RAC roadside assistance has a variety of options. Notably, you don't need to hold car insurance with RAC to get roadside assistance.
| Options | Cost per year | Joining fee | Callout limits | Need to hold a policy with them? | Lockout / Lost key | Out of fuel | Breakdown towing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAC Standard | $119 | No joining fee | Unlimited | No | $0 | No | 20km in the city, 80km in rural areas |
| RAC Classic | $199 | No joining fee | 20km in the city, 80km in rural areas | No | $165 | No | 100km in the city, 200km in rural areas |
| RAC Ultimate | $295 | No joining fee | Unlimited | No | $165 | No | 100km in the city, 200km in rural areas |
| RAC Ultimate Plus | $350 | No joining fee | Unlimited | No | $200 | Up to $50 a year | 200km in the city, 300km in rural areas |
This information is accurate as of February 2024
RAC caters to a wide range of drivers, with four different policy levels to choose from. The higher tiers have particularly strong benefits, including an impressive 300km towing limit, cover while driving any vehicle, and a hire car following an irreparable breakdown.
However, the lower-tier policies offer a similar level of cover to many other roadside assistance brands, despite being more expensive than the standard.
| Company | Cost per year | Joining fee | Callout limits | Need to hold a policy with them? | Lockout / Lost key | Breakdown towing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 RAC Classic | $199 | No joining fee | 20km in the city, 80km in rural areas | No | $165 | 100km in the city, 200km in rural areas |
 Ultimate Care | $110 | No joining fee | Unlimited | No | $200 | Up to 100km in metro, country(or back to attending Country Service Centre) and remote areas |
 Roadside Assistance | $79.95 | No joining fee | Unlimited | No | $125 | Towing included, see T&Cs for limitations. |
 Roadside Assist | $86 | No joining fee | Unlimited | Yes | $150 | 20km in the city, 100km in rural areas |
 Roadside Assist | $90 | No joining fee | Unlimited | Yes | $150 | 20km in the city, 100km in rural areas |
This information is accurate as of February 2024
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If a car breaks down say near the wa border and cannot be driven further and a tow truck is required for both the car and a caravan being towed by the said vehicle are the both vehicle and van covered for towing to the nearest town or is there a separate charge for the caravan
Hi Kerry,
Great question. Many roadside assistance policies include cover for trailers or caravans; however, not all do. At the time of writing, RAC offers 4 options for roadside assistance. While 3 policies offer coverage for trailers/caravans, its entry-level Standard policy doesn’t.
Also, keep in mind that policies typically specify a kilometre limit for how far you can be towed under your insurance after a breakdown. This is often around 50km in metro areas, and 100km in remote areas.
For these reasons, it’s really important you read your policy wording with care. Be sure to reach out to the insurance provider directly if you’re unsure on what you’d be covered for.
Best,
James