No one ever hopes to find themselves changing a tyre in a downpour, dealing with a dead battery at midnight or figuring out what to do after hitting a kangaroo, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be prepared for unexpected situations.
For many, that preparation starts with investing in car insurance and roadside assistance – but it doesn’t have to stop there. Kitting out your vehicle with some practical car essentials is another smart strategy that may help you to ride out some of those unwelcome roadside hiccups.
What are some good things to keep in your car?
An inconvenient breakdown or accident can catch anyone unawares.
To help equip you with more confidence on the road – or a helping hand when you need it most – we’ve put together this car emergency kit checklist, from essentials to keep you and your wheels mobile to items for your car tool kit.
1. Your car manual
You’d be surprised how frequently your car manual can come in handy, particularly when unfamiliar lights start flickering on the dashboard. If you can’t find yours in the trusty glove compartment, you could always search for it on Manuals Online.1
2. Jumper cables
As our own roadside data shows, flat batteries are far and away the most common headache for Australian drivers; and are behind nearly half of all call outs to Youi’s Roadside Assist nationally. With jumper cables in your boot, there’s a chance you may be able to jump-start your dead battery, or help another motorist jump-start theirs, without having to call for help. After jump-starting your car, it’s recommended that you drive for at least 30 minutes to help recharge the battery – but head for your home or a mechanic, in case you experience further trouble.2
3. A spare tyre, socket wrench and jack
A flat tyre is one of those car hassles you may be able to fix yourself – though to do that, you’ll need to have a spare tyre, socket wrench and jack tucked away in your boot. If you aren’t sure how to change the tyre or just need a refresher, your owner’s manual should have you covered. For expert tips on how to best maintain your tyres to help extend their life and improve vehicle handling and safety, you can check out this Queensland Government TyreSmart brochure.3
You might also consider keeping an auto emergency tool kit in your car, especially if you often drive in remote locations. This could include spanners, screwdrivers, a spare fan belt, hoses and fuses.4
4. A hazard triangle
A reflective hazard triangle can be particularly useful in a breakdown to alert other drivers that they’re approaching a stationary vehicle. Hazard triangles are widely available at automotive shops in Australia. You may also want to turn on your hazard lights so other motorists can see you’ve broken down.5
5. A high-visibility vest
A hi-vis vest can be another useful addition to your car emergency kit.5 Wearing high-visibility clothing makes it easier for other drivers to see you at a distance, in busy settings or when visibility is poor.6
6. A torch
While most smartphones today come with a flashlight, keeping a heavy-duty torch and some spare batteries in your emergency car kit could be a bright idea. A torch will provide a valuable source of light if you’re in trouble at night without draining your phone battery.5
7. Water
Whether you are stuck in traffic or waiting for roadside assistance, or just have a long journey ahead of you, a bottle of water is essential for staying hydrated and alert on the road. Drivers have been shown to make more than double the mistakes if they’re dehydrated, with those who drive for long durations or in warm weather at greater risk of dehydration-related driving errors, such as lane drifting or late braking.7
8. A first-aid kit
In the unfortunate event that you’re involved in or witness to an accident, you might want to have a first-aid kit on hand to tend to any injuries. A good first-aid kit can help to lower the impact of an injury before getting proper medical care.8 Health Direct has a handy guide to basic first-aid kit inclusions.8
9. A portable charger
Unsurprisingly, your mobile phone is another item that can be helpful in emergency situations – for instance, if you end up stranded somewhere and need to call emergency services, family or friends for help, or for roadside assistance. You can help make sure your phone is always ready to go by keeping a fully charged power bank on you.
10. Printed maps
Although it’s easy to rely on your mobile phone or car GPS for directions, sometimes technology can fail or you may end up in an area with limited to no reception. One of your best auto emergency kit accessories might end up being a stash of some good old-fashioned maps, along with a torch, if you need to pull over to orient yourself. A pen and paper can also be handy to jot down directions.
11. Your insurance information
No matter how carefully you drive, the unexpected can still happen and you can’t control the actions of other drivers on the road. To ensure you’re prepared in the event of a collision, keep the details of your car insurance policy in your glove box. It could also be helpful to know what details you’ll need from the other parties involved.
“The key pieces of information to get are the other driver’s full name plus two of either their phone number, address, driver’s licence number or registration number for their vehicle involved in the incident,” says Marni Jackson, Youi’s Head of Product – Vehicle and Lifestyle.
“If we have all the information, we have a much better chance of seeking a recovery from the responsible party.”
12. Your driver’s licence – digital and hard copy
Queensland, South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria all now offer drivers the option of getting a digital licence.9 But this begs the question – do you still need to carry a physical licence when travelling interstate? According to multiple state government sources, it’s probably a good idea.
This is because digital licences still aren’t accepted everywhere. So, if you’re travelling, it makes sense to bring a physical licence with you, just in case.10
Handy checklists for auto emergencies
Whether it’s a prang or engine trouble, it can be hard to think clearly and know what to do in the heat of an emergency. To help you through these tough moments, we’ve created these two downloadable resources:
You might want to print a copy of each to keep in your car emergency kit, so they’re on hand if you ever need them.
Extra auto emergency kit essentials for young drivers
Learner drivers must always clearly display L plates, while provisional drivers must have P plates displayed. It’s a good idea to keep some plates in your car if you know younger drivers may be getting behind the wheel. And if you have a learner driver under your roof, now might also be a great time to check if they’re covered under your existing policy.
What should EV drivers have in their emergency car kit?
You can forget the jerry can, but there are some car accessories that EV drivers might be glad to have in an emergency – specifically, charging cables.
Some public charging stations require you to bring your own charging cable. Your EV will probably have come with a portable charger, but you may want to pick up a spare to keep in the car.11
Roadside assistance
Of course, one of the most helpful things to have in a breakdown doesn’t fit in a car emergency kit. If you have a breakdown, roadside assistance is there to help you get your vehicle back on the road.12
Exactly what roadside assistance includes varies by policy, but it might cover you for:12
- Battery issues
- Inflating or changing a flat tyre
- Emergency fuel
- Towing costs
- Getting into your car if you lose your keys or get locked out.12
Roadside assistance can be purchased through a provider or through some car insurance companies, usually at an extra charge.12 At Youi, however, our roadside assistance is included as standard with our Comprehensive car insurance and includes all of the above, plus some handy extras, such as help for bogged vehicles, up to $50 for taxi fares, and assistance if you break down while towing a caravan or trailer.13
Now you know what to have in a car emergency kit to help you tackle those unexpected bumps in the road, you might want to check that your car insurance is up to date and suitable for your needs. Consider starting a quote with Youi today.
1 Source: Manuals Online – Manuals
2 Source: Drive – When should you be using jumper leads?, July 2024
3 Source: Qld Department of Transport and Main Roads – TyreSmart Brochure
4 Source: Qld Government – Road safety and vehicle maintenance for long trips, February 2014
5 Source: Qld Government – Breakdown safety on motorways and freeways, January 2024
6 Source: National Road Safety Partnership Program – NRSPP Fact Sheet: High Visibility Clothing, June 2023
7 Source: National Road Safety Partnership Program – NRSPP Quick Fact: Hydration And Driving, 2022
8 Source: Health Direct – First aid kits, December 2024
9 Source: Australian Passport Office – New! Digital driver licence, September 2025
10 Source: Qld Government – About the Digital Licence app, December 2025
11 Source: Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water – How to charge your electric vehicle
12 Source: Canstar – Car insurance with roadside assistance, February 2026
13 Available with Comprehensive policies. Exclusions, limits and additional fees may apply. Cover not available within first 24 hours of taking out, or upgrading to, Comprehensive cover. For full details, see the T&Cs and Car PDS.
