What is off-road recovery cover?

From a holed sump in the High Country to a stranding in the Simpson, the prospect of getting stuck in Australia’s remote back blocks strikes fear into the hearts of many 4x4 owners, especially those newer to the scene.

The reality is, no matter how well prepared you are and how well-equipped your vehicle, accidents and catastrophic breakdowns can happen to anyone. Indeed, the very nature of Australia’s overland adventures – often involving significant distances and extreme conditions – means there’s plenty of scope for problems, from mechanical failures to collisions with animals.

Thorough planning and preparation, of course, is key. Your rig needs to be up to scratch, properly serviced and adequately equipped for the job at hand. You’ll also have decent communications, from UHF and/or HF radios to sat phones, and you’ll be carrying sufficient fuel, food and water to cover the trip itself and then some, just in case plans do head south.

A pragmatic inventory of spares, tools and equipment is also essential, but it’s important not to overload the vehicle. Too much weight places undue stress on the frame and suspension components, not to mention altering the vehicle’s dynamics – usually for the worse.

It’s a case of ‘hope for the best, plan for the worst’, while recognising that you simply can’t cover every eventuality.

And if that worst case scenario does come to pass?

Irrespective of the underlying reason, if your trip has come to a grinding halt and there’s no option but to call the cavalry, get set for some eye-watering recovery costs.

There are no rules here but the further from help and the trickier the terrain, the more it’s going to hurt your hip pocket – we’re talking potentially thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars to have your vehicle recovered when in very remote territory.

Mainstream insurance policies and the typical state-based roadside assistance organisations simply aren’t geared to handle these extreme circumstances in remote areas or off the beaten track with no sealed roads in sight. And on checking the fine print, many 4x4 owners find they’re on their own, exactly when they most need help.

Fortunately, effective cover is available through Club 4X4 insurance. Specialist 4x4 insurance designed to meet the needs of enthusiasts and the broader 4x4 market, every Club 4X4 policy includes Off-Road Recovery Cover as standard, which is a separate benefit for non-claimable events.

For regular claimable events, like accidents, theft, fire, weather or malicious damage to name a few, Club 4X4 will handle the recovery of the vehicle as part of the claims process, on- or off-road.

So what exactly then is Club 4X4’s Off-Road Recovery Cover? Simply put, every Club 4X4 policy automatically includes an off-road recovery cost reimbursement of up to $1500, with the option to purchase additional cover that extends to either $15,000 or even $30,000.

Club 4X4’s coverage works like this… Your rig is kaput, you’re miles from anywhere and you’re well and truly stuck, whether that be from a mechanical failure or simply getting bogged without the gear you need to get out on your own. You arrange for the professional recovery of your vehicle yourself, either to continue driving if it’s safe to do so or to the nearest town for repairs.

There’s no need to contact Club 4X4 for approval first, just ensure you use a licensed recovery agent. You get yourself out; Club 4X4 will help on the other side.

Later, contact Club 4X4 and submit the invoice from the licensed recovery agent. Club 4X4 will reimburse you for up to the limit specified on your policy, less the excess. There’s a $200 excess on the standard policy and $200 plus five per cent of the total value of the recovery for the two upper tiers of Off-Road Recovery Cover.

The costs associated with the additional cover are often cheaper than you might expect – and certainly a heck of a lot cheaper than footing the total bill! Think of it like the off-road equivalent of roadside assistance, which Club 4X4 also offers for sealed roads through Roadside Plus. Roadside Plus is tailored to 4x4 owners too by covering vehicles with a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of up to 4.5 tonnes, and trailers up to 4.0 tonnes.

Club 4X4’s Off-Road Recovery Cover lets you respond to the situation as if it is a genuine emergency. No having to contact the insurance company first; just get the help you immediately need and let Club 4X4 sort it out later.

And then there’s Essential Repairs Cover too. Another standard inclusion with every Club 4X4 policy, this covers you for up to $1000 worth of essential repairs to return your vehicle to a safe and roadworthy condition so you can get your big trip back on track following a covered claim for damage to the vehicle, rather than having to wait for the full repair.

Off-Road Recovery Cover and Essential Repairs Cover are both part of the Club 4X4 tailored off-road vehicle offering, along with agreed or market vehicle values, agreed modification and accessory values, Australia-wide personal effects cover for gear and more.

We live in an incredible country and a 4x4 puts the best of it within reach. But before you set off on your next trip, make checking your insurance a part of your pre-trip prep.

And if you’re ready for 4x4 insurance that truly meets your needs and gives complete peace of mind anywhere you can legally drive your vehicle, take a look at Club 4X4 – you’ll be glad you did.

Visit the Club 4X4 website at club4X4.com.au or call 1300 296 296 to speak to one Club 4X4’s insurance experts today.