Roadside Assistance in Serbia: Which Plan Do You Need, and Could You Already Have One?

Do you pay for roadside assistance every year? You might already have it without even knowing.

Certain bank accounts, payment cards, insurance policies and vehicle warranties often include roadside assistance. The problem is that many drivers only discover this when their car breaks down.

And even if you have a plan, what exactly does it cover? Can you choose the repair shop? Does towing apply abroad? Who pays for your family’s onward transport?

Here is what you should check before you actually need assistance.

What Roadside Assistance Is — and What It Is Not

Roadside assistance is a contracted service: you call a dedicated number, and a provider arranges an on-site repair or vehicle recovery and covers the costs up to the agreed limit. Depending on the plan, passenger transport, accommodation or a replacement vehicle may also be included.

Roadside assistance is not the same as compulsory motor third-party liability insurance (MTPL). An MTPL policy covers damage you cause to others, not breakdowns involving your own vehicle. Roadside assistance is not mandatory by law in Serbia, so drivers decide whether they want it and how much coverage they need.

Four Types of Roadside Assistance Providers in Serbia

In practice, providers fall into four groups. The differences go beyond price: they include who organises the assistance, which limits apply and whom the plan covers.

1. Automobile and Motorcycle Association of Serbia (AMSS)

AMSS offers annual membership packages and operates the assistance number 1987. Plans differ in geographical coverage (Serbia only or continental Europe as well), the number of towing services and the number of roadside interventions. Higher-tier plans provide towing to the nearest repair shop, a repair shop in the member’s place of residence or the nearest authorised repairer, depending on the package.

2. Specialist Assistance Providers (e.g. Atlas24h)

These are private companies whose core business is roadside assistance. They emphasise that they provide a service rather than insurance in the conventional sense. Their offerings are often the most varied: national and European plans, tyre-only packages, and plans for vans and motorcycles. Some plans cover the individual rather than a particular vehicle, meaning the coverage applies to any passenger car that person drives.

3. Insurance Companies

DDOR, Generali, Dunav, Sava and other insurers offer roadside assistance as a standalone policy or an optional add-on. The driver signs up with the insurer, but an assistance provider usually coordinates the actual response. DDOR, for example, works with Europ Assistance (often incorrectly called “Euro Assistance”) to deliver interventions. Europ Assistance, a well-known international assistance company, is part of Redion, the global platform launched by Generali Group in 2026.

Some insurers let you purchase roadside assistance even if your compulsory MTPL insurance is with another company.

4. “Hidden” Roadside Assistance

This is the category drivers most often overlook. Insurers partner with banks, so customers with certain accounts and payment cards receive roadside assistance. Under some such arrangements, coverage applies to any vehicle in which the cardholder is travelling when the breakdown occurs. Roadside assistance plans are also offered by service networks, telecom operators, tyre retailers, and vehicle manufacturers and importers with new vehicles.

Before Buying a Plan, Check Whether You Already Have One

Before buying, it is worth spending ten minutes checking the following:

Current account and payment cards. Roadside assistance is a common extra with premium cards and bank account packages. Read your agreement or ask your bank.

Comprehensive motor insurance. Some comprehensive policies include roadside assistance or offer it at a discount.

Travel insurance. Some insurers offer additional roadside assistance coverage alongside travel insurance for journeys abroad.

New-vehicle warranty. If your car is relatively new, check the warranty booklet or ask an authorised repairer whether the vehicle includes a mobility assistance programme.

Your employer. Some companies provide roadside assistance as an employee benefit.

If you already have any of these, the question is no longer “Which plan should I buy?” but “Does my existing plan cover what I actually need?”

BROKEN DOWN WITHOUT A PLAN?

AutoKonekt emergency assistance operates 24/7: its contact centre arranges assistance and repairs through a network of partners.

→ autokonekt.rs/hitna-intervencija

What You Really Need to Compare

Price is the most visible factor, but it tells you the least about what you actually receive. These are the questions that make a real difference:

Geographical coverage. Serbia only, Serbia and Europe, or abroad only? If you are holidaying in Turkey, check specifically: some insurers explicitly exclude it, while certain private plans include it.

Towing limits. There are three common approaches: a distance limit in kilometres, a maximum number of interventions per year, or a monetary limit expressed in euros. A plan offering “unlimited towing distance in Serbia” and a policy with a euro-denominated towing limit are not the same, even though both say “towing included”.

Where the distance is measured from. Some plans calculate it from the breakdown location, while others measure it from the tow truck’s starting point. With mileage-limited coverage, this can be crucial.

Where the vehicle is taken. The nearest garage, your home address or a repair shop of your choice? The nearest garage is not always the one you trust.

Who is covered. The vehicle, the driver or all passengers as well? For families, it matters whether transport and accommodation are covered for everyone in the car, not just the policyholder.

What “on-site repair” means. As a rule, the call-out and labour are covered, but spare parts are not. You will usually pay for a replacement battery or tyre yourself.

When coverage begins. Under some policies, roadside assistance only becomes valid the day after payment, rather than at the moment of purchase. Do not wait until the morning of your departure to buy a plan.

Seven Questions to Ask Before Buying Roadside Assistance

Save this checklist or send it to someone who is currently choosing a plan:

Do I already have assistance through a card, insurance policy or warranty?

In which countries is the plan valid?

How many times per year can I use the service?

Where can my broken-down vehicle be towed?

Does the plan cover passenger transport?

How much do services cost beyond the agreed limits?

Does coverage begin immediately after purchase?

The Small Print That Most Often Catches Drivers Out

Several conditions recur in the terms of most providers:

The number of interventions is limited. One insurer, for example, allows four per year, with on-site repair available only once.

The vehicle must be registered and have valid compulsory MTPL insurance.

Damage resulting from improper use of the vehicle is generally not covered.

Parts are charged separately, even when labour is covered.

Accommodation and onward-travel limits are often set per person, per day, and for a limited number of days.

None of this means a plan is bad. It simply means you should choose it based on how you actually drive, rather than its name.

If Your Vehicle Breaks Down on a Motorway: The Law, Safety and Rogue Towing Operators

What the Law Requires

Serbia’s Road Traffic Safety Act sets out what drivers must do when a vehicle breaks down on a motorway or expressway:

The vehicle must be stopped on the hard shoulder and the hazard warning lights switched on (Article 105).

A warning triangle must be placed at least 100 metres behind the vehicle (Article 105).

Anyone outside the vehicle on the road must wear a high-visibility vest (Article 105).

Towing a disabled vehicle on a motorway or expressway is prohibited. The sole exception is when a breakdown occurs while the vehicle is travelling on the motorway; in that case, towing is permitted only as far as the first exit (Article 70).

When a vehicle is towed using a rope, the distance between the vehicles must be three to five metres and the speed must not exceed 40 km/h (Article 75).

The exception in Article 70 exists to allow a vehicle to be removed from the motorway; it is not a recommendation. Rope-towing alongside fast-moving traffic is risky for both vehicles, so a professional recovery service is the safest option.

Our Safety Recommendations

The law sets minimum requirements. For your safety and that of your passengers, we also recommend the following:

When it is safe to do so, all passengers should leave the vehicle on the side away from traffic and move behind the safety barrier.

Do not remain on the hard shoulder, in front of or behind the vehicle, while waiting for assistance.

Do not attempt to repair the vehicle or change a tyre yourself on the motorway, especially at night, in rain or fog, on a bend, or in heavy traffic.

Only put out the warning triangle if it is safe to do so. Walk along the edge of the road while facing oncoming traffic.

Call for assistance from behind the barrier, not from inside a vehicle parked on the hard shoulder.

How to Spot a Rogue Towing Operator

AMSS and Germany’s ADAC automobile club have warned about towing operators on Serbian roads falsely claiming to be their partners. Watch for the following warning signs:

A tow truck arrives immediately after the breakdown, even though you have not yet received confirmation from your assistance centre.

The truck has colours and markings resembling a well-known service but the operator cannot provide details of the dispatch order.

When asked who sent them, the operator gives vague answers.

An authorised partner of your assistance provider receives the details of your case from the dispatch centre. Ask the operator to confirm your membership number or case reference. If they cannot, do not sign anything or hand over your keys until you have checked with the centre you called. If you arranged the tow truck yourself, agree on the price and destination before your vehicle is loaded.

The Tow Truck Has Moved Your Car. Who Will Fix the Problem?

Once the car reaches a garage, the next challenge begins: finding the right repair shop, checking its details and arranging the repair. A roadside assistance plan usually only ensures that the vehicle reaches a garage. Whether it is repaired there is your decision.

Having your vehicle delivered to a workshop does not mean you have authorised any repairs. Ask for an estimate of the work and price before approving anything. If you do not know the garage, you can have the car moved later to a mechanic you trust.

AutoKonekt helps with this next stage: in one place, you can find partner repair shops, tyre specialists, towing services and other workshops, complete with contact details. If you have been involved in a road accident, the steps differ from those for a breakdown; see autokonekt.rs/hitna-intervencija.

FIND A REPAIR SHOP TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR

Explore AutoKonekt partners by city, compare services and contact a workshop directly.

→ autokonekt.rs/lokacije

Which Type of Plan Suits Which Driver?

There is no single best plan. The right one depends on how you use your vehicle:

Mostly city driving and nearby trips. A national plan with towing to a repair shop of your choice and at least one on-site repair is often sufficient. First check whether your bank already provides this coverage.

A family travelling by car during the summer. Prioritise transport and accommodation for all passengers, repatriation of the vehicle to Serbia, and clear coverage of every country on your route.

A household with several drivers or vehicles. Consider a plan linked to the person rather than the vehicle, or check the coverage for each vehicle separately.

An older car with higher mileage. The number of interventions allowed per year and towing distance may be more valuable than extras such as a replacement car.

A van or commercial vehicle. Check the permitted vehicle weight in the terms and conditions; standard passenger-car plans often do not cover heavier vehicles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is roadside assistance mandatory in Serbia?

No. Compulsory motor third-party liability insurance is mandatory, but roadside assistance is a voluntary service purchased separately.

Does compulsory MTPL insurance include roadside assistance?

Not automatically. MTPL insurance covers damage you cause to others. Roadside assistance is purchased as a separate plan from an insurer or specialist assistance provider.

Can someone tow my car off the motorway using a rope?

The law permits this only as far as the first exit, and only if the breakdown occurred while you were driving on the motorway (Article 70 of the Road Traffic Safety Act). For safety reasons, however, it is better to have a professional recovery service remove the vehicle.

What should I do while waiting for help on the motorway?

Switch on your hazard warning lights, put on a high-visibility vest and, if you can do so safely, place a warning triangle at least 100 metres behind the vehicle. Then move with your passengers behind the safety barrier and wait for assistance there.

Does roadside assistance cover spare parts?

Generally not. Call-out, on-site labour and towing are covered up to the agreed limits, while replacement parts are paid for separately.

Can I buy roadside assistance from an insurer other than the one providing my MTPL policy?

Some insurers allow this, provided the vehicle has valid MTPL insurance with any insurance company. Check the terms of the particular insurer.

Is roadside assistance valid in Turkey?

It depends on the provider. Some plans explicitly exclude Turkey, while others include it. If you are travelling there, check before purchasing.

Note: Roadside assistance plan terms and prices can change. The information in this article was checked in October 2026. Before purchasing, confirm the current terms directly with the provider.