Carefree on vacation: roadside assistance through your travel insurance policy

Summer vacation is once again upon us. Are you traveling by car to your vacation destination? A lot can happen on the way. Make sure you are helped back on the road in case of a breakdown. Breakdown assistance can be insured in different ways, for example through your travel insurance.

Problems with your car can ruin your vacation in a big way. Especially if you come to a standstill along a busy highway in a foreign country. Quick help is welcome then. Many travel insurance policies offer additional roadside assistance and replacement transportation. Insurers also call this motorist assistance.

Driver assistance for help on the road

Have a breakdown on the way to your vacation destination? Motorist assistance allows you to contact the insurer's emergency center. Usually the following assistance is provided:

• On-site repair if possible.
• Towing the car to a nearby garage.
• Replacement transportation if the car cannot be repaired within two days.
• Cost of bringing the car back to the Netherlands.
• Vehicle recovery, guarding and storage after breakdown.
• Repair labor.
• Overnight expenses due to car breakdown, up to a certain maximum.
• Transportation of the driver, passengers and luggage to the Netherlands.

Details for motorist assistance vary widely among insurers. Especially in the areas of replacement transportation and (additional) accommodation costs, maximum reimbursements vary. Comparing insurance policies on these points is advisable.

What does not fall under motorist assistance?

If you break down because of not enough or the wrong fuel, don't automatically count on coverage from travel insurance. In addition, you only have coverage if you break down in a car with a Dutch license plate. Cars rented for the vacation are not covered by default. Also check if replacement transportation is included as standard, this is not always the case. Often you can insure this additionally. Check the terms and conditions of your travel insurance to see how replacement transport is covered before you set off.

Avoid double coverage

Roadside assistance can be arranged in several ways, of which travel insurance is one. An alternative is roadside assistance through providers such as the ANWB, your car insurance company, car dealer or your garage. Avoid double coverage and unnecessary costs. After all, one roadside assistance service is all you need to get you back on the road.

Difference between roadside assistance through travel insurance and other providers

With roadside assistance coverage through travel insurance, you only have coverage when you are traveling. A usual condition is that you must have booked one overnight stay. So a day trip to Zeeland by car is not covered. A day trip abroad is often covered. With providers such as ANWB, you do not have to be traveling to be entitled to roadside assistance. However, they do offer different packages and you can choose between assistance in your own home town and abroad. Of course, you pay more if you choose the most comprehensive coverage. Overnight expenses are not always covered if you are traveling and have a breakdown. With roadside assistance through travel insurance, this is more likely to be the case.

Are you looking for travel insurance with coverage that fits your (vacation) plans?

Our specialists will be happy to provide you with advice. This also applies even if you already have travel insurance and are wondering whether it is still appropriate.