Most people focus on the big coverages (liability, collision, comprehensive) and skim past the small add-ons. Two of them, rental reimbursement and roadside assistance, cost little and solve real problems.
Rental reimbursement
Pays for a rental car while yours is being repaired after a covered claim. Typical limits are a daily amount (often $30 to $50) for a set number of days (often 30). Things to check:
- Does it apply to comprehensive claims as well as collision?
- Is the daily limit enough for a comparable vehicle in your area?
- Is there a waiting period for total losses?
Without it, you're paying out of pocket for a rental (or going without a car) for the one to three weeks a typical repair takes, and longer when parts are delayed.
Roadside assistance
Covers towing to a repair shop, jump-starts, flat tire changes, lockout service and fuel delivery, up to a mileage or dollar limit per event. Things to check:
- Towing mileage limit, especially in rural areas
- Whether use counts as a claim (with some insurers, frequent use can affect rates)
- Flatbed towing for EVs and all-wheel-drive vehicles
Alternatives
Auto clubs, credit cards and some manufacturer programs provide roadside assistance; compare what you already have before adding it.
Other small add-ons worth a look
- Glass coverage with no deductible
- Custom equipment coverage for aftermarket parts
- Original equipment manufacturer parts endorsement, which requires repairs with OEM rather than aftermarket parts
- Accident forgiveness
Ones to question
Extras that duplicate coverage you have elsewhere, or that you'd never realistically use.
Terms and prices vary by insurer. This is general information, not insurance advice.
Using rental coverage after a claim
Rental reimbursement works best when you set it up at the start of the claim, not after you've already rented a car on your own.
- Mention rental coverage when you first report the claim, and ask how the insurer arranges it.
- Ask whether the insurer can bill the rental company directly, so you aren't paying and waiting for reimbursement.
- Choose a car within your daily limit, or be ready to pay the difference yourself.
- Ask when coverage ends. It's usually when repairs are complete, or a set number of days after a total loss is settled.
- Keep receipts and the rental agreement if you pay anything up front.
Taxes, fees, fuel and any insurance you buy at the rental counter may count against your daily limit or not be covered at all, so ask before you sign. If repairs stretch out because of a parts delay, tell your adjuster early. Your total day limit still applies, but they can confirm how many days you have left.
When the other driver is at fault, their insurer may owe you a rental. That can take time if they're still investigating, and your own coverage can bridge the gap.
Making a roadside call go smoothly
Roadside assistance is only useful if you can reach it quickly when you're stressed and parked somewhere unfamiliar. A little preparation helps.
Save the roadside number in your phone and, if your insurer has an app, sign in before you need it. Keep a copy of the number in the glove box too, in case your phone dies.
When you call, be ready with your exact location (a mile marker, cross street or map pin), your vehicle's year, make, model and color, and what's wrong. If you drive an electric or all-wheel-drive vehicle, say so and ask for a flatbed.
Ask how far the tow is covered before the truck is dispatched. If you'd rather go to your own mechanic than the nearest shop, find out whether the extra distance falls within your limit or costs extra.
If you end up paying a provider directly, perhaps because the network couldn't reach you in time, keep the itemized receipt. Some programs reimburse out-of-network service up to their usual limits, but only with documentation.
A realistic example
Consider a hypothetical: Marcus is rear-ended at a stoplight, and his car won't start. He opens his insurer's app, requests a tow and asks for a flatbed because his car is all-wheel drive. He has it taken to the shop he trusts, which is within his policy's towing limit.
The other driver's insurer is slow to accept responsibility, so Marcus uses his own rental reimbursement while it investigates. His coverage has an illustrative $40 daily limit, so he picks a compact car that fits within it and asks his insurer to bill the rental company directly.
A backordered part stretches the repair to three weeks. Marcus tells his adjuster as soon as the shop tells him, and confirms he's still within his day limit.
Once the other insurer accepts fault, Marcus's insurer seeks repayment from it for what it paid. Marcus returns the rental the day the shop calls to say his car is ready.
Common questions
Does rental reimbursement pay the full cost of a rental car?
Only up to your policy's limits. Coverage is typically capped per day and in total, and anything above the daily limit is yours to pay. Upgrades, fuel, extra drivers and the counter's optional coverages may not be included, and taxes and fees can eat into the limit. Pick a vehicle class that fits your limit and ask what's included before you sign.
Can I use my own rental coverage if the other driver was at fault?
Generally, yes. You can claim a rental through the at-fault driver's insurer, but they may not approve it until they accept responsibility. Using your own rental reimbursement gets you a car sooner, and your insurer can seek repayment from the other side later. Ask your adjuster whether using your own coverage affects your deductible or your claims history.
Does roadside assistance pay for repairs or parts?
Usually not. Roadside assistance covers the service call itself: towing, a jump-start, changing a flat with your spare, unlocking the car or delivering fuel. The fuel, a new battery, a replacement tire and any shop repairs are typically extra. Some programs also cap what they'll pay for locksmith work. Check your limits so a roadside call doesn't come with surprise costs.
Save your insurer's roadside number in your phone today, so you're not searching for it on a dark shoulder.
