Definition
Roadside assistance
Roadside assistance is the cover that tows or repairs your vehicle on the spot in a breakdown or immobilisation, anywhere. It differs from 'accident care', which is triggered only after a collision to record the damage. Many policies print an accident-care phone line without including roadside assistance.
Also known as: Accident care
This confusion costs real money and hassle. A driver sees a 24-hour phone number in their policy and assumes they have roadside assistance — until they get a flat tyre on the motorway and discover the line only handles accident reporting. The two covers are sold and priced separately.
In your own policy, do not judge by whether a phone number exists; look explicitly for the «roadside assistance» cover in the schedule. If only «accident care» appears, roadside assistance may not be included. PolicyWallet separates the two and shows which you actually hold.
Upload your policy — free analysisFrequently asked questions
I have an assistance phone — does that mean I have roadside assistance?
Not necessarily. It may be the accident-care line. Confirm the «roadside assistance» cover in the schedule.
Related
Educational content, not insurance advice. PolicyWallet explains what the term means and helps you find it in your own document — it does not assert what your policy covers.