What Is Included in a Car Subscription in Australia?

Quick Answer

What is included in a car subscription depends on the provider and the specific subscription plan.

Depending on the arrangement, a subscription may include some combination of:

• Vehicle registration.
• Insurance.
• Scheduled servicing.
• Routine maintenance.
• Roadside assistance.

The customer generally pays an ongoing subscription fee for access to the vehicle.

Fuel, parking, tolls and other personal driving expenses are generally separate unless specifically stated otherwise.

Always check the actual subscription agreement before accepting an offer.

What Does a Car Subscription Cover?

One of the main attractions of a vehicle subscription is the possibility of combining several vehicle-related costs into one regular payment.

Instead of separately managing:

Vehicle + Registration + Insurance + Servicing + Maintenance

a subscription may combine some of these costs.

The exact inclusions depend on the provider and agreement.

1. The Vehicle

The subscription provides access to a specific vehicle or vehicle category according to the applicable arrangement.

The vehicle remains owned by the provider.

The customer receives the right to use the vehicle according to the subscription agreement.

2. Registration

Registration may be included in the subscription.

This can remove the need for the customer to separately manage certain registration payments.

However, customers should confirm:

• Whether registration is included.
• Whether registration renewals are handled by the provider.
• What happens if registration requirements change.
• Whether any registration-related charges are excluded.

3. Insurance

Some vehicle subscriptions include comprehensive insurance.

This can be one of the significant differences between a subscription arrangement and owning a vehicle independently.

However, insurance inclusion does not mean every situation is automatically covered.

Customers should check:

• Who is insured.
• Permitted drivers.
• Excess.
• Accident procedures.
• Exclusions.
• Commercial use.
• Geographic restrictions.
• Other policy conditions.

4. Servicing

Scheduled servicing may be included under the subscription.

This can help customers avoid paying separately for certain routine servicing requirements.

The agreement should explain:

• What servicing is included.
• Where servicing must be completed.
• What happens if servicing is missed.
• Whether consumables are included.
• What customer responsibilities remain.

5. Maintenance

Routine maintenance may also be included.

Depending on the plan, this could cover certain standard vehicle maintenance requirements.

However, customers should not assume every repair is automatically included.

Always check the specific terms.

6. Roadside Assistance

Roadside assistance may be included depending on the subscription plan.

This can provide support for certain roadside incidents.

Possible examples include:

• Breakdown assistance.
• Flat battery assistance.
• Lockout assistance.
• Other eligible roadside events.

The exact services and conditions depend on the roadside assistance arrangement.

What Usually Isn't Included?

A subscription does not necessarily cover every cost associated with driving.

Customers should generally budget separately for:

Fuel

You are responsible for the fuel used while operating the vehicle unless the agreement states otherwise.

Parking

Parking costs are generally the driver's responsibility.

Tolls

Road tolls are generally separate.

Traffic Fines

Drivers remain responsible for applicable fines and penalties.

Personal Expenses

Other personal driving expenses are generally not included.

Subscription Costs vs Running Costs

This distinction is important.

Subscription Costs

May include:

• Vehicle access.
• Registration.
• Insurance.
• Servicing.
• Maintenance.
• Roadside assistance.

Running Costs

May include:

• Fuel.
• Parking.
• Tolls.
• Fines.
• Other personal expenses.

The exact inclusions depend on the agreement.

Example Monthly Budget

Consider a hypothetical subscription arrangement.

Cost	Example
Vehicle subscription	$XXX
Fuel	$XXX
Parking	$XX
Tolls	$XX
Other transport costs	$XX
Estimated monthly transport cost	$XXX

The figures above are illustrative.

Your actual costs depend on the vehicle, driving distance and individual circumstances.

Why Bundled Costs Can Make Budgeting Easier

Vehicle ownership can involve irregular expenses.

For example:

January: Registration

March: Service

June: Insurance

September: Tyres

These expenses can make budgeting unpredictable.

A subscription that bundles certain costs into the regular payment may make those particular expenses easier to anticipate.

However, unexpected costs can still arise.

Are Tyres Included?

Don't assume.

Tyre coverage depends on the provider and subscription agreement.

Check whether the agreement covers:

• Normal tyre replacement.
• Punctures.
• Damage.
• Excessive wear.
• Different tyre types.

Are Repairs Included?

Some maintenance and repairs may be covered, while others may be excluded.

This is why customers should distinguish between:

Routine maintenance

and

Damage or customer-related costs.

The agreement determines the applicable responsibilities.

What About Accident Damage?

Insurance may cover eligible accident-related damage, subject to:

• Policy conditions.
• Excess.
• Driver requirements.
• Exclusions.
• Circumstances of the incident.

Customers should understand the applicable insurance conditions before driving.

What About Mechanical Problems?

A subscription may provide maintenance and servicing support.

If a mechanical issue occurs, customers should follow the provider's required procedure rather than arranging unauthorised repairs independently.

The subscription agreement should explain the appropriate process.

What About Roadside Breakdowns?

If roadside assistance is included, customers may be able to access assistance for eligible breakdown situations.

Always follow the provider's roadside assistance procedure.

Do not assume every roadside event is covered.

Are Multiple Drivers Allowed?

This depends on the subscription agreement.

Before allowing another person to drive, check:

• Whether additional drivers are permitted.
• Whether they need to be approved.
• Licence requirements.
• Insurance conditions.
• Age requirements.
• Any applicable additional charges.

Never assume that anyone with a valid licence is automatically covered.

Can I Use the Vehicle for Work?

Potentially, depending on the subscription agreement and insurance conditions.

This is particularly important for:

• Tradies.
• Contractors.
• Salespeople.
• Self-employed workers.
• Delivery workers.

Confirm commercial-use conditions before using a subscription vehicle for work.

Can I Take the Vehicle Interstate?

This depends on the applicable agreement.

Customers should check any requirements relating to:

• Interstate travel.
• Distance.
• Insurance.
• Vehicle recovery.
• Roadside assistance.

Do not assume interstate travel is unrestricted.

What Happens if I Exceed the Kilometre Allowance?

If the subscription has a kilometre allowance, exceeding it may result in additional charges or other contractual consequences.

Before subscribing, estimate your expected kilometres.

For high-mileage users, this can be particularly important.

Case Study

Understanding the Real Cost

David was comparing a used car purchase with a vehicle subscription.

The used vehicle appeared inexpensive at first.

However, David calculated:

• Registration.
• Insurance.
• Servicing.
• Repairs.
• Tyres.
• Roadside assistance.

He then compared those costs with a subscription arrangement that included several vehicle-related expenses.

David realised that the headline subscription price was not the only number that mattered.

He compared the total expected cost of each option before making his decision.

The Five Questions to Ask

Before signing a subscription agreement, ask:

1. What is included?

Get a clear list.

2. What isn't included?

This can be equally important.

3. What could I be charged extra for?

Ask about:

• Excess kilometres.
• Damage.
• Excess.
• Cancellation.
• Other fees.

4. What are my responsibilities?

Understand:

• Fuel.
• Maintenance procedures.
• Driver requirements.
• Vehicle care.

5. What happens when I return the vehicle?

Understand the return and condition requirements.

Subscription Inclusions Checklist

Before accepting an offer:

□ Vehicle included.

□ Registration confirmed.

□ Insurance confirmed.

□ Insurance excess understood.

□ Servicing confirmed.

□ Maintenance confirmed.

□ Roadside assistance confirmed.

□ Kilometre allowance confirmed.

□ Excess-kilometre charges understood.

□ Driver requirements confirmed.

□ Commercial-use conditions checked.

□ Interstate-use conditions checked.

□ Damage responsibilities understood.

□ Cancellation conditions understood.

□ Vehicle-return requirements understood.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a car subscription include insurance?

Some subscription plans may include insurance. Check the specific agreement.

Does a subscription include registration?

Some plans may include registration.

Does a subscription include servicing?

Some plans include scheduled servicing.

Does a subscription include maintenance?

Maintenance inclusions depend on the agreement.

Is fuel included?

Customers should generally budget separately for fuel unless specifically stated otherwise.

Are tolls included?

Tolls are generally a separate driving expense unless the agreement states otherwise.

Are parking costs included?

Parking is generally the driver's responsibility.

Are tyres included?

This depends on the specific subscription agreement.

Are repairs included?

Some repairs may be covered while others may be excluded. Check the agreement.

Is roadside assistance included?

Some plans may include roadside assistance.

Can I use the car for business?

Only where the subscription agreement and insurance permit the intended use.

Can someone else drive the car?

Only where permitted under the applicable driver and insurance conditions.

Key Takeaways

• Car subscription inclusions vary by provider and plan.
• Registration may be included.
• Insurance may be included.
• Servicing and maintenance may be included.
• Roadside assistance may be included.
• Fuel, parking and tolls should generally be budgeted separately.
• Customers should understand insurance excess and driver conditions.
• Commercial use should be confirmed before using the vehicle for work.
• Kilometre allowances and excess-kilometre charges should be checked carefully.
• Always read the complete subscription agreement.

Related Resources

• Australia's Complete Guide to Bad Credit Vehicle Subscriptions
• Car Subscription vs Car Loan
• Car Subscription vs Car Leasing
• Car Subscription With a Poor Credit History
• Can You Get a Car Subscription After a Payment Default?
• Can You Get a Car Subscription After Bankruptcy?
• Car Subscription After Financial Hardship
• Can You Get a Car Subscription With No Credit History?
• How Does a Car Subscription Work?
• How Much Does a Car Subscription Cost?
• Car Subscriptions for Students
• Car Subscriptions for Apprentices and Tradies
• Car Subscriptions for Self-Employed Australians
• Car Subscriptions for Working Visa Holders
• Temporary Resident Vehicle Subscription Guide
• Vehicle Subscription Budget Planner
• Application Checklist
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Start Your Freedom Cars Application

Freedom Cars provides vehicle subscription solutions and practical information to help eligible Australians understand vehicle-access options, subscription inclusions and the costs they should consider before applying.