The group, representing tow-truck companies, strengthens its representativeness by meeting with insurers, motoring clubs and assistance platforms.
This Wednesday, 13 July, the first meeting promoted by the National Roadside Assistance Alliance with sector stakeholders took place in Madrid. The Alliance confirms its legitimacy as the representative of the interests of roadside assistance companies, while demonstrating that there is scope for serious and responsible dialogue, with the aim of solving the serious problems facing the sector.
The Alliance met with the companies AXA, Ima, Asitur, Mapfre, Europ Assistance, RACC, Race, ADA Asistencia en carretera, Línea Directa and Mutua Madrileña Automovilista, which showed themselves willing to negotiate improvements in the sector and aware of the delicate situation. Nevertheless, the Alliance will remain vigilant since, if no significant progress is made, the conflict could intensify, to the detriment of all parties.
Representatives of the main insurers, motoring clubs and travel assistance platforms in our country attended the meeting called by the Alliance, which thereby sought to warn of the risk of deterioration in the regular provision of roadside assistance services in Spain.
The Alliance spokesperson, Xavier Martí, has made himself available to business owners in the sector who wish to join the Alliance in order to “take part in this channel of dialogue that we have opened from common sense and responsibility”.
Measures and a timetable for implementing them
For the time being, it seems that all parties are prepared to roll up their sleeves to promote a negotiation that culminates in an understanding between the various sector stakeholders, for their own viability. In this respect, the Alliance has been clear about the need to take a series of measures to make roadside assistance companies viable, establishing an urgent work schedule within the framework of constructive and open dialogue on both sides.
Although it has not called any protests for now, the Alliance warns that if no progress is made in resolving the issues discussed, a conflict scenario this summer could not be ruled out. This could affect the millions of journeys expected over the summer period, the peak season for the regular provision of roadside assistance services.
Current situation given the increasing precariousness of the sector
The Alliance has explained the reasons why some roadside assistance companies are already ceasing to provide certain call-outs. When carrying out a service means financial losses, it becomes unviable.
Both parties highlighted the importance of complying with current legislation on price updates due to the increase in fuel prices; this could lay the foundations for an understanding to guide the forthcoming meetings.
All the issues needed to guarantee the viability of roadside assistance companies would have to be set out in detail, maintaining the resources to meet 24/7, 365-day demand and preventing the deterioration of the service and of road safety. The protection of tow-truck operators on public roads, given the risk their work entails, is also vital.
Both parties expressed their satisfaction and willingness to engage in fruitful and reasonable dialogue to maintain the quality of the services provided in Spain. For this reason, they have agreed to hold a new meeting, which will take place shortly.
The National Roadside Assistance Alliance is made up of the following regional and national associations and business organisations: ABEAC (Balearic Islands), ABEAC (Basque Country), ASCA (Catalonia), AMEAC (Madrid), ANESAV (National), ASCALEAC, (Castile and León), ASEDA (Andalusia), ASEGA (Galicia), ASEXTEAC (Extremadura), GRUPO CARTER (National), CEPAS (National), FEGRUAL (National Federation) AGREGA-GRUAS and REAC (National Grouping).