Roadside assistance abroad: does the insurance pay?
A car breakdown is annoying, especially on holiday. But who pays for roadside assistance abroad – and how much does it cost? Comparis explains.
27.03.2026
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1. Roadside assistance abroad via car insurance
A roadside assistance insurance for the Switzerland is often an additional add-on for the partial cascoor full casco insurance – with some insurers, it is even part of the basic cover. In addition to roadside assistance on site, it also covers services such as advice or expenses for a necessary overnight stay. roadside assistance on site also covers services such as advice or expenses for a necessary overnight stay.
Depending on the product, roadside assistance is valid across Europe – without any additional supplemental insurance. Before you travel, find out from your insurance company whether the protection also applies in your holiday destination.
Important: Roadside assistance coverage in your car insurance car insurance is tied to your vehicle. This means it does not apply to rental cars, for example.
Accident abroad: contact your insurance immediately
In the event of any damage, make sure you inform your insurance company by phone. Your insurer will usually take care of organising things such as repairs and a replacement car. Act only after consultation. Otherwise, your insurer may not cover all costs.
Compare car insurance and save
Car insurance policies offer various components and additional cover. Read the fine print and inform yourself thoroughly. Our tip: Compare different providers. The premiums for the same cover sometimes differ significantly.
2. Roadside assistance abroad via motoring clubs
The motoring clubs in Switzerland offer their members breakdown assistance. However, not all have the same cover abroad.
If you have at least Classic membership in the Automobil Club der Schweiz (ACS), you will receive roadside assistance across Europe. The membership fee is CHF 98 for the first year. After that, the price depends on which ACS section you belong to.
Included in the cover are, in addition to the ACS member, according to the information on the ACS website, also:
all persons living in the same household
all vehicles registered in Switzerland or the Principality of Liechtenstein of the insured persons
Good to know: Depending on your membership, you are also covered by travel insurance through the ACS. Among other things, travel insurance covers trip cancellation and repatriation.
For roadside assistance abroad, Touring Club Switzerland (TCS) comes the ETI letter of protection into play. Depending on the coverage option, the TCS will provide roadside assistance in Europe or worldwide.
The TCS ETI letter of protection is available for members only Non-members can purchase it at a reduced price together with the letter of protection. However, in that case, roadside assistance in Switzerland is not included.
| Type | Regions | Member | Non-member |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | Europe |
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| Worldwide |
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| Plus | Europe |
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| Worldwide |
|
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Source: TCS
Roadside assistance applies to all driven vehicles according to the information on the TCS website on the ETI protection letter page.
Good to know: In addition to vehicle assistance, the ETI protection letter also offers further services. These include:
a personal assistance service
a travel legal protection policy
depending on the product, also a medical expenses insurance
The VCS Traffic Club of Switzerland (VCS) offers cover for breakdown assistance in Europe. This costs 69 francs. To be able to take out roadside assistance cover, you must be a member of the VCS. Membership costs 85 francs.
Good to know: You can also take out travel insurance with the VCS Travel Breakdown Cover take out travel insurance. Among other things, this insurance covers trip cancellation and medical treatment costs abroad.
3. Assistance via travel insurance
Have you already taken out travel insurance or are you planning to do so for your upcoming trip? You can include roadside assistance abroad as an add-on. Some travel insurance policies already include roadside assistance for use abroad.
As with all providers, the following applies to travel insurance: in the event of a claim, inform the insurer without delay. Do not organise anything yourself until you have consulted with them. Otherwise, not all costs may be covered.
4. Breakdown service cover through individual insurance
If you rarely travel, taking out one-off breakdown cover insurance is an option. However, the cover is limited in time. Before you take it out, check to see if the cover is also effective abroad.
5. Roadside assistance in Europe and Switzerland via the car manufacturer
Some car manufacturers offer a dedicated vehicle assistance service. In some cases, this is included for a few years after purchase. Depending on the manufacturer, this roadside assistance service is also valid in other European countries.
This article was first published on 10.08.2016
