Every year around 50,000 vehicles in BiH break down on the road, and more than three quarters of those cases are resolved on the spot by BIHAMK. Yet most drivers do not know exactly who to call, what their vehicle registration covers versus what membership provides, or how to stay safe while waiting for roadside assistance in BiH in 2026. This guide answers all of those questions, with current phone numbers, prices and a step-by-step procedure.
This guide was prepared by Auto Gas Gaga, a workshop in Banja Luka, drawing on years of experience with roadside breakdowns and pre-purchase vehicle inspections.
Table of Contents
- What Your Vehicle Registration Covers in FBiH and RS
- BIHAMK Membership 2026, Packages and What You Get
- AMSRS Membership 2026, Packages and Coverage in Republika Srpska
- Who to Call When Your Car Breaks Down in BiH and Abroad
- What to Do When Your Car Breaks Down on the Motorway Step by Step
- What Liability Insurance Covers vs What Membership Covers
- Roadside Assistance Abroad for BiH Drivers
- How Much Does a Tow Truck Cost Without Membership
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related Articles
What Your Vehicle Registration Covers in FBiH and RS
When you register a vehicle in BiH you pay a roadside-assistance fee, but that fee does not provide the same coverage in both entities. The difference is significant and worth knowing before you actually need help.
In the Federation of BiH (FBiH) the registration fee is 8 KM per year for roadside assistance (the fee goes to BIHAMK). For those 8 KM you get up to 3 free technical interventions per year (maximum one per month) and free towing up to 10 kilometres from the breakdown location. That covers the basic scenario: your car has stopped, a patrol arrives and attempts a repair on the spot. If the repair fails, they tow you to the nearest workshop within a 10 km radius. For a typical driver who stays within the city or travels short distances, this may be sufficient. But on a motorway, where the nearest workshop can be 30 or 50 km away, 10 km of towing will not get you there.
In Republika Srpska the fee is 12 KM per year and goes to AMSRS. The coverage structure is different: you get one free tow per year accompanied by a police report, plus unlimited removal of broken-down vehicles from public roads. Removal from a public road means AMSRS must move you off the carriageway whenever you are blocking traffic — an important distinction compared with FBiH. But for a standard breakdown without a police report, say a flat battery in a shopping-centre car park, the registration coverage does not automatically entitle you to a free service.
The amounts of 8 KM (FBiH) and 12 KM (RS) have been verified against an Oslobodjenje report from October 2024. We recommend checking the current fees with your registration authority at your next renewal, as the amounts may be adjusted.
Key takeaway: the registration fee is minimal coverage for the most basic situations within BiH. If you travel abroad in summer or want broader towing and technical assistance on motorways, you need a membership.
BIHAMK Membership 2026, Packages and What You Get
BIHAMK (the Automobile Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina) offers three membership packages, each with a different scope of coverage. The BIHAMK dispatch centre operates 24 hours a day on the number 1282 (a public service, free to call from any operator in BiH). BIHAMK has 60 patrol vehicles and over 120 trucks across BiH, and handles around 50,000 technical interventions per year. In more than 75% of cases the problem is resolved on the spot, with no towing required.
BIHAMK Start Package
The Start package costs 39 KM per year (or 35 KM if you sign up online). It covers the territory of BiH only. With the Start package you get 2 technical interventions per year and one tow up to 60 km. This is a good choice for drivers who travel exclusively within BiH and want an upgrade over the registration fee. The difference is obvious: instead of 10 km of towing you get 60 km, and instead of limited short interventions you get 2 full ones with on-site diagnostics. For a driver travelling the Banja Luka–Sarajevo or Tuzla–Mostar route, 60 km of towing means they can get you to a workshop from practically anywhere on the motorway.
BIHAMK Classic Package
The Classic package costs 69 KM per year (62 KM online). It covers BiH plus Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania and Slovenia. You get 2 technical interventions, towing up to 100 km in BiH plus 20 km abroad, and technical assistance abroad up to 200 EUR per intervention. For drivers who head to the coast in Croatia or Montenegro each summer, Classic is the practical minimum. The 200 EUR of international coverage means you will not be charged for a tow from the beach to the nearest workshop in Dalmatia or on the Montenegrin coast. A tow from Makarska to Split in high season, without coverage, can cost more than the entire annual Classic membership fee.
BIHAMK Plus Package
The Plus package costs 139 KM per year (125 KM online). It covers continental Europe. You get 3 technical interventions, towing up to 135 km in BiH plus 30 km abroad, repatriation of a damaged vehicle abroad up to 4,800 KM, and medical expense reimbursement up to 2,000 KM. For drivers who travel to Germany, Austria, Italy or further afield, the Plus package is a genuine investment. Vehicle repatriation up to 4,800 KM effectively means BIHAMK will arrange for your car to be brought home if you suffer a serious breakdown or accident abroad. Medical expense reimbursement up to 2,000 KM is additional peace of mind that can prove decisive if you need medical attention far from home.
| Package | Annual price | Online price | Territory | Towing | Interventions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start | 39 KM | 35 KM | BiH | up to 60 km | 2 per year |
| Classic | 69 KM | 62 KM | BiH + region | 100+20 km | 2 per year |
| Plus | 139 KM | 125 KM | Europe | 135+30 km | 3 per year |
All prices listed are from the official BIHAMK price list, verified in June 2026. Prices are subject to change, so we recommend checking bihamk.ba before signing up.
AMSRS Membership 2026, Packages and Coverage in Republika Srpska
AMSRS (the Automobile Association of Republika Srpska) is the partner organisation for drivers in RS. The AMSRS dispatch centre is available 24 hours a day on the number 1285. AMSRS offers Evrostar Premium and Extra membership packages that include free towing, technical assistance and roadside support across RS and beyond.
Unlike BIHAMK, whose package details are fully available online, at the time of writing this guide the AMSRS website does not display full package details and prices. That does not mean the offering is inferior — it simply means you should verify the information directly. We recommend calling the dispatch centre on 1285 or visiting an AMSRS office in Banja Luka for current prices and packages. The operators on 1285 can explain in detail what each package covers, how much it costs and which one suits you based on how far and how often you travel.
What is known: AMSRS is a member of the FIA network (as is BIHAMK), which means AMSRS membership provides assistance through partner automobile associations abroad on the same principle. For drivers from RS who are planning a summer trip to the coast or a longer journey through the EU, AMSRS membership offers the same kind of safety net as BIHAMK membership does for drivers from FBiH.
For drivers in RS who want peace of mind: call 1285 and ask about the package that suits you. The difference between registration coverage and membership is the same as with BIHAMK. Registration provides a minimum; membership provides a serious support network when you find yourself in trouble far from home.
Who to Call When Your Car Breaks Down in BiH and Abroad
Here is a table of numbers you should have ready. We recommend saving them to your phone before setting off on a trip. One minute spent doing that before you travel can save you an hour of searching online by the motorway with a weak signal.
| Country | Service | Number | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| BiH (FBiH) | BIHAMK | 1282 | 24 hours, free call |
| BiH (RS) | AMSRS | 1285 | 24 hours |
| BiH motorway | JP Autoceste FBiH | 080 02 03 06 | Motorway info line |
| Croatia | HAK | 1987 (from BiH: +385 1 1987) | 24 hours |
| Slovenia | AMZS | 1987 (from BiH: +386 1 5305 353) | 24 hours |
| Serbia | AMSS | 1987 (from BiH: +381 11 333 1200) | 24 hours |
| Montenegro | AMSCG | 9807 | 24 hours |
| Austria | ÖAMTC | 120 | 24 hours |
| Germany | ADAC | 22 22 22 | 24 hours |
| Italy | ACI | 803 116 | 24 hours |
| Greece | ELPA | 104 | 24 hours |
| Turkey | TTOK | +90 212 278 62 14 | Business hours |
| Universal emergency number | EU | 112 | Police, fire, ambulance |
All numbers listed are public service numbers of automobile associations and emergency services, published on the official websites of those organisations. The number 112 works in all EU countries and most neighbouring states, including BiH. If you do not know which local number to call abroad, 112 will always connect you to emergency services who can redirect you to the appropriate assistance.
Note for Croatia, Slovenia and Serbia: the number 1987 is the same in all three countries, but from BiH you must dial the international code to reach the correct service. That is why the table includes the full format with the country code.
What to Do When Your Car Breaks Down on the Motorway Step by Step
A breakdown on the motorway is the most dangerous type of roadside incident. Speeds are high, the hard shoulder is narrow, and drivers behind you are not expecting a stationary vehicle. The maximum permitted speed on motorways in BiH is 130 km/h. A vehicle approaching you at that speed covers roughly 36 metres every second. That is why every step in this procedure is designed to maximise your time and distance from traffic.
Step 1: Switch on your hazard lights immediately. The moment you sense something is wrong with the car, activate all four indicators straight away. This is the first signal to drivers behind you that something is wrong. Do not wait until the car has come to a complete stop — turn the hazards on while you are still slowing down.
Step 2: Slow down gradually and pull onto the hard shoulder. Do not brake sharply. Reduce speed gently and steer the car to the right, onto the hard shoulder. If there is no hard shoulder (some sections of motorway in BiH do not have one), stop as far to the right of the traffic lane as possible. The aim is to get the car as far from live traffic as you can.
Step 3: Put on your high-visibility vest BEFORE exiting the vehicle. This is a legal requirement on motorways in BiH and in most European countries. The vest must be kept inside the cabin, not in the boot, because you would have to step out on the traffic side to open the boot. Keep it under the driver's seat or in the door pocket so you can put it on while still seated in the car.
Step 4: Exit on the side away from traffic. On a motorway that means the right-hand side, through the front passenger door if possible. All passengers exit on the same side, away from the traffic lanes. Children and pets leave first and go straight behind the safety barrier.
Step 5: Place the warning triangle at least 100 metres behind the vehicle. On a motorway the legal minimum is 100 metres, but on open stretches placing the triangle at 150 metres gives other drivers more time to react. Walk along the safety barrier, never along the traffic lane. When placing the triangle, face oncoming traffic so you can see what is approaching.
Step 6: Wait behind the safety barrier. Never sit in the car while waiting for assistance on a motorway. Stand behind the safety barrier, at a safe distance from the vehicle. If there is no barrier, move as far from the carriageway as you can. Distance from the car is critical: if someone hits your stationary vehicle and you are inside it or standing right next to it, the consequences are catastrophic.
Step 7: Call for help. Dial 1282 (BIHAMK) or 1285 (AMSRS), depending on which entity you are in. If you are on a motorway in FBiH you can also call the JP Autoceste info line on 080 02 03 06. Be ready to describe your location: the km marker number if you can see one, your direction of travel, the motorway section and the type of problem. The more precisely you describe your location, the faster they reach you.
If you want to know how to check your car before a trip and reduce the chance of ending up in this situation in the first place, we have a detailed guide on that.
What Liability Insurance Covers vs What Membership Covers
This is the most common source of confusion among drivers in BiH, and we hear it regularly. Many people believe their compulsory insurance covers towing when they break down. It does not.
Liability insurance (third-party motor insurance, known as AO in BiH) covers damage YOU cause to OTHERS. If you hit someone else's car, if a pedestrian is injured in an accident you caused, liability insurance covers the damage to the third party. Liability insurance does NOT cover your breakdown, your car, your towing or your technical assistance. If your timing belt snaps on the motorway, liability insurance can do nothing for you. It is a legal obligation that protects others from the consequences of your participation in traffic.
BIHAMK or AMSRS membership covers technical assistance for YOU. A patrol coming to your location, on-site diagnostics, towing your vehicle to a workshop, assistance abroad. BIHAMK makes this clear in its communications: membership is technical assistance, not an insurance policy. There is no compensation for damage, no appraisal, no court proceedings. Membership is a practical service: you have stopped, you called them, they came and helped you.
Comprehensive insurance (kasko, if you have it) can cover damage to your own vehicle, but again it does not include technical assistance and towing as a standard item. Some comprehensive policies include roadside assistance as part of the package, but this varies from insurer to insurer and from policy to policy. Before relying on comprehensive insurance for roadside assistance, check your policy or ask your insurance agent.
Practical conclusion: liability insurance is compulsory by law and protects others from you. Membership is voluntary and protects you from a breakdown on the road. One does not replace the other, and you need both.
Roadside Assistance Abroad for BiH Drivers
Once you cross the border, your registration fee of 8 or 12 KM is worth nothing. Roadside assistance abroad comes exclusively through membership or through calling the local service at the commercial rate. The difference between those two scenarios is enormous, especially in summer on the Adriatic coast or on a motorway through Austria.
Which BIHAMK or AMSRS Package to Choose for a Trip to the Coast
If you are only going to Croatia or Montenegro, BIHAMK Classic (69 KM) covers both countries plus Serbia, Slovenia and Albania, with up to 200 EUR per intervention abroad. For most summer trips to the Adriatic, that is sufficient. The 200 EUR of coverage takes care of a standard tow to a nearby workshop.
If you are heading to Germany, Austria, Italy, Greece or Turkey, you need BIHAMK Plus (139 KM). The 70 KM difference gives you coverage across continental Europe, 30 km of towing abroad, vehicle repatriation up to 4,800 KM and medical expense reimbursement up to 2,000 KM. If your car breaks down in Munich, the difference between a 69 KM and a 139 KM annual fee becomes negligible compared with the costs you would face without coverage. A single ADAC tow in Germany can exceed 139 KM for a short stretch alone.
Who to Call When Your Car Breaks Down in Croatia
If you are a BIHAMK Classic or Plus member and you break down in Croatia, call HAK on 1987 (or +385 1 1987 from a BiH mobile number). HAK is a partner club and your BIHAMK membership entitles you to assistance under the terms of your package. You can also call BIHAMK on 1282 and they will coordinate with HAK on your behalf, which is sometimes easier because you communicate in your native language with an operator who knows your package.
If you are NOT a member, you pay for HAK towing at the commercial rate, which in high season can be extremely expensive — particularly on Adriatic motorways where the distances to the nearest workshop are long. A breakdown on the road between Zadar and Dubrovnik without coverage means you pay for every kilometre of towing out of your own pocket, at the summer rate.
How Roadside Assistance Works for BiH Drivers in the EU
BIHAMK and AMSRS are members of the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile), the international network of automobile associations. This means your membership entitles you to assistance through partner clubs in other countries. When you call the local club (HAK in Croatia, AMZS in Slovenia, ADAC in Germany, ÖAMTC in Austria, ACI in Italy), you identify yourself with your membership card and receive assistance in line with your package.
Always carry your membership card with you — ideally in your wallet or the door pocket of your car. The card number speeds up identification and activation of assistance. If you do not have the card to hand, the dispatcher can verify your membership by your name and registration plates, but it takes longer, and in a stressful situation on the motorway every minute counts.
How Much Does a Tow Truck Cost Without Membership
Without BIHAMK or AMSRS membership, you pay for a tow truck at the commercial rate. Prices vary significantly by location, by company and by time of day. Night rates, weekends and public holidays routinely push the price up. Rather than quoting a specific figure that would be unreliable for your particular case, what we can say from experience is this: a commercial tow on a BiH motorway for a single intervention typically costs several times more than the annual BIHAMK Start membership fee.
Abroad the gap is even wider. A motorway tow in Croatia, Austria or Germany without coverage runs into hundreds of euros per intervention, especially at night, at weekends or during the tourist season. The ADAC commercial rate in Germany, HAK towing on the Adriatic motorway in July, ACI on Italian motorways — any one of those costs can exceed the price of the most expensive BIHAMK Plus package for the next five to ten years in a single breakdown.
That is why membership is an investment, not a cost. One intervention without coverage can cost more than the annual fee. And if you travel more frequently or to more countries, that ratio becomes even clearer.
Before any trip, especially a summer one, prepare your car mechanically and check your membership. The best roadside assistance is the kind you never need because you prevented the breakdown through regular maintenance. If you need a pre-trip inspection, book an appointment at our workshop.
Frequently Asked Questions
What number do you call for roadside assistance in BiH?
The BIHAMK dispatch centre is available 24 hours a day on the number 1282. AMSRS in Republika Srpska operates on the number 1285. Both numbers are free from landlines and mobile networks in BiH. If you are on a motorway in FBiH, you can also call the JP Autoceste info line on 080 02 03 06.
What does the registration fee for roadside assistance cover?
In FBiH you pay 8 KM per year at registration and receive up to 3 free interventions per year (max one per month) and towing up to 10 km. In RS you pay 12 KM and receive one free tow per year accompanied by a police report. This is minimal coverage and is not valid outside BiH.
Does liability insurance cover towing?
No. Liability insurance covers only damage you cause to third parties. Your towing, technical assistance and roadside support are covered by BIHAMK or AMSRS membership. These are completely different services. Some comprehensive insurance policies may include roadside assistance as an add-on, but that is not the rule.
How long does BIHAMK take to reach you on the motorway?
BIHAMK does not publish a guaranteed response time because it depends on location, time of day and patrol availability. What is known: BIHAMK handles around 50,000 interventions per year with 60 patrol vehicles and 120 trucks, and in more than 75% of cases the problem is resolved on the spot. On motorways, response is typically faster than on regional roads because patrols prioritise high-speed routes.
Which BIHAMK package should I choose if I am only going to Croatia?
BIHAMK Classic (69 KM per year, 62 KM online) covers BiH, Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania and Slovenia. For a trip to the Adriatic, Classic is sufficient. You get 2 technical interventions, towing up to 100 km in BiH and 20 km abroad, and up to 200 EUR per intervention abroad.
Am I required to carry a high-visibility vest in the car?
Yes, a high-visibility vest is mandatory in BiH and in most European countries. The vest must be kept inside the vehicle cabin (not in the boot) so you can put it on before exiting the vehicle. On a motorway, leaving the vehicle without a vest is both a traffic offence and a serious safety risk. Make sure the vest has not expired and that the reflective strips are undamaged.