Breakdown cover won’t stop your car from breaking down but it will help you get off the roadway — for a policy, you can rely on and here’s what you should think about.
What exactly does breakdown cover?
If your car has a breakdown while you’re out and about It’s a good idea to have breakdown insurance to help you with repairs. If you’re lucky enough, you may not ever need to call for help but breakdowns do happen when you least expect it (and usually in the most inconvenient of places).
You can purchase the breakdown cover as part of your car insurance policy or you can purchase it as a separate policy. The policies are also known as breakdown and recovery insurance.
Breakdown cover is also available as a bonus with certain bank accounts , so make sure whether you’ve purchased insurance prior to adding on cover.
The type of help you get when you break down will depend on the level of cover you purchase, for example:
Roadside assistance – your insurer will coordinate for assistance to visit you. The mechanics will be dispatched to your place and attempt to fix your car by the roadside. If it’s not fixable the mechanic will usually make arrangements for your vehicle to be hauled to the nearest garage. Be aware that there are exclusions apply and many policies stipulate that you have to be at a certain distance from home in order to receive roadside assistance.
Assistance at home — in the event that your car doesn’t start at home (or in close proximity to your home) then you’ll be able to contact a professional for assistance and have it fixed right there and then. Certain policies provide home breakdown cover is called ‘home start’.
National recovery — if your vehicle isn’t repaired at the roadside, you can arrange to be towable anywhere in the UK for your convenience.
When you travel to the next destination, if your vehicle isn’t fixed, these policies will help you to continue your journey. This might include the hiring of a taxi or a hire vehicle and accommodation.
European cheap breakdown cover — provides roadside assistance if you crash down in Europe (double make sure that the country you’re traveling to has coverage).
What if I could add additional coverage to my breakdown cover?
Yes, like many other kinds of insurance, you’ll have the option of adding on other features to cover the full range of situations. Optional extras can include:
Replacements for lost keys
Tyre replacement
Battery replacement
Misfuelling
How much is breakdown cover?
The cost will largely depend on the extent of cover you pick and how much you’ve added additional features. Remember that insurers set the terms of their contracts. Therefore, the features offered will differ.
The cheapest breakdown cover may seem like an attractive option when you purchase it, however it may not be of good value when you actually need it. For instance, if do not have any roadside support and need to transport your car to the garage because it isn’t able to be repaired, you’ll need to arrange this yourself. If you’ve also broken down in the middle of your trip, you’ll be required to take into account transportation costs to the next destination and, potentially accommodations too.
On the other hand, a policy that includes nationwide recovery and travel could appear costly, but could provide greater value for money and be much more practical.
Can I pay for car breakdown cover every month?
You can purchase breakdown cover each month, but paying it annually is the more economical alternative. Paying in installments might assist in spreading the cost but you could be paying more when interest fees are added.
Are there other people I can add to my breakdown and recovery insurance?
Breakdown cover is typically adaptable and, in the majority of cases, you’ll be able to add multiple named drivers and their cars to your policy. These policies for multiple cars are perfect for families where each member owns their own vehicle.
Additionally, you can get insurance policies that cover the vehicle, but also several drivers, which is ideal for those who share a vehicle with your family members.
What should I do if my car breaks down?
The possibility of crashing on the road can put you in a panic , but you need to keep calm — here’s the steps you’ll need to do:
You should park in a safe area when you travel on motorways or carriageways, park as much to the left of the hard shoulder as possible.
You must be visible — you should wear a brightly-lit vest or jacket and put your car’s hazard lights on.
Get out of your car (if it’s appropriate to do so) If you’re on a road that is busy take a walk out of the passenger’s side so that you won’t be involved in traffic. According to the Highway Code recommends heading to the verge at the side or road. Pets shouldn’t be kept in the car , unless they are able to be properly controlled.
Help is available if you have breakdown and recovery insurance, contact the company you have. They’ll help you make the appropriate arrangements and provide advice on your immediate situation.
What happens if I fall down and do not have breakdown cover?
If you don’t carry breakdown or recovery insurance, you’ve got several choices:
Use the emergency telephones -They’re located just one mile apart on the road’s shoulder as well as connected to Highways Agency or the police. Make sure you tell them where you are, as well as the circumstances and they’ll provide assistance. Make sure you face the road when you make this call. Go back to your car after you’ve completed the call and stay in the middle.
Find a garage near youIf you are aware of where you are, you can call an area garage to get help.
Buy breakdown cover at that point and thenyou can purchase emergency breakdown cover at near the intersection from providers like the AA as well as the RAC as well as Green Flag.
You should bear in mind that these options could cost considerably more than the price of the breakdown insurance. If you opt to buy emergency cover by near the intersection it will cost you a higher price compared to when you purchased the policy beforehand.
What’s not covered by my insurance for car breakdowns?
Your policy is likely to have several conditions and exclusions. They will differ by insurance company but policies may not cover:
Broken down on private land
Onward travel for pets
Breakdowns caused by an accident
Broken downs caused by inadequate maintenance (for example, if you didn’t topped up the oil)
Is the breakdown cover worth it?
It’s all entirely up to you. If you’re not concerned about breaking down or your vehicle is new and you’re certain it’s not likely to have a breakdown, then you probably don’t require or want insurance.
However, the very nature of breakdowns means it’s impossible to predict what will happen next and there’s a lot to be said for peace of mind when you’re driving.