Most of the roadside assistance companies in the area, represented by the National Roadside Assistance Alliance, have secured increases of around 30 % for carrying out their services.
The National Roadside Assistance Alliance warned of reduced service provision in the Lérida Pyrenees on 13, 14 and 15 August, given the precarious financial compensation that assistance companies in the area were receiving. This has led many insurers, motoring clubs – except RACE – and travel assistance platforms to review their rate conditions for these companies, given the risk of them closing, or of jobs going unattended in the high season. As happened this summer.
Europ Assistance, IMA Ibérica, Asitur, AXA, Línea Directa, Mapfre, Mutua Madrileña, Arag, ANWB, ADAC, Allianz and RACC have reviewed their rate policy for the Lérida Pyrenees, but not RACE, which has not taken into account the specific needs of the companies, given their location in a mountainous, depopulated area. In this respect, service to RACE policyholders could go unattended or be delayed, given that these jobs are not profitable, the Alliance warns.
Xavier Martí, the Alliance's spokesperson, welcomed the progress made in this area, although he pointed out that "while bringing about these agreements has been a lifeline for assistance business owners in the Pyrenees, I encourage them to explore the channels of negotiation open with their providers, since there are still legislative changes to be implemented".
Possible room for improvement
The Alliance, which brings together most of the sector in the country, continues to warn of the situation of many roadside assistance companies. Despite the improved economic conditions for companies in the Lérida Pyrenees, difficulties persist in offering services on a regular basis because requirements and costs are out of step.
Keeping a team of roadside assistance operators on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week (24/7) is clearly impossible. Especially when there are peaks in demand, or special jobs are requested, the organisation warns.
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), AGRUAXA (Salamanca), ASEXTEAC (Extremadura), GRUPO CARTER (National), CEPAS (National), FEGRUAL (National Federation) AGREGA-GRÚAS and REAC (National Group).