The ANWB's Wegenwacht was for a long time the only, and is still the largest, roadside assistance service in the Netherlands. However, in recent years, various competitors have emerged, including Allianz, Blij dat ik Rij, Centraal Beheer, and Route Mobiel. How do you choose the right roadside assistance?
It's not easy to compete with the ANWB's Wegenwacht, which has built up a rock-solid reputation over years and stands for reliability. New players in the market can then actually only do one thing: compete on price. But do those price fighters offer the same service and quality as the old, trusted Wegenwacht?
Most competitors are cheaper than the Wegenwacht, but can you expect the same service for that price? We investigated this for you, exclusively looking at breakdown assistance in the Netherlands, not Europe.
ANWB
(€58 of €98 per year)
First of all, there's the ANWB's own Roadside Assistance. For the basic fee of €58 per year, you don't get breakdown assistance in your own town or a replacement vehicle. That will cost you €98 per year.
At the ANWB, you are insured as an individual, not by vehicle registration. If you drive a different car, you can therefore still call on roadside assistance. A second car within your family, for example your partner's, is automatically included in your insurance.
At the ANWB, you can call on the Wegenwacht for free four times a year. After that, you pay per breakdown. The premium you pay is independent of the age of your vehicle.
The cover starts two days after signing and can be cancelled monthly after the initial contract period, just like with all other breakdown assistance services.
Allianz Global Assistance
(€29.95 instead of €54.95 per year)
At €29.95 per year (excluding breakdown assistance in your local area, €54.95 including), Allianz Global Assistance offers an affordable alternative to the Wegenwacht.
Just like with the roadside assistance service, you can rely on replacement transport with Allianz. The big difference is that with Allianz you are insured by license plate rather than by person, as with the ANWB. A second car is also not insured. So, if you are driving a different car than the insured vehicle, for example your partner's, you are essentially not insured. However, you can change the license plate of the insured vehicle three times a year.
Where you can call upon the roadside assistance service four times a year free of charge, you can do so seven times with Allianz. This is a potential advantage if you drive a lot or have a car prone to breaking down. But even then, it remains to be seen whether there is a realistic chance that you will break down by the roadside that frequently.
With the Wegenwacht, your premium is not dependent on the age of your vehicle. With Allianz, on the other hand, your premium increases if your car is older than three years.
Good to know that with Allianz you can only claim breakdown assistance five days after taking out the policy, whereas Wegenwacht (roadside assistance) is ready for you after just two (working) days. Both with Allianz and with the ANWB (Dutch Automobile Association), you can cancel daily after the first contract period has expired.
Happy to drive.
(€19.95 per year + €60 per breakdown)
At Blij dat ik Rij, you only pay €19.95 per year, with the important note that you pay a €60 excess per breakdown. Unlike with the ANWB and Allianz, replacement transport is not included, and towing costs are also not covered. That can quickly add up.
At Blij dat ik Rij, all family members are covered for roadside assistance, regardless of which car they're driving. So, you're not insured per person or per registration number.
You can call on roadside assistance as many times as you need, but as mentioned, you will pay €60 out of your own pocket per breakdown. The premium is independent of the vehicle's age, and the cover commences seven days after signing up. After the initial contract period, your subscription can be cancelled on a monthly basis.
This is mainly interesting for those who want to be insured for breakdown assistance at a low premium, but are willing to accept a considerable excess.
Centraal Beheer
(€38.72 per year)
For £38.72 per year, including roadside assistance in your local area and a replacement vehicle, Centraal Beheer offers a very attractive alternative to the ANWB Wegenwacht.
Just like with Allianz, you are insured by vehicle registration number, and unlike with the Wegenwacht, a second vehicle is not insured. You can change the registration number of the insured vehicle an unlimited number of times.
You can call on roadside assistance from Centraal Beheer as many times as you like, free of charge and with no excess. Is your vehicle five years or older? Then your premium will increase.
The cover starts in just one day after taking it out, and your subscription can be cancelled daily from then on.
Mobile Route
(€68.30 per year)
Last but not least: Route Mobiel. At €68.30, it's more expensive than the cheapest ANWB roadside assistance plan, but it does include breakdown assistance in your home town and replacement transport.
At Route Mobiel, like at Allianz and Centraal Beheer, you are insured by vehicle registration number. Another difference compared to the ANWB is that a second vehicle is not automatically insured. However, you do receive a €20 discount on your annual premium if you insure a second vehicle. You are allowed to change the registration number twice a year.
Just like with the ANWB, you can use Route Mobiel's breakdown assistance four times a year free of charge. The premium depends on the age of your car, and you pay more if your car is four years or older. Coverage begins seven days after signing up and can be cancelled monthly after the initial contract term.
Finally
We do not wish to pass judgment or advise on roadside assistance. Based on the comparison above, you can draw your own conclusions.
