips For Towing Vehicles
Follow these safety tips to make your next towing trip a success:
Make sure the vehicle you are using for towing is in good condition and properly secured to the trailer or bed. Regularly inspect your equipment for wear and tear before each towing trip. Find the right towing procedure for both the tow vehicle and the vehicle being towed.
Make sure your tow vehicle is rated for the weight of your trailer. Exceeding the towing capacity can quickly cause damage to both the tow vehicle and the vehicle being towed. It can also cause you to lose control of the vehicle while towing, posing a danger to you and other road users.
Load the vehicle evenly onto the trailer or dolly. Even weight distribution will prevent dangerous swaying or skidding of the vehicle. It will also reduce stress on the crew.
When towing a vehicle, drive more carefully and defensively. Maintain a safe distance from other vehicles as you will need space to slow down. Drive smoothly and avoid sudden braking or sudden movements.
One of the most important things to consider when towing a vehicle is the route you should follow. Be aware of possible obstacles such as steep slopes, narrow roads, height restrictions, sharp turns or weight restrictions. Plan your route more safely, even if it means a longer travel time.
Conclusion: Does car insurance cover towed vehicles?
FAQ
Towing insurance covers the cost of transporting your vehicle if it breaks down. This service is usually part of roadside assistance.
The insured will not be charged any towing or labor costs if the vehicle breaks down at home or if it is not an insured risk.
The base limit for towing and labor costs added to a personal auto insurance policy is typically $50 to $100 per claim. Limits may vary by insurer.
Roadside assistance in Texas offers assistance with vehicle problems such as flat tires, dead batteries, and towing. Call the service provider for assistance.
