What is free roadside assistance in credit cards? Who can benefit?
We are more familiar with credit cards that incentivise shopping, travel, eating out, paying grocery-utility bills, fuel purchases etc. But there are credit cards that also offer roadside help if your vehicle develops a snag on the road.
Kolkata: To any motorist, roadside assistance is like offering water in the middle of a desert. Imagine you are riding at a place where help is not readily available and you developed a snag that immobilises your vehicle -- a flat tyre or dead battery or fuel shortage, in short anything that needs immediate assistance, without which you cannot drive. Every driver knows what a nightmarish situation it is.
The significant point is there are credit cards in the market which offer roadside assistance to their users. Any user of such a card can avail of these services by dialing a helpline phone number. Usually these services come free (or at a nominal cost) and these will cost about Rs 1,500 if one accesses them independently. These services are available in some cities of the country. These cards offer services which will bring trained service personnel to the spot and get the vehicle repaired so that it can either be driven or towed to the nearest point for further assistance.
Cards that offer roadside assistance
IndusInd Credit Cards: Tiger, Legend, Crest, Celesta, Signature
Benefits: 24×7 roadside assistance in New Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru
IDFC First Credit Cards: Power+, Select, Wealth, Ashva, Mayura
Benefit: Four times a year roadside assistance worth Rs 1,399
ICICI Credit Card: HPCL Super Saver
Benefit: 24×7 roadside assistance across India
ICICI Credit Card: Emeralde Metal
Benefit: 24×7 roadside assistance in New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai
Towaway service in case of breakdown and minor faults are also addressed. These services also unlock a car if the keys are locked inside. If there is no fuel, it is delivered. Small electrical and mechanical faults are also rectified. If the driver is driving the vehicle without a valid license, or in an intoxicated state, no help will be provided. If there is repeated misuse of the vehicle such calls for help will not be entertained. Credit card services don't compensate for acts of arson or vandalism.
However, there is a standard word of caution. Credit cards carry the highest rate of interest among all types of personal finance instruments and one should start using one only with discretion. Injudicious use of credit cards can easily push an individual into a debt trap.