Feature article
Best Roadside Assistance in NZ
Roadside assistance is something you’ll wish you’d signed up for when you’re suddenly beset with a vehicle breakdown.
Last updated: 2 December 2024
Roadside assistance is something you’ll wish you’d signed up for when you’re suddenly beset with a vehicle breakdown. It’s something all car owners should consider. It offers several benefits while providing peace of mind and practical help when the unexpected occurs with your vehicle, usually at the most inconvenient of times and locations.
What is Roadside Assistance?
This service provides assistance when your vehicle breaks down, helping you avoid being stranded. These services are available 24/7 and most operators cover the length of the country. There are some exclusions however when it comes to truly remote locations, or if you are off road. It’s a bit like insurance, you pay a membership fee to the service provider, and you can call on them when a breakdown situation occurs. This gives you peace of mind knowing you have quick access to help wherever and whenever the breakdown occurs. It also eliminates the hassle of finding a nearby mechanic or towing service in unfamiliar regions.
Many roadside assistance plans include services like towing, battery jump-starts and tyre changes at no extra cost beyond the membership fee.
What sort of services do Roadside Assistance provide?
The most common call out for breakdown services is for a flat battery. They’ll be there with the correct equipment to get your car going again. Some can organise a replacement battery to be installed if it’s truly dead.
Been locked out of your car? Helping you gain entry (without breaking anything) is another service they offer.
Run out of gas by the side of the road? Roadside assistance can deliver fuel to get you to the nearest filling station. Usually your membership fee covers the first five litres of gas. Some service providers now have mobile chargers to help stranded electric vehicle owners that have run out of charge. Need a hand changing a tyre? Yes, they sort that too.
Should your car suffer a catastrophic failure, most Roadside Assistance services will provide towing to the nearest repair shop. Should this happen, you’ll have definitely covered the cost of your annual membership fee.
Roadside Assistance Providers in NZ
There are a few major Roadside Assistance service providers in NZ, the most familiar being the Automobile Association. An AA membership gives you six free Roadservice callouts per year for new members. A one year AA membership is $99 for Aucklanders and $89 for the rest of NZ.
There are other membership levels and benefits, check the details here. Something unique to AA members is assistance for members who have mishaps while out on their bicycles, e-bikes and e-scooters.
NZRA is another provider with cover starting from $62.50 for the year. This gives you six call outs covering the usual breakdown situations. The list of benefits can be found here. NZRA have other plans including premium cover with extras like arranging alternative transport or accommodations if you get stranded further afield. They also have Motorhome packages and programmes for businesses too.
VTNZ is another organisation offering Roadside Assistance. Its annual fee for its regular package is $69, with six call outs a year. There is also the option of six month cover for $39. Premium care is $99 for the year and includes extras such as emergency taxi transport, hotel accommodation and rental car assistance.Your car insurance provider usually offers the option to add roadside assistance to your premium. For instance TradeMe insurance offers RoadWise roadside assistance, the 24/7 service covers the car, not the person, so anyone driving the car can use it across NZ. It includes three free call-outs per year. It is an optional extra to add to your premium however.
Author
Kyle has been reviewing cars since starting at NZ Autocar magazine in 2003 and has been editor since 2009. In that time he’s become an expert on what makes for a good vehicle while also gaining insights into the local automotive industry.
Other articles you might like
