Fuel shortage: what can your insurance do in the event of a fuel shortage?

With an increasing number of service stations out of fuel, the risk of a motorist running out of fuel on the road becomes clearly palpable. And the images of motorists pushing their vehicles in search of the precious liquid are no longer rare.

In this situation, your insurance contract can be useful. Assurland.com thus recalls that these contracts “generally include an assistance component. This determines the repair conditions in the event of immobilization of the vehicle: engine problem, puncture, accident… and sometimes, without gasoline.”

Support for dry breakdown must be clearly indicated in the guarantees section of the assistance section. “The insured must first contact the assistance service made available by their insurer. Their contact details can be found on the green card of the car insurance. The latter will send an associated assistance service that will tow the vehicle to a towing station. service.

Exclusions and deductible

However, this specific care is quite rare, underlines the specialist. “In fact, for some insurers, it is a lack of attention on the part of the driver. The same goes for the fuel error. These two incidents, therefore, can be part of the assistance exclusions. The cost of moving the crane and any repairs are then entirely under the responsibility of the driver”.

And when you run out of gas it’s covered, you have to look at the mileage deductible. In most cases, the insurer will only intervene in the event of a breakdown that occurs 25 or 50 kilometers from the home. Unless the “0 kilometer breakdown” payment option has been contracted.

Finally, running out of fuel on the highway also offers its share of exceptions. “Only authorized repairers are authorized to intervene. The assistance company linked to the insurer cannot operate directly. In this case, it is often necessary to advance the expenses and the insured is reimbursed after the presentation of the invoices”, recalls Assurland.

The rates (flat rate and fixed by the government) are from 138.01 euros (days and working days) to 207.02 euros from 6:00 p.m., weekends and holidays.

In addition, according to the Highway Code, in the event of a fuel shortage on the motorway, the driver is liable to a fine of 35 euros, which can be increased to 75 euros, or even 135 euros if the vehicle is parked incorrectly. .