Insurance giants BF & M has launched a first for Bermuda — a 24/7 roadside assistance service.

Run in partnership with established Island towing firm Lowe’s, the service is designed to bring peace of mind for drivers and bikers who suffer breakdowns or other problems on the road.

BF & M vice-president for personal insurance Andrew Harwell said: “Nowhere in Bermuda was a company offering this type of service.

“What I wanted to do was wrap it up into our insurance policies — people can buy it as an add-on to their car or cycle insurance.”

He added that the firm had negotiated a deal with Lowe’s Towing that meant that customers who sign up for the service will save around 50 percent on an emergency call-out compared to the price if they had to it themselves.

Lowe’s Towing’s Duane Lowe said the firm was the only one in Bermuda with two vehicles — and that a combination of full-time and part-time staff meant a fast response around the clock.

Mr Lowe added: “It’s not so much a new thing for Lowe’s, but perhaps there will be a higher volume of people contacting the service. As we grow, we will add staff into the field to cope with demand.”

Anyone stranded at the roadside with a range of common motoring problems, including flat tyres and batteries, running out of gas or even locking themselves out of their vehicles, will be able to call a single number to get help.

Mr Lowe said: “It will give people more a guarantee and it takes the guesswork out of it. If people sign up for this service, they’re getting the top insurance company and the top towing company.

“I try to service the community as much as possible — and BF & M have the same ethic as well.”

Mr Lowe paid tribute to gas station chief Ralph Terceira, where he got his start in recovery services more than a decade ago.

He said he moved on after Mr Terceira pulled out of vehicle recovery and worked for another firm before striking out on his own five years ago.

The new service — which provides two free call-outs a year to subscribers — costs $75 a year for cars and $50 a year for scooters and motorcycles.

Mr Hanwell said: “One of the main reasons we selected Lowe’s is that we’ve had a lot of dealings with them through our insurance services and we’ve been very impressed with the service to our claims department over the last few years.”

And he added that — particularly with bikes — the new service could also cut down on claims for theft because 24/7 Roadside Assistance vehicles won’t be left unattended at the roadside.

Mr Hanwell said: “A lot of people when they get a flat tyre leave it at the side of the road and come back the next day — to find the bike has been stolen. We hope this will cut down on the theft aspect.

“And we’re hoping it will give some peace of mind to the parents if their 16-year-old is out there at night because they are protected. With parents and their children, that’s very important — it’s peace of mind.”

He added that the service will be available for policy renewals — but that existing customers can still opt to add the service for the balance of current policies.

Mr Hanwell added: “We’re very excited to offer this to the public. It fills a hole in the motor market in Bermuda and we are both proud to be the first ones to provide this.”