Compare breakdown cover

How breakdown cover works

Breakdown cover works in a similar way to other types of insurance as you pay a set sum per month or year to receive your chosen amount of cover.

If you have breakdown cover, you simply need to contact your provider if you break down and they will send a mechanic to you. If possible, the mechanic will repair your vehicle at the scene, but if the problem is more serious, they can tow you to a garage.

When you take out a policy, you can choose the type and level of cover you want to help you get the best breakdown insurance for your situation.

Bear in mind that breakdown policies come with several terms and conditions so, for example, they may set a maximum age limit for the cars they can cover and set a maximum number of callouts you can make on your policy per year.

How much is breakdown cover?

The cost of breakdown cover can vary considerably, depending on the provider you choose and whether there are any discount sales, among other factors.

Below are some of the elements that can affect the cost of breakdown insurance:

• The level of cover. The most basic policy that simply offers roadside assistance will usually be cheaper than a comprehensive policy that can cover onward travel.
• Vehicle or personal cover. Vehicle breakdown cover is often cheaper than personal breakdown cover.
• Optional extras. You may be able to add extra cover, such as key replacement, tyre replacement or misfuel cover, to your policy, which will increase the cost.
• How many vehicles or people you want to cover. The more extensive your cover, the more expensive it’s likely to be, although providers may offer multicar or family discounts, for example.
• The age and model of your vehicle. Some providers may charge more for older cars as they may be more likely to have problems and break down.
• Paying for your cover monthly or annually. Paying for your policy in monthly instalments can be more expensive than making one annual payment.

Types of breakdown cover

There are several types of breakdown cover available.

Vehicle breakdown cover providers cover for a specific vehicle. This means the cover is tied to a particular vehicle and you (or a family member) can only claim on your policy if this vehicle breaks down.

Personal breakdown cover provides cover for a particular individual. It means you can claim on your policy, regardless of the vehicle you are in.

Personal breakdown cover may be better if you regularly use multiple cars, but vehicle breakdown may be a cheaper option if you primarily drive one car.

There are also multiple levels of breakdown insurance you can compare and choose from. Although providers may call them slightly different names, the main levels of breakdown cover are:

Roadside assistance

This is the most basic form of breakdown cover. It typically covers the cost of sending a mechanic to your broken-down vehicle to try to repair it. Failing that, the mechanic will tow you to a nearby garage of their choice so you can receive further repairs.

Home start

Because many breakdown policies only cover your vehicle if it’s a certain distance away from home, home start policies provide cover if your vehicle doesn’t start or if it breaks down close to home.

National recovery

While basic breakdown policies only allow your vehicle to be towed to a local garage, national recovery policies allow you to choose where you and your vehicle are taken. This could be handy if you break down a long way from home or your destination, as it means you can be towed there instead of being restricted to the area you broke down in.

Onward travel

This type of policy can help to minimise the disruption a breakdown can cause. As well as getting your car towed to a garage, onward travel policies can cover the cost of accommodation or alternative transport while your own vehicle is being repaired.

European breakdown cover

If you’re planning to drive on the continent, European breakdown cover means you can call for assistance if your vehicle breaks down while abroad.

What does breakdown cover include?

As a minimum, breakdown cover typically includes the costs of sending a mechanic to your vehicle, any emergency repairs they may make at the roadside and, if necessary, being towed to a garage.

Some of the problems and faults that breakdown cover can help with include:

• flat tyres and punctures
• flat batteries
• mechanical and electrical failures
• engine issues

Bear in mind that, unless you choose a specific start date, your cover may not start straightaway and may only start 24 hours after taking out the policy.

What isn’t covered?

It’s important to check the terms of a breakdown insurance policy as they typically come with several conditions and exclusions. For example, most breakdown policies are unlikely to cover:

• the cost of any replacement parts
• the cost of further repairs to fix your car at the garage
• routine or non-emergency repairs
• multiple callouts for the same problem
• breakdowns at home or close to home (unless you add this to your policy)
• road traffic accidents
• any time you fill up with the wrong fuel (unless added to your policy)

If the breakdown provider sets a maximum limit for the number of callouts you can make on a policy, you won’t be covered for any further claims above this limit.

Standard breakdown cover doesn’t typically cover vehicles used for commercial purposes. There are business breakdown policies you can take out instead.