What is short-term assistance?
Short-term assistance is a voluntary car insurance purchased for a specific, short period — most often 7, 9, 15, or 30 days. It provides the same help as an annual assistance policy: towing, on-site repairs, a replacement vehicle, and accommodation — but you only pay for the time you actually need it.
Most drivers purchase short-term assistance just before going on vacation or a long trip — and rightly so. It’s the cheapest way to ensure full roadside protection when an annual OC policy only provides limited mini assistance, which is insufficient for a more serious breakdown.
Mini assistance included for free with OC covers help only after a collision and has a low towing limit (50–150 km). Short-term assistance is a full policy — it covers breakdowns, theft, lack of fuel, and assistance abroad, with limits comparable to annual premium options.
When is it worth buying short-term assistance — 4 specific situations
Not every driver needs a more expensive annual policy. Short-term assistance works perfectly in four cases:
✈️ Traveling abroad
The most common reason for purchase. Does your OC policy have mini assistance without European coverage? A short-term policy for 9–16 days costs 40–100 PLN and provides full protection abroad — towing, accommodation, replacement vehicle. Especially important when traveling through Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia — countries often excluded from many basic policies.
🚗 Older car without comprehensive insurance
Cars older than 10–15 years often do not qualify for more expensive annual options (e.g., Warta Platinum: max 10 years). Short-term assistance usually has no age restrictions on the vehicle — you can secure a 2008 car for a long trip without any issues.
📍 Long domestic trip
Are you traveling from Suwałki to Gdańsk or Kraków? Mini assistance with OC with a 50 km limit is not enough. A breakdown of the engine or transmission hundreds of kilometers from home can cost 400–700 PLN for towing — which the short-term policy covers entirely.
🚌 Strange vehicle or one trip a year
Are you driving a partner’s or borrowed car? Their insurance may not cover additional drivers. If you only take one longer trip a year, short-term coverage is cheaper than annual — you buy protection only when you really need it.
What does short-term assistance cover — scope and limits
The scope of short-term assistance is comparable to annual, but the details vary between companies. Here’s what you’ll find in a typical policy:
| Service | Basic option | Extended option |
|---|---|---|
| Towing after a breakdown | Up to 150 km (Poland) | Up to 500 km, all of Europe |
| On-site repair | Yes — minor faults | Yes + costs up to 400 zł |
| Replacement car | None or 1 day | 3–7 days |
| Accommodation for passengers | None | Up to 3 nights |
| Out of fuel / wrong fuel | Fuel delivery | Delivery + cost coverage |
| Vehicle theft | Yes | Yes + transport home |
| Territorial scope | Poland | Europe (excluding Russia, Belarus, Ukraine) |
| Price (7 days) | 40–60 zł | 80–150 PLN |
Assistance operates through a network of partner companies across the country. On average, you can expect 30–60 minutes — in less connected regions (like Suwałki) it can take even longer, especially at night. It’s worth having the number of local roadside assistance as a backup.
Short-term vs annual — when to choose what
The key question before purchasing: is short-term better for me than annual? The answer depends on how often you drive and your travel plans.
| Criterion | Short-term | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Price | 40–150 PLN / 7–30 days | 150–400 PLN / year |
| Daily commutes to work | Not cost-effective | Ideal |
| One vacation trip per year | Cheaper by 100–250 PLN | You’re overpaying |
| Car older than 10–15 years | Usually no restrictions | Some options unavailable |
| Trip abroad — Lithuania, Latvia | Full coverage from 40 PLN | Depends on the OC/AC option |
| Several trips per year | More expensive with 5+ trips | Cost-effective from ~5 trips |
| Spontaneous trip | Note: waiting period! | Works immediately |
If you plan more than 4-5 longer trips a year, an annual policy is cheaper. If it’s just one vacation trip or driving an older car, short-term coverage is a better financial choice.
What to watch out for before purchasing — traps in the terms and conditions
Here lies the difference between a good and a bad policy. Before buying, check four things in the terms and conditions that often surprise drivers:
Waiting period
Some policies have a waiting period — coverage does not start immediately, but for example, 24 hours after purchase. If you buy a policy on the morning of your trip and break down the same day, you may not receive assistance. Buy at least a day in advance.
Towing mileage limit
The cheapest policies have a limit of 50-150 km. If your car breaks down 300 km from home and you want to return to your workshop, you pay for the extra kilometers yourself. For foreign trips, look for a minimum of 500 km of towing.
Territorial coverage
Most policies exclude Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, and Kosovo. The Baltic countries (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia) are usually included, but not always — verify the terms and conditions of the specific insurer before purchasing.
Exclusions of liability
The most common exclusions: breakdown due to lack of oil or overheating (negligence), driving under the influence of alcohol, intentional damage. Key: always call the emergency center first — organizing assistance on your own BEFORE reporting may result in a denial of reimbursement.
How much does short-term assistance cost and where to buy it?
The price depends on the period of coverage, territorial scope, and towing limit. Below are real market rates for 2026:
| Period | Poland only | Poland + Europe | Example insurers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7-9 days | 40-60 PLN | 60-100 PLN | Europ Assistance, AXA, Warta Podróżnik |
| 15-16 days | 55-80 PLN | 80-130 PLN | Generali, UNIQA, PZM Assistance |
| 30-31 days | 80-120 PLN | 120-200 PLN | Generali, CUK, rankomat.pl |
You can purchase the policy directly on the insurer’s website or through a comparison site (rankomat.pl, cuk.pl, mubi.pl). Online purchase takes about 5 minutes. Remember: after purchasing, save the emergency center number in your phone — don’t look for it only when you break down on the highway.
FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions
Most insurers offer a minimum period of 7 or 9 days. One-day policies are rare. If you’re planning just a weekend abroad, buy a 7- or 9-day policy — it will still be cheaper than an annual one, and you’ll have full coverage.
No. Short-term assistance is a separate insurance product. Using its help does not affect your car insurance claim history or discounts on your next car insurance purchase.
You can call for roadside assistance yourself and seek reimbursement for costs — but only if you informed the alarm center beforehand. Always start with a call to the operator. If the wait time is too long — a local roadside assistance company will arrive faster. In the Suwałki region, SKI TRANS will arrive in 15 minutes.
Most policies with European coverage include Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. However, check the terms and conditions of the specific insurer — some exclude certain countries or have different towing limits abroad. This is particularly important for drivers from Suwałki traveling to Lithuania.
Assistance networks operate through partner towing companies across the country. On average, 30–60 minutes — but Suwałki is a less urbanized area, which may extend wait times, especially at night or on weekends. Therefore, it’s worth having the number of a local roadside assistance company operating 24/7 saved in your phone.
You have an assistance policy, but your car broke down and you’ve been waiting for 40 minutes?
SKI TRANS Roadside Assistance operates 24/7 in Suwałki and the surrounding areas. We arrive in 15 minutes — regardless of the policy. We can also act on behalf of the assistance operator. Call us directly.