ADVICE: ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE IN THE BUSH
A breakdown in the bush can become an expensive nightmare without the right coverage.
EVEN though 4WDS are more reliable than they have ever been, even the bestprepped, well-looked-after and carefully driven vehicle can suffer a breakdown. That’s no problem if your 4WD grinds to a halt in town, as you can join a state motoring club to access basic roadside assistance (although you’ll cop a surcharge if you join up after breaking down).
When you’re in the bush it’s a different matter. Just to get your vehicle from where it broke down in remote bushland to somewhere it can be repaired can leave you thousands of dollars out of pocket. However, there are premium breakdown subscriptions available that can get you out of strife without you having to pay big money.
The good news is that if you’re towing a camper trailer or caravan, most premium breakdown policies will also cover towing the trailer
READ THE FINE PRINT
THE difference between breakdown providers’ policies is all to be found in the fine print. If your vehicle can’t be repaired on the spot, then all providers will tow your vehicle. The key points of difference is the distance limit for towing your broken-down vehicle (most provide ‘round trip’ distances, or, in other words, the distance the recovery vehicle has to travel to get to you is included) and if there’s a weight limit to what they will tow (some providers will only cover towing vehicles weighing up to 2000kg).
The good news is that if you’re towing a trailer and break down, most premium breakdown policies will cover towing the trailer as well.
Most breakdown providers won’t touch a vehicle if it has been crashed – that’s going to be down to your insurer to come to the party and lend a helping hand – but some will cover the incidental costs such as accommodation and transport while your vehicle is repaired, or the transport costs involved in getting home.
TYPES OF COVERAGE
THE most popular breakdown coverage comes from state-based motoring clubs such as NRMA, RACV and RACQ. All the motoring clubs share reciprocal rights, so if you break down interstate, you’re covered. Note that the reciprocal rights don’t guarantee the same level of service if you’re interstate – many only guarantee reciprocal coverage at basic level. You may need to pay upfront for services and get