newsprompt.coROADSIDE ASSISTANCE SERVICE
Be it a flat tyre, electrical fault or a minor mechanical defect, anything can disrupt your otherwise smooth car journey. It can be intimidating if your car breaks down in an unfamiliar territory. And this is when roadside assistance comes to your rescue. It offers direct towing service in the event of problems, such as puncture, car running out of fuel and other emergency situations. Some insurance companies offer it along with the car insurance policy while such companies as AXA Assistance India and Cross Roads India Assistance offer roadside assistance as a standalone product.
How Roadside Assistance Works?
Call up your car insurer for help and it will send a crew to your rescue point in no time. Essentially all the services are free, however, in some cases you will have to bear the costs. For example, if you run out of fuel, you will have to pay for refueling.
Again, if your vehicle has to be towed, you would have to pay for it. Some companies also provide taxi assistance and hotel accommodation if need be. This facility is most useful during the monsoon season when a vehicle is more susceptible to breakdown.
Factors to consider before taking Roadside Assistance Cover
Age of the car: As a car ages, chances of mechanical problems tend to increase. As a result, most of the service providers are reluctant to offer cover for cars aged above five years. And, just in case they do offer the cover, the annual charges would be very high. Additionally, car manufacturers also provide roadside assistance packages along with their vehicle.
Number of services available: The cover may have a cap on the number of times a service can be availed. For example, TVS Automobile Solutions offers two types of roadside assistance packages—Gold Card and Platinum Card. The Gold Card holders can get emergency breakdown assistance six times in a year, while, Platinum cardholders get unlimited emergency breakdown assistance in a year.
Plan prices: The prices for roadside assistance depend largely on the age of the vehicle and the number of services availed by the car owner. But another key aspect is your typical travel route. If you travel within your city, your plan may vary from someone who has to travel inter-city frequently.
Should you take Roadside Assistance Cover?
Roadside assistance is an essential aspect of your car maintenance and protection. In the unfortunate event of a breakdown or accidents, it is of great help. If you feel your current car insurance is able to take care of such emergency requirements, you can avoid buying a standalone policy. However, if your current car insurer does not give ample features in its add-on roadside assistance plan, go for a standalone policy.
4 Benefits of Roadside Assistance Insurance
Roadside assistance insurance is something that a lot of people skimp on when they buy their policies. They think that they can do without it and the premiums for the service are unnecessary. However, when you stop and think about it, there are many benefits to having roadside assistance at your disposal. Here are a few of the more popular benefits of the services that are available.
1. Flat Tires
Almost everyone has had a flat tire on their car at some point. If you haven’t, you probably will have one sometime in the future. This never happens at a convenient time either. You are usually dressed nicely and you probably even have your kids in the car with you. Do you really want to get out on the side of the highway, pull out your spare tire, get the jack out and change a tire? Crawling around under your car on the side of the highway can be dangerous, besides the fact that it is unsanitary. Having roadside assistance when you have a flat is a lifesaver. Just call the number and within a few minutes, someone will be there to change your tire and get you back on the road.
2. Out of Gas
Running out of gas is a helpless feeling. At least when you have a flat tire, you know that you can change the flat on your own if you had to and get to the nearest town. However, when you run out of gas, there is no getting around it. You’re stuck wherever you are until someone brings you some gas or you walk to the nearest gas station. With roadside assistance insurance, you get access to gas service. If you run out of gas, someone will bring you enough to get to a gas station.
3. Locked Out
There is nothing more frustrating than locking your keys in your car. Most of the time, you thought you had your keys with you and it turns out they were still in the car. You might have left your purse or wallet in the car as well. You can’t go anywhere or do anything until you get back in your car. If you call a locksmith, you’ll probably be out of a nice sum of money for two minutes worth of work. Roadside assistance helps you get back in your car without paying an arm and a leg.
4. Dead Battery
Not being able to start your car because of a dead battery is a very common thing for drivers. They might have left their lights on or the radio on all night and it ran the battery down. Then when they go to start the car, the battery is completely dead. With roadside assistance, someone can come jump your car and help you get it going again. This is extremely important to have especially in cold weather. You don’t want to be stuck somewhere without the ability to run the heat in your car.
