Hi, We have a 23ft Jayco Stirling and are just about to go on a trip from Perth to NSW the long way around the top end. I see that most of the roadside assistance firms exclude our van either on height, weight or length. I have come across Motoring 24-7 who only have a <3.5t restriction which should be OK for us. The cost is $99 per year and seems cheap. Has anybody any experience of using them? Are they any good?
or does anybody have any alternative suggestions?
-- Edited by United Phil on Wednesday 15th of May 2019 03:23:17 PM
dabbler said
04:16 PM May 15, 2019
I had to Google them. Mixed reviews and sound too cheap. Recovery 50km in rural areas is way too low to be useful.
Check the dimension limits of state auto clubs and find one that fits your vehicle combo.
Insurance and roadside assistance are two areas you shouldn't skimp when travelling, especially when remote.
Eaglemax said
04:23 PM May 15, 2019
For what its worth we have RACV total care. We broke down 60km west of Kathryn. Tow truck, caravan park for 5 days and follow up. Great service. Track down a similar mob in Wa. Regards Tony
Meredith said
06:10 PM May 15, 2019
What dimensions are your van? RACV Total Care covers vans up to 9m long, 2.5m wide, 3.3m high and 8 ton weight. And the towing coverage in remote areas is 100km OR to the nearest service centre, and if they can't fix your vehicle at the nearest service centre within 3 days they will tow it to somewhere it can be fixed or your home. Know several people who have used it and have been very happy with service. Not sure if you can get RACV cover if you don't have vehicle registered in Victoria.
United Phil said
10:59 PM May 15, 2019
Thanks Meredith, but I think you have to have a Vic address to join. I have WA address and Nsw one I could use but not Vic. I will check though.
PeterInSa said
11:51 PM May 16, 2019
UP, CMCA/Ken Tame Insurance provide $1000 of breakdown cover a year and for another $185 you have extra breakdown cover limited to $600 a time but I think you can have this more than once a year and this comes with access to Doctors on Demand that can be used a number of times a year but needs a Smartphone and Data Access.
The $185 options to to be checked as am just going from memory.
I thought that NRMA had some good cover also, similar to RACV, worthwhile to check.
If going off the Tar on your own, would also consider Club 4 x 4 Insurance. maybe not cheap, but if you breakdown and cannot fix your vehicle/rig 500km from the nearest service center it is cheap insurance.
Peter
-- Edited by PeterInSa on Thursday 16th of May 2019 11:55:28 PM
Tony Bev said
01:03 PM May 17, 2019
Hi Phil (United Phil)
Firstly welcome to the forum
As you say that you have an address in WA you can use
I had a car and caravan, insured with RAC in West Australia for many years, which included breakdown recovery
I never had to use them, but I understand (from other travellers), that they are good
Perhaps you could have a word with them, I only left them as they no longer insure motorhomes
I use CIL Insurance, which also covers breakdowns, but at a very much higher price than $99
It would be good if you came back and let us all know who you choose, as it may help others in the future
blaze said
01:29 PM May 17, 2019
with top rac wa, top cover, they don't cover vans. cost me $2000 to have mine towed behind the same truck as my vehicle was on from port hedland to broome, vehicle was free. 24 foot van
cheers
blaze
dabbler said
05:47 PM May 17, 2019
Blaze, RAC will tow/recover caravans on all higher level memberships in cases of breakdown, providing you meet weight and dimension limits.
blaze said
06:55 PM May 17, 2019
dabbler wrote:
Blaze, RAC will tow/recover caravans on all higher level memberships in cases of breakdown, providing you meet weight and dimension limits.
You are sort of right, the day I broke down they towed me 10km to the golf club at port hedland, I had blown my motor on vehicle. the next day they towed me to broome but I had to pay the $2000 for the van. 2 Years later when returning to perth, I had more major engine problems. Rac WA put the vehicle on a backload on a semi and I had to fly myself back to perth, then organise a truck to bring my van back as freight. out of pocket costs this time was about $5000, these cost are without vehicle repairs
So yes in all that the van was towed maybe 50km for free and I do hate port hedland
cheers
blaze
United Phil said
11:24 AM May 18, 2019
The problem with RACWA is that they limit recovery to 5.5m overall length. My van is 7.3m long.
dabbler said
01:14 PM May 18, 2019
RACQ Ultimate, 9.7metres.
United Phil said
10:39 AM May 29, 2019
Did the rounds trying to join all the different ones and found out you have to have an address in Vic to join RACV, Queensland to join RACQ etc. does not matter where you car rego is, it is you home address that matters, makes sense I suppose.
Ended up with NRMA premium plus.
Expensive usually but offer on at moment via link below $55 joining fee waved and first 3 months free. So only $270 for a year and covers any car/van up to 10t. May not cover motor homes I did not check.
Did the rounds trying to join all the different ones and found out you have to have an address in Vic to join RACV, Queensland to join RACQ etc. does not matter where you car rego is, it is you home address that matters, makes sense I suppose.
Ended up with NRMA premium plus.
Expensive usually but offer on at moment via link below $55 joining fee waved and first 3 months free. So only $270 for a year and covers any car/van up to 10t. May not cover motor homes I did not check.
Hi, We have a 23ft Jayco Stirling and are just about to go on a trip from Perth to NSW the long way around the top end. I see that most of the roadside assistance firms exclude our van either on height, weight or length. I have come across Motoring 24-7 who only have a <3.5t restriction which should be OK for us. The cost is $99 per year and seems cheap. Has anybody any experience of using them? Are they any good?
or does anybody have any alternative suggestions?
-- Edited by United Phil on Wednesday 15th of May 2019 03:23:17 PM
Thanks Meredith, but I think you have to have a Vic address to join. I have WA address and Nsw one I could use but not Vic. I will check though.
UP, CMCA/Ken Tame Insurance provide $1000 of breakdown cover a year and for another $185 you have extra breakdown cover limited to $600 a time but I think you can have this more than once a year and this comes with access to Doctors on Demand that can be used a number of times a year but needs a Smartphone and Data Access.
The $185 options to to be checked as am just going from memory.
I thought that NRMA had some good cover also, similar to RACV, worthwhile to check.
If going off the Tar on your own, would also consider Club 4 x 4 Insurance. maybe not cheap, but if you breakdown and cannot fix your vehicle/rig 500km from the nearest service center it is cheap insurance.
Peter
-- Edited by PeterInSa on Thursday 16th of May 2019 11:55:28 PM
Firstly welcome to the forum
As you say that you have an address in WA you can use
I had a car and caravan, insured with RAC in West Australia for many years, which included breakdown recovery
I never had to use them, but I understand (from other travellers), that they are good
Perhaps you could have a word with them, I only left them as they no longer insure motorhomes
I use CIL Insurance, which also covers breakdowns, but at a very much higher price than $99
It would be good if you came back and let us all know who you choose, as it may help others in the future
cheers
blaze
You are sort of right, the day I broke down they towed me 10km to the golf club at port hedland, I had blown my motor on vehicle. the next day they towed me to broome but I had to pay the $2000 for the van. 2 Years later when returning to perth, I had more major engine problems. Rac WA put the vehicle on a backload on a semi and I had to fly myself back to perth, then organise a truck to bring my van back as freight. out of pocket costs this time was about $5000, these cost are without vehicle repairs
So yes in all that the van was towed maybe 50km for free and I do hate port hedland
cheers
blaze
The problem with RACWA is that they limit recovery to 5.5m overall length. My van is 7.3m long.
Ended up with NRMA premium plus.
Expensive usually but offer on at moment via link below $55 joining fee waved and first 3 months free. So only $270 for a year and covers any car/van up to 10t. May not cover motor homes I did not check.
www.ozbargain.com.au/node/433433
Thanks for getting back, with your info, Phil
I followed your link to find out that, NRMA premium plus, is a stand alone part of NRMA Insurance
If I had read the links correctly, the following insurers cover the following states
NRMA Insurance covers NSW, QLD, ACT, & TAS
SGIC Insurance covers SA
SGIO Insurance covers WA
As they were somewhat bunched together, (on the website I looked at), I will assume that they are somehow related