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When you buy your car insurance policy, ask whether they can offer you roadside assistance. The insurance company may allow you to choose a roadside assistance program or to add to your policy. You may have different options to choose from, with many levels of coverage.

Here are some of the most common emergency roadside assistance coverages to ask about:

Flat tire change: Got a flat? All you have to do is call the 24/7 toll-free number. The emergency roadside assistance customer service representative will send out someone to do the tire change on the scene.

Emergency towing: If that flat can't be fixed on the scene, or if a different mechanical issue arises and the vehicle needs to be towed to a garage, the towing may be covered too.

Drained battery, lock-out, or lost keys: You left the lights on. Now the battery is drained, and the car won't start. The emergency assistance will come out and take care of that too. Also, if the keys are lost or locked in the car, the company will send out a to get into the vehicle or will have new keys made.

Running out of gas: The company may send someone with gas to help you get back on the road again.

Mechanical breakdown: Roadside assistance will often help you if you have a mechanical breakdown and need to be towed to the nearest service station. But the breakdown itself may not be covered. This would likely only be covered if you had mechanical breakdown insurance coverage.

Fees and Deductibles

Many companies offer most services fee-free at the time of service. This means, for example, if a repairman who is sent by the roadside service company has to come out to change a flat tire or help with another covered repair, there is no cost at the time of service.23

After the repair, the customer just signs a form and is back on the road. So, if you don't want to have to pay any fees out of pocket for roadside assistance, be sure you choose a company that does not charge any fees or deductibles at the time of service.