Spring and summer are approaching, and with them more journeys in search of adventure. Are you planning a trip to the sea or mountains in a camper or another car? How can you avoid unnecessary complications?

Imagine it’s Friday 9:00 p.m., the whole family is excited for the holiday, everything is packed, and the journey begins. But then – the car won’t start. Now what?

In such a situation, the quality of your insurance and assistance services becomes evident. The right vehicle insurance can determine whether your holiday is stress-free or full of worries. This article will help you prepare for all possible situations.

Basic Insurance Tips:

1. Compulsory Liability Insurance
   This is the foundation of any vehicle insurance. Before the trip, check if it’s valid abroad and whether you have a green card.

2. Comprehensive (Collision) Insurance
   Protects your vehicle in case of an accident, natural disaster, or vandalism. It also covers luggage in a roof box or bicycles on a rack.

3. Glass Insurance
   The most common vehicle damage occurs to glass. Flying stones can cause cracks, and repairs are costly. Glass insurance is definitely worth it – but watch the coverage limit, as repairs abroad are more expensive than in the Czech Republic.

4. Insurance for Luggage, Bicycles, Skis, and Surfboards
   If you’re bringing bicycles, skis, or other equipment, these can also be insured when mounted on a rack or stored in a roof box. Note – a car is not a safe, and insurance may be limited to certain hours of the day. For example, theft from a car at night might be excluded from coverage.

Assistance Services – When and How to Arrange Them?

Assistance services are usually divided into three categories:

• Basic – covers only essential services, such as towing to the nearest garage.

• Mid-level – may include a replacement vehicle or accommodation for passengers.

• Maximum – extended version with a wider range of services and higher limits.

WARNING: If you handle the breakdown yourself, your insurer may not reimburse you. Always call your insurer first!

What Do Assistance Services Cover?
It depends on the policy, but common services include:

• Vehicle towing – check distance limits.

• Replacement vehicle – usually for a limited time (e.g., 3–15 days).

• Accommodation for passengers – sometimes up to €160/person/day.

• Vehicle repatriation – most insurers require that if the vehicle cannot be repaired within 8 hours, it will be transported back to the Czech Republic.

Beware of Exclusions
Some insurers do not cover a flat tire, wrong fuel, or locked-in keys.

Waiting for Towing – What to Do in the Meantime?
Abroad, you may wait a long time for towing – even up to 24 hours. Camper vans longer than 7 meters require a special tow truck, which often departs from the Czech Republic, causing delays.

Watch for vehicle overloading! In Austria or Germany, weight checks are common, which can cause delays or fines.

How to Avoid Problems?

• Holiday add-on insurance – inexpensive and effective.

• Correct limit settings – check your coverage.

• Verify conditions in advance – call your insurer’s hotline for details.

Example Costs for Towing a Vehicle Across Europe:

• Norway → Czech Republic (2400 km): €7,560

• France → Czech Republic (1200 km): €3,800

• Croatia (Split) → Czech Republic (800 km): €3,560

If you want to avoid high expenses and stress while travelling, we recommend arranging the right insurance and quality assistance services. Also, don’t forget to check all the necessary documents and have your assistance service contact details ready before you set off.

Common Surprises for Clients:

• Replacement cars are usually five-seaters without roof racks or tow bars – bikes or skis may remain in the original vehicle.

• Vehicle repatriation can take longer, as the replacement car is typically sent from the Czech Republic.

• The rented car must be returned to the country where it was rented (e.g., an Italian rental car cannot be left in the Czech Republic).

• Insurance terms need to be checked carefully – some assistance services allow both repatriation and a replacement vehicle, others don’t.

• Cracked windscreen – is it safe to drive or a safety hazard?

• Some insurers limit the number of assistance calls per year (e.g., 3 events), while others provide unlimited coverage.

• The assistance coverage limit is often shared across all services (towing, recovery, mechanic call-out) – e.g., only €240 in total.

How to Set Up Insurance and Assistance Correctly?

• It’s not necessary to have everything with one insurer – different add-ons can be combined.

• Assistance limits may be combined – check your compulsory liability, comprehensive, and travel insurance policies.

• Some add-ons are included with bank cards – check the terms.

• Consider travel frequency – is year-round coverage or short-term add-on insurance better?

• Assistance conditions change regularly – at Stone & Belter, we have access to insurance comparison tools. Before you leave on holiday, contact us to make sure your coverage is set up correctly!