Before you load the car and head off on a summer road trip, check two critical parts of your car insurance: your roadside assistance coverage and your excess. Roadside assistance determines whether you get help if you break down hundreds of kilometres from home, and your excess is the amount you pay out of pocket if you need to make a claim. Many comprehensive policies include optional roadside cover, but it is not automatic, and excess amounts vary widely. Verifying both before you leave can save you from expensive surprises on the road.

Check your roadside assistance coverage

Roadside assistance provides help when your car breaks down, runs out of fuel, or cannot start. It typically covers towing to the nearest repairer, jump-starts, flat tyre changes, and emergency fuel delivery. Some policies include it automatically with comprehensive cover, but most offer it as an optional add-on for an additional annual fee, usually between A$80 and A$150 (as of October 2026; verify current pricing in your Product Disclosure Statement or with your insurer before deciding).

If you already have roadside cover through your car insurer, check the towing distance limit and the number of call-outs included per year. Many policies cap towing at 50 to 100 kilometres, which may not be enough if you break down in a remote area. Some policies also limit you to three or four call-outs annually. If you are planning a long trip through regional or remote Australia, consider whether your existing cover is sufficient, or whether you need to upgrade to a higher tier that includes extended towing or nationwide coverage.

If your car insurance does not include roadside assistance, you can purchase it separately through motoring organisations such as the NRMA, RACV, RACQ, RAC, or RAA, depending on your state or territory. Standalone roadside memberships often provide broader geographic coverage and higher towing limits than insurer add-ons. Read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for your car insurance and compare it with standalone memberships to determine which option gives you the coverage you need for your trip (Finder, 2026).

Understand your excess and how it applies on road trips

Your excess is the amount you pay towards a claim before your insurer covers the rest. Comprehensive car insurance policies typically combine a basic excess (set by the insurer, often A$400 to A$800) with additional excesses for factors such as age (if you or an additional driver is under 25), choice of repairer, and whether you have reduced your excess by paying a higher premium (as of October 2026; confirm your exact excess structure in your PDS).

If you have an accident or your car is damaged while you are away, you will need to pay the full excess amount before your insurer settles the claim. Check your total excess figure in your current PDS or policy schedule before you leave, so you know how much you would need to cover out of pocket. If the total is higher than you can afford while travelling, consider setting aside that amount in an emergency fund, or review whether you can adjust your excess settings with your insurer.

Excess applies per claim, not per trip. If you lodge multiple claims during your road trip (for example, storm damage at one stop and a collision at another), you pay the excess for each separate claim. Third party property and third party fire and theft policies generally have lower premiums than comprehensive cover, but they may have higher excesses or no cover for damage to your own vehicle. Verify which events your policy covers and how your excess applies before you travel (ASIC MoneySmart, 2026).

Read also: How to Lower Your Car Insurance Premium in Australia: A Practical Checklist

What to do before you leave

Call your insurer or log into your online account and confirm that your policy is current, your roadside assistance (if included or added) is active, and you have the correct contact numbers for claims and roadside help saved in your phone. Check whether your policy covers you in all Australian states and territories, particularly if you are crossing borders into the Northern Territory or remote Western Australia, where some policies have geographic limits.

Carry a physical or digital copy of your PDS and your insurer’s 24-hour claims and roadside assistance phone numbers. If you break down or have an accident in an area with limited mobile reception, you may not be able to access your insurer’s app or website. Knowing your excess amount and your roadside coverage limits in advance means you can make informed decisions on the road without delays.

As covered in foundational insurance texts such as Principles of Finance, understanding the structure and limits of your cover before you need to use it is a basic element of managing financial risk (OpenStax, 2022). Coverage and exclusions vary by insurer and by state or territory. Read your PDS and the Target Market Determination (TMD) carefully, and confirm details with your insurer or a licensed insurance adviser for your personal situation (Insurance Council of Australia, 2026).

General advice warning: This is general information only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Before acting on it, consider whether it is appropriate for you, read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), and consider obtaining personal advice from a licensed insurance adviser. Cover, exclusions, excess amounts, and roadside assistance terms vary by insurer and by state or territory. Verify current details in your PDS or with your insurer before your trip.