You're stranded on the side of the road, car sputtering and refusing to cooperate. A million thoughts race through your mind: How will I get home? How much will this cost? Is my insurance going to cover this? If you're an Allstate customer, or considering becoming one, a crucial question arises: "How many miles does Allstate towing coverage include?"
Understanding your towing coverage is vital for peace of mind on the road. Let's break down Allstate's towing coverage in detail, helping you navigate potential roadside predicaments with confidence.
Decoding Allstate's Towing Coverage: A Comprehensive Guide
Allstate offers various ways to get roadside assistance, each with its own towing limits. It's not a one-size-fits-all answer, so let's explore the options and help you determine what applies to you.
Step 1: Identify Your Allstate Roadside Assistance Type
Before we dive into the mileage, the first and most important step is to understand how you have Allstate roadside assistance. Are you an Allstate auto insurance policyholder with an add-on, a member of one of their dedicated roadside assistance plans, or are you looking for a pay-per-use service?
- Engage with me! Think about your current Allstate relationship. Do you have it bundled with your car insurance, or did you sign up for a separate membership? Knowing this will significantly narrow down your towing mileage.
There are typically three ways to get Allstate roadside assistance:
- Insurance Policy Add-On: This is often the most basic and cost-effective option, added directly to your existing Allstate auto insurance policy for a small annual fee.
- Membership Plans (Allstate Motor Club): Allstate offers dedicated membership plans like "Roadside Advantage" and "Roadside Elite" (and sometimes "Roadside Assist" for AARP members), which provide a broader range of benefits beyond just towing. These are separate from your auto insurance.
- Pay-Per-Use Service: If you don't have existing coverage, Allstate also offers a pay-per-use option for immediate assistance, where you pay for the service as you need it.
Step 2: Unpacking the Towing Mileage for Each Option
Now that you've identified your type of coverage, let's look at the specific towing mileage limits.
Sub-heading 2.1: Insurance Policy Add-On
If you've added roadside assistance to your Allstate auto insurance policy, the standard towing coverage is typically up to 10 miles per incident.
- Key takeaway: This is designed for basic breakdowns where you need to get your vehicle to a nearby repair shop or your home within a reasonable distance. Any additional miles beyond the 10-mile limit would be your responsibility and payable directly to the service provider.
Sub-heading 2.2: Allstate Motor Club Membership Plans
Allstate's membership plans offer more robust coverage, including extended towing benefits.
- Roadside Advantage (or similar basic membership): This plan generally provides towing for up to 10 miles per incident. While it's the same towing limit as the insurance add-on, it often comes with additional benefits like trip interruption coverage (though this doesn't extend the towing mileage).
- Roadside Elite (or similar premium membership): This is where you see a significant increase in towing mileage. The Roadside Elite plan typically offers towing for up to 100 miles per incident. This is a considerable advantage for those who travel long distances or want the peace of mind of getting their vehicle to a preferred mechanic further away.
- Important Note: Some AARP member plans through Allstate also offer a "Roadside Elite" option with a 100-mile towing benefit.
Sub-heading 2.3: Pay-Per-Use Service
With the pay-per-use option, the towing distance often starts at a certain mileage, and you pay per mile thereafter. For example, some sources indicate that a tow event through pay-per-use might cover up to 5 miles for a set fee, with additional charges for longer distances.
- Consideration: While convenient for immediate needs without prior enrollment, pay-per-use can quickly become more expensive for longer tows compared to a pre-paid plan or insurance add-on.
Step 3: Understanding the "Per Incident" Clause and Other Limitations
It's crucial to understand that these towing limits are generally "per incident." This means that for each separate breakdown requiring a tow, you'll have the specified mileage covered.
- What else should you know?
- Number of Service Calls: Allstate plans also have limits on the number of service calls you can make per year. For example, the insurance add-on might allow 4-5 service calls annually, while membership plans like Roadside Advantage might offer up to 5 rescues per year, and Roadside Elite up to 7.
- Vehicle Eligibility: Generally, Allstate covers personal passenger vehicles, including light trucks and RVs (with weight restrictions) for standard services. Motorcycles may have specific limitations for certain services like tire changes or lockout assistance, but are typically covered for towing under membership plans. Commercial vehicles are generally not covered.
- Reimbursement: If Allstate is unable to dispatch a service provider, you may be able to use a provider of your choice and get reimbursed up to a certain limit (e.g., $100). Keep all receipts for reimbursement requests.
- Geographic Coverage: Allstate's roadside assistance typically offers coverage across the U.S. and Canada.
Step 4: Maximizing Your Allstate Roadside Benefits
To make the most of your Allstate towing coverage and roadside assistance:
- Review Your Policy Annually: Policies and benefits can change. Make it a habit to review your Allstate auto insurance policy or roadside assistance membership details at least once a year.
- Keep Contact Information Handy: Store Allstate's roadside assistance number (typically 1-800-347-8880) in your phone, or know how to access it through the Allstate mobile app.
- Understand What's Included (and What Isn't): Beyond towing, most plans include jump-starts, flat tire changes (with your spare), fuel delivery (cost of fuel usually extra), and lockout services. They typically don't cover the cost of parts or major repairs at the shop.
- Consider Your Driving Habits: If you frequently take long road trips, the 100-mile towing benefit of the Roadside Elite plan might be a worthwhile investment. For local driving, the 10-mile coverage might suffice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Allstate Towing Coverage
Here are 10 common "How to" questions about Allstate towing coverage and their quick answers:
How to find out my exact Allstate towing coverage mileage?
- Quick Answer: Refer to your Allstate auto insurance policy documents or your Allstate Motor Club membership agreement. You can also log into your Allstate online account or call their customer service.
How to request roadside assistance from Allstate?
- Quick Answer: You can request assistance through the Allstate mobile app, by calling their dedicated roadside assistance number (1-800-347-8880), or sometimes through their website.
How to know if I have Allstate roadside assistance with my car insurance?
- Quick Answer: Check your auto insurance declarations page or contact your Allstate agent. It will typically be listed as an optional add-on coverage.
How to get reimbursed for an out-of-pocket tow with Allstate?
- Quick Answer: If Allstate was unable to dispatch a service provider, you may be eligible for reimbursement. You'll need to contact Allstate's roadside assistance, get an authorization number if possible, and submit your receipt within 90 days of the service.
How to upgrade my Allstate towing coverage to more miles?
- Quick Answer: You can typically upgrade by purchasing a higher-tier Allstate Motor Club membership plan, such as "Roadside Elite," or by contacting your Allstate agent to see if a higher towing limit is available as an add-on to your policy.
How to use Allstate roadside assistance for a borrowed or rented car?
- Quick Answer: Allstate Motor Club membership plans (Roadside Advantage and Roadside Elite) generally cover you in any eligible vehicle you are driving or riding in, including rented and borrowed ones. The insurance policy add-on typically only covers the insured vehicle.
How to add more family members to my Allstate roadside assistance plan?
- Quick Answer: Allstate membership plans often allow you to add additional household members for an extra charge. Contact Allstate directly to inquire about adding more people to your specific plan.
How to get a jump start with Allstate roadside assistance?
- Quick Answer: Simply request roadside assistance through the app or phone, and a service provider will be dispatched to jump-start your vehicle.
How to get a flat tire changed with Allstate roadside assistance?
- Quick Answer: Request assistance, and a provider will come to replace your flat tire with your inflated spare. They typically do not provide a new tire.
How to tell if my RV or motorcycle is covered by Allstate towing?
- Quick Answer: Eligibility for RVs and motorcycles can vary by plan. While membership plans like Roadside Elite often include coverage for these vehicles, lower-tier plans or insurance add-ons might have limitations (e.g., only covering jump starts or fuel delivery for larger RVs). Always confirm with Allstate directly.
