Roadside assistance: who pays if your car breaks down?
Is it worth taking out breakdown insurance? Who to call if your car breaks down? Comparis provides information on roadside assistance and the right insurance cover for you.
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1. Who pays for roadside assistance?
Who pays roadside assistance costs depends on the situation. If your car breaks down in Switzerland, the following applies:
Are you a member of a motor club such as ACS or TCS? Then they will normally bear the costs.
Does your car insurance include an auto assistance add-on, or do you have roadside assistance insurance? Then this will 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 (e.g. for engine damage)? In this case you should contact the manufacturer.
What is breakdown insurance?
Breakdown assistance insurance covers several benefits. For example, it helps you if you break down abroad. It is often included in “assistance” or is available as an add-on to your car insurance. Check with the various providers about what exactly is covered.
In the case of road traffic accidents, the crucial point is who was at fault. Always keep the receipt for any roadside assistance you receive. As the injured party you can claim the costs back under the other person’s insurance.
Have you caused an accident and damaged other vehicles? Then your liability insurance will pay for the other vehicle to be towed. However, your insurer only pays for damage to your own car if you’ve taken out the appropriate cover (full casco and/or an auto assistance add-on).
With new cars, you often don’t need any extra breakdown insurance. Many car manufacturers offer a longer mobility guarantee for new cars. This covers on-site repairs, towing, a courtesy car and workshop costs.
2. Costs: how much does roadside assistance in Switzerland cost?
Whether you’ve got a flat battery, a flat tyre or you’ve locked your keys in your car: depending on the type of issue, roadside assistance can be very expensive. Costs range from a few hundred to several thousand francs.
Costs of Swiss motor clubs
Motor clubs cover costs for their members. Membership fees start at around 85 francs per year. In most cases, there are special discounts for young drivers, families and new members.
Car insurance costs
Roadside assistance is often included in your car insurance. The providers usually call the cover “assistance” or “mobility” cover.
With Generali, for example, roadside assistance is included in partial casco insurance. With Mobiliar, it’s even included in motor liability insurance. Some providers require you to take out extra insurance or full casco insurance.
Good to know: if a tyre bursts as a result of normal wear and tear, roadside assistance will not cover all subsequent costs. As a driver, you are responsible for ensuring that your tyres are roadworthy.
3. Breakdown cover from motor clubs
Breakdown services in Switzerland are covered not just by insurance companies, but also by three motoring organizations: Touring Club Schweiz (TCS), Verkehrs-Club der Schweiz (VCS) and Automobil Club der Schweiz (ACS). As a member of one of these organizations, breakdown assistance is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in an emergency.
Good to know: motor clubs also offer roadside assistance for other vehicles. Meanwhile, the roadside assistance covered by car insurance only applies to your own car.
| Motor club | Annual membership | More information |
|---|---|---|
| TCS roadside assistance | CHF 96 Under 26: CHF 71 Couples/family: CHF 142 |
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| VCS roadside assistance | CHF 85 Juniors: CHF 25 Families CHF 95 |
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| ACS roadside assistance | CHF 98 (in the first year, then depending on the section) for all persons living in the same household |
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This article was first published on 10.08.2016
