Roadside Assist - your experiences

Dr Jekkyl · 07-04-2011, 04:56 PM

Apologies if this topic has been done to death - but my searches came up with little info.

I had a 'near-miss' today when my battery failed suddenly and unexpectedly. Fortunately I was only a few blocks from home and my neighbour gave me a jump start and I replaced the battery.

Seeing that this put the wind up me I am looking at my options for roadside assistance packages. Being based in Perth I obviously have several options but my concern arises when I consider my plans to go on more camping trips in the near future and may find myself in more remote areas. I don't think I will be having any major probs but I also didn't think my battery was going to die either.

I would be interested to know of any experience you have had with roadside assist providers. The info from the providers is fairly vague.

chrisfpv · 07-04-2011, 05:02 PM

I've only need roadside assist once. Being an RACV member I just called them up and they had someone out to me within 30mins. Hassle free and easy.

Mr Hardware · 07-04-2011, 05:10 PM

I wouldn't be without it
No matter how good you are, you just know that at midnight on a sunday night something incredibly minor but deal-breaking about your car is going to fail and you won't be near home or a mate or have your tools with you and you'll be stuck.
For the $50 a year or whatever pocketchange kind of cost it is, you'd be silly not to have it.
Oh and the 10k free towing is awesome

**Peuty** · 07-04-2011, 05:37 PM

https://www.mondial-roadside.com.au/...ssistance.aspx

Streets · 07-04-2011, 05:39 PM

Yep, wouldn't be without it. Get a country-wide service, they're worth it (maybe they're all country-wide, I don't know). I'm an RACQ member and I've needed to use RACV and NRMA in their respective states and it's all covered. One of the occasions that stands out was when I lost a spark plug in the middle of nowhere and the mobile mechanic towed me (behind his regular service vehicle) to a mechanic he knew a few K's away, who replaced the plug free of charge, outside of business hours too. Definitely worth the money.

pcman · 07-04-2011, 05:46 PM

yeah ive had racv and have used it several times
been towed quite a few times aswell,

had brakes fail roughly 100km from home and had it towed back to my house for free, blew the gearbox 70kays from home taxi home and towed the vehicle all free

ran out of lpg (straight lpg) whoops and got towed to the nearest servo for free

snapped fanbelt midnight sunday and they had one in stock that they came out and fitted

well worth the money even when you know what your doing under the bonnet

Coyote mk3 · 07-04-2011, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

I wouldn't be without it
No matter how good you are, you just know that at midnight on a sunday night something incredibly minor but deal-breaking about your car is going to fail and you won't be near home or a mate or have your tools with you and you'll be stuck.
For the $50 a year or whatever pocketchange kind of cost it is, you'd be silly not to have it.
Oh and the 10k free towing is awesome

Agreed,
I have had my EL towed for two separate problems; split top hose and for the 1st snapped clutch cable.

Great value for money thats for sure. (Although they need a lesser incline on their tilt trays-and mines factory 4wd height)

pauljh74 · 08-04-2011, 12:39 AM

Had a $2 clutch clevis (pedal-clutch cable bit) break and resulted in a tow. Now I keep a spare. Even if I can't do it - the RACV guy can

Geez Louise · 08-04-2011, 12:50 AM

I have had some form of Roadside Assistance for years. Originally joined RAC in WA and they were great. Then moved to Vic.

Used RACV a couple of times since I have had my membership.

Most embarrassing moment, I had a guy come out because the car wouldn't start...just to find I left it in drive!

They are great value for money. We have the extended cover membership now...I recommend everyone should get it!

My poor XF · 08-04-2011, 09:35 AM

RAA have been excellent, used them when i have locked my keys in the boot or ran out of fuel and never had a bad experience. Only downside is having to wait.

aussie muscle · 08-04-2011, 02:42 PM

The best one was i broke down on a lonely stretch of the monaro highway and along came an NRMA truck.
"Did you call us?"
"no"
"We think they are just a bit further up the road. after we help them, we'll come back and give you a hand"
they came back (other guy had bad dizzy points) and towed me back to town (40 kays on flatbed). (car then was a mazda)

sanchoXB · 08-04-2011, 02:55 PM

I might kick myself one day but I just let my NRMA roadside cover go in march. Have had the cover 12 years and never used it. I only drive modern cars on long trips these days, If something happens I'll just call a tilt tray.

RobVee · 08-04-2011, 03:12 PM

i would recommend the service of racv and the likes.

my story is when i got my fairlane last year i went up to echuca for a road trip and while i was there accidently locked the keys in the boot on the second day .. the rac person rocked up and was able to get the problem sorted all in less than 45 mins. in a word awesome!

ZA-289 · 08-04-2011, 03:17 PM

The funny thing is even after waiting 2-3 hours at times for these guys, cursing their name constantly, as soon as they rock up you are so chirpy and happy to see them.

Riksta · 08-04-2011, 04:21 PM

I've got RAA. All I've really ever used them for is to get me back into my car when I lock my keys in!

That being said, they've been pretty helpful when I had an issue with the Focus, got me sorted and going again.

I got given the RAA Plus membership for my birthday last year, parents thought I might need it on the LTD which I'd just bought. Ironically, I have never used it on that car yet, only on the Focus!

Fev · 08-04-2011, 04:29 PM

I can't count how many time's i've used NRMA. I've only had one problem when an obvious holden fan NRMA guy came out to fix my ED XR6 when it tossed the belts and instead of properly undoing the P/steering tensioner to get the belt off he just shoved a screw driver in and basically levered it off while jumping the engine on the starter motor. Good way to wreck a new belt..

Other than that they're a life saver!

Lukeyson · 08-04-2011, 05:41 PM

i have only had to use it twice in 13 years. But just one of things to have. The first time was for me, bought my then used ED Futura (back in 98) and that night it destroyed a belt. Ford roadside was use-less, but NRMA dude had the belt in his truck.
The other time, a friend locked her keys in the car and wasnt a member, old mate from NRMA turned up and just noted down my member details, no charge.

**Professor Farnsworth** · 08-04-2011, 05:48 PM

Car threw a belt in October, cost more than $200 and two hours in the rain on a Saturday afternoon. Car then broke its water pump, luckily we were parked up the hill from a mechanic, however this mechanic is known for its huge prices, had little choice. $1000 later. Car then killed its battery on CHRISTMAS NIGHT at 8pm. Cost of battery and call out, nearly $200.

In light of this i became an RACV total care member, and have since used it once already for another breakdown and towing. The towing alone would have cost nearly $400 according to the towey.

I resisted for a long time, but now have it, and had very good dealings with RACV. Not that it helps you, being in Perth.

Powdered Toast Man · 08-04-2011, 05:51 PM

I'm with RACV and Ive used them a few times over the years, when I locked my keys in my XC - twice, when my old EA snapped a belt, and twice for my BA, first when an ignition module died which required a tilt tray ride and last weekend when my battery carked it and I needed a jump.

Geez Louise my mum did exactly the same thing, got the RACV out when her car wouldnt start after work, was still in drive....

Dr Jekkyl · 09-04-2011, 03:58 PM

Sounds like most people are covered by their state RAC or larger insurers i.e. NRMA.

Does anybody have any experience with other providers such as 24/7 Road Services or Ultratune?

The Mondial cover looks pretty good!

**DJM83** · 09-04-2011, 06:30 PM

Ive got RACQ they have always been good. I get free roadside with my Focus through Ford which uses RACQ anyway still no issues

Jason[98.EL] · 09-04-2011, 08:10 PM

don't need it

My old man will drive anywhere in aus to tow us home

little story my brother and his mates went to a place ( not sure of the name ) a bit north of Sydney and he blew the tranny in his V8 gemini and my old man drove up there and towed him home to Geelong

Got to love him

Jason

spebgtsprint · 09-04-2011, 09:44 PM

I was heading down the freeway the other day when I noticed an RAC van on the side of the road. When I slowed down to have a closer look, I noticed the RAC bloke getting out of his van looking really stressed out. Next thing, he starts cursing and yelling and kicking his van for no real reason.............. I said to myself "That fella's heading for a breakdown...."

pottery beige · 10-04-2011, 09:15 AM

busily txt'ing away managed to conk a gutter and smack up...
2 x tyres....
2 x rims....
roadside assist organised a flatbed...........

pottery beige · 10-04-2011, 09:19 AM

and yes i did learn my lesson... that was an $1800 f up....
and i gained two very expensive coffee tables.....

jrh001 · 10-04-2011, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Professor Farnsworth

...
I resisted for a long time, but now have it, and had very good dealings with RACV. Not that it helps you, being in Perth.

If you're in the RACV you also have 'reciprocal membership' of RACWA. There are similar arrangements in other states.

http://www.racv.com.au/wps/wcm/conne...de+reciprocity

JH

**Professor Farnsworth** · 10-04-2011, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrh001

If you're in the RACV you also have 'reciprocal membership' of RACWA. There are similar arrangements in other states.

http://www.racv.com.au/wps/wcm/conne...de+reciprocity

JH

yeah i know, the coverage is Australia wide for RACV. My point was the OP is in Perth so they can't directly sign up with RACV.

**Peuty** · 10-04-2011, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Jekkyl

The Mondial cover looks pretty good!

That's because it is.

All the cover you'd get from a State based club and they are in a central call centre for all of Australia, so no transferring between clubs and chances are if you need to call back, you can talk to the same person.

XRGhia · 10-04-2011, 07:45 PM

got NRMA insurance and roadside assistance on all cars...

had to call the NRMA guys out multiple times last year for flat batteries in the EF and the AU Wags, and this year the EF needed a flatbed ride back home after the sump plug went MIA while my mum was doing a u-turn..

Also got windscreen insurance, and thats been used for both cars aswell

Used the towing service 6 times... 5 for the AU, 1 for the EF..

If you havent got roadside assistance, get it... its well worth it..
Especially when you break down just after Berowra exit southbound on the F3 after the tensioner let go... lol, that was 1 of the times for the AU... would've cost us $400, but only had to pay $100...

Dr Jekkyl · 14-04-2011, 01:18 AM

Turns out that Mondial do not cover cars over 10 years old.