Car breakdowns may happen unexpectedly. Many reasons, such as a flat tyre, empty fuel tank, or a flat battery, can cause your car to stop in the middle of your road trip. Worse, not everyone keeps the tools in their car to repair their car damage on the spot.
This is where roadside assistance plays an important role. Roadside assistance is a form of protection if your car breaks down on the road.
Most insurance companies offer roadside assistance coverage for comprehensive insurance policyholders. However, if your insurance coverage does not include roadside assistance, you may want to purchase it as an add-on.
What does roadside assistance cover?
Roadside assistance covers a range of services that vary across providers. Here are several common inclusions in roadside assistance:
Emergency towing assistance
Car towing service is very crucial in the event of car breakdowns. It provides a service to tow your car to a workshop if it is not repairable at the scene.
Depending on the distance and time, a private car towing service may cost you hundreds.
However, you do not have to worry if you have comprehensive insurance. This is because most insurers offer free towing to comprehensive policyholders up to a certain distance or cost. That said, you will only have to bear the cost if the towing distance exceeds the limit.
You may refer to our previous article to get more information regarding this matter: Free Car Towing In Malaysia.
Emergency roadside repair services
Roadside technicians will come to you and assess your vehicle’s problems. Here are some common roadside repairs that an insurance company provides:
- Jumpstart and battery replacement
- Changing of flat tyre
- Petrol assistance
*Note: The above services will only cover the labour cost. You may need to pay for the cost of the spare parts.
Other services
The services listed above are usually included in a roadside assistance package.
Some insurance companies include other additional services for certain situations that you may not have thought of until you experience it on the road. Additional services for roadside assistance are as follows:
Alternative travel assistance
It helps arrange for a taxi, make hotel reservations or rent a car should your car experience a breakdown.
*The policyholder bears the cost of the car rental and hotel accommodation.
Ambulance rides
It provides ambulance services and transport in the case of a life-threatening illness or injury.
Transmission of emergency information
The service offers to send urgent messages to policyholders’ families, friends, or business colleagues during an emergency for free upon request.
Vehicle repatriation to Malaysia
Roadside assistance may also include transportation service should your car break down or meet with an accident across states, usually applicable to Singapore, Thailand, and Brunei.
For instance, Bantuan IKHLAS service is applicable in Malaysia and Singapore. In addition, it is also applicable in the region of South Thailand and Brunei, within a 25km radius of the Malaysian border.
Should you get roadside assistance?
Most auto insurance companies offer roadside assistance as a policy add-on. However, the benefits may vary.
Please go through your policy to fully understand the coverage. If you are entitled to free services as stipulated in your policy plan, you should take advantage of them.
It is worth considering getting these add-ons in your policy if your coverage does not include any of the benefits above.
Lists of roadside assistance offered by several insurance companies
Allianz Malaysia
- Free 24-hour unlimited towing distance
- Free car replacement
- Flood coverage
Etiqa
- Free 24-hour towing assistance up to 200km
- Alternative travel assistance
- Emergency evacuation assistance
- Vehicle repatriation to Malaysia
- Emergency message transmission
- Extended assistance to family and friends
AmAssurance
- Free 24-hour towing service within 50km round-trip (30km for Sabah & Sarawak)
- Breakdown assistance (changing flat tyres, jumpstart, battery replacement)
Liberty Insurance
- Free towing for an accident and breakdown
- Breakdown assistance (jumpstart, battery replacement, fuel delivery, tyre replacement)
- Alternative travel assistance
- Emergency evacuation assistance
- Interstate ambulance service
- International roadside assistance
MPI Generali
- Free 24-hour nationwide towing service
- Breakdown assistance (emergency battery delivery)
- Emergency message transmission
- Stolen car recovery assistance
- Alternative travel assistance
- Accommodation
Takaful Ikhlas
- Free 24-hour towing service within 100 km from the breakdown site
- Breakdown assistance (jumpstart, battery replacement, tyre replacement)
- Emergency message transmission
- Car rental and accommodation
RHB
- Free 24-hour towing service (within or outside Malaysia)
- Breakdown assistance
- Taxi assistance and hotel accommodation
Pacific & Orient
- 24-hour free towing service up to RM350 (for cars) and up to RM150 (for motorcycles)
- Breakdown assistance (minor roadside repairs, battery and tyre replacement, alarm system malfunction, jumpstarting)
Be more prepared with road assistance services
Roadside assistance can ease your mind if a vehicle emergency occurs.
Compare your options and any existing coverage to see what you need before purchasing a plan. You can easily compare the benefits and prices of car insurance policies using Bjak. Visit Bjak to get your free car insurance quotes.
Bjak is one of Malaysia’s biggest insurance comparison websites, offering policies from over 10 brands. Get your free insurance quote from Bjak today!
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