Roadside Assistance In Bike Insurance

Imagine, you’re a really passionate rider and recently bought a Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350. It suits your style, need, and sense of comfort. One beautiful day, you decide to hit the road and go for a long ride. You are on the highway, enjoying the speed and freedom the bike comes with, everything is great - until the bike stops working midway. You examine and realise the battery is dead and you would need a mechanic to jumpstart it. But where do you find a mechanic amidst a deserted highway?

Getting stranded is a really stressful situation to be in, and we don’t want you to ever face it. This is when a Roadside Assistance Cover saves your day!

So how does it work? Let’s find out!

What is Roadside Assistance(RSA) in Bike Insurance?

Key Insurance Companies: Roadside Assistance Line Numbers

The last thing you want to do when your bike breaks down on a lonely road is to chase down assistance or sift through paperwork. That's why having your insurer's Roadside Assistance (RSA) number accessible can make all the difference in getting you back on the road promptly and without stress. Here is a brief overview of the top insurers' RSA helpline numbers:

➔ How To Use These Numbers?

If you need assistance, simply take these easy steps:

• Use your mobile device to make a direct call to your insurer's helpline.
• They will request information about your precise location, policy number, and registration number.
• Clearly state the problem, be it a mechanical failure, a dead battery, a flat tire or a lack of gasoline.
• Usually within a fair amount of time, the insurer will send a specialist or tow truck to help you.
• Report to the IRDAI grievance cell if there are delays or if the problem isn't fixed.

➔ A Few Things to Remember

• Using RSA services won't impact your No Claim Bonus (NCB) because the majority of them are non-claimable.
• Although labour expenses are typically covered, you may be responsible for paying for supplies like petrol or replacement parts.
• Keep in mind that RSA is usually only offered with comprehensive bike insurance plans and not third-party ones.

If you're out in the middle of nowhere and have these numbers saved in your phone, you'll be extremely thankful. Because nobody wants a memorable road trip to be remembered for the wrong reasons.

Who Should Opt for a Roadside Assistance Add-On?

• If You Are Someone Who Travels A Lot On Your Two-Wheeler
  If you use your bike for daily commute or frequent long-journeys, getting a roadside assistance cover will save you from unfortunate situations that you may face on the road.
• If You Have Got A New Bike And You Are Aware That You Wouldn’t Be Able To Repair Any Minor Issues With It While Travelling
  For instance, if your bike runs out of fuel in the middle of a journey, finding a gas station can prove to be quite a challenge. In this situation, with a Roadside Assistance Cover in place, you can inform your insurer and get an emergency fuel supply
• If He Bike Has Costed You a High Amount, Its Age Is Less Than 3 Years, And You Are Always Extra Careful About It
  If your bike is your prized possession and you want to maintain it at all costs, getting this cover can take away a lot of your stress. By making a simple call, you can get roadside assistance and protect your bike from undue damages. 

Services Available Under The Roadside Assistance Cover

• Flat Tyres
  Tyre issues happen quite often on bikes due to bad road conditions. In case of a flat-tyre situation, you can get in touch with the insurance company. The insurer shall arrange for a vehicle technician to replace the tyre with a spare one, or tow the bike to the nearby garage and repair the same if the spare tyre is not available.
   
• Technical Issues
  Machines face technical issues all the time. If your insured bike comes to a standstill due to any mechanical or electrical issues and if such damages cannot be repaired on the spot, you can get in touch with the insurance company. The insurer shall arrange for a mechanic or get it towed to the nearby garage.
  For example, you experience a bike engine seizure right in the middle of a trip, caused by overheating and lack of lubrication. Without oil, the engine's moving parts will no longer move smoothly against each other, resulting in overheating. If you have a Roadside Assistance Cover in place, a mechanic will come to your rescue and save you from the trouble.
   
• Battery Issues
  A rundown battery can be problematic, especially during long rides. In case the battery of the bike is dead, the insurer will send a vehicle technician who will provide battery jumpstart services.
   
• Fuel Support
  If your insured bike runs out of fuel in the middle of a journey, the insurance company will arrange for the supply of emergency fuel as per the limits specified in the policy.

• Lost/Misplaced Keys
  If you have lost or misplaced your bike keys, the insurer will arrange for pick-up and delivery of the spare keys from your place of residence or work to the place where your bike is located. This service will be provided for certain kilometres as specified in the policy.
   
• Accommodation
  If your insured bike is damaged or breaks down in the middle of the road, and the repair takes a lot of time, the insurer will help you find accommodation nearby. The charges for the same shall be paid by the insurer as per the terms and conditions of the plan.
   
• Taxi Facility
  If your bike breaks down in the middle of the journey and takes quite some time to get repaired, the insurance company will arrange for an alternate vehicle to get you home safely. The distance and the charges will be as per the limits mentioned in the policy.

Please note that the above services may vary from insurer to insurer. 

Exclusions Under The Roadside Assistance Cover:

• The insurance company will not be providing assistance in case your bike was used for racing, motorsports, or was involved in any illegal activity.
• If expenses on the repairs or other charges were incurred without any prior intimation or the consent of the insurer, they will not be covered.
• If any roadside assistance claim arises due to a situation where the bike was not being driven as per the vehicle manual, the insurance company is not liable to entertain that claim.

For instance, you are riding the bike at a speed much higher than what has been advised in the vehicle safety manual, and meet with an accident due to rash-riding. If you raise a claim to cover for the aftermath, your claim will most likely be denied.

Special Conditions of Roadside Assistance Cover (RSA)

• The claim under the Roadside Assistance Cover will not impact your No Claim Bonus - a discount on your insurance premium that you can avail after a claim-free year.
• The number of claims that can be made under this cover will be as per the limit mentioned in the policy, and may vary from insurer to insurer. 

How to Claim a Roadside Assistance Cover?

• You will have to provide the insurer with the complete details of the issue faced and the exact location where it happened, so they can reach out to you. Make sure to inform each and every detail and not withhold anything.
• The insurance company will send their technicians or mechanics to the spot where your vehicle is stranded, and the services will be provided as per the issue you have raised.
• If the vehicle is pretty damaged and needs more repair work that cannot be done under the RSA services, then you can talk to the insurance company and get that covered under your comprehensive coverage.
• The payment to you will be made as per the terms and conditions of the policy.
• If it is a cashless settlement, the insurer will settle the claim directly with the garage. You may have to pay the deductibles and depreciation, based on the chosen coverage.
• If it is a reimbursement claim, then you will have to pay the entire amount upfront to the garage, and then raise a claim for reimbursement.

Straddling atop your treasured bike for that long-awaited road trip is an unparalleled experience. Your basic Two-Wheeler Insurance is mandatory but not protection enough. When you invest a big amount in purchasing your favourite vehicle, safeguarding it from uncertain inconveniences becomes vital. With a Roadside Assistance add-on, you can enjoy your long-rides outside of the hustle and bustle of the city, without having to worry about the safety of the bike.

Why is Roadside Assistance a Must-Have for Bike Riders?

If you enjoy long drives, weekend escapes, or even the daily commute in the city, you are aware of how unpredictable life can be. Fuel shortages, dead batteries, and flat tires may seem as minor problems until they leave you stuck miles from assistance. That's when Roadside Assistance (RSA) becomes an absolute must.

Imagine that there is no nearby mechanic or petrol station when your bike breaks down in the middle of a remote highway. RSA jumps in like a trustworthy friend, providing prompt assistance. It often saves money, time, and stress. RSA gives riders who care about both safety and flexibility the peace of mind that they can hit the road knowing that they can call for help at any time.

Let’s look at some real-life examples in this case:

• While running daily errands in Pune, the owner of a TVS Apache lost his keys. Within two hours of contacting the TVS RSA helpline, assistance came to retrieve his extra keys from his house and transport them to his stranded location. Without any trouble, his ride got back on track.
• Early in the cold winter, a Harley-Davidson user in Chandigarh had to cancel a ride because his battery died. After contacting Harley-Davidson's round-the-clock RSA line, a technician arrived in just 45 minutes to jumpstart the bike. Harley's official RSA guidelines state that riders depend on this kind of prompt battery assistance.

These are just a few situations that show the importance of RSA.

Roadside Assistance vs. Standard Bike Insurance Claims

To put it simply, the difference standard bike insurance and RSA is as follows:

• RSA provides prompt help. In the event of a small malfunction, misplaced keys, or a dead battery, RSA provides quick support.
• Standard insurance claims are initiated following a significant event, such as an accident or an expensive repair, and need paperwork, inspection, and processing time.

RSA services are a better choice for those unforeseen setbacks that don't require a full-fledged claim because normal claims frequently affect your No Claim Bonus (NCB), whereas RSA services usually don't.

To put it briefly, RSA is similar to having a mechanic in your pocket who is available to help without the paperwork and delays associated with traditional claims.

Documents Required for an RSA Claim

• Bike insurance policy number
• Vehicle registration number
• Personal ID proof
• Details of the location
• For quicker service, share your current location or the closest recognised landmark.
• The problem's description

Most insurance companies won't ask you to provide physical documents unless the service turns into a formal claim, like towing followed by major repairs. In these situations, standard claim paperwork may be required later.

Thus, fixing your bike is only one aspect of RSA; another is preventing unforeseen setbacks from ruining your trip.

To Sum Up,

Every ride has a story. While some may have a surprise or two, such as a broken tire or a silent battery in the middle of nowhere, others may be full of open skies and smooth roads. Even though you can't always foresee the future, you can plan for it.

When things don't go as planned, Roadside Assistance steps in as your silent co-pilot. It not only fixes your bike, but it also preserves your peace of mind. Having RSA on your side means you never have to face unforeseen events alone.

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