I Was Rescued From a Car Accident, Will My Insurance Cover the Costs?

Caeva O'Callaghan | April 5th, 2024

If you’re in an accident, charges may apply. Be aware of all the facts before you get on the road.

Yes, all associated costs with being rescued from an accident on the road will be covered by your car insurance.

When you get into an accident on the road and need the help of emergency services, these may incur extra charges. Luckily, your car insurance will cover it.

In this article, we’ll answer such questions as:

• Will my car insurance cover fire brigade costs?
• Do I need to pay for being cut out of a car?
• Are ambulance charges covered by my insurance?

Worrying about these extra costs should be the furthest thing on your mind after you’re in an accident. For peace of mind, it’s best to know what to expect before the worst happens.

Roadside emergency service costs

The fire brigade is of the main emergency services you may need in a car accident. But households in some counties pay hundreds of euros for fire brigade callouts which are free in other areas.

There are big variations in fire-service charges for road-traffic accidents across the nation, as these costs are set by local councils. Charges to people in need of roadside fire brigade assistance range from €70 per hour in Kilkenny to €610 per hour in Dublin.

If you’re unlucky enough to need an ambulance, this may also incur extra costs. Unless you have a medical card, it is possible charges will apply for using an ambulance service. However, the position varies considerably from region to region. These charges can be subject to waiver in certain cases (like if you’re going through hardship).

On occasion, a Health Service Executive Area may assist with transport costs for a person who has to travel a long distance to a hospital. However, again, this situation varies considerably from one HSE Area to another and in many cases, is dependent on personal circumstances.

Private ambulance services are commercial. If a private ambulance transports you from the scene of an accident, you’d need to telephone them and pay for their services in the normal commercial manner.

Roadside accident risks

Roadside accident risks

There are many scenarios in which you need to call out the fire brigade by the side of the road. Some are very serious, others not so. But the main thing to remember is that if the fire brigade attends the scene of your accident, it’s likely you’ll have to pay.

For example, if your car catches fire and if the fire service has to come and put it out, this is a fairly straightforward service which will only incur the hourly rate.

However, if your accident requires specialist services or takes a long time, you will be charged for additional hours. If you or a passenger needs cutting free from the wreckage, for example, this is a delicate and lengthy process.

Accident costs and car insurance

The good news is, most car insurance providers cover callout costs as standard. Liberty Insurance covers fire brigade charges up to €2,200. Aviva will cover fire brigade charges up to €1,000.

Your car insurance provider processes these costs as a normal part of your claim. This means you don’t need to do anything extra. If you’re in a road-traffic accident, it’s important to remember your insurance will take care of everything.

You don’t need to worry, and you can take your time to process the information given to you. We’re always on hand if you have any questions.

If you have any questions regarding cover on car insurance, call us today

If you are searching the Irish market for car insurance feel free to pick up the phone and talk to our insurance experts from Mon-Fri between 8.30am and 5.30pm on 0818 224433 or 042 9359051. We can explain all the cover options available, and can help you find the right quote for your specific circumstances.

If you require an immediate car insurance quote, our instant quote engine checks the market to help find the right cover for you. It’s also woth bearing in mind, that picking up the phone could save you money; 60% of our customers who called directly, made a saving on their insurance. We look forward to helping you today!