ANSWERED: Car Breakdown Cover - Halal???

[abdushakur]

I am reluctant to take out this 'cover' as i dont know if its halal or not.
please can any of the esteemed ulama on this forum clarify the hukm.
jazakallah khayran.


breakdown for those unaware:
u pay a set amount per year (or month etc.) rather like an insurance premium, and IF ur car breaks down etc. the guys at the Breakdown Recovery service come and help u out, fix ur car on the spot or even tow u to wherever u wanna go. u get a maximum of 6 callouts a year or something like that.
the problem is this that u could break down on a loooong motorway journey and be like stranded in the middle of nowhere! by law in the UK the police would send a tow truck to get u off the motorway and into the nearest town. but from there u are on ur own again, u could even still be miles from home. and the tow trucks charge a bomb - somat like £100 +

it gives one 'peace of mind' knowing that he/she had Breakdown Cover - but is it halal?

[eat-halal guy]

:salam:


To become a member of AA or RAC or any other company for the breakdown of the car is permissible and is not similar to insurance.

The reason that Insurance is unlawful has been explained at length in past answers on the Hanafi Fiqh forum http://www.sunnipath.com .

The case, however with car membership is not the same. When one becomes a member, one pays for the service which the company offers him, which is to be at his assistance at any time. The money which is being paid is for the service. This is the reason why the Company does not pay for any damages to the car. If you are short of Fuel they will bring the fuel for you, but you will have to pay for it. If one does not use their service during the course of the year, then the payment still remains, as one is paying for the service of them being there for you at any time.


http://www.sunnipath.com/resources/Questions/qa00002061.aspx



However, the ulama are not unanimous on this...


These types of contracts have been the subject of many muftis of our country. Some are of the opinion that such contracts are permissible. Our personal and humble opinion is that this contract is analogous to insurance and not permissible.


http://www.islam.tc/ask-imam/view.php?q=10109


Allah knows best.