As vehicle ownership increases, roadside assistance services are becoming an essential safety net for drivers. However, a recent incident involving a driver whose car broke down in a hospital parking lot highlighted potential pitfalls. She intended to use her credit card's "free roadside assistance" service but discovered she would be charged a hefty fee of 6,000 TWD because the parking lot was not considered part of the 'road' area, sparking discussions online about what 'free' really means.

The driver shared her experience on the social media platform Threads, stating that her car malfunctioned in the hospital parking lot, and she suspected a battery issue. After unsuccessfully attempting to use a taxi for help, she called the credit card's free roadside assistance service, only to learn from the towing company that the 'free' service only applied to vehicles on the road. Because the parking lot required special handling and her car was in the P position, she would incur an additional fee of 6,000 TWD.

In an effort to save costs, the driver followed a friend's suggestion to push her car to the roadside and then contacted the insurance company for assistance. Unfortunately, the same towing company was dispatched again, presenting new charges, including a 1,000 TWD fee for unlocking the P position and a 500 TWD fee for the tow line. Upon hearing this, the driver was bewildered and inquired with the credit card company about why these fees were not disclosed beforehand. However, the towing company did not provide a clear answer, stating that "even if you ask again, the result will be the same," leaving her feeling helpless and compelled to pay up to resolve the situation.

After the article was published, netizens shared similar experiences, suggesting that in the past when they used a credit card's free towing service on a normal road, they didn't encounter additional charges and wondered if the system had become more convoluted. Some advised that only roadside assistance while on the public road could be deemed truly free, while parking lots might incur extra costs.

Each credit card's free roadside assistance service comes with its own set of rules.