Road-related mishaps make movies entertaining but, it’s a whole different experience in real life.
If you don’t believe us, picture this: You are driving on a long strip of road, flanked by beautiful landscapes on both sides. You have your favourite music on, and you are casually breezing through the empty road.
Then suddenly, your car sputters and your fast pace dwindles to a bobbling motion. Then your car finally stops. Now you are stuck in the middle of nowhere, with no help.
Frustrating and a bit scary, isn’t it?
This is where roadside assistance comes into place.
What Is Roadside Assistance?
Even though machines have made our lives more convenient, they can falter unexpectedly.
Your vehicle, be it a two-wheeler or a one-wheeler, is no different.
It can stop functioning and you just might find yourself stranded in some unknown location. This kind of mishap feels like an entertaining story when it happens to others.
But when it happens to us, it just feels too scary and annoying.
However, to ensure you are protected from these kinds of casualties, roadside assistance has been introduced by several insurance companies.
Roadside assistance is an additional insurance cover that you can get under your car insurance policy. This roadside assistance is specifically designed to help you when you are stuck on the road. So, no matter where or when you are stranded, you can expect help from roadside assistance 24*7.
Now you know what is roadside assistance, it is time for you to know what all roadside assistance covers.
Key Takeaways
- Roadside assistance is an additional insurance cover that you can opt for under your vehicle insurance policy.
- This assistance will provide 24*7 help for any on-road specific mishaps. That includes dealing with a dead battery, flat tyre, lost keys, or any other problem.
- This assistance will not cover for you if you are driving under the influence of alcohol or any substance. It will also not cover you if you broke the traffic laws.
- You should be aware of what all is included and excluded when you are looking for road assistance India.
Inclusions Of Roadside Assistance Cover
We understand that you might not feel convinced enough to invest in a roadside assistance cover. So, we put together a list of everything that roadside assistance covers.
A Roadside Assistance Will Provide Help in The Case of a Flat Battery
If you are out travelling in your car and suddenly, the car battery dies, then you need not worry. Your car roadside assistance will take care of this kind of mishap. It will pay for the labour as well as any other costs involved.
A Roadside Assistance Will Cover for You in Case of a Flat Tyre
Admit it: One of the most unpredictable vehicle-related mishaps is the one that involves a flat tyre. Maybe you drove your vehicle on a small nail lying on the road. Or your vehicle ventured off road and something pricked your tyre. Whatever the cause, a flat tyre can leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere. To avoid this ugly situation, car roadside assistance connects you with the proper professionals, who can fix your issue. Moreover, roadside assistance will also pay for all the costs that you incur because of this.
Roadside Assistance Will Cover for You if You Lose Your Keys
Believe it or not, people lose their vehicle keys more often than they can imagine. This can leave them stuck in one place for a really long time. However, car roadside assistance will arrange for your vehicle to be picked up properly. Or it will arrange for a set of spare keys. The roadside assistance cover can also arrange for professionals to reach out to you and help you resolve the problem. Sounds helpful, no?
Roadside Assistance Will Cover for You if Your Vehicle Needs Repairs
There’s no telling when and where your car might break down. In such an unfortunate case, your car roadside assistance will help you by paying for any costs required to resolve the matter.
Roadside Assistance Will Take Care of Medical Situations as Well
Car accidents can most likely injure you. Sometimes even to the point that you might require immediate medical attention. In such a case, a car roadside assistance will arrange for you to be transported immediately to the nearest possible health centre.
Roadside Assistance Can Arrange for Your Vehicle to Be Towed in Case Of Emergencies
Certain mishaps cannot be resolved on the spot, no matter how good the technician is. In such a case, it is wise to arrange for your vehicle to be towed to the nearest service centre. If you have car roadside assistance, then it will make these arrangements for you. This roadside assistance will take care of any cost involved.
Roadside Assistance Can Help You Contact Your Relatives
In some cases, a car roadside assistance will help you in connecting you with your family or relatives, in the face of an emergency. Doesn’t this sound comforting? This should be a good reason for you to consider roadside assistance now.
Roadside Assistance can Help You with Fuel Emergencies
Another unpredictable car-related mishap is the one where it runs out of fuel. You might not have expected it but when it hits you, you are left stranded. It’s even worse if there is no refuelling station nearby. However, roadside assistance can help you with such emergencies. A roadside assistance can provide for a limited amount of fuel. You need to check that since different roadside assistance covers have different fuel limits.
Exclusions Of Roadside Assistance
Now you know what is roadside assistance and what all this insurance add on cover. However, when you are looking to buy roadside assistance, you also need to educate yourself about what all things are excluded from this cover. To help you with that, we made you a list.
Roadside Assistance Won’t Help if You Were Driving Under Influence
If you are in a car accident because you were driving under alcohol or any other substance influence, then your car roadside assistance will not help you.
Roadside Assistance Won’t Help if You Break Traffic Laws
Your car roadside assistance will not help you if you incur a financial loss because you broke traffic laws.
Who Should Take Roadside Assistance Cover?
- For anyone who owns a car or bike that is less than 5 years old, it is important to take a roadside assistance cover.
- Opting for roadside assistance is a good idea if you travel a lot. You never know when you’ll need help on your journey.
- If you are not confident enough about handling even small mishaps, taking a roadside assistance policy is a must.
How to Get Roadside Assistance in Car Insurance?
Roadside assistance is an add-on feature in a comprehensive car insurance policy that assists you in case the car breaks down in the middle of nowhere.
You can get this cover from your insurance provider by paying an additional premium. We suggest you visit your insurer’s website to add this cover to your regular policy.
How Does Roadside Assistance in Car Insurance Work?
Also known as breakdown cover, roadside assistance is an add-on cover that you can buy with comprehensive car insurance. This cover will help you when you’re struck somewhere or need assistance in the middle of the road.
With this cover, you can call your insurance provider, and they’ll send a crew in no time. Usually, all the services are free, but you may have to bear the costs sometimes.
Did You Know?
According to a Times of India report, India saw a 10% increase in road accidents in 2021, compared to 2020. In 2020, it was 347 and in 2021, it was 389. This increasing number of accidents stresses the need for roadside assistance as a safety measure.
Benefits of Roadside Assistance
People often dismiss roadside assistance as a futile investment. But they often overlook its importance. They miss the fact that roadside assistance can prove incredibly beneficial to them, especially in times of crisis.
Roadside Assistance can Cover for Any Unexpected Vehicle-Related Mishaps
If you are travelling in your vehicle, there’s always a risk that some mishap might happen. Be it a flat tyre or a dead battery or any other minor damage, your vehicle will leave you stranded at an unexpected place and at an unexpected time. With car
roadside assistance, all these problems will be resolved easily.
Roadside Assistance Will Ensure You Reach the Nearest Hospital Immediately
In the case of a medical emergency, roadside assistance can take you to the nearest hospital as soon as possible.
Roadside Assistance Ensures Your Travel Remains Smooth and Convenient
It’s almost impossible to escape a mishap. Things can happen anytime and anywhere. But it’s best to prepare for them. This is why roadside assistance exists to ensure that its policyholder’s travel remains smooth despite the bumps in the road (pun intended).
Word To Remember
Policyholder
A policyholder is a person who has bought an insurance plan. If you buy one for yourself, then you become a policyholder.
Conclusion
Before you dismiss roadside assistance as a worthless investment, know that it covers a lot of features that can help you make your travel smoother. It will provide for you in the case of your vehicle breaking down unexpectedly or running into some other problem. So do not think twice. Do your research about roadside assistance in India as well as which roadside assistance company in India is the best. Buy a good roadside assistance cover.
FAQ
To understand the roadside assistance meaning (or roadside assistance meaning in Hindi), you have to know that it is an add-on cover that you can purchase under your car insurance policy. This assistance protects you by offering 24*7 help on the road.
Keep in mind the following:
What all casualties does the roadside assistance cover
What does it not cover
What is the limit for fuel and labour services
What is the process of claiming this assistance cover
Yes. Your roadside assistance will make the necessary arrangements and cover for any financial losses in such a situation.
Yes. Roadside assistance will either arrange for spare keys or have some professionals resolve the issue on the spot or have your car towed to the nearest service station.
Unfortunately, roadside assistance does not cover you if you break traffic laws.
You can renew your roadside assistance cover by visiting the insurer’s website.
To claim roadside assistance, you need to call the insurer and share your policy details. Plus, you need to get your details verified.
Roadside assistance may have a cap on the number of times you can use it. It’s important to check with the insurance provider.
When you get repairs from a workshop/garage outside the authorized network, you enter a reimbursement settlement. Under this, the insured makes the payment for the repair and later gets the reimbursement from the insurer.
The cost of roadside assistance varies from one insurer to another. The basic cost depends on the type of vehicle and its age.
Also Read: Car Insurance Renewal
