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Know Everything About Roadside Assistance

Wish

Written by Sharad Bajaj

Updated Oct 15, 2023

Be it an electrical fault, flat tyre, or a minor mechanical defect, whenever you face any of these, the roadside assistance comes to your rescue.

Roadside assistance cover is an add-on offered with a car insurance policy, which enables the owner of an insured car to avail assistance in case their vehicle is stranded with a flat tyre, an engine imperfection or necessitates any other revamps. A roadside assistance add-on can help you to choose to contact service personnel to tow your car for maintenance to a garage.

Know Everything About Roadside Assistance

How Roadside Assistance Works?

When you need assistance, contact your car insurer and it will send a team to your rescue point immediately. All the services are free, but, in some cases, you will have to bear the costs. For instance, if you need fuel, you will have to pay for refueling. Also, if your car needs to be towed, you would have to pay for it. A few companies also offer hotel accommodation and taxi assistance if required. This facility is most helpful during the monsoon season when a vehicle is more prone to breakdown.

You May Also Like To Read: What to Do if Your Car Breaks Down on a Busy Highway?

Coverage Under Roadside Assistance Cover

Roadside assistance offers several benefits to the policyholder. Here’s what you can get:

  • Battery jump start
  • Minor repairing
  • Towing service
  • Spare key arrangement
  • Alternate battery/jump start
  • Alternate transport/accommodation
  • Phone assistance
  • Emergency fuel

Who Should Opt for Roadside Assistance?

If your comprehensive car insurance policy does not offer roadside assistance, you can opt for it separately. It is useful for individuals who take long drives and those who are unversed in the fundamental repair work for their vehicles. It can also prove to be very useful for elderly drivers.

Things To Consider Before Buying Roadside Assistance Coverage

When buying roadside assistance coverage, it is important to pay attention to the following things:

  • Age of car

As a car age, possibilities of mechanical issues tend to increase. Due to this, most of the service providers are unwilling to offer cover for cars aged more than five years. And in case they offer the cover, the annual charges would be very high. Moreover, car manufacturers also offer roadside assistance packages along with their vehicle.

  • Plan costs

The costs for roadside assistance depend on the age of the vehicle and the number of services availed by the car owner. But one more key aspect is your travel route. If you travel to the city, the plan may vary from someone who has to travel inter-city frequently.

Conclusion

Car insurance with roadside assistance included is essential as it guards the owner of the vehicle or driver in the case of a car breakdown. Having a roadside assistance rider is suitable as you can always be assured that assistance is only a call away in any urgent situation. If you are buying the roadside assistance policy via an agent or a dealership, educate the executive to include the cover in your policy and confirm if it has been added or not before making the payment. Ensure to understand the fine print before buying any insurance plan or add-on cover.

Disclaimer: This article is issued in the general public interest and meant for general information purposes only. Readers are advised not to rely on the contents of the article as conclusive in nature and should research further or consult an expert in this regard.

Wish

Written by Sharad Bajaj

Sharad is an insurance industry veteran who has managed motor insurance products for over a decade. Read More

Disclaimer

This article is issued in the general public interest and meant for general information purposes only. Readers are advised not to rely on the contents of the article as conclusive in nature and should research further or consult an expert in this regard.
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