Summer is approaching, and more and more Czechs are heading off on holiday in their own cars. There are several reasons for this – higher airfares, uncertainty in air travel, and the greater freedom that driving offers.

The most popular destinations remain Croatia, Italy, Poland, and Slovakia. However, when travelling by car, one seemingly minor mistake can make an entire holiday significantly more expensive.

That mistake is choosing travel insurance based solely on price.

Many people arrange insurance in just a few minutes through online comparison websites. The main deciding factor is often the lowest premium. Yet with travel insurance, the differences between policies can be enormous.

When Your Car Breaks Down

One of the most frequently used benefits is roadside assistance.

The cost of vehicle recovery typically ranges from CZK 15 to CZK 30 per kilometre. For simplicity, let's use CZK 25 per kilometre.

What many drivers don't realise is that international towing services usually charge for both the outbound and return journey of the recovery vehicle.

Imagine driving from Prague to Split, a distance of approximately 1,100 kilometres. Your vehicle breaks down, and it cannot be repaired on site.

Transporting the car back to the Czech Republic would mean:

• 2,200 km of billable distance
• CZK 25 per kilometre

Total recovery cost of approximately CZK 55,000

This is where the true quality of your roadside assistance coverage becomes apparent.

How Much Difference Can the Right Insurance Make?

For exactly the same recovery service, the amount paid by the customer can vary dramatically:

The difference in insurance premiums is often only a few hundred Czech crowns.

Watch Out for Towing Limits to the Nearest Garage

Another common restriction concerns towing to the nearest repair shop. Some assistance packages cover only the first 50 kilometres.

If the breakdown occurs in a remote area or abroad, the nearest suitable garage may be much farther away. In such cases, drivers can face unexpected out-of-pocket costs.

Roadside Assistance Is About More Than Towing

Comprehensive assistance packages may also include:

• Emergency accommodation
• Transportation for passengers to their destination
• A replacement vehicle
• A substitute driver
• Repatriation of the vehicle to the Czech Republic

These services often determine whether a breakdown remains a minor inconvenience or becomes a major financial burden.

Price Matters. Coverage Matters More.

When choosing travel insurance, don't compare policies based on price alone. Always review the assistance service limits and consider how far you plan to travel.

Saving a few hundred crowns when purchasing insurance could end up costing tens of thousands if something goes wrong.

If you're not sure whether your current travel insurance provides adequate cover for a road trip abroad, we'd be happy to help you find a solution that matches the way you travel.