Key takeaways
- Roadside assistance can get you back on the road fast if you break down, and save you from expensive out-of-pocket towing bills. Cover starts from around $11 a month.
- If you travel interstate, you'll usually keep your normal benefits, even if your provider is NSW-based.
- It can cover problems that are your own fault too, like locking your keys in the car or running out of fuel.
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How we picked theseLooking for other options? Check out these similar products.
How we picked theseWhat does roadside assistance cover me for in NSW?
While different providers may cover some scenarios and not others, there are a number of common reasons for roadside assistance that most providers include:
- Flat batteries. It might be that your battery has run out of juice or you just need someone to jump-start the engine for you. Either way, the problem should be able to be solved at the scene.
- Out of petrol. You’re driving along but realise too late that the needle’s all the way down to zero. Usually, roadside assistance drivers will carry a small quantity of petrol or diesel with them, but otherwise they’ll get you to the nearest servo.
- Flat or punctured tyres. Maybe you ran over something or you put the pressure cap back on incorrectly. Roadside assistance providers will change it over for you if you can’t.
- Restarting your car. When all else fails and you don’t know why your car won’t start, roadside assistance will help sort it out.
- Lockouts. Staring in at your keys lying on the dashboard of your very locked car isn’t a pleasant feeling. Roadside assistance will get you inside your vehicle once more and even pay a portion of locksmith fees should they become necessary.
- Towing. When they can’t fix the issue on the spot, roadside assistance providers will tow your car somewhere it can be fixed. Many will also tow your caravan too.
What happens if I'm travelling interstate?
Regardless of your provider, if you venture out to sample the Australian countryside away from NSW you should still have access to your normal roadside assistance benefits. Even if you manage to take out insurance with a company that only operates in NSW, most insurers have partnerships with other companies that mean no matter where you go, someone will be there to help.
How do I choose a roadside assistance brand in NSW?
The right provider depends on what you need and what you want to spend. Some insurers, like AAMI and GIO, offer roadside assistance as an optional extra on their comprehensive car insurance policies. So if you're looking to bundle your insurance in NSW, it can work out cheaper and simpler to add it to a policy. Some insurers, including Youi, even throw it in for free with their comprehensive cover.
Standalone roadside assistance plans are also available from many insurers and the automobile clubs. When you're comparing options, response time is worth weighing up alongside price, since most of the actual services on offer are fairly similar between providers. If you're planning a long drive or road trip, it can be worth paying a little more for faster help so a breakdown doesn't derail your day. Roadside assistance plans are also available in other states, including VIC, WA, QLD, TAS and SA.
How does roadside assistance compare?
Here is how some insurance companies in Australia stack up. Most insurers offer very similar cover as each other but as you can see, the joining requirements, cost and benefit limits can vary quite a bit. Always review the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to find out which policy is best for you.
- None of the following policies require a joining fee, although only a few will let you purchase roadside assistance as standalone cover.
- Towing limit can vary by as much as 30km in urban areas and 50km in rural areas.
- Cost can vary by more than $30 per year.
Looking for other options? Check out these similar products.
How we picked theseFinder Score for car insurance
We analyse over 30 car insurance products across insurance providers, and rate each one for price and features. We collect up to 36 quotes per product, for male and female drivers in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia. Quotes are collected for 20 year olds, 30 year olds and 60 year olds, assuming an excess of $850 for a 2020 Toyota Corolla 4 door sedan model, with an average 15,000 kms driven each year. While we are not allowed to display actual quotes, our Finder Score aims to serve as an indicative guide to how cost and feature competitive a product might be for you.
Our feature score assesses each product for more than 15 features across loss and damage coverage, repairs and assistance coverage, personal items coverage and policy coverage. Features we assess include but are not limited to legal liability, essential repairs, new car replacement, car hire events, roadside assistance, agreed or market value, windscreen damage and natural disaster coverage.
Which providers offers roadside assistance in NSW?
What's the cheapest roadside assistance?
Standalone roadside assistance is one of the cheaper types of cover, often starting from around $11 to $12 a month for a basic plan. Cheaper plans usually limit the number of call-outs per year or offer lower towing distances, while pricier plans tend to include unlimited call-outs and extras like a hire car or accommodation. The cheapest option isn't always the best value, so weigh the price against how often you drive and how far from home you usually are.
Frequently asked questions
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Standalone roadside assistance in NSW generally costs somewhere between around $11.65 and $27.49 a month, depending on the provider and the level of cover. Basic plans with limited call-outs sit at the cheaper end, while premium plans with unlimited call-outs and extras like a hire car cost more. Some comprehensive car insurance policies also include roadside assistance for free or as a low-cost add-on.
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The cheapest plans are usually basic standalone options, often starting from around $11 to $12 a month, or less if bundled with a car insurance policy. Cheaper plans tend to cap the number of call-outs per year and offer shorter towing distances, so check those limits rather than choosing on price alone.
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It depends on how and how often you drive. If your car is older, you drive long distances, or you'd struggle to cover a surprise towing bill, roadside assistance can pay for itself with a single call-out. If your car is newer and still under a manufacturer's roadside program, or you rarely drive far from home, you may already be covered or need it less.
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Usually, yes. Even if your provider is NSW-based, most have partnerships or national networks that mean you'll still get help if you break down in another state. It's worth confirming the details with your provider before a big interstate trip.
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Yes. You don't need a car insurance policy to get roadside assistance. Many insurers offer it as a standalone plan, and the state automobile clubs offer membership-based cover that works with any car you're travelling in.
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This varies by plan. Some offer unlimited call-outs (often within a fair use policy), while cheaper plans cap it at around four per year. If you think you might need help more than once or twice, an unlimited plan can be better value.
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Generally, yes. Roadside assistance is designed to help with common situations that are often your own doing, like a flat battery, locking your keys in the car, or running out of fuel. Check your plan for any limits on how many of these call-outs you can make each year.
Sources
Ceyda Erem is Finder’s senior writer for insurance and has almost 10 years of experience writing about personal finance. Formerly a copywriter for several business and finance clients, Ceyda has written hundreds of articles, guides, blogs and more to ensure Australians stay in the loop about how to best manage their money. She has a Bachelor of Arts, Majoring in Writing from Macquarie University. See full bio
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