Things break. Life shouldn’t. And when car trouble interrupts your day, knowing how to use the benefits included with your Fenix Protect Vehicle Service Contract can make a stressful situation easier to manage.
Your contract includes roadside assistance, towing, and rental benefits designed to help when unexpected problems leave you stranded or your vehicle needs a covered repair. Whether you have a dead battery, a flat tire, or a breakdown that requires a trip to the repair shop, understanding how these benefits work can help you make the most of your coverage.
Here’s what you need to know about accessing your roadside assistance benefits, arranging a tow, and understanding rental reimbursement.
What Roadside Assistance Benefits Are Included?
Every Fenix Protect Vehicle Service Contract includes roadside assistance benefits to help when certain unexpected problems occur on the road. Your specific contract outlines the applicable services, limits, and requirements.
Depending on your contract, roadside assistance may include the following services.
Jump-Start Assistance
A dead battery can leave you unable to start your vehicle, even when you’re ready to get on with your day. Roadside assistance can help arrange a jump-start to get your vehicle running again.
If your battery repeatedly loses its charge, you may need to have it inspected by a repair facility to identify the underlying problem.
Flat Tire Changes
A flat tire can happen almost anywhere. Roadside assistance can help arrange a tire change using your vehicle’s inflated spare, when available.
Keep in mind that roadside assistance for changing a tire is different from replacing a damaged tire. Review your contract for applicable limitations and any additional costs.
Lockout Assistance
Locked your keys inside your vehicle? Lockout assistance can help you regain access. If you need a replacement key or a new key cut, additional charges may apply.
Vehicle Fluid Delivery
Running low on fuel or another essential vehicle fluid can interrupt your plans. Depending on your contract and the situation, roadside assistance may arrange delivery of certain vehicle fluids.
The cost of the fluids themselves may be your responsibility, so check your benefit terms before requesting service.
Towing Assistance
Sometimes a jump-start or tire change isn’t enough to get you moving again. If your vehicle needs professional attention, towing assistance can help arrange transportation to a repair facility.
Your contract specifies the applicable towing benefit and limitations. For example, towing coverage may have a maximum benefit per incident and may apply only to non-accident-related tows. Confirm your specific terms before arranging a tow.
Concierge Assistance
Some contracts also include concierge services, which may provide courtesy assistance, help locating resources, or support with emergency phone calls when you’re dealing with an unexpected situation.
Review your contract to understand which concierge services are available to you.
How to Use Your Roadside Assistance Benefits
When your vehicle breaks down, you have enough to worry about without guessing what to do next. Follow these steps to get started.
Get to a safe location. If possible, move your vehicle out of traffic and turn on your hazard lights. If you are in an unsafe location, prioritize your safety and contact emergency services when appropriate.
Find your contract and roadside assistance information. Keep your Vehicle Service Contract and roadside assistance contact details somewhere accessible, such as your glove compartment or phone. This can save valuable time when you need help.
Call the roadside assistance number listed in your contract or benefit materials. Explain what happened, where your vehicle is located, and what type of assistance you need. The representative can help you understand the next steps for requesting an eligible service.
Confirm any applicable limits or charges. Ask whether the requested service is covered, whether a benefit limit applies, and whether you will be responsible for any additional expenses.
Follow the instructions provided. Be prepared to share your location and vehicle information, and follow the instructions given by the assistance representative.
For your safety, avoid attempting repairs yourself if doing so would put you at risk.
How Rental Car Benefits Work
What happens when your vehicle needs repairs and you still need to get to work, pick up the kids, or handle everyday responsibilities?
Your Vehicle Service Contract may include rental benefits to help with transportation while your vehicle is undergoing an eligible repair. These benefits can provide useful support when a covered breakdown leaves your vehicle inoperable.
However, rental reimbursement is subject to the terms of your specific contract.
Before Renting a Vehicle
Confirm eligibility and authorization first. Before renting a vehicle, contact Fenix Protect or the appropriate claims representative to understand the requirements for your contract. Do not assume that rental expenses will automatically qualify for reimbursement.
Be sure to ask:
- Does my situation qualify for rental benefits?
- Is authorization required before I rent a vehicle?
- What is the maximum daily rental allowance?
- How many rental days are eligible?
- What documentation or receipts must I provide?
- How do I submit a reimbursement request?
Your contract may establish a maximum daily amount, a limit on the total reimbursement, and a maximum number of eligible rental days. The approved period may also depend on the time reasonably needed to complete the covered repair.
Keep Your Rental Receipts
If your contract provides rental reimbursement, keep your rental agreement, itemized receipts, and any other requested documentation. Follow the instructions provided by the claims representative for submitting your expenses.
Remember, reimbursement is not necessarily the same as having the rental company bill Fenix Protect directly. Confirm how payment works under your contract before making arrangements.
Roadside Assistance vs. Vehicle Repair Coverage
It’s helpful to understand the difference between roadside assistance and your Vehicle Service Contract’s repair benefits.
Roadside assistance helps with certain problems that can leave you stranded, such as a dead battery, flat tire, lockout, or a breakdown requiring a tow.
Your Vehicle Service Contract addresses eligible mechanical and electrical repairs according to your plan’s terms, coverage, exclusions, and limits.
If a breakdown requires a repair, the repair facility must contact Claims and obtain authorization before proceeding with the repair. You can use any licensed repair shop, and the shop can contact Claims directly to begin the review process.
Do not assume that a roadside assistance benefit automatically means the resulting repair is covered. The repair must be evaluated separately under your contract.
Get More from Your Fenix Protect Benefits
The best time to learn about your benefits is before you need them. Take a few minutes to review your Vehicle Service Contract and make sure you know where to find your roadside assistance contact information.
Keep these reminders handy:
- Know which roadside assistance services your contract includes.
- Save the appropriate assistance phone number.
- Understand your towing benefit and any applicable limits.
- Contact the appropriate representative before arranging a rental car.
- Keep receipts and documentation for eligible reimbursement requests.
- Have repair work authorized through Claims before the shop begins.
A little preparation can help you respond with greater confidence when unexpected car trouble interrupts your plans.
Questions About Your Vehicle Service Contract?
At Fenix Protect, we believe you should understand what your contract includes, how to access your benefits, and what to expect when you need help. If you have questions about roadside assistance, towing, rental benefits, or your available coverage, we’re here to help you understand your options.
Already have a Vehicle Service Contract? Review your contract and contact the appropriate assistance or claims representative for guidance on using your benefits.
Looking for vehicle protection? Contact Fenix Protect online or call 833-252-4253 to learn more about our Vehicle Service Contracts, compare available coverage options, or request a personalized quote.