Benefits Of Roadside Assistance in Car-Insurance

Arun and his friend Hamza were on a road trip to Ladakh. They were enjoying their travel playlist when Arun’s car suddenly stopped miles away from the nearest town. With no mechanical skills, they had no choice but to wait for a passerby to help them.

If only Arun had a roadside assistance add-on cover with his car insurance, he could’ve contacted his insurance provider, who would’ve arranged a mechanic or even a ride to the nearest hotel. 

Be it a flat tyre, a dead battery, or a total loss, roadside assistance is a lifesaver for vehicle owners. So, join us as we explore some lifesaving roadside assistance benefits and help you decide if you need one for your car. 

What Is Roadside Assistance Add-on?

Roadside assistance is an add-on that insurance companies offer as an additional protection with their comprehensive car insurance cover. With this add-on, you can get 24×7 assistance if you get stuck on the road due to issues with your vehicle.

You can get this add-on by paying an extra amount as a premium. The cover generally includes towing, battery jump-start, flat tyre replacement, emergency fuel delivery, and assistance if you lock your keys in the car.

This car insurance add-on can save time, reduce stress, and prevent the additional costs of on-the-spot repairs, especially in remote locations. Ultimately, it offers peace of mind, knowing that you have support at any time, anywhere, should your car fail you during your travels.

Inclusions And Exclusions Of Roadside Assistance Add-on

Roadside assistance covers multiple services depending on the insurance company. Let’s look at some commonly included and excluded services from the cover.

Included Services :

Here are some standard roadside assistance benefits you can avail of-

• Battery repair/charging: If your car’s battery dies, roadside assistance can send a mechanic to jump-start or repair it.
• Spare key service: If you lose your keys or lock them inside your vehicle, you can get a spare key or professional help to unlock it.
• Flat tyre: Roadside assistance also includes puncture fixes or replacing the tyre with a spare.
• Towing: Should your car suffer a total breakdown or accident, roadside assistance will tow it to the nearest repair shop.
• Fuel assistance: If you run out of fuel, roadside assistance can deliver an emergency fuel supply to help you reach the nearest petrol station.
• Medical coordination– In unfortunate situations where you end up getting into an accident midway, your Roadside Assistance cover would also help coordinating with the nearest medical centre.

Excluded Services :

There are scenarios where insurance providers may deny roadside assistance services, even if you have them included in your comprehensive car insurance cover. These include:

• Drunk driving: If you were under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the incident, the insurance provider will not offer roadside assistance services.
• No driving license: The insurer will assist you only if you hold a valid driving license.
• Expired insurance policy: Roadside assistance is not available if your car insurance policy has expired.
• Intentional damage: You cannot receive assistance if damage to the vehicle was caused deliberately.
• Uninformed repairing: The RSA claim may also be rejected if the repair is done without knowledge of the insurance company.

When To Opt For Roadside Assistance Add-on?

Opting for a roadside assistance cover is a practical choice in the following situations: 

• New car: Relying on the services of an unauthorised mechanic can affect your new car’s warranty. So, if your vehicle is less than 5 years old, consider a roadside assistance add-on. It ensures you get authorised services without impacting your warranty.
• Regular usage: Using your car daily increases the likelihood of breakdowns, making this add-on essential.
• Frequent long-distance travel: If you travel long distances and visit remote locations frequently, a roadside assistance rider will give you peace of mind. 
• No knowledge about car repairs: If you aren’t familiar with the mechanics of the car, roadside assistance can provide expert help for all your car troubles.

Things To Be Mindful Of

Here are some things to consider when buying a road assistance cover:

1. Available for genuine emergencies only

Roadside assistance is only available to policyholders as a last resort. If you ever get stuck on the road but can easily take your vehicle to a nearby garage and get it repaired on your own, the insurer will not assist.

2. Services are chargeable 

Services you avail under this add-on are chargeable. However, some insurance companies offer free services to policyholders who meet specific criteria. For instance, it’s common for insurers to provide free assistance within a certain distance. 

3. Towing or Fuel charges are borne by you

If your car runs out of fuel or you need to tow your vehicle to the garage, the insurance provider will ensure that the required assistance is readily available. However, you must bear the expenses for fuel and towing services. While Roadside Assistance cover doesn’t account for a claim, you can use the cover maximum up to 4 times in one policy year.

Key Takeaways

Roadside assistance is an excellent addition to any car insurance plan, providing round-the-clock assistance if your car breaks down on the road. It is especially essential if you frequently travel long distances by road, giving you peace of mind even in remote locations of the country. Additionally, with platforms like PhonePe, it becomes even more convenient to purchase and maintain a car insurance policy!