What's Typically Covered
- Towing to the nearest repairer if your car breaks down
- Flat tyre change or repair on the roadside
- Battery jump-starts or replacement
- Lockout assistance if you're locked out of your own car
- Emergency fuel delivery if you run out
Add-On vs. Standalone Membership
Many insurers offer roadside assistance as a cheap add-on to your policy, while state motoring clubs (NRMA in NSW, RACV in Victoria, RACQ in Queensland, RAA in SA, RAC in WA, RACT in Tasmania) sell it as a standalone annual membership. If you already hold one of these memberships, adding it again through your insurer is usually unnecessary duplication.
Is It Worth the Cost?
For most drivers, yes — the cost of a single unassisted breakdown (a tow truck alone can run several hundred dollars) usually exceeds a full year of roadside cover. It's most valuable for older vehicles, longer commutes, or regular regional/rural driving where help can be harder to reach quickly.
What to Check Before Adding It
Confirm the annual callout limit (some policies cap it at 2-4 uses per year), whether it covers you as a passenger in someone else's car, and whether it includes a home start (if your car won't start in your own driveway) — a detail some basic policies exclude.
This page is for educational purposes and isn't personalised financial advice. Premiums, terms and eligibility vary by insurer, state and individual circumstances — always check the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before buying.