I've had NRMA roadside for years and it expired last week. Irritated that it would be cheaper as a new customer so they grab what they can from loyal customers. RAA in South Australia looks a lot cheaper (around $50-75 less for equivalent tiers) and says its Australia wide, has anyone experience with this?
Roadside Assistance: RAA for NSW instead of NRMA?
sydneygirl on 06/03/2025 - 15:23
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ha, i wish! just came back from a few days there at fringe.
so are you saying if i can get through the application form with NSW rego there are no issues?5th question on application form Address. Next question, postal address. I didn't go any further, but as with NRMA you would have to insert a registration number.My guess a NSW plate wouldn’t work.
You can always call and ask. (08) 8202 4600
Have to check - as an Association in SA, you are required to hold Membership. The Constitution would outline whether a member must be located in SA (and if that includes Broken Hill and border towns like Nelson)
i've just done a dummy form with all accurate address details and doesn't flag anything, ready to take me to payment… its possible they don't need rego plate as i think it covers the person for any car rather than the car itself?
Correct. The membership covers the person not the car. So as a member I am covered anywhere in Australia no matter what car I am driving. This of course means that if you have one car in the house and both you and your partner drive the car, should you need assistance the driver needs membership so in most cases a couple will need to take out two memberships to cover either driver being at the wheel. RAA is one of the biggest companies in SA and has naming rights to the biggest office building in Adelaide so they are not a small operation.
How many times have you used roadside assist in the years you've had it? Is your car in a condition that may make it likely to need assist?
I'm 'self insuring' for roadside assist. Paid $150 for a tow a couple of months ago. Cheaper than 3 years of membership.
How many times have you used roadside assist in the years you've had it? Is your car in a condition that may make it likely to need assist?
Any vehicle can need attention anytime, plus, I take it OP is female and may need help if she has a flat tyre, that's if her car has a spare.
As I said in another thread. You don't need till you need it.
Why would a female need help to change a tyre
Why do males need help changing a wheel?
@CurlCurl: Not slow. Just wondering why if you are saying that some people including males need help changing wheels, why you would say:
I take it OP is female and may need help if she has a flat
Not slow. Just wondering why if you are saying that some people including males need help changing wheels, why you would say:
Some males, actually, a lot have NFI. Some males need help because of age, a disability etc.
Most females have NFI. Lots don’t have the physical strength. Others because of age, a disability etc.
@CurlCurl: I did learn how to do all that many years ago but no longer carry the tools etc and prefer the peace of mind even if its rare - called out a few months ago for flat battery though its true I rarely need it
@tenpercent: I admit I needed help the last time I had a flat. Because the idiot who'd put the wheel nuts on had used a rattle gun. I bent my wheel brace jumping up and down on it to try to loosen the wheel nut, before I gave up and drove it on the flat to a mechanic's workshop.
NRMA will also repair the tyre if possible. They put a plug in my tyre without even having to jack the car up.
Far easier than replacing wheel with the stupid compact spare, then having to take it to tyre shop etc etc
You can sign up on the spot and pay the extra fee. If you drive a reliable, well maintained car it works out far cheaper.
Any vehicle can need attention anytime, plus, I take it OP is female and may need help if she has a flat tyre, that's if her car has a spare.
Not going to comment on the sexism here, but roadside assistance is next to useless for a flat tyre - you'll end up having to wait an hour (if not longer), by which time, you'll have already changed it and continued on your merry way.
If you don't know how to change a tyre, it's simple enough to watch a video as you're doing it for the first time and you'll be golden.
As I said in another thread. You don't need till you need it.
The issue is that aside from a flat tyre and a dead battery, roadside assist can't really help with anything aside from towing you to a workshop. If you can change a tyre yourself and have a jump-start battery, then it basically just becomes a towing membership.
In the last 20 years of owning common reliable cars (Camry, Corolla, Aurion), I've had to call a tow truck once (which was due to the alternator just blowing up out of nowhere), and have had exactly one flat tyre. Obviously it's worked out significantly better to not have roadside assist.
The issue with roadside assist is that the "downside" is fixed and known (i.e. the cost of towing your car). It's not like car insurance where you may well rear-end a Ferrari and be on the hook for huge amounts of money.
Not going to comment on the sexism here
Ok so why raise it.
Are you suggesting that using traditional to indicate a point, should now be replaced with.
If you are visually, or physically impaired with an inability to lift a 12kg object with a diameter of over 650mm then you should…..
But only having a little fun here…. 😀
As I said in another thread. You don't need till you need it.
Im not saying you should not have it. Im just suggesting that if you dont use it, you could save money by not having it and then paying a bit more for help if you do actually need it. Its not for everyone, its an alternative.
A reliable car, a jump starter, knowing how to change a tyre, being within range of a friend who can help might mean you can get away without the service as well. You might also be abke to get a lift home and sort out the car during business hours to save emergency call out costs
Of course you are right, but then for some the reassurance that someone can come and help, and not just for a flat tyre has different value. Raining etc would be more comforting having NRMA, but then also when raining you wait longer… the lists and examples go on and on.
Some will drive 20kms to "save" 5c a litre when it makes no sense….. I should listen to than advice myself. 😀
I also self insure but I still get why some people like the safety net.
With most, if not all new cars coming with tyre pressure monitors, it's unlikely that your flat tyre will require a change of tyre on the side of the road.
if you still service your car at a dealer usually comes with roadside assist. in my experience
i have also serviced my car at an NRMA Motorserve, and they give out complimentary roadside assist.
With NSW rego not a chance.
South Australia has the 2nd cheapest fuel in OZ. Maybe you could move there and save more money.
s