Youi roadside assistance is a free service included with every Youi comprehensive car and motorcycle insurance policy. When your battery dies at the supermarket car park or you run out of petrol on a country road, you can call 13 11 17 for help. The service operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, covering everything from flat tyres to emergency towing across Australia. You get two callouts per year at no extra cost, though you’ll pay a fee if you need more.
This guide explains everything you need to know about Youi roadside assistance. You’ll learn how to call for help, what situations are covered, and who qualifies for the service. We’ll walk through the coverage limits, show you what’s excluded, and answer common questions about using the service in remote areas. Whether you’re stuck on the side of the road right now or planning ahead, you’ll understand exactly what support you can expect from Youi.
Why Youi roadside assistance matters
You face a real risk of breaking down every time you drive. Australian roadside assistance services responded to over 2.7 million callouts last year across the country. Your battery can die without warning, tyres can puncture on rough roads, and fuel gauges aren’t always accurate. When these problems happen far from home or in unfamiliar areas, you need immediate professional help to get moving again.
The cost of breakdowns without cover
A single tow truck callout costs between $150 and $400 depending on distance and time of day. Emergency locksmiths charge $150 to $300 to unlock your car or cut new keys. If you break down three times in a year without cover, you could spend over $1,000 on services that Youi roadside assistance includes at no extra cost. The service pays for itself after just one callout.
"There have been a number of fatalities resulting from rear-end impacts of vehicles crashing into cars that have broken down and pulled over to the roadside, most commonly on freeways and high-speed rural roads." (Transport and Road Safety Research Centre, UNSW Sydney)
Beyond saving money, having 24/7 professional support keeps you safer. You won’t need to stand on dangerous roadsides trying to flag down help or search for local mechanics in areas you don’t know.
How to use Youi roadside assistance
You activate youi roadside assistance by calling 13 11 17 whenever you need help. The service connects you to Digicall Assist, Youi’s roadside partner, who manages your request from start to finish. You can call from anywhere in Australia, whether you’re in a major city or a remote location. The operator will arrange the closest available contractor to reach you, typically within 60 to 90 minutes in metropolitan areas.
Getting help in three steps
Your roadside assistance request follows a straightforward process that gets help to you quickly. You don’t need to search for local mechanics or compare prices while stranded.
- Call 13 11 17 and explain your situation to the operator
- Stay with your vehicle (or in a safe location nearby) while help is dispatched
- Meet the contractor who will fix the problem on site or arrange towing
The operator monitors your case throughout and calls you with status updates. You’ll know when the contractor is on their way and receive their estimated arrival time.
Information the operator needs from you
You must provide your exact location when you call. Turn on your phone’s location services or use landmarks if you’re unsure of the address. The operator also needs your Youi policy number, which you can find in your insurance documents or policy confirmation email.
"Youi Roadside Assist is a dedicated roadside assistance service for your vehicle, available 24/7, 365 days a year if you hold Youi Comprehensive car or motorcycle insurance." (Youi)
Describe what happened to your vehicle in as much detail as possible. Mention any warning lights, strange noises, or smoke you noticed before breaking down. This information helps the contractor bring the right equipment and saves time when they arrive at your location.
What Youi roadside assistance includes
Youi roadside assistance covers seven main situations that commonly leave drivers stranded. The service handles flat batteries, punctured tyres, empty fuel tanks, locked vehicles, bogged cars, breakdowns requiring towing, and caravan or trailer problems. Each callout includes labour costs and basic materials at the roadside. You won’t pay extra fees if the contractor can fix your vehicle on site using standard tools and equipment.
Emergency repairs on the spot
Your contractor will attempt to fix problems at your location whenever possible. They carry jump-start equipment for flat batteries, which is the most common roadside issue. If your battery has completely failed and can’t hold a charge, you’ll need to arrange a replacement separately, though the contractor can often get you to a nearby mechanic or home.
Punctured or flat tyres get repaired or changed using your spare wheel if you have one in good condition. The contractor supplies the labour and basic tools but uses your existing spare. Running out of petrol qualifies for up to 10 litres of emergency fuel delivered to your location. Electric vehicle owners receive towing to the nearest charging station instead of fuel delivery.
"Youi Roadside Assist is a dedicated roadside assistance service for your vehicle, available 24/7, 365 days a year if you hold Youi Comprehensive car or motorcycle insurance." (Youi)
Towing when repairs aren’t possible
You receive free towing up to 50 kilometres in regional areas when your vehicle can’t be fixed roadside. Metropolitan areas offer towing up to 20 kilometres from your breakdown location. The contractor will tow your car to your preferred repairer, your home, or the nearest suitable mechanic. These distance limits reset with each callout, so both your annual requests include full towing coverage.
Caravan and trailer problems also qualify for towing assistance under the same distance limits. The service covers situations where your caravan or trailer has mechanical issues that prevent safe travel.
Additional support services
Locked keys inside your vehicle or lost keys trigger locksmith services worth up to $250 per callout. This covers the cost of a professional locksmith coming to your location and either unlocking your vehicle or cutting new keys. You pay any costs above the $250 limit directly to the locksmith.
Bogged vehicles stuck in sand, mud, or soft ground qualify for extraction services. The contractor uses recovery equipment to pull your vehicle free. If your car becomes stuck in a dangerous location where recovery isn’t safe, the contractor will arrange towing instead. You also receive up to $50 for taxi fares if you need alternative transport while your vehicle gets towed or if you’re in an unsafe location and need to leave immediately.
Who can get it and what it costs
You qualify for Youi roadside assistance if you hold a comprehensive car insurance policy or comprehensive motorcycle insurance policy with Youi. The service comes automatically included in these policies at no additional cost. You don’t need to opt in, pay extra premiums, or activate the service separately. Third-party insurance policies don’t include roadside assistance coverage.
Eligibility requirements
Both the policy holder and any authorised driver listed on your Youi policy can use the roadside assistance service. You must be travelling in the insured vehicle at the time of breakdown. The service covers your car anywhere across Australia, including metropolitan areas, regional locations, and remote roads. Motorcycles receive the same coverage under comprehensive motorcycle policies.
"Youi Roadside Assist is a dedicated roadside assistance service for your vehicle, available 24/7, 365 days a year if you hold Youi Comprehensive car or motorcycle insurance." (Youi)
Cost structure
Your comprehensive insurance premium includes two free callouts per year. These callouts reset annually on your policy renewal date. After using your two included callouts, you pay a per-use fee for additional requests. Youi doesn’t publish these excess callout fees publicly, so you’ll need to ask about pricing when you call for a third or subsequent request.
Standard callout costs apply for basic roadside services like battery jump-starts, tyre changes, and fuel delivery. Specialist services exceeding the coverage limits trigger additional charges you pay directly. For example, locksmith services over $250 or towing beyond the distance limits cost extra.
Key limits and exclusions to watch for
Youi roadside assistance operates within specific boundaries that affect when and how you can use the service. Understanding these restrictions prevents unexpected bills and helps you plan alternative solutions for situations outside the coverage scope. The service won’t cover every vehicle problem or location, so knowing what’s excluded before you need help saves time and frustration.
Service requests beyond your annual allowance
Your policy includes two free callouts per year, which resets on your policy renewal date. After you’ve used both requests, each additional callout incurs a fee you pay directly to the service provider. The exact cost varies depending on the type of assistance you need and your location. You can still access help after exceeding your limit, but you’ll receive an invoice for the service.
Distance limits also apply to towing services. Metropolitan areas restrict free towing to 20 kilometres from your breakdown point, while regional locations extend this to 50 kilometres. Any additional distance costs extra and you pay the towing contractor directly at standard commercial rates.
Situations not covered by the service
Youi roadside assistance excludes pre-existing mechanical faults that you knew about before breaking down. Regular servicing issues like scheduled oil changes, brake pad replacements, or known engine problems don’t qualify for emergency callouts. The service addresses unexpected roadside emergencies, not maintenance you’ve delayed.
"Regular servicing should be done when it’s due, regardless of the age of the vehicle. Good car maintenance providers have the appropriate professional skills and equipment to identify any potential vehicle breakdown issues." (UNSW Sydney Transport and Road Safety Research Centre)
Coverage stops if you’re driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, using your vehicle for illegal purposes, or racing. Deliberate damage to your vehicle also disqualifies you from assistance. Remote locations beyond the contractor network might experience longer wait times or require helicopter rescue, which falls outside standard coverage and costs extra.
Final thoughts
Youi roadside assistance provides solid coverage for comprehensive policyholders with two free callouts annually and 24/7 support across Australia. You’ll save money on emergency services like battery jump-starts, towing, and locksmith help. Understanding the coverage limits and exclusions before you need assistance prevents unexpected costs during roadside emergencies. If you’re comparing car insurance options and want comprehensive protection with built-in roadside support, explore competitive insurance quotes at National Cover to find coverage that matches your needs and budget.
