Roadside assistance in Switzerland: insurance policies in comparison
Is breakdown insurance worth it? Who steps in if your car breaks down? Comparis provides information on roadside assistance and the right insurance cover for you.
27.03.2026
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1. Who pays for roadside assistance?
Responsibility for roadside assistance costs depends on the situation. In the event of a car breakdown in Switzerland, the following applies:
Are you a member of a motor club such as ACS, TCS or VCS? Depending on your membership and the scope of benefits, the motor club will cover roadside assistance in full or in part.
Does your car insurance include the add-on Assistance or do you have breakdown insurance? This will then cover the cost. You will then receive roadside assistance without being a member of a motor club.
Is it a newer car with a warranty claim, such as engine failure? In this case, you should contact the manufacturer.
What is breakdown insurance?
Breakdown insurance covers several benefits: for example, it helps you with a breakdown in Switzerland or abroad.
It is often part of the «assistance» or available as an add-on to your casco insurance – some insurers even include it in their basic liability insurance or casco insurance. Check with the various providers about what exactly is covered.
In the event of a road traffic accident, road traffic accidents are decided on the basis of who caused the accident. Always keep the receipt for any roadside assistance you receive. As the injured party, you can reclaim the costs from the other party’s insurer.
Have you caused an accident and damaged other vehicles? If so, your liability insurance covers the towing of the other vehicle. However, your insurer will only pay for damage to your own car if you’ve taken out the appropriate cover. This includes the full casco insurance and the add-on module Auto Assistance.
With new cars, you often don’t need any extra breakdown insurance. Many car manufacturers offer a longer mobility guarantee for new cars. As a rule, this covers on-site repairs, towing, a courtesy car and workshop costs. The exact scope of cover depends on the manufacturer.
2. How much does roadside assistance cost in Switzerland?
Whether you’ve got a flat battery, a flat tyre or you’ve locked your keys in the car: depending on the problem, roadside assistance can be very expensive in individual cases. Costs for a roadside assistance service range from a few hundred to several thousand francs. This depends, among other things, on the time of the call-out and the reason for it.
Costs for Swiss motoring clubs
Motoring clubs cover the costs for their members. The membership fee depends on:
the number of insured persons
the age of the insured person, for individuals
the motoring club
the section of the motoring club to which you belong
In addition, you pay in your first year in some cases, a lower price than in the following years.
Car insurance costs
Roadside assistance is often included in your car insurance or available as an supplemental insurance The providers usually call the cover «assistance» or «mobility» cover.
Some insurance policies already include roadside assistance insurance is already included in the liability insurance or partial casco insurance included. With other providers, you will have to take out these benefits as add-ons insure these benefits separately or take out a full casco insurance policy.
3. Breakdown cover from motor clubs
Breakdown services in Switzerland are covered not just by insurance companies, but also by three motoring organisations:
the Touring Club Switzerland (TCS)
the Verkehrs-Club der Schweiz (VCS)
the Automobil Club der Schweiz (ACS)
As a member of one of these organisations, breakdown assistance is available to you in an emergency 24 hours a day, seven days a week .
| Motor club | Annual premium incl. membership | More information |
|---|---|---|
| TCS breakdown assistance | In your first year: CHF 96 Under 26: CHF 71 Couples/families: CHF 140 From the second year onwards, depending on the section: CHF 96–113 Under 26: CHF 71–83 Couples/families: CHF 142–159 |
|
| VCS breakdown assistance | CHF 154 Juniors: CHF 94 Families: CHF 164 |
|
| ACS roadside assistance | CHF 98 in the 1st year, then depending on the section for all persons living in the same household |
|
This article was first published on 10.08.2016
