What to do if your car breaks down and you have no money in Australia can be stressful, but there are steps and free options. First, ensure safety by moving car off road, turning on hazard lights, and staying in a safe spot away from traffic, especially at night. If you have no money for a tow, check whether you already have free roadside assistance included without realising. Many new cars include 3 to 7 years free roadside assistance if serviced at dealer, from Toyota, Mazda, Kia, Hyundai, MG, BMW, and many comprehensive car insurance policies include basic roadside assistance. Check your insurer's app or call them. If you have NRMA, RACV, RACQ, RAA or RAC WA membership, call 13 11 22 even if membership lapsed, they may still help with pay-on-use. If you truly have no cover, you can call for a tow and negotiate payment later, many tow companies accept payment later or via instalment. For a flat battery or tyre, ask nearby drivers or call a friend or family for help with jump start or to bring a spare. If you are on a motorway or in a dangerous spot, call police on 000 if unsafe, or traffic management centre, they will arrange free tow to safety. For longer term, you can apply for hardship assistance from your car insurer or roadside provider, and some charities like St Vincent de Paul and Salvation Army offer emergency transport assistance. To prevent future issues, consider cheapest roadside cover at $69 to $95 per year from 24/7 Roadservices or as add-on to car insurance.
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