Getting stranded on the road can be stressful and costly, especially if your car ends up being towed. In this blog, we’ll show you how to prevent that from happening and what steps to take to protect your vehicle in case of a breakdown.
Freeway Insurance helps you find the right affordable auto insurance and roadside assistance plan tailored to your driving needs, so you can stay protected and save money at the same time.
You’ll also learn practical tips to care for your vehicle, understand your roadside assistance coverage, and act quickly during emergencies. Plus, discover how to easily request help from your phone and avoid fines and unexpected costs. Get ready to handle any roadside situation with confidence and keep your car safe.
How to Prepare for a Breakdown Before It Happens
Proper vehicle maintenance reduces roadside emergencies. Regular upkeep not only extends the life of your car but also minimizes the chances of unexpected breakdowns. Staying proactive with maintenance can save you time, money, and stress on the road.
- Check tire pressure, inspect your tires for wear, and keep a spare tire ready.
- Monitor oil and change it as recommended.
- Inspect brakes and battery condition regularly.
- Schedule tune-ups and keep emergency contacts handy.
- Know your insurance’s roadside assistance coverage and how to request help—only policyholders are eligible to add roadside assistance to their insurance policy.
You can enable or activate roadside assistance coverage through your insurance provider’s app or website.
Reliable 24 hour roadside assistance usually covers gas delivery, jump starts, flat tire changes, and towing. Having easy access to these services, whether through a mobile app or online portal, can make a big difference in emergencies.
Understanding Roadside Assistance vs Towing
Knowing the difference between roadside assistance and towing services can help you make informed decisions during a vehicle breakdown. Roadside assistance typically covers different types of common repairs and services that get your car back on the road quickly, while towing is necessary when your vehicle cannot be safely repaired on-site or driven, in a single event. Here’s a quick overview of what each service includes:
- Roadside assistance cover includes a range of services such as jump-starts, tows, flat tire changes, fuel delivery, emergency services, and lockout services.
- Towing is for when your vehicle can’t be fixed on-site or is unsafe to drive. Tow drivers safely transport your vehicle to a repair shop or preferred location.
- Many plans include towing up to a certain distance.
- Lockout services help if you lock your keys inside your vehicle.
- Using emergency roadside assistance is often cheaper and faster than independent towing.
It’s easy to get roadside assistance through mobile apps, by phone, or online, making help available 24/7 whenever you need it.
For example, Freeway Auto Club’s 24-Hour Roadside Assistance has got you covered with a bunch of helpful services to get you back on the road if your car breaks down—including towing.
What Legally Counts as an “Abandoned Vehicle”?
To prevent your car from being towed, it’s important to understand the legal criteria that define an abandoned vehicle. Generally, vehicles left unattended on public property for a certain period, typically 24 to 48 hours, may be considered abandoned. Additionally, cars with expired registration—especially those expired for six months or more—are high-priority targets for towing. Being aware of parking restrictions and local laws can help you avoid having your vehicle towed as abandoned.
Here are key points to keep in mind to prevent your car from being classified as abandoned and to avoid towing:
- Always check parking signs at the exact point where you park. Avoid blocking traffic and pay close attention to blocks of restricted parking areas, as signage may include temporary, time-specific, or weather-related restrictions.
- Never park in fire lanes, bus zones, taxi stands, or within 15 feet of a fire hydrant—these are common tow-away zones. Red curbs indicate no stopping, standing, or parking, and are designated tow-away zones.
- Pay parking meters promptly and keep track of your parking time. In dense cities, paying for parking is often cheaper than incurring towing fines, which can range from $50 to $75 or more.
- If you receive a parking ticket, reference your ticket or citation number when disputing or paying fines to avoid escalating penalties.
- Outstanding tickets and fines are a common cause for impounding, so make sure to resolve any unpaid citations promptly.
- Multiple unpaid parking tickets—often five or more—can lead to your vehicle being towed on sight or impounded, so it’s important to stay current on fines.
- Use parking apps to stay updated on street cleaning schedules and parking regulations. These apps can also help you find and pay for legal parking spots remotely and set reminders before your time expires.
- If you return to your vehicle before it has been hooked up or removed by a tow truck, you may have the right to pay a reduced “drop fee” to have it released on the spot.
- Leaving a visible note on your vehicle with your contact information and expected return time may help communicate your intentions but does not guarantee your car won’t be towed.
By following these precautions and understanding what legally counts as an abandoned vehicle, you can better protect your car from being towed and avoid unexpected expenses.
Common Roadside Service Issues
Car troubles can happen to anyone, often when you least expect them. Understanding what your roadside assistance coverage can do for you makes those stressful moments much easier to handle. Roadside assistance teams are dispatched to assist you with breakdowns and emergencies, providing professional help when you need it most. Some of the most common problems you might face include a dead battery, a flat tire, or running out of gas. When these issues pop up, your roadside assistance provider will send someone to help you out, working to get things sorted quickly—most repairs or services are completed in less than an hour.
If your battery dies, you’ll typically get a jump start right there on the spot. Got a flat tire? The service person will replace your flat tire with your spare if you’ve got one. Run out of gas? Fuel delivery is usually part of your roadside assistance coverage, getting you back on your way without the hassle of hiking to the nearest gas station. When your car can’t be fixed where it sits, towing coverage makes sure your vehicle gets safely transported to a nearby repair shop.
Most roadside assistance plans come with a set number of service calls each year. Once you’ve used up that limit, you might need to pay out of pocket for extra help or skip certain services. It’s worth taking a look at your policy details so you know what’s covered and what you’ll be responsible for. Some companies will reimburse you for things like fuel delivery or small repairs, so hang onto those receipts and file a claim when needed.
Move Off the Road Safely
If your car breaks down:
- Move the vehicle involved off the travel lane to a safe spot if possible.
- All passengers should exit safely from the vehicle involved and stay clear of traffic.
- Avoid fire lanes, bus zones, taxi stands, and areas near fire hydrants.
- Call 911 if the car cannot be moved.
- Tow trucks cannot legally tow vehicles with people inside.
- Stay near but off the road until help arrives.
Strategic parallel parking can make towing physically harder, helping prevent car from being towed.
Call Emergency Roadside Assistance
If you have a car breakdown on the highway, call for help. Services include:
- Jump start for a dead battery.
- Flat tire replacement if you have a spare tire.
- Fuel delivery if you run out of fuel—roadside assistance can deliver gas to you, and fuel delivery services provide enough fuel to reach the nearest gas station.
- Lockout services.
- Towing to repair shops or other locations.
- Assistance if stuck in mud, snow, or ditch.
Request help via app, phone, or online. Some providers send you a direct link via text or QR code so you can quickly access their app or request service. Membership plans often include a set number of service calls per year. When requesting roadside assistance, you may have the option to opt out of sharing your location data, giving you more control over your privacy.
Out-of-pocket payments may be reimbursed with proper documentation. If you paid for roadside assistance or battery service out of pocket, you can submit a reimbursement form, and the process can take as little as 5 minutes. You will need to provide the cost of service and the name and number for the service provider when submitting a reimbursement request. Some providers allow you to manage your bill and reimbursement directly through their app for added convenience.
What to Expect from Roadside Providers
Roadside teams usually arrive within an hour. Multiple parties may be involved in providing roadside assistance, including your insurance company, the service provider, and third-party contractors, each with specific roles in coverage and service delivery. They diagnose the problem and provide the needed service on-site or tow your vehicle safely. Your tow driver ensures your car is handled carefully. Roadside coverage helps avoid surprise costs by managing expenses based on your plan.
Cost and Pricing of Roadside Assistance and Towing
Costs vary by location, service, and provider. Towing can range from $50 to $200 depending on distance and vehicle type. Fuel delivery may add $10 to $50. Some insurance companies allow you to add roadside assistance for a small additional fee per year. Having roadside assistance coverage often means no upfront payment; you can submit reimbursement claims with service details, subject to policy limits and conditions. Check your policy to understand coverage and reimbursement procedures.
Adding Roadside Assistance to Your Insurance Policy
Adding roadside assistance to your policy is affordable. Many insurers allow you to add it online or as a standalone option. Coverage typically includes towing, minor repairs, fuel delivery, and jump starts. Confirm the service limits and the coverage area to understand exactly what is intended to be covered by the roadside assistance option before purchasing.
Roadside assistance offers peace of mind and financial protection when emergencies happen.
Leave a Note When You Can’t Stay with Your Vehicle
If you must leave your car:
- Leave a visible note with your name, phone number, date, and expected return time.
- This informs authorities and tow drivers of your plans but doesn’t guarantee your car won’t be towed.
Choose the Right Roadside Assistance Provider
Choosing the right roadside assistance service depends on several factors. Consider the service range, reliability, and cost.
At Freeway Insurance, we’ve spent decades helping drivers stay protected anywhere, and we’ll also help you find the best 24-hour roadside assistance. Call us at 800-777-5620, visit one of our nearby offices, or start your quote online, and worry less about towing after a car breakdown or avoiding impound fees on your journey.
FAQs About Roadside Breakdowns and Towing
How Long Can a Car Sit on the Roadside Before It Gets Towed?
Typically, a car can sit unattended on the roadside for anywhere between 24 to 48 hours before it is subject to towing, but this timeframe can vary significantly depending on local laws and regulations. Some municipalities may enforce quicker towing if the vehicle is deemed a safety hazard or is obstructing traffic flow. It’s important to check specific local ordinances to understand the exact time limits in your area.
Can Police Tow Your Car Immediately After a Breakdown?
Yes, police can tow your car immediately after a breakdown if the vehicle poses a danger to other motorists or is parked illegally. For example, if your car is blocking a traffic lane, stopped in a no-parking zone, or creating a hazard on the road, law enforcement has the authority to arrange for immediate towing to ensure public safety. In such cases, towing is often done without prior notice to prevent accidents or traffic disruptions.
Will My Car Be Towed If It’s Parked on the Shoulder?
Your car may be towed if it is parked on the shoulder of a road, especially if it is considered unsafe or obstructs traffic. Shoulders are generally intended for emergency stops only, and leaving your vehicle there for an extended period can be viewed as a traffic hazard. Tow trucks may be dispatched to remove vehicles from shoulders to maintain road safety and traffic flow. Always try to move your vehicle to a safer location off the shoulder if possible.
Does Leaving a Note Actually Prevent Towing?
Leaving a visible note on your vehicle with your contact information and expected return time can sometimes help communicate your intentions to authorities or tow drivers. However, it does not legally prevent your car from being towed. Tow operators and law enforcement will prioritize safety and legal parking regulations over notes, so while a note might reduce misunderstandings, it should not be relied upon as a method to prevent towing.
Is Roadside Assistance Cheaper Than Paying for a Tow?
In most cases, using roadside assistance is cheaper than paying for an independent tow, especially if your roadside assistance plan includes towing coverage. Roadside assistance plans often bundle services such as jump-starts, flat tire changes, fuel delivery, and towing for a set annual fee or as part of your insurance policy. This can save you money compared to paying out of pocket for each service individually. Additionally, roadside assistance providers typically have negotiated rates and partnerships that can reduce your overall costs and get you help faster.
