What is “Roadside Assistance” in Vehicle Insurance? Coverage, Exclusions, and More

Summary: 

• Roadside assistance is an “add-on” available with comprehensive vehicle insurance plans. 

• It covers services such as towing, replacing flat tyres, battery jump start, fuel delivery, and minor on-site repairs. 

• The cost of such assistance is not included in your base premium and must be purchased separately. 

• Using roadside assistance does not affect your accumulated No Claim Bonus (NCB). 

• You can explore + apply for vehicle insurance plans on the airpay money app and website.  

In vehicle insurance, roadside assistance is an “add-on” purchased by paying an extra premium. It helps you when your vehicle breaks down or becomes unusable during a trip (suppose due to flat tires, lost car keys, or dead batteries).  

Instead of arranging help on your own, you can contact your insurer, and they will send support to your location or arrange assistance services on your behalf. 

Want to learn in detail? 

Read this article to know what it covers, excludes, and how it works. 

What Does a Roadside Assistance Add-on Cover? 

The exact benefits depend on your vehicle insurance policy, but most plans include the following services: 

What Does a Roadside Assistance Add-on “Exclude”? 

In vehicle insurance, the service of roadside assistance contains several “exclusions”. These are cases when the insurer will not provide support. Let’s check them out: 

• Intentional Damage: No support may be provided if the vehicle damage is caused deliberately or due to careless handling.  

• Traffic Rule Violations: If the damage occurs as a result of breaking traffic laws, the service may not apply.  

• Services Not Mentioned in the Policy: Any request outside the scope of services listed in the policy document may not be covered.  

• Natural Disasters: Assistance is generally not available during large-scale events such as floods, earthquakes, or similar conditions. 

The “right” approach? While purchasing a vehicle insurance policy along with a roadside assistance add-on, review your policy document to check limits such as: 

• Service distance 

• Number of claims allowed, and 

• Conditions for each benefit 

Important Points to Know Before Opting for Roadside Assistance 

Note that roadside assistance is not a standalone policy. It can be added only if you have a “comprehensive” vehicle insurance plan. If you hold only a “third-party” policy, this benefit will not be available.  

But why? 

That’s because roadside assistance is linked to protection for your own vehicle, which third-party insurance does not cover. Therefore, you must upgrade your base policy if you want to include this feature. Additionally, you must know that: 

1. Roadside Assistance May Come at an Additional Cost 

Usually, roadside assistance is offered as an “add-on”. Its cost is not included in the base premium, and you need to pay an extra amount to include it in your policy.  

2. Does Not Affect Your No Claim Bonus (NCB) 

Using roadside assistance services does not count as filing an insurance claim. As a result, your accumulated NCB remains unaffected (even if you use services such as towing, fuel delivery, or minor repairs). 

How to Use Roadside Assistance Services in 2026? 

Different vehicle insurance providers follow different processes to provide roadside assistance. You can confirm the exact process by contacting an authorised representative or by reviewing your policy document.  

Still, need a reference? 

Below are some general steps commonly followed across most insurers: 

Step I: Inform the Insurer Immediately 

You may contact the helpline or toll-free number of your insurer as soon as the breakdown occurs. Delayed intimation may affect your eligibility for assistance. 

Step II: Take Approval Before Acting 

Do not arrange repairs, towing, or any service on your own without informing the insurer. Approval is required before any expense is incurred, otherwise the cost may not be reimbursed. 

Step III: Act to Prevent Further Damage 

Most vehicle insurance companies expect you to take “reasonable steps” to avoid worsening the situation. For example,  

• Moving the vehicle to a safe spot or 

• Not continuing to drive a damaged vehicle. 

These conditions form part of the service agreement and must be followed to receive full support under the roadside assistance add-on. 

Conclusion 

So now you know what roadside assistance is in vehicle insurance, its coverage, exclusions, and the process to avail of the benefit. If we were to recap, roadside assistance is an add-on available with comprehensive car insurance policies. You can purchase it by paying an extra premium.  

It helps you in unexpected situations, such as flat tyres, emergency towing, battery jump start, and more. However, services are subject to conditions, policy limits, and exclusions. 

Looking for some car insurance options online? 

Explore the various 4-wheeler insurance plans on the airpay money app and website. We are a 360-degree financial wellness platform trusted by 1,00,000+ users. Additionally, use our free utilities, such as Tax Calculator, Life Insurance Calculator, Budget Calculator, and more, to improve your financial health.