Sat Phones

Not NRMA's problem.
I suppose in that situation you just "phone a friend" and relay the details.

Perhaps it is NRMA's way of limiting costly calls to remote areas which they don't really want their insurance coverage extending to.
Example of reply to valued customers.
" YES, we provide the service but too bad if it doesn't work, our records show, 99.9 % of calls are successful for roadside assist".
It is a rewarding feeling being the 0.1% isn't it?

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There can be problems dialling 13xxx and 18xxx phone numbers from satellite phones and even sometimes from some mobile phones. There can also be problems navigating the answering options via the dial tones. Many will disconnect you if your response does not suit the system.

It suits the called business to use 13xxx numbers to route your call to the appropriate branch office but it may not suit you. In an emergency you need to establish communication promptly. Even 000 or 112 can be problematic when the 000 operator demands to be told the "nearest cross street" when you are on some ill-defined track. Having the phone number of the area's police station can be much quicker.

For those contacts that are important to you it may be advisable to request such contacts to provide you with their direct-call number. You may experience some confusion or resistance but simply be persistent.

A few years ago, the motoring organisations, who all use the common number 131111 for call-outs, assured me that they could and did get calls from satellite phones. The only proviso at the time was that you may need to add international code if calling from an international satellite network.

Many businesses using 13 -- or 1800 -- numbers chose not to have "international" available due to costly bills their end, so are not available from satellite phones, but motoring organisations should work.

Perhaps something has been updated with the "press #1 for - - - " thing. I will investigate when I get time.

this is the premium nrma assist direct number 0287416205

Perhaps it depends on the handset and service provider. I have an Iridium Extreme and it works as touch tone and it has a normal mobile number (Pivotel) and isn't recognised as a sat phone necessarily...

Cheers, Baz - The Landy