The Case for Including Roadside Assistance in Standard Policies

What Exactly Is Roadside Assistance in Bike Insurance?

Before diving into the case for standard inclusion, let’s clarify what RSA entails in the context of two-wheeler insurance.

Roadside assistance (or breakdown assistance) is an add-on in bike insurance that provides emergency assistance when your bike becomes immobilized on the road. Services typically include:

• Towing assistance to transport your bike to a nearby garage
• Battery jump-start or repair service when the battery drains
• Flat tyre repair or replacement on the spot
• Fuel delivery (a few litres) if you run out of fuel mid-ride
• Minor on-spot repairs (fuse changes, wiring fixes)
• Sometimes lost key assistance, alternate transport, or accommodation support in longer breakdowns

RSA is typically offered as an optional add-on with comprehensive or own-damage bike insurance policies (it is not usually available with third-party cover)

Why Roadside Assistance Should Be Standard, Not Optional

While RSA is often optional today, there are multiple compelling reasons to recognise it as a core benefit — especially in a market like India.

Rider Safety & Peace of Mind

Being stranded on an unfamiliar road at night or in remote areas is not only inconvenient it’s risky. Having access to a verified roadside assistance network gives riders a safer fallback than relying on strangers or local help of uncertain quality. The psychological relief of knowing help is just a call away transforms how riders experience their journeys.

Convenience & Speed — No More Frantic Searches

Without RSA, one must scramble to find a reliable mechanic, negotiate transportation or towing, or push the bike manually. With RSA, the insurer coordinates help swiftly. Many providers promise quick response times through their network of technicians and towing vendors.

In India’s challenging road conditions, where broken-down bikes may be a common sight, this streamlined support is a huge advantage.

Low Incremental Cost, High Value

Roadside assistance is often offered at a modest additional premium sometimes in the range of ₹100–₹500 annually (depending on insurer, coverage area, and bike age). Given the cost of hiring a tow or arranging ad-hoc help, this can pay for itself in just one incident.

Because the frequency of such breakdowns is not exceedingly high, the cost impact on premiums is relatively low, making RSA a high ROI add-on from the policyholder’s perspective.

Encourages Better Insurance Uptake and Customer Loyalty

From an insurer’s or broker’s standpoint, bundling RSA as a standard benefit can make a policy more attractive and competitive. Riders may gravitate toward insurers that offer more comprehensive support beyond just damage or theft protection. In turn, this can drive customer retention and reduce churn at renewal time.

Reflects Modern Customer Expectations

As digital services and on-demand assistance grow, customers increasingly expect more than core protection — they seek experience, assurance, and responsiveness. Insurance policies in many Western markets already bundle roadside assistance (or equivalent) with motor insurance. India is not far behind in aligning to these expectations.

Jio Insurance Broking: A Platform to Lead the Shift

So how does Jio Insurance Broking factor into this narrative?

Who Is Jio Insurance Broking?

Jio Insurance Broking Ltd (formerly RRIBL) is a subsidiary of Jio Financial Services, offering a platform to compare, buy and renew various insurance products from motors (bike, car) to health and term insurance. They position themselves as a modern, tech-enabled broker, able to aggregate offerings across multiple insurers at competitive rates.

This positioning gives Jio a unique opportunity: by negotiating broad RSA inclusion or structuring compelling add-on packages, they can differentiate their motor (especially bike) insurance offerings.

How Jio Can Drive Inclusion of RSA by Default

• Partnerships & Tie-ups: Jio can tie up with insurers and roadside assistance providers (technician networks, towing fleets) to offer RSA at scale. Given Jio’s reach and data capabilities, it can facilitate more efficient dispatch and operations.
• Bundled Packages: Instead of making RSA optional, Jio could propose “premium inclusive” bike insurance plans that embed roadside assistance as a built-in benefit, thereby simplifying choices for consumers.
• Smart Pricing & Personalization: Using data analytics on usage, location, and travel habits, Jio can offer RSA features tailored to individual riders — say, more coverage for long-route commuters, less for city-only users.
• Seamless Claim Experience: Jio’s digital interface (app, chat, call center) can streamline RSA claims, making them as frictionless as possible — with real-time tracking, prompt vendor assignment, and transparent status updates.
• Education & Awareness: Many riders are unaware or unconvinced about RSA’s value. Jio can drive engagement through content (blogs, videos) that highlight real-life breakdown stories and how RSA turned crisis into convenience.

Addressing Possible Challenges & Considerations

Of course, including RSA by default isn’t without challenges. Here are some key points to watch:

• Network Reach & Quality: The strength of roadside assistance depends on the density and reliability of service providers (mechanics, towing) across geographies. Weak networks in remote or hilly areas may lead to delays.
• Usage Limits & Caps: Many RSA covers limit the number of uses per policy year or cap distances for towing. These limitations need to be balanced to avoid customer dissatisfaction.
• Cost Management: Embedding RSA increases the risk burden and service cost for insurers. Careful actuarial pricing and service vendor negotiations are vital.
• Exclusion Clarity: Clear communications about what is and isn’t covered (e.g. not for deliberate misuse, off-road, floods, etc.) are vital to avoid disputes.

With thoughtful design, though, these challenges can be mitigated and the upside for riders and brokers is significant.

A Better Ride for Every Rider

In an increasingly competitive insurance landscape, providing real value, convenience, and assurance matters more than ever. For bike riders, roadside assistance is more than a luxury, it’s a safety net and peace-of-mind tool.

By advocating to make roadside assistance a standard inclusion (or at least a strongly recommended default) in bike insurance policies, Jio Insurance Broking can elevate the riding experience for customers while differentiating itself in the marketplace.

For riders: take a second look at your bike insurance options. Ask whether RSA is included, how broad the coverage is, how many calls you can make, and how prompt the service network is. For brokers and insurers: consider folding RSA into your core offering because when your riders feel supported on every ride, your policy is no longer just paper — it’s a trusted companion.