Assistance services are a key part of vehicle insurance and can greatly affect your satisfaction with the service as a whole. We often only realize their importance when we find ourselves in trouble – for example, due to a breakdown or accident.

Why are assistance services important?

When your vehicle becomes inoperable, whether due to a technical fault or a traffic accident, assistance services can provide you with quick and effective help. These services include, for example:

• Vehicle towing: If your vehicle is inoperable, the assistance service will arrange for it to be towed to the nearest garage or to a location of your choice.

• On-site repairs: In some cases, a mechanic can make minor repairs on the spot, saving you time and hassle.

• Replacement transport: If repairs take a long time, the assistance service can arrange for replacement transport so you can continue your journey.

• Accommodation: If the repair takes longer, you may be provided with accommodation for one or more nights.

The quality of insurance is revealed in crisis situations

You only truly discover the quality of your insurance when you actually need it. Assistance services can give you peace of mind and assurance that in the event of trouble, you won’t be left stranded. Therefore, when choosing vehicle insurance, it’s important to consider not only the price but also the scope and quality of the included assistance services.

How to choose the right scope of assistance services

As we’ve said, price is not the right parameter to decide on when choosing an insurance product. It’s important to carefully consider which services are offered in the assistance package and how they may impact your safety and satisfaction on the road.

Factors to help you choose:

• Scope of services: Some basic packages only include towing in the event of an accident, not a breakdown, and may exclude other services such as a replacement vehicle. Always check what’s included in each package.

• Geographic coverage: Make sure the assistance is valid wherever you travel. Some packages may only cover the Czech Republic, while others include help abroad.

• Limits and conditions: Each package has different limits, such as maximum towing distance or the number of days you can use a replacement vehicle. If you travel abroad, a package with unlimited towing might be the right choice.

A real-life example with a happy ending

A client wanted to drive himself and his family home from Šumava on Sunday afternoon but couldn’t start his motorhome due to a breakdown. His vehicle insurance included the highest level of assistance services. He contacted the assistance service, which arranged towing to a local parking lot and, on Monday morning, to the nearest garage. The garage determined the vehicle couldn’t be repaired within 24 hours (in this insurer’s case, 24 hours was the deciding time limit for offering towing to the client’s chosen address – note that this limit varies among insurers).

The towing cost in this case was 18,000 CZK (€720) (calculated for both the trip there and back). The client and his family used one of the offered transport options (replacement car for a certain number of days, public transport – which can also include flights, taxi service, or contractual transport) and chose contractual transport home. The Železná Ruda – Prague trip cost 8,000 CZK (€320), but the package limit for this type of transport was 6,000 CZK (€240), so the client paid the extra 2,000 CZK (€80) himself. This way, they got home with all their ski gear on Sunday evening.

For comparison, the towing limit in the basic assistance package (included at no extra cost) for this insurance product was 2,000 CZK (€80). Just the loading and unloading of the vehicle costs 800 CZK (€32), leaving enough in the limit for only about 10–20 km of towing. The enhanced assistance package cost the client 860 CZK (€34.40) more annually than the basic package – worth it only if you use your car mainly for short city trips in a small town.

It’s clear that even with a seemingly simple product like compulsory car insurance, it’s very useful to consult your needs with an expert. A financial advisor can help you navigate the details, choose the right product, and tailor it to your needs.

Note: Fixed rate used: 1 EUR = 25 CZK.