Does Erie Insurance Cover Towing? A Breakdown of Coverage Options

Getting stranded on the side of the road with a disabled vehicle can be incredibly stressful and inconvenient. In those moments having robust towing and roadside assistance coverage through your Erie insurance policy can provide peace of mind and financial protection. But does Erie actually provide towing coverage? And if so, what options are available? Let’s take a closer look at what Erie offers when it comes to towing and roadside assistance.

Erie’s Built-In Towing Coverage

The good news is that Erie auto insurance policies automatically include some basic towing coverage through their “on-site labor” provision. According to Erie’s website, this covers “reasonable towing and required labor costs at the site where your car breaks down.”

So if your car dies on the highway and needs to be towed to the nearest exit ramp or service station, this on-site towing allowance will cover those immediate transportation costs. It’s not unlimited towing but covers short tows to remove your car from a hazardous location.

Roadside Assistance Coverage Options

While Erie does provide some basic towing through on-site labor, for more extensive roadside assistance like long-distance towing, locksmith services, jumpstarts, tire changes, and fuel delivery, you’ll need to add supplemental coverage.

Erie offers two main options:

• Roadside Assistance Coverage – This standalone coverage can be added to your policy for around $9 per year on average. It expands the towing allowance from basic on-site tows to longer towing distances of up to 30 miles. It also covers other non-towing services like locksmith costs, battery jumps, flat tire changes, and fuel delivery.

• Roadside & Rentals Bundle – For more complete coverage, Erie also offers a Roadside & Rentals bundle that includes expanded roadside assistance along with transportation expense coverage. This covers rental reimbursement if your vehicle is disabled due to a covered loss. The bundle costs approximately $25 annually.

Both options can give you peace of mind that you’ll have help at your fingertips in the event your car breaks down or is damaged in an accident.

Coverage Limitations

While the towing allowances under Erie’s policies are helpful, it’s important to note some limitations:

• The on-site labor coverage has tight restrictions on mileage. The Roadside Assistance option increases the mileage limit but long-distance tows of more than 30 miles may not be fully covered.

• Erie’s coverage is for “reasonable” towing costs. In practice, this means they set maximum dollar amount limits they will pay for any one towing incident. Higher costs may come out of your pocket.

• Towing is only covered from the initial breakdown location. Any subsequent towing like from a service station to repair shop may not be included.

• Towing must be related to a covered loss like an accident or breakdown. Towing for issues like running out of gas may be excluded.

So while Erie does have you covered for basic towing needs, be sure to understand exactly what is included and where the limits lie. For guaranteed protection on long-distance tows or other specialized situations, adding supplemental coverage from a motor club like AAA may give you the most peace of mind.

Getting Towing Reimbursement from Erie

If you do need to utilize your Erie towing benefits, be sure to take the right steps to get fully reimbursed:

• Call Erie’s claims department as soon as possible to report the breakdown and towing need. Get their approval before proceeding with any tow truck dispatch.

• If you incur towing costs out-of-pocket, save all receipts and documentation to submit to Erie. This includes any police reports if applicable.

• Only use towing companies approved by Erie. Using out-of-network tow trucks may not qualify for reimbursement. Erie can provide a list of preferred vendors.

• Provide Erie with photos documenting any vehicle damages that led to the need for a tow. This evidence will help facilitate claim processing.

• Be prepared for some back and forth with Erie adjusters to justify the towing costs. Lack of documentation can delay or limit reimbursements.

With the right supplemental coverage and proactive reporting, Erie can truly have you covered in any roadside mishap. But be sure to vet the fine print so you understand exactly what towing scenarios will be covered and which may require additional services or out-of-pocket fees. Knowing what to expect from your Erie policy will let you rest easy knowing you’re protected in a breakdown.

Frequently Asked Questions about Erie and Towing

Does Erie roadside assistance cover a dead battery jump start?

Yes, with the Roadside Assistance coverage add-on, Erie insurance will cover the cost of a jump start if you have a dead battery. The basic on-site labor allowance does not cover jump starts.

If my car is totaled, will Erie pay for towing to a salvage yard?

Unfortunately no, Erie’s towing coverage only applies to removing your car from the initial breakdown location to a nearby repair shop or safe location. Any further towing like to a salvage yard would be at your own expense.

Does Erie cover winching my car out if it’s stuck in mud or snow?

Winching your vehicle due to it being stuck may be covered under the expanded Roadside Assistance option, but likely exceeds the limits of the basic on-site labor coverage. You’d need to confirm with Erie based on the specifics.

Can I get towing with just liability coverage or do I need comprehensive and collision?

Towing coverage is not dependent on having comp and collision. Even with just liability coverage, you can add options like Roadside Assistance and receive towing benefits.

If I run out gas, will Erie reimburse gas delivery or a tow?

Unfortunately running out of gas is generally not considered a covered breakdown situation by Erie. So the cost of a tow or gas delivery in that scenario would most likely be your responsibility.

Does Erie offer any long-distance towing options for RVs or travel trailers?

The mileage limits on Erie’s standard towing options make them insufficient for large RVs or trailers. You would need to inquire with Erie about any specialty add-ons they may offer or look into supplemental coverage through an organization that specializes in towing larger vehicles.

Can Erie arrange a tow truck for me from out of state back home?

While the mileage limit may allow for a shorter cross-state tow, you generally need to be disabled in your policy’s coverage territory for Erie to dispatch towing services. Cross-country trips may not be included so you’d need to check with Erie on a case-by-case basis.

If I’m at fault in an accident, can I still get towing reimbursement from Erie?

Yes, you can still receive coverage for reasonable towing costs through Erie even if you were at fault, as long as you carry the proper towing coverages on your policy. The at-fault accident may impact your rates at renewal time but not your immediate towing benefits.

Getting stranded with a disabled car can quickly go from inconvenient to dangerous. Make sure you understand the ins and outs of Erie’s towing offerings so you have peace of mind that you’ll get the help you need for any roadside mishap.