Compare roadside assistance

Compare standalone and add-on roadside assistance options in Australia.

Car Insurance

Roadside assistance comparison

Roadside assistance can be purchased as a standalone product or as an add-on to car insurance. Provider's vary greatly with pricing and inclusions so it's always good to compare your options.

Roadside assistance - standalone products

Product AUFCI-RSA Joining Fee Call-outs (Unlimited/4 per year) Locksmith Fuel Replacement Cost per Year
No joining fee
Unlimited
Up to $125
Up to $15
$89.95
15% discount on your first year's membership when you buy online and use the code SOLVED15. T&Cs apply.
No joining fee
Unlimited
$0
$136.68
From $11.39 per month. 24/7, nationwide coverage available.
No joining fee
Not mentioned
$200
$139
No joining fee
Unlimited
$150
$259
No joining fee
Unlimited
$200
$365
No joining fee
Unlimited
$300
$344
No joining fee
Unlimited
$350
$296
RACT Ultimate Roadside Assistance
RACT Roadside Assistance logo
No joining fee
Unlimited
$165
$246
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Car insurance providers who offer roadside assistance

Many car insurance providers will offer roadside assistance as an inclusion or optional extra in their comprehensive car insurance policies. If you're after a comprehensive policy with the option to have roadside assistance then see the table below.

BrandCall outsJoining feeFuel replacementLocksmithApply
Budget Direct Logo
Budget Direct Comprehensive
Unlimited within fair use policyNo joining feeUp to $15Up to $125Get quote
Youi
Youi Comprehensive
First two included, then pay per call-outNo joining feeUp to 10 litres$150Get quote
Qantas Insurance
Qantas Comprehensive
Unlimited within fair use policyNo joining feeUp to $15Up to $125More info
Picture not described
ahm Comprehensive
Not mentionedNo joining feeUp to 10 litres$150More info
Club 4x4
Club Comprehensive 4x4 Insurance
Not mentionedNo joining feeUp to 10 litres$250More info
Coles insurance
Coles Comprehensive
UnlimitedNo joining fee$15$125Get quote
Huddle
Huddle Black Comprehensive
Not mentionedNo joining feeUp to 10 litres$150Get quote
Virgin money
Virgin Comprehensive
Unlimited within fair use policyNo joining feeUp to $15Up to $125More info
Picture not described
Stella Comprehensive
UnlimitedNo joining feeUp to $10YesMore info
PD Logo
PD Comprehensive
Not mentionedNo joining feeUp to 10 litres$250More info
Real Insurance
Real Comprehensive
Not mentionedNo joining feeUp to $10$50More info
Australian Seniors Logo
Australian Seniors Comprehensive
Not mentionedNo joining feeUp to $10$50More info
AAMI Logo
AAMI Comprehensive
Not mentionedNo joining feeUp to $10$250More info
Apia
Apia Comprehensive
UnlimitedNo joining feeUp to $10$250More info
GIO Logo
GIO Comprehensive
Not mentionedNo joining feeUp to $10$250More info
Suncorp logo
Suncorp Comprehensive
Not mentionedNo joining feeUp to $10$250More info
Picture not described
Everyday Comprehensive
Not mentionedNo joining feeUp to $10$250More info
Shannons Logo
Shannons Comprehensive
UnlimitedNo joining feeUp to $10$350More info
Picture not describedING Home Insurance Logo
ING Comprehensive
UnlimitedNo joining feeUp to $15Up to $125More info
NRMA Logo
NRMA Comprehensive
UnlimitedNo joining feeEnough to reach the nearest petrol station$200More info
RAA Logo
RAA Premium Comprehensive
UnlimitedNo joining feeEnough to reach the nearest petrol station$150More info
RAC Insurance
RAC Comprehensive
UnlimitedNo joining feeUp to 5 litres$200More info
RACQ Life Insurance Logo
RACQ Comprehensive
UnlimitedNo joining feeUp to 10 litres$300More info
Picture not described
RACT Comprehensive
UnlimitedNo joining feeUp to 10 litres$165More info

What does roadside assistance cover?

Roadside assistance is a type of car insurance that protects you if you get stranded because of an issue with your car. It is sometimes called breakdown cover, and it generally covers the following situations:

car battery

Dead battery

car keys

Getting locked out of your car

Fuel dispenser

Running out of fuel

bonnet

Failure to start

flat tyre

Flat tyres

tow truck

Towing

Finder survey: How many Australians have called roadside assistance?

Response
Yes60.93%
No35.49%
I don't own a car3.58%
Source: Finder survey by Pure Profile of 1006 Australians, December 2023

How to get roadside assistance

car insurance

With your car insurance policy

Youi and Huddle are the only 2 insurers to include roadside assistance for free if you take out car insurance with them. However, only your first 2 callouts are free per year with Youi. After that, you're still covered but you'll pay for additional callouts as you use them.

Many other insurers offer them as an optional extra that you can pay for on top of your standard car insurance policy. It's usually only offered with comprehensive cover. You can find it for as little as $6 per month so it shouldn't bump up the cost of your cover that much.

mechanic

As a standalone policy

A small handful of insurers will let you buy roadside assistance insurance on its own, for example NRMA and Budget Direct. That means you can have your standard insurance with someone else. If you buy it with one of these insurers, you don't have to have comprehensive insurance or even any other insurance at all.

How does roadside assistance work?

If you get stranded on the road, all you need to do is call your roadside assistance provider for help. The process will usually go something like this:

Number 1

You'll have a phone consultation.

The dispatcher will ask you about the problem and initially attempt to help you resolve it over the phone.

Number 2

They'll send a mobile technician.

If phone-based advice fails to resolve the problem, your provider will send a mobile mechanic to your location.

Number 3

They'll give you a tow

If the technician can't get you back on the road, you'll be covered for a tow to the mechanic's workshop for repair. A surcharge will usually apply if you need to be towed further than a specific distance spelled out in your policy. Your policy may cover minor repairs to things like hoses and drive belts but you will be responsible for paying for major repairs.

FAQs

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Editor, Insurance

Gary Ross Hunter was an editor at Finder, specialising in insurance. He’s been writing about life, travel, home, car, pet and health insurance for over 6 years and regularly appears as an insurance expert in publications including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian and news.com.au. Gary holds a Kaplan Tier 2 General Advice General Insurance certification which meets the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146). See full bio

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2 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    JimJanuary 12, 2024

    I have a 2008 Ford Falcon egas wagon registered in Qld. I would like you to find me the cheapest quote for a third party insurance with road side assistance, p n tq.

      AvatarFinder
      SarahFebruary 14, 2024Finder

      Hi Jim,

      You can review some options for third-party car insurance here. We don’t currently have the option to search for included roadside assist, but we’re working on it! For now,

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