Does Towing Assistance Cover Towing for Leased Cars?
If you’ve ever had your car break down or get involved in an accident, you’re probably familiar with the need for towing assistance. For most drivers, knowing that towing assistance is just a phone call away brings peace of mind. But if you drive a leased car, you might be wondering if the towing services that come with your roadside assistance plan will cover a leased vehicle. I was in a similar situation once, and I had no idea whether the standard towing coverage applied to my leased car. After digging into the details, I discovered that towing assistance for leased cars can be a bit more nuanced. Here’s what I learned about towing coverage for leased cars, and what you can expect if you’re ever in a similar situation.
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1. What Is Towing Assistance and How Does It Work?
Before diving into the specifics of towing coverage for leased cars, it’s important to first understand what towing assistance typically includes. Towing assistance is a service that helps drivers who experience vehicle breakdowns or accidents. The most common towing services include:
J & J Towing
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1.1 Towing After a Breakdown or Accident
When your car breaks down or is involved in an accident, towing assistance will cover the cost of transporting your car to a repair shop, dealer, or your home. I experienced this firsthand when my car broke down on a road trip. I called my roadside assistance service, and within an hour, a tow truck arrived to take my car to the nearest dealership for repairs. This is typically what people think of when they refer to towing assistance.
1.2 Flat Tire, Lockout, or Fuel Delivery
Besides towing, many roadside assistance plans cover services like flat tire changes, lockout help, or even emergency fuel delivery. For me, a flat tire once left me stranded, and I was relieved to know that the roadside assistance plan I had included a tire change service, meaning I didn’t need to arrange a tow for something relatively simple.
2. Does Towing Assistance Cover Leased Cars?
The big question for anyone who leases a car is whether towing assistance covers leased vehicles. In my case, I wasn’t sure if my roadside assistance would apply to a leased car, as I knew leasing contracts often have specific rules and restrictions. I learned that the answer depends on several factors, including the type of roadside assistance coverage and the terms of the lease agreement.
2.1 Roadside Assistance Coverage Provided by the Leasing Company
Some leasing companies offer roadside assistance as part of their leasing agreement. This is often bundled with other services such as maintenance, but not all lease agreements include roadside assistance. I found that in many cases, leased vehicles come with a basic roadside assistance plan, which may include towing services. This coverage typically applies regardless of whether you are the original owner or leasing the vehicle, as long as the breakdown occurs while the lease is active. In my case, when my leased car broke down, I was able to rely on the towing assistance plan that came with the lease.
2.2 Roadside Assistance Through Your Insurance or Third-Party Providers
In addition to coverage from the leasing company, many people opt for roadside assistance through their car insurance provider or third-party companies like AAA. These plans usually cover all vehicles, including leased ones, as long as the car is registered to you. I’ve had a roadside assistance plan through my car insurance, and it clearly stated that it applied to leased cars. If your insurance includes roadside assistance, or if you’ve purchased a separate plan from a provider like AAA, you can typically get towing services for your leased car without any issue. It’s important to double-check with your insurance or roadside provider to ensure that leased vehicles are included in the coverage.
2.3 Are There Any Restrictions for Leased Cars?
While towing coverage for leased cars is generally available, there may be some restrictions based on the terms of your lease. For example, some leases may limit the number of towing incidents covered or require that the car be towed to a specific location, such as the dealership where the car was purchased or leased. I came across this clause when reviewing my lease agreement—while towing was covered, it had to be within a specific distance from my location or the dealer, which could be an issue if you break down far away from the dealership.
Additionally, certain lease agreements may require that you return the car in good working condition, and towing services might be required for damage or mechanical failure. In my case, when I leased my car, I found that damage caused by negligence (like an accident or lack of maintenance) wasn’t covered by the towing assistance plan. It’s always worth reviewing your lease contract to ensure that towing services will be available and what the terms are for coverage.
3. What Should You Do if You Need Towing for a Leased Car?
If you find yourself in a situation where you need towing for a leased car, there are a few steps you can take to ensure that everything goes smoothly. Here’s what I learned through my own experience:
3.1 Review Your Lease Agreement
Before calling for towing assistance, I recommend reviewing your lease agreement to check if towing services are included. This will give you clarity on whether the leasing company covers the cost or if you need to go through another provider, like your car insurance. If you’re not sure about the details, you can also call the leasing company’s customer service for confirmation.
3.2 Contact Your Roadside Assistance Provider
If you have a roadside assistance plan with your insurance or a third-party provider, contact them to confirm that towing is covered for your leased vehicle. If I had any doubt about whether my insurance plan applied to my leased car, I simply called the roadside assistance number. They were able to confirm that it would cover the towing of my leased vehicle, which gave me peace of mind during the breakdown. Additionally, some providers offer 24/7 assistance, so you can rest assured knowing help is always available.
3.3 Verify Towing Arrangements with the Towing Company
If you need to arrange towing through a third-party service, make sure to verify that they are aware of the leasing situation. In some cases, the towing company may need to know that the car is leased to ensure that it is handled properly. I had to double-check with a towing service once when I was dealing with a leased vehicle, just to make sure they were aware of any restrictions the leasing company might impose.
4. Real-Life Example: How Towing Assistance Helped Me with My Leased Car
Let me share an experience I had a few years ago when my leased car broke down during a long road trip. I was driving through a rural area, and suddenly the engine started making strange noises, eventually coming to a halt on the side of the highway. I was anxious about the cost of towing, considering I was driving a leased vehicle. However, I quickly called my roadside assistance service, which was included with my leasing agreement. To my relief, they informed me that the towing was fully covered, as long as the car was taken to the dealership for repairs. The entire process was smooth, and I didn’t have to worry about extra charges. The experience gave me confidence in knowing that towing for a leased car could be just as simple as if I owned it outright.
5. Conclusion: Towing for Leased Cars is Often Covered, but Check the Details
In most cases, towing assistance will cover your leased vehicle, whether it’s provided by the leasing company, your car insurance, or a third-party service. However, it’s always important to check the terms of your lease agreement to ensure that there are no restrictions or limitations on towing services. With the right knowledge and preparation, you can navigate any towing situation with confidence. If you’re unsure about your towing coverage or need assistance with a leased car, don’t hesitate to contact your leasing company, insurance provider, or roadside assistance service for clarification. Knowing your options can save you time, money, and stress during an emergency.
