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Breakdown insurance: saying safe on the road
A flat tyre or an overheated engine is sure to bring an abrupt end to your journey. This is where breakdown insurance steps in. What should you be aware of when choosing a provider? Comparis has the information you need.
10.11.2022
iStockphoto / Jens Rother
1. What is breakdown insurance?
Breakdown cover is an add-on to car insurance. Breakdown insurance coverage includes:
towing away an unroadworthy vehicle and returning it to you
handling expenses for a return journey by train and overnight accommodation
costs of a hire car
The entire claim process is handled by the insurance company. Some insurance companies offer breakdown cover for self-inflicted mishaps. This can include a flat battery, running out of fuel or losing your keys.
Breakdown cover via motoring clubs
Breakdown cover is often included as a membership benefit of motoring club (TCS, ACS or VCS). Depending on the club, membership fees start at around 85 francs. More on the topic: roadside assistance Switzerland.
2. How do car insurers market breakdown cover?
Some insurance companies include breakdown cover directly in their partial or fully comprehensive insurance products. With others, you may have to add on breakdown insurance yourself. Read through your insurance policy carefully. Otherwise, you risk being charged twice over for the same service.
Good to know:
insurance companies use different names for breakdown insurance. It is sometimes called Mobility Europe, Car Assistance or any variation of these.
Add-ons and coverage vary depending on your provider.
Many manufacturers will offer guaranteed roadside assistance for the first few years on a new car. This often includes towing and repair services, which is similar to what breakdown insurance covers.
3. What are the differences in the breakdown cover provided by insurers?
Coverage varies depending on the provider and product. This is especially true for roadside assistance abroad: some insurers require you to take out additional out-of-country insurance. Others include Europe- or even worldwide coverage in their basic cover options.
Premiums also vary. Generali, for example, offers breakdown cover as part of its partial or fully comprehensive motor insurance. Vaudoise even offers breakdown assistance as part of its third-party liability insurance * With other providers, you will have to take out breakdown cover as an extra.
Breakdown insurance allowances
There are allowances that apply to breakdown insurance. These can differ widely, but usually hover around the 500-francs' mark. However, the costs of a breakdown can easily exceed this figure. Our tip: it's definitely worth comparing breakdown insurance policies.
This article was first published on 10.08.2016
