Volkswagen Roadside Assistance Questions & Answers

VW Roadside is run by a huge insurance company with no accountability. I would not advise you to use VW Roadside, as it has not bothered to investigate my complaint and it is expensive. It is a concern large corporations can behave this way. I have found an affordable alternative, which is based in every capital city and most regional towns. When you have your car serviced with this group, you qualify for roadside assistance and access is probably factored into the reasonable service charge. I do not know whether I am allowed to name names, look for a large locally based service organisation and give it a go. Forget VW Roadside, it has zero integrity.

I apologise for not being able to answer your specific question. I have found VW Roadside Assistance to be profoundly dismissive of complaints. As established, Roadside Assistance is seconded to a large insurance company and despite providing VW with the details of the complaint I made 12 months ago at the end of this month, I have heard NOTHING. VW finally contacted me a couple of months ago requesting information I know it has on my file. I guess VW RA figures complaints will go away, if it ignores them for a long enough! It is not appropriate corporate behaviour and of course, it is highly probable the executive decision makers have no idea there is a problem on the ground, 'the head does not communicate with its feet', so to speak. It is impossible to contact the decision makers, again it is 'the nature of the beast' within governments, bureaucracies and large corporations. I wish you luck solving your concerns. I do not expect my complaint will be investigated unless this platform can generate traction.

I purchased my VW vehicle in March 2015 and was given three or five years free Roadside Service Assistance, I have forgotten which. It is not generous because it would be unusual to break down in a new car. However after the offer expired, I was expected to pay a yearly fee and it is not $25, it is closer to $125, maybe more. I do not know the exact amount. VW Roadside is managed by an insurance company, and as you have read, I was not happy its attitude and service, the one time I needed urgent assistance to boot my car battery but I thought it might have been something to do with my car key, as the doors and windows would not open, close or lock. The insurer knew it was the battery. I advise you to phone your VW dealer and ask for the yearly Roadside Assistance fee and its advice on how to renew it, if you think it is value for money. If you do not renew, you must pay what the insurance company calls 'a $100 late fee'. on top of the yearly rate, if you need help during an emergency and failed to renew your yearly subscription. The service centre where I have my car serviced every year is not run by VW (but it is covered by VW warranty). It offers free urban roadside assistance as part of its service fee but I am not sure whether it is covered across all Australian cities. Roadside Assistance is not cheap when added to registration, insurance, service and vehicle running costs. I trust this helps