“It’s so easy a caveman can do it.” Said no young adult ever when it comes to buying car insurance.
While that catchy phrase might be the main selling point for a major auto insurance provider, navigating the ins and outs of insurance can be anything but simple.
To help clear up some common misconceptions, insurance agents and brokers have taken to social media, offering tips and advice that many people might not know.
On August 22, Insurance Agent and Manager Kenneth Turner (@kennethturner) posted a TikTok that quickly went viral, racking up over 60,000 views and 1,239 likes.
In his video, Turner offered a piece of advice that surprised a lot of viewers: Don’t use your car insurance to file a roadside assistance claim.
“I’m shocked that a lot of people don’t know this about their auto insurance policy,” Turner said in the video.
Turner explained that if you file a claim for roadside assistance through your car insurance, that claim could follow you for up to five years.
He emphasized that this applies not only to incidents on the side of the road but also to those that happen in parking lots, garages, or even at home.
According to Turner, when people file these types of claims, they usually only get about $100-$150 back from their insurance company. But the potential impact on their insurance rates could be much more significant.
“Guys, PSA,” Turner continued. “If you have auto insurance, do not use roadside assistance unless it’s absolutely worst-case scenario.”
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So, What’s the Alternative?
Turner suggested that viewers consider getting a AAA membership instead. “If you have a AAA policy, guess what? It doesn’t hurt your auto insurance to file a claim,” he said.
With basic AAA memberships starting at just under $65 a year, Turner argued that it could be a better option financially.
However, not everyone agreed with Turner’s advice. Some commenters pointed out that their insurance rates hadn’t increased after filing roadside assistance claims.
“This is ridiculous. USAA has never increased my rates due to roadside assistance claims,” one commenter said, earning 65 likes. “Not true. I’ve used mine twice and no rate increase,” added another.
These commenters were right to some extent—it does depend on the insurance company whether your rates go up after a roadside assistance claim.
But Turner was quick to respond, clarifying that he wanted to warn viewers about potential issues that could arise, even if the outcome varies by individual case.
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“Everyone thinks insurance agents are the worst people in the entire world, right?” Turner said in his video. He defended his original statements, explaining that his goal was to educate people about the possible consequences of different auto scenarios.
In conclusion, Turner advised viewers to consider removing roadside assistance from their auto insurance policy and opting for AAA coverage instead.
It’s always good to be informed, and knowing your options can help you make the best decision for your situation.