When you’re stuck on the side of the road, knowing help is on the way is a relief. That’s certainly the case when you’re on vacation, because you’ve got better things to do!

For Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. customers who have towing and labor coverage on their auto policies, Roadside Assistance is included at no additional cost. Towing and labor coverage provides the reimbursement of expenses incurred for automobile disablements such as towing, tire changes, jump starts, lockouts, fuel deliveries and extractions.

“In the past, when a disablement occurred, the customer had to secure the appropriate assistance, and then send any eligible receipts to Farm Bureau for reimbursement, up to the applicable limit on the vehicle,” said Barry Light, VFBMIC product development manager. “Customers are still covered for all the same disablements; however, with Roadside Assistance, the customer no longer has to coordinate the help.”

“Easy and pleasant”

Robert Fleet of Amelia County used Roadside Assistance when a family member experienced a mechanical issue. “I had never used Farm Bureau’s roadside provider before, so I decided to give it a try. I called the phone number, and the entire experience was easy and pleasant.”

Fleet said he has used a different roadside provider in the past and felt the Farm Bureau experience was superior. “It’s an excellent coverage and helps save money, and may allow customers to discontinue other roadside providers that they currently pay extra to use.”

Anne Baskette of Henrico County was grateful to have roadside assistance when her son’s vehicle was disabled. “The customer service representative that he spoke with was very pleasant and eager to assist him,” she recounted.
The rep found his policy information right away and used GPS and other points of reference that Baskette’s son provided to determine his exact location.

“The service provider who came out was wonderful and towed the vehicle to a shop nearby that my son picked out,” Baskette said. “My son did not have to pay anything out of pocket since the shop was so close.”

The service was a comfort to her, she said, because shortly after the incident her son moved to Arizona for college. “I knew if he broke down out there, so far away from home, he knew he had this service and how to go about using it.”
 

How to get help

To use Roadside Assistance, customers can call the Farm Bureau claims number on their Auto I.D. Cards and select the Roadside Assistance option.

“They will bring the help to you wherever you are with no out-of-pocket costs to you, as long as the expense is within the limit on your covered vehicle,” Light explained.

If you do not have this coverage on your vehicles, or would like to select a higher benefit limit, contact your Farm Bureau agent or county Farm Bureau office.