GIO Roadside Assistance is an optional add-on service you can purchase with your GIO Platinum or Comprehensive Car Insurance. It gives you access to 24-hour roadside help anywhere in Australia when your car breaks down or you’re stranded. You call 1800 386 398 and a technician comes to fix the problem on the spot or arrange a tow. The service covers common roadside emergencies like flat batteries, punctured tyres, running out of fuel, lockouts and mechanical failures that leave you stuck. GIO operates the service through a network of contractors and partners with other state motoring clubs to provide nationwide coverage.
This guide explains exactly what GIO Roadside Assistance covers, how much it costs, and whether it makes sense for your situation. You’ll learn how to add it to your policy, what to do when you need help, and what scenarios aren’t covered. We’ll compare GIO’s offering against standalone roadside providers and motoring club memberships so you can decide if it delivers enough value. Whether you’re weighing up your first roadside policy or switching from another provider, you’ll find the details you need to make an informed choice.
Why GIO roadside assistance matters
You never plan to break down on the side of the road, but mechanical failures happen without warning. Your battery dies in a shopping centre car park. You get a flat tyre on a dark country road. You run out of fuel kilometres from the nearest servo. These situations leave you stranded, stressed and facing potentially expensive callout fees if you don’t have cover in place. GIO roadside assistance matters because it removes the financial shock and logistical headache when things go wrong. Instead of searching for a tow truck company in a panic or paying hundreds of dollars on the spot, you make one phone call and help arrives.
Protection when you need it most
Breakdowns rarely happen during business hours on sunny days near your home. They occur late at night, in unfamiliar locations, or during bad weather when you’re already under stress. Having GIO roadside assistance means you don’t need to rely on strangers for help or wait hours while researching which service to call. The 24-hour access gives you a safety net regardless of when or where trouble strikes. You also avoid the risk of choosing an unlicensed or overpriced contractor in desperation.
Roadside problems become emergencies when you don’t have a backup plan already in place.
Financial peace of mind
Without cover, a single tow can cost $150 to $400 or more depending on distance and the time of day. Battery replacements, locksmith callouts and multiple breakdowns throughout a year add up fast. GIO roadside assistance costs less than $95 annually in most cases, which means you break even after just one incident. The predictable yearly fee protects you from surprise expenses that can derail your budget. You also get access to professional help rather than trying risky DIY fixes that might damage your vehicle or put your safety at risk.
How to get GIO roadside assistance
You access GIO roadside assistance by adding it as an optional extra when you purchase or already hold a GIO Platinum or Comprehensive Car Insurance policy. The service isn’t available as standalone cover, which means you need to have one of these two insurance products before you can include roadside help. You can’t buy it separately or add it to a Third Party Fire and Theft or Third Party Property policy. GIO makes the addition straightforward whether you’re buying new cover or updating your existing insurance.
Adding roadside assistance to a new policy
When you get a quote for GIO Platinum or Comprehensive Car Insurance, you see roadside assistance listed as an optional extra during the quote process. You tick the box to include it and the annual cost appears in your total premium. The system calculates your price based on your location and vehicle details. Once you complete the purchase and your policy starts, your roadside cover activates 24 hours later. This waiting period applies to all new additions to prevent people from signing up only after they’ve already broken down.
You can’t use GIO roadside assistance during the first 24 hours after adding the cover to your policy.
Adding it to an existing policy
You contact GIO on 13 10 10 to add roadside assistance to your current Platinum or Comprehensive policy at any time. A customer service representative processes the change and confirms the new premium amount. The additional cost gets added to your remaining policy term on a pro-rata basis, which means you only pay for the months left until renewal. Your roadside cover then starts 24 hours after you make the change. You receive confirmation via email with the updated policy schedule showing the roadside benefit.
Who qualifies for GIO roadside cover
GIO roadside assistance covers the specific vehicle listed on your car insurance policy, not the driver. Anyone operating your car with permission can call for help if the vehicle breaks down. You can’t use the service for vehicles operating as taxis, limousines, rental cars or hire cars, even if GIO provides those services under different policy types. The cover works anywhere in Australia, including remote and rural areas, because GIO partners with state motoring clubs to extend their network nationwide.
What GIO roadside assistance includes
GIO roadside assistance covers the most common mechanical failures and roadside emergencies that leave drivers stranded. The service provides 24-hour help every day of the year, regardless of who’s driving your insured vehicle at the time. You get assistance anywhere in Australia through GIO’s network of contractors and state motoring club partnerships. The cover includes both on-the-spot repairs when possible and towing when the problem can’t be fixed at the scene. GIO doesn’t limit the number of callouts you can make during your policy term, which gives you unlimited access to help whenever your car breaks down.
Emergency repairs at the scene
Technicians attempt to fix your vehicle on the spot when they arrive at your breakdown location. They carry equipment and basic parts to handle simple mechanical failures without needing a tow. Common repairs include jump-starting a flat battery, changing a punctured tyre to your spare, providing enough fuel to reach the nearest service station, and fixing minor electrical or engine issues. The service covers the labour cost for these roadside repairs, though you pay for any replacement parts needed beyond basic supplies the technician carries. This immediate assistance gets you back on the road quickly when the problem has a straightforward solution.
Towing to the nearest repairer
GIO arranges towing when technicians can’t repair your vehicle at the scene. The service tows your car up to 20 kilometres from the breakdown location to the nearest accredited repairer. If no accredited repairer operates within 20 kilometres of where you broke down, GIO extends the towing distance up to 100 kilometres to reach the closest suitable workshop. You don’t pay anything extra for towing within these limits. The tow truck takes your vehicle to a GIO-approved repairer unless you request a specific workshop, in which case you might cover additional distance charges if it exceeds the standard limits.
GIO roadside assistance automatically extends towing coverage in remote areas where repairers are scarce.
Battery and tyre services
Battery problems represent one of the most frequent reasons drivers need roadside help. GIO technicians test your battery, provide a jump-start if it holds enough charge, or help you arrange a replacement battery if needed. The service covers the callout and labour, but you pay for the new battery itself if replacement becomes necessary. For tyre problems, technicians change your flat tyre to your spare if you carry a roadworthy spare wheel. They won’t fit a space-saver tyre for extended driving but will change it to get you to a nearby tyre shop for proper replacement.
Lockout and key assistance
Locking your keys inside your vehicle happens more often than you’d expect. GIO roadside assistance helps you regain access to your car when you’ve locked yourself out. The service contributes up to $250 towards costs for arranging delivery of your spare keys or paying a locksmith to access your vehicle. This amount covers most lockout situations, though you might pay extra if you need complex key cutting or reprogramming for modern vehicles with electronic key systems. Technicians can also help if you’ve lost your keys entirely, though the $250 limit still applies to the total assistance provided.
What GIO roadside assistance does not cover
GIO roadside assistance has specific exclusions that prevent you from claiming help in certain situations. Understanding these limitations before you need the service helps you avoid disappointment and ensures you have backup plans for scenarios that fall outside the coverage. The exclusions exist to keep costs reasonable for all policyholders and to prevent misuse of the emergency assistance network. You need to know what doesn’t qualify for help so you can arrange alternative solutions when necessary.
Pre-existing mechanical problems
Your vehicle must experience an unexpected breakdown rather than a known mechanical issue you’ve ignored. GIO roadside assistance doesn’t cover problems that existed before you purchased the service or faults you knew about when calling for help. If your car has been making strange noises for weeks and finally stops working, the service might refuse the callout because the failure wasn’t sudden or unforeseen. You also can’t use roadside assistance as a substitute for regular vehicle maintenance or servicing appointments. The cover exists for genuine emergencies, not for transporting your car to scheduled repairs.
Roadside assistance covers unexpected failures, not mechanical problems you already knew existed.
Non-mechanical breakdowns and driver negligence
GIO won’t help if your vehicle problems result from deliberate acts, illegal activity, or driver negligence. Running out of fuel repeatedly, driving on roads unsuitable for your vehicle type, or attempting repairs that cause additional damage all fall outside the coverage. You can’t claim assistance if your car gets bogged in sand or mud during off-road driving, or if you damage it by ignoring warning lights until complete mechanical failure occurs. Accidents and collision damage also don’t qualify for roadside assistance because they fall under your comprehensive car insurance instead. The service covers mechanical failures and common roadside emergencies, not consequences of poor driving decisions.
Vehicle type and usage restrictions
GIO roadside assistance only covers vehicles insured under your specific policy. You can’t use the service for vehicles operating as taxis, limousines, rental cars or hire cars, even if you own them. Commercial vehicles used for passenger transport don’t qualify for the roadside product, though GIO offers separate commercial insurance with different assistance options. Any vehicle not listed on your Platinum or Comprehensive policy gets excluded from coverage. If you regularly drive multiple cars, you need separate insurance policies with roadside assistance added to each one for full protection across your vehicle fleet.
How to use GIO roadside assistance in an emergency
Using GIO roadside assistance during a breakdown follows a straightforward process that connects you with help quickly. You need to have your vehicle registration number and contact details ready when you call, along with information about your location and the problem you’re experiencing. The emergency service operates 24 hours every day, which means you can get help at any time without worrying about business hours or waiting until morning. Understanding the steps before you need them helps you stay calm during a stressful breakdown situation and ensures the process goes smoothly.
Call the 24-hour emergency number
You contact GIO roadside assistance by calling 1800 386 398 as soon as you realise you need help. This number connects you directly to the emergency dispatch centre that handles all roadside callouts for GIO policyholders. Keep your phone charged and accessible when travelling so you can make the call if something goes wrong. The call centre operates every day of the year, including public holidays, weekends and overnight hours. You speak with a trained operator who asks questions to understand your situation and determine the best response.
What information you need to provide
The operator asks for your vehicle registration number to verify your GIO roadside assistance coverage and locate your policy details. You also provide your current exact location using street addresses, landmarks, or GPS coordinates if you’re on a highway or in an unfamiliar area. Describing the problem clearly helps dispatch the right equipment and technician for your situation. You tell them whether your battery is flat, you have a puncture, you’ve run out of fuel, or you’re experiencing another mechanical failure. The operator also asks for your best contact phone number so the technician can reach you directly when they’re close to your location.
Having your registration number and precise location ready speeds up the entire assistance process.
What happens after you call
GIO dispatches a technician to your location based on the information you provide and the estimated arrival time varies depending on your location and current demand. The operator gives you an approximate timeframe for when help will arrive, though this can change if the technician encounters traffic or handles multiple callouts in remote areas. You receive confirmation details about your callout and instructions for staying safe while you wait. The assigned technician contacts you directly as they approach to confirm they’re heading to the correct location and to get any additional details they might need.
Waiting for the technician to arrive
Stay with your vehicle in a safe location while waiting for the technician unless remaining there puts you at risk. Move to the roadside shoulder or emergency lane if you’ve broken down on a highway, and turn on your hazard lights to make your vehicle visible to other traffic. Avoid attempting repairs yourself that might cause injury or additional damage to your car. Keep your phone charged and available so the technician can contact you when they arrive. If your situation changes or you need to move to a different location for safety reasons, call the emergency number again to update your details.
Cost, value and how GIO compares
GIO roadside assistance costs less than $95 per year when you add it to your Platinum or Comprehensive Car Insurance policy. The exact price varies based on your location and vehicle details, though GIO keeps the cost consistent across most Australian regions. You pay no joining fee and the annual charge gets bundled into your insurance premium, which means you can spread the cost across monthly or quarterly payments rather than paying upfront. This pricing structure makes roadside cover accessible and removes the barrier of large one-time fees that some standalone providers charge.
What GIO roadside assistance costs
The annual fee of less than $95 positions GIO as a mid-range option compared to standalone roadside providers and motoring club memberships. You save money compared to purchasing roadside cover separately from providers like Budget Direct, which charges around $90 for basic standalone coverage, or Allianz at $139 for entry-level plans. State motoring clubs like NRMA charge $120 for Everyday Care and RACV starts at $118 for Roadside Care, both of which exceed GIO’s bundled price. The 24-hour waiting period after you add the cover means you can’t sign up during an active breakdown, which prevents people from gaming the system by only purchasing when they need immediate help.
Value assessment for different drivers
GIO roadside assistance delivers strong value if you drive frequently or travel long distances where breakdowns pose greater risk and inconvenience. Metropolitan drivers benefit from the unlimited callout policy because city driving creates more opportunities for flat batteries, lockouts, and minor mechanical failures. Regional and rural drivers gain even more value because the extended towing coverage up to 100 kilometres in areas without nearby repairers protects them from expensive long-distance tow charges that could exceed $400. Older vehicles with higher breakdown likelihood make the annual cost worthwhile, while newer cars under manufacturer warranty might already include roadside assistance that duplicates the GIO coverage.
The service pays for itself after just one tow or battery replacement that would otherwise cost $150 or more out of pocket.
You get less value from GIO roadside assistance if you rarely drive, keep your vehicle in excellent condition, or live next door to a mechanic who helps you for free. Drivers who already hold NRMA, RACV, or other motoring club memberships might find the GIO addition redundant because they’re paying twice for similar coverage. You also won’t benefit if you lease a vehicle that includes roadside assistance in the lease agreement, though checking your lease terms carefully helps you avoid paying for duplicate coverage.
How GIO stacks up against competitors
GIO’s coverage matches most competitors for standard roadside scenarios but offers fewer premium features than top-tier motoring club plans. NRMA Ultimate Care and RACQ Ultimate provide higher locksmith allowances ($200 versus GIO’s $250), free emergency fuel, and travel benefits like accommodation and rental cars when you break down far from home. Budget Direct offers similar basic coverage to GIO at comparable pricing, while dedicated providers like 365 Roadside Assistance start at $89 annually with three coverage tiers.
| Provider | Annual Cost | Callouts | Towing Distance | Locksmith Allowance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GIO | <$95 | Unlimited | 20km (100km remote) | $250 |
| NRMA Everyday Care | $120 | Unlimited | 25km (to nearest service centre) | Not mentioned |
| Budget Direct | $89.95 | Unlimited | 20km (100km remote) | $125 |
| RACV Roadside Care | $118 | Unlimited | 20km (to nearest service centre) | $200 |
The main advantage GIO offers over standalone providers comes from convenience and simplicity. You manage both your car insurance and roadside assistance through one provider, receive one combined bill, and deal with one customer service team for all vehicle-related issues. This integration saves time and reduces administrative hassle compared to juggling multiple policies from different companies.
GIO roadside assistance vs car insurance
GIO roadside assistance and car insurance serve completely different purposes despite both protecting you when something goes wrong with your vehicle. Car insurance covers damage to your vehicle and third-party property from accidents, theft, fire, vandalism, and natural disasters like storms or floods. Roadside assistance helps you when your car suffers mechanical failure or common breakdowns that leave you stranded but don’t involve collision damage or insured events. You can’t use your car insurance to get a jump-start for a flat battery, and you can’t claim roadside assistance when you rear-end another vehicle at traffic lights.
Different purposes and coverage scenarios
Your comprehensive car insurance pays for repairs after accidents and covers the cost of damage you cause to other people’s property. The policy responds when you crash your vehicle, someone vandalises it, a tree falls on it during a storm, or thieves steal it from your driveway. You submit a claim, pay your excess, and the insurer handles repair costs above that amount. Roadside assistance deals with non-collision mechanical problems like dead batteries, flat tyres, empty fuel tanks, lockouts, and engine failures that stop your car from running. The service gets you mobile again or tows your car to a workshop, but doesn’t pay for the actual repairs your mechanic performs.
Insurance protects your financial investment in your vehicle and shields you from liability when you damage other property. Roadside assistance provides immediate practical help when you’re stuck somewhere and need to get moving or reach a safe location. You might go years without making an insurance claim if you drive carefully, but you could need roadside assistance multiple times annually if your battery ages or you regularly drive long distances where mechanical issues become more likely.
Car insurance repairs damage from accidents while roadside assistance solves mechanical breakdowns that leave you stranded.
How the two services work together
GIO roadside assistance and car insurance complement each other by covering different risk categories under one provider relationship. You manage both policies through the same account, receive combined billing, and contact the same company when problems occur. The policies overlap in one specific area: both provide towing services after incidents, though under different circumstances. Your comprehensive insurance arranges towing after accidents to transport your damaged vehicle to a repairer, while roadside assistance tows your car when it breaks down mechanically without collision involvement.
When to call roadside assistance versus making an insurance claim
You call 1800 386 398 for roadside assistance when your vehicle won’t start, you get a flat tyre, you lock yourself out, or any mechanical fault stops you from driving safely. Contact your car insurance on 13 10 10 when you have an accident, someone damages your parked car, thieves break in, or natural disaster damage occurs. Some situations blur the line: if you break down on a highway and another vehicle hits your stationary car while you wait for help, that becomes an insurance matter rather than just roadside assistance. Always call roadside assistance first for mechanical problems, then contact your insurer if subsequent events create accident damage requiring claim assessment.
Alternatives and how to choose roadside cover
GIO roadside assistance isn’t your only option when you need breakdown protection for your vehicle. You can choose from standalone roadside providers, state motoring clubs, or roadside assistance bundled with comprehensive insurance from other companies. Each alternative offers different pricing structures, coverage levels, and additional benefits that might suit your specific situation better than GIO’s offering. Understanding these alternatives helps you make an informed decision based on your driving habits, budget, and the features you value most.
Standalone providers and motoring clubs
Budget Direct offers standalone roadside assistance starting at $89.95 annually without requiring you to purchase car insurance from them. You get unlimited callouts and similar towing distances to GIO, making this option suitable if you already have insurance elsewhere and just need breakdown cover. State motoring clubs like NRMA, RACV, RACQ, and RAA provide membership-based roadside assistance with plans ranging from $99 to $295 annually depending on coverage level. These organisations deliver additional member benefits like discounts on accommodation, car servicing, and driver training that extend beyond basic roadside help.
Motoring club memberships typically cover the driver rather than the vehicle, which means you get help regardless of which car you’re driving. This feature benefits people who regularly switch between multiple vehicles or frequently drive hire cars and rentals. Premium club tiers include travel benefits like emergency accommodation, rental car allowances, and passenger transport if you break down far from home, making them valuable for regular interstate travellers.
Motoring club memberships often provide discounts and benefits beyond roadside assistance that can justify the higher annual cost.
Factors to consider when choosing
Your annual driving distance determines how much value you extract from unlimited callout policies versus pay-per-use services. Drivers covering more than 20,000 kilometres yearly face higher breakdown risk and benefit more from comprehensive unlimited coverage. Your vehicle’s age and condition also matters because older cars need roadside help more frequently than newer models under manufacturer warranty. Check whether your vehicle already includes roadside assistance through the manufacturer before purchasing duplicate coverage that wastes money.
Location plays a crucial role in choosing the right provider. Regional and remote drivers need policies with extended towing distances and strong coverage outside metropolitan areas, while city drivers can manage with basic plans. Compare the specific benefits each provider includes against scenarios you’re likely to face, such as lockout assistance limits, fuel delivery, and battery replacement support. Calculate whether bundling roadside assistance with your existing car insurance saves money compared to purchasing standalone cover, factoring in any multi-policy discounts your insurer might offer.
Final thoughts
GIO roadside assistance gives you 24-hour breakdown protection for less than $95 annually when bundled with Platinum or Comprehensive car insurance. You get unlimited callouts, nationwide coverage through state motoring club partnerships, and help with the most common roadside emergencies that leave drivers stranded. The service covers flat batteries, punctured tyres, lockouts, fuel delivery, and towing up to 100 kilometres in remote areas where repairers are scarce. You call 1800 386 398 whenever mechanical problems stop your vehicle, and help arrives without surprise costs or complicated claims processes.
The value depends on your driving patterns, vehicle age, and whether you already hold duplicate coverage through other providers. Compare GIO against standalone roadside services and motoring club memberships to find the option that matches your budget and coverage needs. If you’re shopping for comprehensive vehicle protection, explore car insurance options that deliver competitive pricing and extensive coverage without sacrificing the support you need when unexpected problems occur on the road.
