Roadside Assistance Services for Commercial Vehicles

Trucks in India are essential for business operations, but unexpected breakdowns can disrupt schedules. Delivery trucks, transport vehicles, and fleets of buses often face challenges on the road. Efficient roadside assistance services help reduce downtime and keep vehicles operational. 

These services are crucial for ensuring smooth business operations. This article highlights the importance of roadside assistance, key features to look for, and the top brands offering these services.

Benefits of Roadside Assistance for Commercial Vehicles

Roadside assistance is a service that helps drivers when their vehicles break down unexpectedly. This service is particularly crucial for commercial vehicles, which are the backbone of supply chains, public transportation, and other business operations. 

When these vehicles are off the road, they can lead to delays, financial losses, and frustrated customers. Benefits of Roadside Assistance for Commercial Vehicles are the following:

Emergency Support

Roadside assistance ensures immediate help in case of vehicle breakdowns, flat tyres, or accidents, providing peace of mind during unexpected situations.

Reducing Costs of Repairs

While roadside assistance cannot always resolve every mechanical issue on-site, many issues, such as flat tyres, battery problems, or minor engine troubles, can be addressed with on-the-spot solutions. This service reduce the cost of major repairs and towing expenses by offering immediate help that prevents further damage to the vehicle.

Battery Jumpstart

Roadside assistance includes jumpstarting your vehicle in case of a dead battery, helping you resume your journey quickly.

Ensuring Driver Safety

The safety of the driver is another critical concern for businesses operating commercial vehicles. Roadside assistance services often include emergency help such as medical support, ensuring that drivers are not stranded in unsafe or dangerous conditions. This can provide peace of mind to both the drivers and their employers.

Cost-Effective

Instead of paying high fees for emergency services, roadside assistance is often a part of insurance or subscription packages, making it affordable.

Also Read: Electric vs. Hydrogen Commercial Vehicles: Which Fuel is Best for the Future?

Key Features of Roadside Assistance Services

When it comes to choosing a roadside assistance provider for commercial vehicles, there are several features that businesses should prioritize. These features ensure that the service is comprehensive and reliable.

1. 24/7 Availability

Commercial vehicles are often on the road at all hours of the day, and emergencies can happen at any time. A reliable roadside assistance service must be available 24/7, ensuring that businesses can rely on support whenever they need it, whether it’s in the middle of the night or during a holiday weekend.

2. Towing Services

One of the most critical aspects of roadside assistance is towing. If a vehicle is unable to be repaired on-site, the service should offer efficient towing to the nearest service station or an authorized repair center. For commercial vehicles, it is especially important to have towing services tailored to different types of vehicles, from light-duty trucks to heavy-duty trucks.

3. On-site Repairs

Roadside assistance providers should be equipped to handle a wide range of minor repairs on-site. Common issues such as flat tyres, dead batteries, fuel shortages, and engine overheating can often be fixed without the need to tow the vehicle. On-site repairs are vital to ensuring that vehicles can get back to their routes quickly.

4. Fuel Delivery

Running out of fuel is one of the most common roadside problems. For commercial vehicles on long trips, being stranded without fuel can cause significant delays. A reliable roadside assistance service should offer fuel delivery to the vehicle’s location, ensuring that drivers can continue their journey without major setbacks.

5. Tyre and Battery Services

Flat tyres and dead batteries are two of the most common issues faced by commercial vehicles on the road. Roadside assistance should include tyre replacement or repair services and battery jump-start services, reducing the likelihood of downtime due to these problems.

6. Locksmith Services

Commercial vehicles often carry valuable cargo, and losing access to a vehicle due to a lost key or broken lock can be a huge inconvenience. A roadside assistance service with locksmith capabilities can help drivers gain access to their vehicle, minimizing delays in operations.

7. Tracking and Monitoring

For businesses managing fleets of vehicles, tracking and monitoring services can be invaluable. Some roadside assistance providers offer GPS tracking and live monitoring of vehicles, allowing fleet managers to keep tabs on the location and condition of their vehicles in real-time.

Top Brands Offering Roadside Assistance for Commercial Vehicles

Several leading brands and service providers offer specialized roadside assistance services for commercial vehicles. These services are tailored to the needs of businesses, ensuring quick responses and solutions to breakdowns.

1. Tata Motors

Tata Motors, one of India’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers, provides an extensive roadside assistance program known as “TATA Alert.” TATA Alert is a dedicated roadside assistance program from TATA Motors designed for commercial vehicles under warranty. 

This program ensures a prompt and reliable resolution to any roadside issues, offering complete peace of mind to vehicle owners. It operates nationwide and guarantees support regardless of the vehicle's location. Below are the specific offers and terms for customers under this program:

Customer Benefits

24-Hour Vehicle Restoration:

Covers all major roads, including National Highways, State Highways, and the Golden Quadrilateral-East-West-North-South Corridors (spanning 2.47 lakh km).

Guaranteed Reach Time:

Assistance is guaranteed within 4 hours of receiving a customer’s call, ensuring prompt service at the breakdown location.

Compensation for Delays:

If the vehicle is not restored within 24 hours, a compensation of INR 1000 per day (after 48 hours) is paid on a pro-rata basis. Compensation is provided in the form of coupons, redeemable for parts or Prolife services at authorized TATA Motors partners.

Load Transfer and Towing:

Load transfer and towing services are available at the customer's expense, ensuring smooth vehicle handling.

Repair Cost Flexibility:

Customers must pay for repairs if not covered under warranty or for paid repair cases, with an upfront estimate provided by TATA Motors.

Exclusions and Terms:

• Vehicles must be non-drivable to qualify for the program. Drivable vehicles are not covered.
• Beyond warranty norms, a deputation charge of INR 1500 applies, in addition to repair costs.
• Tyres, batteries, bulbs, and ancillary repairs (involving third parties) are excluded.
• Accidental vehicles are not eligible for coverage.
• The decision to use Prolife or float aggregates rests with TATA Motors. If a customer declines this, the offer becomes void.

The TATA Alert program is a well-rounded initiative that reflects TATA Motors’ dedication to ensuring uninterrupted operations for their customers, prioritizing efficiency and convenience.

2. Mahindra Trucks and Buses

Mahindra’s “Roadside Assistance” program offers comprehensive support to owners of Mahindra commercial vehicles. This service includes breakdown assistance, minor repairs, towing, and fuel delivery. Mahindra has a large network of service centers across India, making it easier for fleet managers to access help whenever needed. Mahindra’s “Roadside Assistance Services includes:

Mobile Vans

Mahindra Truck and Bus division offers a dedicated mobile van service for on-the-spot assistance to broken-down vehicles. Drivers can contact the 24x7 NOW service helpline to request roadside support. The mobile van locates the stranded vehicle and provides immediate mechanical help to get it running quickly. This service minimizes downtime and helps maintain productivity.

NOW Service 24x7

The NOW helpline offers round-the-clock assistance for Mahindra Trucks and Buses. Drivers can connect with experts anytime to receive reliable guidance and support. The helpline operates in seven languages, ensuring that drivers from any region in India can comfortably explain their issues and get the help they need. This reduces vehicle downtime significantly, ensuring consistent performance.

MPART Plaza

MPART Plaza is a one-stop shop for all Mahindra truck and bus parts, offering:

• A wide range of parts for easy vehicle servicing.
• Availability of parts at locations convenient for customers.
• Confidence for technicians due to reliable Mahindra parts supply.
• Enhanced awareness of Mahindra’s aftermarket parts range.

These services collectively aim to ensure smooth operations, reduced delays, and improved customer satisfaction.

Also Read: How Proper Load Balancing Can Improve Your Truck’s Tyre Life

CMV360 Says

Roadside assistance services for commercial vehicles play a key role in keeping work running without delays. These services reduce downtime, lower repair costs, and ensure driver safety. With reliable roadside assistance, commercial vehicle owners can feel confident knowing help is always available when needed.

Choosing a good service provider is important for keeping operations smooth and hassle-free. Many providers offer 24/7 support, on-site repairs, and expert help to meet the needs of commercial vehicles. These services ensure vehicles are back on the road quickly, helping businesses maintain continuity and keep customers satisfied.