Motor vehicle assistance abroad

Dear Customer,

We’re sorry to hear that you had a breakdown while abroad. We received your message and are already organizing help for you. Below you will find an overview with all the information you need

  • about insured services,
  • about additional information if you have a breakdown,
  • and about things you should know regarding your situation.

Insured benefits if you have a breakdown

  • Onsite roadside assistance or towing to the nearest suitable garage
  • Transport of your vehicle back to Switzerland after prior discussion with AXA, provided it can’t be repaired on site.
  • Continuing your trip or returning directly home as covered by your insurance
  • Payment of storage fees as covered by your insurance
  • Delivery fees for replacement parts, if they need to be ordered
  • Cost of scrapping and customs duties after prior discussion with AXA, provided the vehicle is not being returned and as covered by your insurance
  • Unplanned additional accommodation costs as covered by your insurance

Additional information if you have a breakdown

  • When abroad, you should expect approximately a 90-minute wait from the time AXA receives your call.
  • Breaking down on a highway in Belgium: You can reach roadside assistance by dialing the emergency number 112. You can find more information about what to do if you have a breakdown abroad here.
  • Repair costs are not covered if you have a breakdown.
  • Phone/roaming fees: Check to see whether your phone provider has roaming discounts or special offers for Switzerland. This will help prevent additional phone charges in the event of a breakdown.
  • If you are in Turkey or a North African country, you cannot leave until you have completed all the customs formalities. The vehicle’s entry stamp must be canceled in your passport. We'll be happy to help.

Services from our roadside assistance partners include:

  • Roadside assistance to restore the vehicle to roadworthy condition on site or
  • Towing to the nearest suitable repair shop.

What you can expect from roadside assistance abroad for the following problems:

  • Vehicle fails to start – onsite assistance
  • Other services are generally not offered on site, but rather at a storage facility or the nearest suitable garage.

Organizing onward travel

If your vehicle cannot be repaired within a reasonable amount of time at the location where it broke down, AXA will pay for and help organize your return home or the continuation of your trip in line with your insurance coverage. Always contact AXA first if your car breaks down. Services may only be organized or used following prior agreement, regardless of whether they are organized by you or by AXA.

What we can organize for you:

  • Plane or train tickets (min. 6 hour travel time) – for you and the people traveling with you
  • Car or bus ride – for you and the people traveling with you
  • Taxi – for short distances, e.g. to the nearest train station
  • Rental car – depends on availability

We will be happy to help you organize a suitable onward journey – depending on the local situation.

Please note: In order to book a rental car, the driver must have a valid driver’s license and a credit card (for the deposit and contract with the car rental company).

After discussing it with us, you can organize your onward journey yourself and we will cover the costs as provided for under your policy.

Organizing repatriation of vehicle

Your vehicle can't be repaired during your vacation? Have you already started your return trip home or would you like your car repaired at your local garage? Please discuss the repatriation of your vehicle to Switzerland with us. If you do not wish to repatriate it, we will take care of the cost of scrapping and customs duties as covered by your policy.

How your vehicle will be repatriated

  • Always call us if you want your car repatriated.
  • Let us know which garage you have chosen and let the garage know about transport of your vehicle and what condition it’s in.
  • Leave your registration and keys in the vehicle and the license plates on the vehicle and take all your valuables, such as jewelry, technical devices, etc., or items subject to customs duties with you. We are not liable for items left in the vehicle or for the organization of customs formalities in connection with cargo.
  • Repatriation is a group transport that is organized through our partner companies.
  • As soon as your vehicle arrives at the garage you chose, they will contact you in order to discuss how to proceed with the repairs, etc.

Important information

  • The vehicle must be registered with the Road Traffic Office before it is transported.
  • Repatriations are only insured for transport to official garages - not to private residences.
  • Transport is only insured if AXA organizes it.
  • The cost of transporting your vehicle within a foreign country is not insured.
  • We do not organize or pay for the return transport of repaired vehicles. If the vehicle has been repaired, you are responsible for its repatriation.

Roadside assistance