Recent research has shown that on average Aussies only require roadside assistance once every three years — and a tow once every 10 years — yet we are spending around $90 per year or more on membership fees.
GotU has entered the roadside assistance market to shake things up. The first-of-its-kind, fully app-based, pay-as-you-go solution for roadside assistance has launched and requires no membership, meaning no annual fees.
Image: Getty
Knowing that 45 per cent of Australian smartphone owners say they can’t live without their device, the app-based solution allows us to track in real-time where help is, so we can see exactly how far away it is and when it’s on its way. The tool pinpoints the user’s location, finds the nearest service provider and sends someone to help.
Transparency is key; so all costs are highlighted on the app before you purchase, including the top five reasons why people call for roadside assistance:
• Jump start: $89
• Tow: $99 (Up to 10km)
• Tyre change: $89
• Re-fuelling: $99 (includes $10 of fuel)
• Unlocking of vehicle: $99
For friends and family, the “Family View” function allows people to link accounts, so the main account holder gets an instant alert about a situation if another friend or family member needs help. They can see help coming and arriving and they get an alert when the job is done.
GotU will be trialled in the metropolitan areas of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane with the view to roll the service out nationally in 2017.
You can grab the app from the Apple Store and Google Play.