Roadside Assistance

Roadside Assistance (RSA) is an optional motor insurance add-on that provides emergency support when a vehicle becomes immobile due to a breakdown, flat tyre, dead battery, fuel exhaustion, lost keys, or a minor accident, regardless of whether a claim is being filed. The service is typically delivered through a partner network operating a 24x7 helpline, with on-site mechanics, towing operators, and locksmiths dispatched to the breakdown location. RSA differs structurally from a regular OD claim — it is a service utility, not a financial reimbursement, and using RSA does not affect the no-claim bonus on the underlying policy.

Indian motor RSA add-ons typically cost ₹200 to ₹600 a year, and cover a defined list of services within a specified geographic radius from the breakdown point — usually free towing for the first 50 km or 100 km to the nearest authorised workshop, on-site repair for minor mechanical issues, on-site battery jump-start, on-site tyre change with the vehicle's own spare, fuel delivery (paid by the customer at retail price) when the tank runs dry, key locksmith service when keys are lost or locked inside, and basic vehicle taxi service for the occupants from the breakdown location. Worked example: Karthik's car battery dies on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway at 11 pm. He calls the RSA helpline number on his policy schedule.

Within 45 minutes, a partner mechanic arrives with a portable jump-starter, the engine fires, and he reaches Pune without further incident. The RSA service was delivered at no out-of-pocket cost (his ₹350 annual rider had pre-funded it), and his policy's NCB is unaffected because no claim was filed. Had he not had RSA, he would have called a private tow operator at typically ₹2,500 to ₹4,500 for the same service, depending on hour and location.

A common misconception is that 'comprehensive insurance includes roadside assistance'. It usually does not — RSA is a separately priced add-on, not a default inclusion. Some premium-tier policies bundle it for free but most retail policies require the buyer to elect it.

Another common misconception is that calling RSA is the same as filing an OD claim. It is not. RSA service calls do not appear in your claims history and do not affect your renewal premium or NCB.

The exception is when RSA is invoked alongside a genuine OD event — a major accident requiring towing — in which case the OD claim is filed separately and may affect NCB depending on the claim size and your NCB-protect rider status. Related: own-damage, no-claim-bonus, comprehensive-insurance.