I’ve been in the insurance world for over 40 years, and I’ve heard thousands of stories. But some calls, you never forget. This one came just after midnight. On the other end of the line was a man named Mihir, his voice tight with a panic I recognised instantly.
“Sharmaji,” he said, trying to keep his voice steady. “We’re stuck. Somewhere on the Jamnagar Dwarka highway. The car just… stopped.”
I could hear the wind whipping in the background, the faint sound of his two young kids crying in the back seat, and his wife trying to soothe them. His car’s hazard lights were blinking, a tiny, lonely pulse in the vast darkness of the highway. They were miles from the nearest exit, with no mechanic in sight.
He had done everything right. He was a good driver. A caring father. He had a comprehensive car insurance policy. But in that moment, none of it mattered. His policy could pay for repairs tomorrow, but it couldn’t help his crying daughter tonight. He felt completely, utterly helpless.
That feeling? I know it well. It’s a cold dread that settles in your stomach. The feeling that you, the protector of your family, are powerless.
We all believe it won’t happen to us. Our car is new, it’s serviced, we’re careful. We tell ourselves we’ll be fine. But life, as it often does, has its own plans. A dead battery doesn’t check your service history. A flat tyre doesn’t care if you’re on a deserted road or in your own driveway.
Mihir’s story had a happy ending. His car insurance policy included RSA and we were able to get a RSA team to him in just 40 minutes. But that night taught me a lesson I share with everyone I meet:
Preparation is not about fearing the worst.
It’s about protecting the ones you love from it.
That night wasn’t about a car breaking down. It was about a family’s peace of mind breaking down. And that’s a repair job no regular insurance policy can handle alone. It needs something more. A friend on the road.
What is RSA in Car Insurance
Roadside Assistance is a service add on to your car insurance that sends help when your car will not move. One number. One team. Quick relief.
Where it sits in your policy
• Third party insurance is mandatory by law but does not include RSA.
• Comprehensive insurance protects your car but usually needs RSA added as a separate cover.
• Some plans bundle RSA for the first year. After that you add or renew it as an optional cover.
What it actually does
• Coordinates help during a breakdown or minor mishap.
• Arranges on the spot fixes like a jump start, battery check, or tyre change.
• Sends a tow truck when a fix on the road is not safe.
• Helps with fuel delivery, lockout help, taxi support, and hotel coordination where available.
What it is not
• Not a substitute for accident damage cover.
• Not a free repair plan for parts or consumables.
• Not unlimited towing across states. Most policies set distance caps and call limits.
Why it exists
Because breakdowns are messy. Finding a reliable mechanic at 9 pm, haggling on price, towing safely in traffic, and keeping family calm is hard. RSA removes the chase so you can focus on safety.
Who benefits most from RSA
• Daily city commuters who face peak hour stalls.
• Highway weekenders who drive long stretches.
• New drivers and elderly parents who want simple help on call.
• Owners of older cars that see occasional electrical or battery issues.
• EV owners who need tow to a charger when range hits zero.
Costs you should expect
You pay a small extra premium for the RSA add on. During a call out, you may still pay for fuel, new parts, and repairs at the garage. The service team and coordination are covered as per your policy terms.
Not sure if your current policy already has RSA. Share the policy wording and Sharmaji will point to the exact clause you need, in plain English.
What you get with RSA
The promise
Help arrives where you are. You get coordination, on ground support, and a safe way to move your car.
On the spot fixes
• Jump start and battery check
• Fuse or minor electrical fixes
• Flat tyre change using your stepney
• Quick mechanical first aid to get you rolling again
Towing
• Safe tow to the nearest authorized garage when a road fix is not possible
• Distance caps apply by plan. Many covers include a limited free km slab, then charge per extra km
• Accident or breakdown both qualify when the car cannot be driven
Emergency fuel delivery
• Limited litres delivered to your location so you can reach the next pump
• Fuel cost is yours. Delivery and coordination follow your plan terms
Lockout help and lost keys
• Assistance to open the car when keys are locked inside
• Key reissue or advanced key coding is usually chargeable at actuals
Alternate ride
• Taxi arrangement or an alternate vehicle when repair will take long
• Caps apply on hours, distance, and city availability
Hotel help and onward journey
• Coordination for a nearby hotel if repairs stretch beyond a reasonable window
• In some plans, a small allowance is included. In others, you pay the hotel directly
• Onward journey planning support on select covers
Medical coordination
• Arranging first response or guiding you to the nearest facility in a breakdown or minor mishap
• Treatment bills go to you or your health policy
What RSA usually covers as a service
• Helpline, verification, dispatch, and tracking
• Technician visit for minor fixes
• Tow truck mobilisation within plan limits
What you may still pay for
• Fuel itself
• Spare parts, new battery, tubes, sensors, belts
• Advanced labour at the garage
• Extra towing distance beyond the free slab
• Hotel stay where not included by plan
Small print you should note right now
• Calls per year are limited by plan
• Some remote locations may not be serviceable
• Always call the helpline first. Repairs done without informing the insurer can be refused as an RSA event
The fine print that trips drivers up
Read this before you need help
RSA is generous, not unlimited. Most refusals come from small misses, not big mistakes.
Common limits to RSA
• Call limits per year. Plans often cap free call outs.
• Towing distance slabs. Free up to a set km, then pay per extra km.
• City limits. Some services work only within municipal bounds.
• Vehicle age or type limits on select plans.
When help can be refused
• Driver is drunk or refuses breath test.
• No valid driving licence at the time of the incident.
• Car used for racing, off roading, or illegal activity.
• Repair done without calling the helpline first.
• Car is roadworthy and can be safely driven but you prefer a tow anyway.
• Policy is inactive. Lapsed policy means no RSA.
• Location is unsafe or not serviceable at that hour.
What is not paid for
• Fuel itself during a fuel drop.
• Parts and major repairs.
• New battery, keys, sensors, fluids, or consumables.
• Hotel bills where not included by plan.
• Extra towing distance beyond the free slab.
Paperwork that slows down help
• Missing policy number or wrong registration number.
• Location not shared clearly. Share a live location pin or nearest landmark.
• Phone not reachable after the initial call.
Simple habits that prevent rejection
- Save the RSA helpline in your phone with your policy number in the contact notes.
- Call the helpline before you touch the car. Describe what you see, not what you think is broken.
- Share a live location link. Keep the line open until the ETA is confirmed.
- Take two photos of the scene for your records.
- Ask the agent to read back the service type, towing km, and any payable charges.
Sharmaji tip
If you are unsure whether the car is safe to drive, say so. The helpline will decide between a quick fix and a tow. That one sentence can save an argument later.
Do you actually need RSA
Most drivers benefit from RSA, but some can skip. Use the quick check below and decide in one minute.
RSA Checklist
Say yes or no. If you say yes to three or more, take RSA.
- You drive at night at least once a month.
- You take highways on weekends or long weekends.
- Your car is over 5 years old or the battery is past year 3.
- You live in a busy city pocket where towing or roadside help is hard to arrange fast.
- You have elderly parents or a new driver in the family.
- You drive an EV or a turbo petrol with lots of sensors.
- You would rather call one number than hunt for a mechanic under stress.
Who should say yes without overthinking
• Highway weekender: Ahmedabad Vadodara Expressway or Kutch trips mean long gaps between workshops. RSA is your safety net.
• City commuter: peak hour stalls are risky on crowded junctions. A known tow saves time and arguments.
• New driver or elderly parent: calm voice on the phone, clear steps, and safe towing matter more than saving a few rupees.
• Used car owner: small electrical niggles and tired batteries show up without warning.
• EV owner: range anxiety and charger access improve a lot with EV friendly towing and coordination.
• Business owner or sales runner: missed meetings cost more than the RSA premium.
Who can consider skipping
• Brand new car with robust free brand RSA for the first year and no planned highway runs.
• Garaged car that barely leaves the neighborhood and has quick family help nearby.
If you skip, set a reminder to revisit at renewal. Needs change fast.
Why the RSA premium is usually worth it
• One tow at market rates can equal a full year of RSA premium.
• You get verified vendors and safer loading, which protects bumpers and sensors.
• Faster coordination reduces roadside risk for you and your family.
Dealer RSA vs insurer RSA vs third party RSA
• Dealer RSA: convenient during new car years, may be city centric, sometimes limited after hours.
• Insurer RSA: wider network, integrates with your policy, clearer call limits and towing km.
• Third party RSA: can be flexible, check response time and serviceable areas carefully.
Pick the one with better network reach where you actually drive.
If you travel, teach, sell, ferry kids, or care for parents, RSA is not a luxury. It is a sanity saver.
RSA for EV owners
Why EVs need special handling
Electric cars behave differently in a breakdown. High voltage systems, regen braking, and low ground clearance make improvised help risky. RSA matters even more here.
What good EV RSA includes
• Flatbed towing to the nearest authorized workshop or fast charger
• Trained technicians who know high voltage safety
• Tyre change support with care for battery pack underbody
• 12 volt battery jump support where permitted by the manufacturer
• Mobile charging van in select cities to add a few kilometres for a safe reach to a charger
• Remote guidance to place the car in transport mode if your model needs it
What differs for EV RSA from petrol or diesel
• No fuel drop. Charging on the spot is city limited and depends on provider availability
• Towing must be flatbed in most models to avoid motor and reducer damage
• Neutral rolling without transport mode can harm the drivetrain on many EVs
• Water wading and underbody impacts can complicate recovery due to battery safety checks
What you may still pay for
• Fast charging cost at the station
• Extra towing beyond the free kilometre slab
• Tyres, valves, or wheel repair
• Parts and labour at the workshop
Questions to ask before buying EV RSA
• Do you provide flatbed by default for this model
• Is mobile charging available in my city and on my highway routes
• What is the free towing distance and how many calls per year
• Do you serve late night corridors I actually drive
• Are technicians EV trained and verified
Sharmaji tip
Take photos of the dash that show warnings and state of charge before the tow. It helps the workshop diagnose faster and protects you from blame for handling errors.
How to use RSA during a breakdown
First things first
Stay calm. Park safe. Breathe.
Do this in order
- Pull over to a safe spot and switch on hazard lights.
- Place the warning triangle behind the car. On highways, add extra distance.
- Keep family inside the car if the shoulder is narrow.
- Call the 24×7 RSA number on your policy or app.
- Share your live location and a landmark.
- Give car registration number and policy number.
- Describe what you see. Flat tyre. Dead battery. Overheating. No crank.
- Ask for the service type that fits. On the spot fix or tow.
- Confirm free towing kilometres and any payable charges.
- Keep your phone reachable and stay visible to the technician.
What to keep handy
• Policy PDF in your mail or app
• PUC and RC book
• Small torch and power bank
• Cash or UPI ready for fuel or extra distance
Smart call habits
• Speak slowly. Let the agent repeat details back to you.
• Save photos of the scene and the dashboard warnings.
• Ask for the technician or tow truck contact once assigned.
• If you move to a safer spot, update the location on call.
If you cannot call
Text from another phone to a family member with your location and policy details. Ask them to place the RSA call and stay on conference.
Kids or elderly on board
Request priority dispatch. Mention if medicine or special assistance is needed. The team will guide you on the safest waiting spot.
After help arrives
• Note the job card number or tow slip number.
• Check car condition photos before loading and after unloading.
• Collect the gate pass if the car goes into a workshop at night.
Local lens for Gujarat drivers
Ahmedabad moves fast. Junctions fill in seconds. A stalled car at SG Highway or Ashram Road can turn risky. Fast RSA coordination matters more than bargaining with a local tow.
Highway reality
• Ahmedabad Vadodara Expressway and NE 1 mean long stretches without workshops.
• Kutch and Saurashtra trips add distance and heat. Tyres and batteries protest without warning.
• Night driving adds visibility and safety concerns. A verified tow is worth the wait.
Keep these numbers handy
• Your insurer RSA helpline saved as a phone contact with policy number in notes.
• 112 for emergency services.
• A trusted local workshop number near your home or office.
Local habits that help
• Carry a working spare, jack, wheel spanner, and a torch.
• Keep a power bank and triangle in the boot.
• Save a live location template message on your phone for quick share.
Who benefits most in the city
• Parents who drive kids to school during rush hours.
• New drivers dealing with tight parking and frequent start stop.
• Ride share and delivery runners who cannot afford long stoppages.
Sharmaji note
Breakdowns do not ask for a good time. They just show up. RSA gives you one reliable response when the car says no. It brings a trained hand, a safe tow, and a calm voice. Buy it for the roads you actually drive. Save the number. Test the app button once.
Plan a little today. Save a lot of stress later.
Want a quick RSA check on your current policy? Talk to Sharmaji for a simple comparison sheet and clear next steps. No pressure. Only clarity.
