Which Car Insurance Policies in India Include Free Roadside Assistance and Towing Services?

Several car insurance policies in India offer roadside assistance and towing services. These benefits may be included in the policy or available as an add-on. Insurers such as ACKO, HDFC ERGO, and ICICI Lombard offer such benefits.

A sudden car breakdown can cause inconvenience during your journey. It may also lead to unexpected expenses. With roadside assistance (RSA), insurers arrange services such as towing. They may also provide on-site repair, battery jump-start, or fuel delivery.

Car Insurance Plans Offering Roadside Assistance and Towing Services

Some car insurance policies offer roadside assistance as an add-on feature. Examples include ACKO Insurance, TATA AIG Insurance, and ICICI Lombard Insurance. The table below highlights their features and roadside assistance services.

Most comprehensive car insurance providers, such as HDFC ERGO and ICICI Lombard, offer similar RSA services. These services generally include towing, battery jump-start, and fuel delivery. However, ACKO offers several additional services. These include fuel refills of up to 5 litres, spare key retrieval, and 24/7 support. You can receive assistance at any time, day or night. This includes towing and battery services.

Key Features of Roadside Assistance of Car Insurance

Here are some key features of roadside assistance in car insurance.

• Assistance for Minor Issues: Your insurer may guide you over the phone for minor car issues. This helps when you cannot wait for a mechanic.
• Accommodation: If your car faces a major breakdown, repairs may take longer. In such cases, your insurer may arrange a hotel stay.
• No Claim Consideration: Your insurance company will not consider any assistance demanded under the RSA add-on of your car insurance as a claim. Therefore, your No Claim Bonus (NCB) remains unaffected.
• Alternate Transport: Your insurer arranges an alternate transport for you to take to the hotel or garage.

What Is Covered and Not Covered Under Roadside Assistance?

Under the RSA add-on, services such as towing are covered. Battery jump-start and fuel supply are also included. Certain situations are not covered under RSA services. These include drunk driving or driving without a valid licence. Let us look into the details:

1.    Covered

Here are some of the covered services under your car insurance RSA add-on:

• Towing: The roadside assistance add-on in your four-wheeler car insurance includes towing. If your car breaks down, your insurer will arrange for it to be towed to the garage or workshop of your choice.
• Lack of Fuel: This covers the cost of a fuel refill for your car if you run out in the middle of your journey. Your insurer will arrange for fuel so that you do not have to look for a gas station.
• Battery Breakdown: You get coverage under RSA in car insurance for your car’s battery failure. In this case, your insurer sends a technician to jump-start your car’s dead battery.

2.    Not Covered

Some of the exclusions are:

• Drunk Driving: You will not get any assistance if you are found drunk or under the influence of drugs during your car’s breakdown.
• Driving without a License: RSA services are not provided if you drive without a licence. They also do not apply without valid vehicle documents.
• Last Resort: RSA assistance may not apply if help is unnecessary. For example, when a nearby garage is easily accessible.

How to Claim Car Insurance with Roadside Assistance?

Here are the steps to claim car insurance with the RSA add-on:

Step 1: Call your insurer with the RSA helpline number mentioned in your car insurance policy.

Step 2: Inform your insurer of your vehicle number, breakdown location, and the RSA service you require.

Step 3: After verifying your details, the insurer sends a technician. The technician will reach your location.

Final Words

Roadside assistance in car insurance can be valuable when unexpected car issues interrupt your journey. Many insurers, such as HDFC ERGO and ICICI Lombard, offer essential RSA services, including towing, fuel delivery, and battery jump-starting. Some insurers, including ACKO, may offer slightly broader assistance options, such as fuel-refill limits or spare-key support. Comparing RSA coverage and conditions helps you choose a policy that best suits your travel needs.