Looking for the best roadside assistance provider in Australia can be quite overwhelming and we hear this from many potential clients as they compare our services with our friends over at RACQ, RAC, RACT, NRMA, RACV and RAA . After going over countless word-of-mouth recommendations, Google searches and cold calls from brokers, you can still end up confused as to which plan or service works for you.
While Marshall Batteries offer a full range of Australia-wide roadside assistance and battery replacement services that have been trusted throughout the years, we understand that it’s important for you to know the full range of options available in the market.
That’s why we’ve put together this guide with side-by-side comparisons of these six other providers who we consider offers the best roadside assistance in Australia.
Table of Contents
Best roadside assistance providers
- Marshall Batteries – Starting Australians since 1935, available nationwide
- RACQ- Royal Automobile Club of Queensland
- RAC- Royal Automobile Club of Western Australia
- RACT- Royal Automobile Club of Tasmania
- RACV- Royal Automobile Club of Victoria
- RAA- The Royal Automobile Association of South Australia
- NRMA- National Roads and Motorists’ Association.
What does roadside assistance cover?
Before we deep dive into each company, let’s find out the most common roadside assistance services offered by Marshall Batteries and the above companies.
● 24/7 roadside assistance
● Car Battery replacement
● Car Battery jumpstart and electrical systems check
● Fuel replacement (run out of fuel)
● Flat tyre change
● Retrieving keys locked in car (not available in all locations, phone 1300 627 742 to enquire)
Beyond the above basic roadside assistance, some companies offer additional services such as coverage for more than one car, towing for caravans/ trailers and passenger transport after a tow, to name a few. These services are covered in premium plans which can range upwards from $16/ month or $113 / year. Remember, this is to come to the vehicle, parts, batteries and other costs still apply even if you are a member.
Roadside assistance services offered by Marshall Batteries are offered on-demand and don’t require signing up to any plans.
How much will a roadside assistance plan cost?
*Terms and conditions apply. Based on personal membership, Corporate or Business fleet roadside assistance may differ. Figures are accurate at the time of writing March 2022.
| Marshall Batteries | No plans or membership fee – our services are Pay to Use which means no membership or roadside joining fees!
Call 1300 627 742 to talk to a team member who can provide you with the cost of the specific service you need. Or Fill in our Get a Quote Form & your local Marshall Technician will call you straight back and provide you with a quote and arrange a time with you. |
| RACQ | Roadside (basic) plan: $101 per year
Roadside Extra: $113 per year Plus Care: $169 per year Ultra Care: $215 per year RACQ Ultimate: $295 per year |
| RAC | Standard: $9.81*per month or $111 per year
Classic: $16.43*per month or $186 per year Ultimate: $23.85*per month or $270 per year Ultimate Plus: $28.27* per month or $320 per year |
| RACT | Advantage (basic) plan: $10.10 per month or $121 per year
Ultimate plan: $17.40 per month or $209 per year |
| RACV | Basic care: $118 per year or $10.33 monthly*
Extra care: $196 per year or $16.83 monthly* Total care: $270 per year or $23 monthly* |
| RAA | Standard: $8.99 per month (for 12 months) or $107/ per year*
Plus: $13.12 per month (for 12 months) or $157/ per year* Premium: $17.37 per month (for 12 months) or $208/ per year* |
| NRMA | Everyday Care: $9.99 per month* or $119 min per year
Complete Care: $18.99 per month* or $227.88 min per year Ultimate Care: $23.99 per month* or $287.88 min per year |
*Terms and conditions apply. Based on personal membership, Corporate or Business fleet roadside assistance may differ. Figures are accurate at the time of writing March 2022.
How many callouts do you get a year?
Whether it’s a fuel replacement or a flat battery, a call out or service request will get you moving again after a tough spot on the road. While some plans offer unlimited call outs, other plans offer about 4-6 call outs per month or year.
| Marshall Batteries | With our Pay to Use system, you can get as many call outs as you like! Breakdowns are often battery related. You only pay when you need the service. |
| RACQ | All RACQ plans offer unlimited call outs(Subjective to the company Excess Use Policy) |
| RAC | All RAC plans offer unlimited call outs (subjective to the company Fair Use Policy) |
| RACT | The standard Advantage plan offers 6 call outs per year.
The Ultimate plan provides benefits up to $5000 per year. |
| RACV | Unlimited- no annual limits for call outs for all three membership packages |
| RAA | Standard: 4 callouts/ year
Plus & Premium: unlimited annual callouts |
| NRMA | Unlimited- no annual limits for call outs for all three membership packages |
How long is the roadside assistance waiting period?
A roadside assistance waiting period refers to the time you wait for the plan to become available after signing up. This can vary from company to company.
| Marshall Batteries | Marshall’s roadside assistance services have no waiting periods- it’s pay as you go! |
| RACQ | Roadside standard and Roadside Extra plans: 24 hours waiting period after payment
RACQ Ultimate, Ultra Care and Plus Care plans: 72 hours waiting period after payment or upgrade |
| RAC | All RAC plans have 48 hour waiting period after payment is made |
| RACT | When you sign up for RACT roadside assistance plans, you would need to wait for 48 hours for the benefits to become available, if not you would have to pay an extra service fee to get immediate help. |
| RACV | All RACV plans have 24 hour waiting period after payment is made |
| RAA | All RAA plans have 48 hour waiting period after payment is made for new members and plan upgrades |
| NRMA | All NRMA plans have 48 hour waiting period after payment is made |
Need emergency roadside assistance right now?
Holler for a Marshall at 1300 627 742 or check out your nearest store to get in touch with a local and highly trained expert. No extra fees, just pay as you go and save while getting a leading car battery with extended warranty and a nationwide network of support!
Reviews of best roadside assistance
Here’s how fellow Aussies ranked the best roadside assistance providers in the country.
| Marshall Batteries | ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 4.6 rating from Google
⭐ ⭐ ⭐⭐ 3.3 rating from Product Review AU |
| RACQ | ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 2.9 rating from Product Review AU
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 3.9 rating from Google |
| RAC | ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐3.8 rating from Product Review AU
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 2.7 rating from Google |
| RACT | ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐⭐4.4 rating from Product Review AU
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐⭐4.3 rating from Google (for RACT Hobart) |
| RACV | ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 2.9 rating from Product Review AU
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 4.1 rating from Google |
| RAA | ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 2.9 rating from Product Review AU
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 4.1 rating from Google |
| NRMA | ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐4.5 rating from Product Review AU
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 4.6 rating from Google |
*all data is from public sources and accurate at the time of writing, March 2022.
We hoped this guide helped you in your journey of choosing a roadside assistance provider.
If you have any questions about our roadside assistance services just
HOLLER FOR A MARSHALL on 1300 627 742 (1300 MARSHALL
Or if you don’t need us to come right now, we can do all the work for you, get a Quote Online and we will contact you fast.
Or head over to our Contact Us page to find more ways to get in touch.