Methaq
TPL
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24/7 Roadside assistance
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AED
600AED
150monthly in 4 payments
Roadside assistance in car insurance UAE
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Regulated by the Central Bank of the UAE
Regulated by the Central Bank of the UAE
Roadside assistance in car insurance is a 24/7 call-out service that sends a technician or tow truck when your car breaks down, runs out of fuel, gets a flat tyre or locks you out on UAE roads.
In the UAE, car insurance with roadside assistance delivers this help through the insurer's contracted assistance company, either bundled into the policy or sold as an add-on, and the level of help varies from plan to plan: how many call-outs you get, how far they tow, and whether Oman is included. Before you compare car insurance quotes online, check which roadside tier each quote carries, because two policies at a similar price can give very different help when you break down.
What it pays for
The call-out and on-the-spot help: towing, jump-starts, tyre changes, fuel delivery and lockouts
What it does not pay for
Spare parts, workshop repairs and, with some insurers, the fuel itself
Is it mandatory?
No. UAE law requires third-party liability cover; roadside assistance is optional
Typical cost
Included at no extra charge on most comprehensive plans; AED 100–250 a year as an add-on
Most useful for
Cars out of warranty, drivers who commute between emirates, and anyone driving late at night
What is roadside assistance in car insurance?
Roadside assistance, also sold as breakdown cover, breakdown recovery or road side cover, is the part of a car insurance policy that gets you moving again, or gets your car to a garage, without making an insurance claim. It is a service rather than a payout: your insurer's assistance provider sends help and covers the call-out within your plan's limits.
Two points often cause confusion. First, roadside assistance does not pay for repairs. If the fault needs parts and workshop time, you pay that bill unless you also hold mechanical breakdown cover. Second, help comes from your insurer's assistance provider, not from a garage you pick, so the number to call is the one on your policy schedule, insurance card or insurer app.
What does roadside assistance cover?
A standard car breakdown service in the UAE covers the call-outs below. Your plan tier decides which ones you get and how often you can use them.
| Service | What happens | Limit to check |
|---|---|---|
| Breakdown towing | Your car is towed to a garage when it cannot be fixed at the roadside | Usually 50–100 km per incident; extra distance is charged per kilometre |
| Battery jump-start | A technician boosts a flat battery so you can drive on | A new battery is normally paid by you |
| Flat tyre change | Your spare wheel is fitted at the roadside | The replacement tyre or puncture repair is not included |
| Fuel delivery | Enough fuel is brought to get you to a petrol station | Some insurers charge you for the fuel itself |
| Lockout assistance | A technician opens the car without damaging the lock | Lost or replacement keys are not included |
| Winching and extraction | Your car is pulled out of sand, mud or a ditch beside the road | Often capped by amount, or only on higher tiers |
| Off-road recovery | Your car is pulled out of desert dunes, wadis or unpaved tracks | Not part of standard cover; needs an off-road recovery add-on, usually only for 4x4s, or a top tier |
Summer heat in the UAE wears batteries out faster, which makes a jump-start one of the most useful parts of the cover; our summer car maintenance checklist helps you avoid needing one. A roadside tyre change fits your spare but does not pay for the damaged tyre, so read whether insurance pays for tyre damage before relying on it. If your key is lost rather than locked inside, car key replacement cover is the add-on that pays for a new one.
Does roadside assistance include towing?
Yes. Towing is included, but the roadside benefit only covers towing after a breakdown. When the car will not restart, the assistance provider tows it to a garage for free up to a distance limit, usually 50 to 100 km per incident. Many insurers send breakdown tows to their own approved workshops, which you can look up in our insurer garage lists. Towing after an accident works differently, as the comparison further down explains.
The distance cap matters most when you break down in another emirate. If your car stops in Fujairah and you want it towed back to a workshop in Dubai, the trip will probably go over the free limit, and you will pay a per-kilometre fee for the extra distance.
Is roadside assistance included in UAE car insurance?
On comprehensive plans, usually yes; on third-party plans, usually no. Most comprehensive policies include 24/7 roadside assistance as standard at no extra charge. Third-party liability policies rarely cover breakdowns, so you normally have to buy roadside assistance as an add-on.
If you are buying comprehensive car insurance, the question is which tier you get, not whether you get one. With third-party car insurance, check whether roadside help is offered at all, and read the add-on terms for call-out and towing limits.
Major insurers such as Sukoon, GIG car insurance and Liva car insurance include 24/7 roadside assistance in their comprehensive plans. Most plans cover breakdowns anywhere in the seven emirates, so help will come whether you are in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Ras Al Khaimah. Lower tiers can still limit where they will tow your car, so check that limit too.
Sukoon's published assistance programme shows how far the same benefit can vary (checked on sukoon.com in September 2026):
| Tier | Call-outs per year | Countries covered | Service area | Removal and extraction limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TPL / Basic | 3 | UAE | Within the same city | Not listed |
| Silver | Unlimited | UAE | Within the same city | AED 400 |
| Gold | Unlimited | UAE and Oman | Between emirates | AED 500 |
| Platinum | Unlimited | UAE and GCC | Between emirates | AED 800 |
Every Sukoon tier includes accident towing, breakdown towing, battery boosts, flat tyre help, lockout help and fuel delivery. Higher tiers add services such as off-road recovery, vehicle registration renewal and airport transfers. Other insurers set their own call-out limits and areas, so treat this as an example of how tiers work rather than a market standard. Details for this insurer are on our Sukoon car insurance page.
Roadside assistance vs car recovery insurance vs mechanical breakdown cover
These three covers handle different problems. Roadside assistance gets a broken-down car moving again. Accident recovery moves a damaged car to a repair shop. Mechanical breakdown cover pays for the repair itself.
| Feature | Roadside assistance | Accident recovery | Mechanical breakdown cover |
|---|---|---|---|
| What triggers it | Breakdown, flat battery, flat tyre, empty tank or lockout | A collision or other insured damage that leaves the car unroadworthy | Sudden failure of mechanical or electrical parts |
| What it pays for | The call-out, on-the-spot help and breakdown towing, within limits | Protecting the car and transporting it to the nearest repair shop | Parts and labour for a covered repair |
| Where the cover comes from | A roadside tier in your policy or a paid add-on | The own-damage section of a comprehensive policy | A separate add-on |
| How you use it | Call the assistance provider | Police report, then an insurance claim | Insurance claim |
Accident recovery is covered by UAE regulation. The Unified Motor Vehicle Insurance Policy against loss and damage, issued under Insurance Authority Board Decision No. 25 of 2016 and published in the Central Bank of the UAE rulebook, says the insurer "will bear the necessary costs of safeguarding and transporting the Motor Vehicle to the nearest repair shop" when insured damage makes the car unroadworthy. So when drivers search for car recovery insurance after a crash, the cover they need is usually the comprehensive claim, which starts with our guide on how to claim car insurance after an accident.
The same policy wording excludes losses caused by the "breakdown, defect or breakage of the mechanical or electrical devices", which is why a tow to the garage does not mean the repair is covered. Our verdict: if your car is out of manufacturer warranty, pair roadside assistance with breakdown repair cover. If it is still under warranty, roadside assistance on its own is usually enough.
What roadside assistance does not cover
Roadside assistance does not cover repairs, accident damage, off-road rescue on basic tiers, business vehicles or trips outside your policy territory. Each of these gaps has its own solution.
| Not covered by roadside assistance | Why | Where to get cover instead |
|---|---|---|
| Spare parts and workshop labour | The benefit pays for the call-out, not the repair | Mechanical breakdown or engine protection add-on |
| Accident damage | This is handled as an own-damage claim | Comprehensive policy |
| Desert, dune and wadi recovery | Standard cover applies only to paved public roads | Off-road recovery add-on, usually only for 4x4s |
| Vans and pickups used for business | Many private-car plans exclude commercial use | Commercial vehicle policy |
| Breakdowns outside the policy territory | The Unified policy excludes losses outside its stated territory unless a rider extends it | Oman or GCC extension |
| Damage from driving through floodwater | This is damage, not a breakdown | Flood cover |
| The tyre, battery or fuel itself | The service covers the help, not the item replaced | Usually paid by you |
For repair bills, look at mechanical breakdown or engine protection cover. For damage from heavy rain, flood cover is the relevant add-on.
If you drive in the desert, 4x4 and off-road cover is designed for it, because standard roadside assistance only applies on paved public roads. If you get stuck in the dunes or a remote wadi, you need off-road assistance, which is sold as an off-road recovery add-on and usually only for 4x4 vehicles. Business vans and pickups need commercial vehicle insurance, which is sold separately from private car cover.
Trips into Oman need two extra checks. Your roadside tier must list Oman, and your motor policy needs a territorial extension; our guide to the Orange Card for driving into Oman explains the paperwork.
How much does roadside assistance cost in the UAE?
On average, adding roadside assistance to a UAE car insurance policy costs AED 100 to AED 250 a year.
What you actually pay depends on your main policy. Most comprehensive policies already include 24/7 roadside assistance at no extra charge. On third-party liability policies, the optional add-on usually costs AED 100 to AED 150 a year. Upgrade prices depend on the insurer, the tier's call-out and towing limits, and your car.
Start with the included tier
If your comprehensive quote already includes roadside help, check its limits before paying for another plan
Match the tier to your driving
If you only drive in the city, you rarely need GCC cover; if you drive to Oman often, you do
Compare the same tier across insurers
The cheapest roadside assistance is the one that matches your call-out and area needs at the lowest total premium
Comparing quotes side by side shows which insurer already includes the tier you need, and you can price other car insurance add-ons in the same quote. To spread the cost, you can pay with Tabby or split the premium with Tamara.
What to check before you choose a roadside plan
Included or optional
Is roadside help already on the policy schedule, or listed as a paid add-on?
Call-outs per year
Basic tiers can be capped (Sukoon's is three a year); upgraded tiers are often unlimited
Towing distance
Usually 50–100 km per incident, plus the per-kilometre fee for going over it
Area covered
All seven emirates, towing within your city or between emirates, and Oman or GCC cover
Services listed
Off-road recovery, extraction limits, airport transfers and registration renewal differ by tier
How to ask for help
A 24/7 toll-free number, a mobile app or both
Our verdict: add roadside assistance if your car is out of warranty, if you drive between emirates or at night, or if nobody can easily come and help you. If your comprehensive plan already includes an unlimited, UAE-wide tier, you do not need to buy it again.
How to add roadside assistance through Lookinsure
When you start a car insurance quote, you can see each insurer's price and cover details side by side, so you can check the roadside benefit before you pay.
Step 1
Enter your car and driver details
See quotes from several UAE insurers for the same car.
Step 2
Check each quote's roadside tier
Open the cover details to see whether roadside help is included and at what level.
Step 3
Add or upgrade the benefit
If the insurer sells roadside assistance as an add-on, select it before you continue.
Step 4
Pay and find your documents
After you pay, your policy documents, including the roadside benefit and hotline, will be in your Lookinsure account.
How to get roadside assistance when your car breaks down
First get yourself to safety, then call the roadside number on your policy schedule or in your insurer's app. If there has been a collision, call the police before you do anything else.
Step 1
Make the car visible
Switch on your hazard lights and, if it is safe, place a warning triangle behind the car.
Step 2
Move away from traffic
Wait somewhere safe, away from moving vehicles.
Step 3
Call your insurer's roadside line
Use the number on your policy schedule, insurance card or app.
Step 4
Share the details
Give your exact location, plate number, policy number and what went wrong.
Step 5
Stay reachable
Keep your phone on for the provider's call and arrival updates.
Step 6
Check the job before signing
Confirm what was done and whether anything will be charged to you.
After an accident, report it before arranging a tow. Our list of UAE emergency numbers for car accidents shows who to call. Several insurers also accept roadside requests through their apps, and our roundup of apps for car owners in Dubai and Abu Dhabi covers the most useful ones.
Will a call-out affect your no-claims bonus?
Normally, no. A breakdown call-out is a service request rather than a claim, so it usually leaves your no-claims bonus unaffected. Towing after an accident is part of an accident claim, so it is recorded with that claim. Check your policy wording to confirm how your insurer treats both.
Free roadside help in Abu Dhabi
Drivers in Abu Dhabi can also use Abu Dhabi Mobility's Road Service Patrol (RSP), a free government service on 800850 or through the Darbi app (checked against Abu Dhabi Mobility announcements in September 2026).
Who runs it
Abu Dhabi Mobility (Integrated Transport Centre)
How to request it
Call 800850, or choose the RSP option in the Darbi app
What it does
Towing, fuel for an empty tank, flat tyre changes and battery recharges on main roads
RSP only works on main roads, so it adds to the roadside benefit on your policy rather than replacing it, especially on longer drives across the emirate. Compare car insurance in Abu Dhabi to find plans with a UAE-wide roadside tier.
Roadside assistance services in Dubai and Sharjah by insurer
Every UAE insurer runs roadside assistance through its own 24/7 line and contracted provider, so the best roadside assistance services in Dubai and Sharjah depend on your insurer's tier more than on the city you drive in.
Tiers, hotlines and call-out limits differ from company to company. When you compare UAE car insurance providers, open the insurer's page for its cover and contact details. If you live in the Northern Emirates, you can also compare car insurance in Sharjah.
- Methaq Takaful car insurance
- QIC car insurance
- ADNIC car insurance
- Al Sagr car insurance
- RAK car insurance
- Adamjee car insurance
- Fidelity United car insurance
- GIG car insurance
- Al Wathba car insurance
- Liva car insurance
- Watania car insurance
- Dubai National Insurance car insurance
- Al Ain Ahlia car insurance
- Tokio Marine car insurance
- Sukoon car insurance
Frequently asked questions
Roadside assistance in car insurance is a 24/7 call-out service for when your car breaks down on the road. Your insurer's assistance provider jump-starts flat batteries, changes flat tyres, delivers fuel, opens locked cars and tows vehicles that cannot be fixed at the roadside, within the limits of your plan.
If it is comprehensive, probably yes. Most comprehensive policies, including those from GIG, Sukoon and Liva, include 24/7 roadside assistance at no extra charge. Third-party liability policies rarely cover breakdowns, so you would add roadside assistance as an optional extra, usually for AED 100 to AED 150 a year.
Roadside assistance covers breakdown towing, battery jump-starts, flat tyre changes, emergency fuel delivery and lockout help. Higher tiers may add winching, off-road recovery, cover in Oman and extras such as airport transfers. It does not pay for spare parts, workshop repairs, or a new tyre, battery or fuel.
Yes. Roadside assistance tows your car to a garage when it cannot be repaired at the roadside. The tow is usually free up to 50 to 100 km per incident, and longer distances are charged per kilometre. Towing after an accident is handled through a comprehensive claim, which pays to move the car to the nearest repair shop.
Yes, if your policy includes roadside assistance. The provider will jump-start a flat battery or fit your spare tyre as part of the call-out. Standard motor cover does not pay for tyre damage unless it happens at the same time as other insured damage, and you usually pay for a new battery or tyre.
On average, roadside assistance costs AED 100 to AED 250 a year. Most comprehensive policies already include it at no extra charge. On third-party policies, the optional add-on usually costs AED 100 to AED 150. The price depends on the insurer, the call-out and towing limits, and your car.
Yes. Standard roadside assistance covers all seven emirates, so your insurer will send help whether you break down in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Ras Al Khaimah. Watch the towing distance cap, usually 50 to 100 km per incident, and note that standard cover only applies to paved public roads, not desert dunes or wadis.
Usually not. An insurer's roadside programme is linked to the vehicle named on your policy schedule, identified by its plate or chassis number. If you are driving a different car, that car needs its own policy with roadside cover, so check its insurance before relying on assistance, and confirm the rule in your policy wording.
Sometimes. Some insurers let you add or upgrade roadside cover partway through the policy term for an extra premium, while others only offer it when you buy or renew. Ask your insurer whether a mid-term change is possible. If it is not, choose a plan with the right roadside tier when you renew.
Normally, no. A breakdown call-out is a service request rather than an insurance claim, so it does not usually reduce your no-claims bonus. Towing after an accident is different, because it is part of an accident claim, which is recorded in your claims history. Check your policy wording to confirm how your insurer handles both.
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