Is it worth paying for breakdown cover?

Is it worth paying for breakdown cover in Australia depends on your car, driving habits and risk tolerance, but for most drivers it is worth it. A single breakdown without cover can be very expensive. A standard tow truck callout in metro Sydney or Melbourne costs $200 to $400 for a 20km tow, and in regional or remote areas it can cost $500 to $1,500. A battery jump start from a private operator costs $100 to $200. So paying $95 to $135 per year for basic roadside assistance from NRMA, RACV, RACQ or RAA, or $70 to $110 per year as an add-on to your car insurance from Budget Direct, Allianz or AAMI, can pay for itself with just one callout per year. Breakdown cover is particularly worth it if your car is more than 4 years old or has over 80,000 km, as older cars have higher failure rates for batteries, alternators and cooling systems. It is also worth it if you drive long distances, commute daily, drive with children, or travel in regional and remote areas where help is hard to find. It provides peace of mind that help is 30 to 60 minutes away. It is less worth it if you have a brand new car with 3 to 7 years free manufacturer roadside assistance included, if you rarely drive under 5,000 km per year in metro areas, or if you have roadside assistance included free with your premium credit card. For most Australians, basic breakdown cover is worth it for the small annual fee versus the high cost and stress of an uncovered breakdown, especially in summer heat or at night.