If you wear your seat belt, you may survive an auto accident without even a scratch. The same might not be said about your car. After insurance is exchanged and the police have taken reports, there’s still the genuine problem of getting a no longer viable vehicle off the street. In Florida, that can cost anywhere from $75 to $125, depending on the distance towed. If it’s only somewhere between five and ten miles, it’s $50 minimum. Who gets the bad news?

Roadside Assistance

If you add roadside assistance coverage to your auto insurance, this may cover towing expenses. This is if your car breaks down on the road due to mechanical failure, out of gas, a nail in the tire, etc. If you need towing due to another driver’s mistake, they may have to pay for your towing through their liability insurance. Keep in mind that Florida is an At-Fault state. Also, remember to check your policy and hold on to those receipts.

Making Roadside Assistance Work for You

You could call the tow company, pay upfront, hold onto the receipt and let your insurer reimburse you later. Or you could call your insurer and let them make the towing arrangements for you. Remember, there may be a limit to your insurer’s willingness to pay. If your problem is a dead battery or being out of gas, your insurer may make arrangements for you to get what you need to have your car moving on its own again rather than call the tow truck. If you have an electric vehicle, the roadside assistance coverage may cover a tow to a charging station. Please read the whole thing to find out what you can get before you need it.