Roadside
RACT offers comprehensive roadside assistance across Tasmania and Australia, providing peace of mind for drivers.1 Their service is personal, covering the individual member regardless of the vehicle they are driving or are a passenger in.2 Here's a breakdown of their offerings:
Core Benefits Across Most Plans:
- 24/7 Coverage: Assistance is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
- Australia-Wide Service: Coverage extends beyond Tasmania, providing support when you travel interstate.3
- We Come To You: RACT aims to repair your vehicle at the breakdown location, whether it's on the roadside, in a car park, or at your home.4
- Minor Repairs: Trained patrol officers can perform many common repairs on the spot, aiming to get you back on the road quickly (over 85% of cars are reportedly fixed at the roadside).5
- Flat Battery Service: Jump-starts and battery replacement (at an additional cost for the battery).
- Flat Tyre Assistance: Help with changing flat tyres using your spare.6
- Out of Fuel Assistance: Delivery of a limited amount of fuel (unleaded or diesel, subject to availability, and sometimes at an extra cost or limited to a certain number of times per year).7
- Lockout Service: Assistance with gaining entry if you've locked your keys inside your vehicle.8 If unsuccessful, they may call a locksmith at your expense or tow the vehicle.9
- Towing: If the issue cannot be resolved on the spot, your vehicle will be towed to a repairer. Distance limits for free towing vary depending on your plan and location (metro vs. country).
- Personal Cover: Your membership covers you, not just a specific vehicle.10
RACT Roadside Assistance Plans:
RACT offers different levels of roadside assistance to suit various needs and driving habits:11
- Advantage: This plan is designed for shorter-distance drivers and covers common issues like flat batteries and lockouts. It typically includes a limited number of call-outs per year (e.g., 6). Towing distances are usually limited (e.g., 15km metro, 32km country).
- Approximate Cost: $11.50/month or $138/year (as of December 2024).
- Ultimate: This comprehensive plan is suited for those who drive more frequently and travel longer distances. It often includes unlimited towing within Tasmania, bicycle assist, and major breakdown benefits.12
- Approximate Cost: $20.50/month or $246/year (as of December 2024).
Key Differences Between Plans Often Include:
- Number of Call-Outs: Some plans offer unlimited call-outs, while others have an annual limit.
- Towing Distance: The distance your vehicle can be towed for free varies significantly between plans, especially for country areas and interstate towing. The Ultimate plan often has unlimited towing within Tasmania.
- Additional Benefits: Higher-tier plans may include benefits like:
- Bicycle Assist: Assistance if your bicycle breaks down.13
- Caravan and Trailer Towing: Coverage for towing caravans or trailers.
- Locksmith Service: Coverage for locksmith fees up to a certain limit.
- Passenger Transport After Tow: Assistance with getting you to your destination after your vehicle is towed.
- Major Breakdown Benefits: Assistance with accommodation or rental car costs if your vehicle has a major breakdown more than a certain distance from home.14
Important Considerations:
- Waiting Period: There's typically a 48-hour waiting period after joining before you can access all the benefits. You may need to pay an extra fee for immediate assistance if you break down within this period.
- Service Limitations: Roadside assistance generally doesn't cover vehicles already under repair, unroadworthy or unregistered vehicles, breakdowns occurring off-road, or vehicles involved in accidents (though assistance may be provided afterward depending on the plan).15
- Member Rewards: Purchasing RACT roadside assistance usually grants you membership, providing access to various discounts and benefits on travel, car repairs, fuel, and more.16
- Payment Options: You can typically choose to pay annually or monthly via direct debit.
To get the most accurate and up-to-date details on RACT's roadside assistance offerings, including the specific benefits and costs of each plan, it is recommended to:
- Visit the official RACT website: https://www.ract.com.au/cars-and-driving/roadside-assistance
- Call RACT directly on 13 27 22.
By checking the official RACT resources, you can ensure you have the latest information relevant to your individual needs.
Advantage | Ultimate | ||
---|---|---|---|
$11.50/month or $138/yr |
$20.50/month or $246/yr |
||
24-hour Roadside Assist | Yes6 callouts per year | YesUp to $5,000 in benefits per year | |
Personal cover | Yes | Yes | |
Towing - Metro (under 3.5 tonnes) | YesUp to 15km | YesUnlimited* | |
Towing - Country (under 3.5 tonnes) | YesUp to 32km | YesUnlimited* | |
Flat battery | Yes | Yes | |
Flat tyre | Yes | Yes | |
Out of fuel | YesWe can sell you the fuel you’ll need | YesWe will give you up to 10l free | |
Lock outs | Yes | Yes | |
Bicycle assist | No | Yes | |
Caravan or trailer towing | No | Yes | |
Locksmith | No | Yes | |
Passenger transport after tow | No | Yes | |
Second tow | No | Yes | |
Heavy vehicle towing (over 3.5 tonne) | No | Yes | |
Heavy vehicle wheel change | No | Yes | |
Interstate coverage | Yes | Yes | |
Overseas coverage | Yes | Yes | |
Hire car for major breakdowns | No | YesUp to 3 days, $300 a year* | |
Major breakdown benefits | No | Yes | |
Get Advantage | Get Ultimate |