Tow Truck Equipment

If you're a tourist planning to spend a few months touring Australia, you've probably embraced the tradition of buying a used car. For generations, backpackers from New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom and other countries from all over the world, have landed in Sydney, bought a car and headed on an epic road trip through the Outback, past Alice Springs, over to Perth and back again.

Ideally, you should try to focus on finding a car without a lot of mechanical issues, but to be on the safe side, you should also consider signing up for roadside assistance. Here's what to consider when looking for a plan:

1. Match the Coverage Area to Your Travel Plans

Keep in mind when many Australians purchase roadside assistance, they aren't necessarily buying it for a holiday. Instead, they want it active during their daily life, and as a result, many companies just serve a local area or a restricted radius.

Make sure to look at the coverage area when you sign up, and consider booking a plan that covers the whole country.

2. Get Basics Covered

Ideally, your roadside assistance policy should cover the basics. That way if your battery dies, your tank runs out of gas or your tyre goes flat, you don't have to worry about handling it yourself. If another type of issue pops up, you need access to towing.

3. Make Sure the Company Tows Caravans and Trailers

Some roadside assistance plans only cover towing for traditional vehicles such as cars and utes. However, if you are driving a caravan or hauling a camper trailer, you need a policy that covers towing for those vehicles as well.

4. Add Extras Such as Car Hire Reimbursement

If something happens to your vehicle, you don't necessarily want to put your journey on pause. So you can keep moving, look for a roadside assistance plan that covers reimbursements for car hire. Also, if you are sleeping in your vehicle, look for a policy that covers emergency accommodation in the event of a breakdown.

5. Cover All Drivers

Unless you're travelling alone, you probably have other people driving the vehicle on occasion. Your policy needs to cover all of those drivers.

6. Look for a Short-Term Policy

Finally, consider the length of the roadside service agreement. Many companies charge for a year of services. However, if you're only going to be in Australia a few months, you may want to look for a company that takes month-to-month agreements.

Contact a company that offers forklift transport and towing services for more information and assistance.