Have you ever had a situation where you drove over a rusty nail, and now you’re stuck on the side of the road?
You can’t remove the nail yourself and don’t have a spare tyre, so now you’re left stranded in the middle of nowhere. What should you do?
This is where the beauty of roadside assistance lies. Instead of calling a car workshop nearby to haul your car in, which would be expensive, you can get a technician to come to you OR even get free emergency towing from your service provider. Isn’t it convenient?
It’s definitely stressful to have a broken down car and not know what to do. That’s why we covered an article on What to do after a Car Accident, but in cases of minor hiccups, roadside assistance is your best course of action.
What is Roadside Assistance?
Roadside assistance primarily focuses on providing immediate help for minor repairs that can be resolved on the spot. This includes services such as jump-starting a dead battery, changing a flat tyre, delivering fuel if you run out, or unlocking your car if you’re locked out.
It’s a quick and convenient method of “restarting” your if you ever find yourself out of battery, out of gas, or stuck on the road due to a flat tyre.
That way you won’t have to need to seek out car services or tyre shops near you for a simple fix, and instead have a technician come to you (Free of charge for services, you still pay costs for parts).
What does roadside assistance service cover?
Roadside assistance service offers a range of minor repairs and services to help get you back on the road as quickly as possible. It saves you the trouble of finding a nearby car workshop just to fix a flat tyre, dead battery, or refuel.
Here are some common repair services offered by roadside assistance provided by car insurance.
Flat Tyre Replacement:
If you have a flat tyre, the roadside assistance provider will come to your location and help change the tyre with your spare, allowing you to continue your journey.
Battery Jump-Start:
If your vehicle’s battery is dead, the roadside assistance team will provide a jump-start to get your engine running again. They will bring the necessary equipment to safely jump-start your vehicle’s battery.
Battery Replacement:
If you are in need of a car battery replacement, the technician may be able to bring a brand new battery to you and replace it on the spot.
Emergency Fuel Delivery:
Running out of fuel can be quite inconvenient, but with roadside assistance, you can receive emergency fuel delivery. The provider will deliver a small amount of fuel to your location, allowing you to reach the nearest gas station.
Lockout Assistance:
If you accidentally lock your keys inside your vehicle, roadside assistance can help. They will send a professional who can unlock your car without causing any damage.
Minor Mechanical Repairs:
Roadside assistance may also cover minor mechanical issues that can be fixed on the spot. This can include issues like a faulty alternator, a broken fan belt, or a malfunctioning starter motor. The roadside assistance provider will attempt to make the necessary repairs to get your vehicle operational again.
In cases where the problem cannot be resolved on the spot, roadside assistance can arrange for your vehicle to be towed to the nearest authorized service centre or repair facility.
Note that while roadside assistance service is FREE of charge, meaning you won’t have to cover the technician fees, any cost of spare parts and fuel are still charged as per market price.
Is roadside assistance the same as free towing?
Roadside assistance and free towing are essential services provided by car insurances. While they are related to vehicle assistance, they serve different functions and are used in different scenarios.
You call roadside assistance to get minor repairs, and you call towing services to send the car to a nearby workshop when the car is beyond a quick fix. Oftentimes, both services share the same number from your car insurance provider.
Check list of car insurance road assistance hotlines
What is Free Towing Services?
Free towing services are often offered by insurance companies and used for emergency situations.
When your vehicle sustains significant damage or experiences a breakdown that cannot be resolved at the roadside, roadside assistance is no longer suitable as a solution.
In such cases, if your vehicle cannot be safely driven, free towing will transport your vehicle to a nearby repair shop or an authorized service centre. This ensures that your car receives the necessary repairs or attention from professional technicians.
Comparison of roadside assistance and free towing by insurance
All the services listed below are active 24 hours.
| Roadside assistance service | Emergency free towing | |
| Lonpac Insurance | Minor roadside repairs* • Any repairs deemed possible on the spot Free Towing Service arrangement • For any repairs deemed too damaged to repair on the spot | • Up to RM200 per trip |
| Takaful Ihklas | • Jumpstart • Battery replacement • Flat tyre replacement • Petrol refuelling services • Locked out of the car • Chauffeured Taxi • Service Car Rental Service • Arrange Ambulance / Police / Fire Brigade • Up to RM300 Maximum Covered | • Up to First 100KM • THEN subsequently RM2.5 per KM |
| eTiQa Conventional / Takaful | • Jump start • Replace car battery • Replace tyres • Refill empty tank | • Up to First 200KM • THEN subsequently RM1.5 per KM |
| RHB Insurance | Minor roadside repairs • Any repairs deemed possible on the spot Reimburse up to RM200 upon approval • Only if break down arises from an accident | • Up to RM300 per breakdown |
| Tune Protect Group | • Minor diagnostic of the vehicle • Tyres change • Battery change • Jumpstart • Fuel Delivery | • Up to RM300 per breakdown |
List of Car Insurance Roadside Assistance Hotlines
| Company | Phone Number |
|---|---|
| Lonpac Insurance | 📞 1300-88-1138 |
| Takaful Ikhlas | 📞 1800-88-1186 |
| eTiQa | 📞 1300-13-8888 |
| RHB Insurance | 📞 1300-880-881 |
| Tune Protect | 📞 1800-22-8863 |
With all that being said, the best way to protect your car is always through prevention strategies.
If you do happen to collide with another car, it’s best to know what to do after a car accident to quickly resolve the conflict and make repair claims immediately with your provider.
