There’s no one who wants to find themselves at the side of the road with a broken down vehicle – here’s how breakdown cover is designed and how it can assist you when your car is acting up.
What does breakdown cover?
Cover for breakdown cover is a kind of policy that can help you to get your vehicle back on track if it has a breakdown. In the event that your vehicle’s battery fails or your tyres puncture the breakdown cover can offer assistance to ensure that you and your vehicle will not end up stranded along the roadside.
It’s worth noting that even though breakdown cover can be bought as a policy all on as a stand-alone policy, some insurance companies include breakdown cover as an additional option with car insurance – some even provide it as a standard feature. Always shop around and compare your options to be sure you’re getting the most competitive price you can get.
What types and types of breakdown cover are there?
You can take out different kinds cover for breakdown cover:
Cover for personal breakdown cover or vehicle
Personal: With personal breakdown you’ll be covered in any vehicle as long as it meets the conditions stated in the policy. You’ll have the option of claiming regardless of whether you drove or a passenger, and depending on the company and the type of policy, the cover may also extend to other persons living at the same address, however there could be a limit to the number of
Breakdown of a vehicle cover
Car breakdown cover permits you to claim an individual vehicle, whether it a van, car, or motorcycle, and it is possible to include multiple vehicles that are covered in this policy up to a certain amount
Traditional breakdown cover
Traditional breakdown cover is where you pay a specific amount, usually annually, and in return , you receive 24-hour cover for everything covered in your policy. It could cover callouts, sometimes up to a certain amount each year – along with roadside or garage repairs, and towing services.
Insurance breakdown cover
If you have a breakdown, you’d pay upfront for callouts as well as repairs, repair and recovery prior to claiming the cost back from the breakdown cover provider
What’s included in breakdown cover?
Breakdown coverage can vary depending on the extent you opt out and the company you choose to use However, the policies may include:
The roadside service or the local cover The most basic form of breakdown cover This is when your provider sends out the mechanic and recovery vehicle to repair your vehicle roadside. If they can’t repair it, they’ll generally tow it to a nearby garage
Vehicle recovery or national cover If you have recovery of vehicles as part of your breakdown cover you’ll have the option to select any location you’d like for vehicles and passengers to be tow in the event that your vehicle isn’t fixed
At-home breakdown: A breakdown that is at home cover will allow you to get a call out should your vehicle break down in your home, or within a few miles of your home. For example, if you haven’t driven in a while, the next time you try to get it started, you may be surprised to discover it has an insufficient battery. An at-home breakdown cover will help you get back on track
Onward travel: With an onward travel cover included in your breakdown plan, you’ll have additional options for getting to your destination. Depending on the provider and level of cover you take out, this may include accommodations for overnight stays, courtesy cars and alternative public transportation arrangements
Head on over to breakdowncover.co.uk to compare breakdown cover
Additional options are available.
Beyond the basics of cover You can also get additional policies for example:
Key replacement: standard breakdown cover could not be enough if your keys are damaged, lost or damaged, or stolen
Replacement of batteries: you might require an additional level of cover so your provider will replace your car’s battery in the event that it’s running out
Replacement of the Tyre: If your tyre punctures and is flat, you can opt to get a policy in place to ensure your provider will replace it .
The wrong fuel: you might require an additional insurance in case you’ve chosen the wrong fuel for your car and it has a breakdown as a result.
Multi-car and family: If your household is comprised of multiple vehicles or drivers, it might be less expensive and more convenient to have them all covered by the same policy, rather than arranging individual breakdown cover for each. In general, all vehicles and/or individuals should be registered to the same address, however certain policies may cover children who are away at university.
Special vehicles: if you’ve got a caravan or trailer that is attached the vehicle you own, you might need a special policy in order for these to be covered under your breakdown cover. Also, if you own motorcycles or a motorbike, they aren’t covered by the standard breakdown insurance policy.
European breakdown cover: if you break down in mainland Europe and you need to repair it, standard breakdown cover is likely not enough to assist you, so it might be an idea to buy European cover even if it’s just for a single-trip holiday
Common exclusions with breakdown cover
It’s worth noting that there are some instances in which your breakdown cover provider isn’t helpful, as your policy might not cover:
The possibility of breaking down on private property If you crash on private land your insurance may have no coverage. cover this. Also, your insurance provider could be charged extra for their help
Breaking down when you have pets or animals: travelling with pets may not pose an issue, but you may have to let your insurance provider know in advance in order for them to take the animal(s). But livestock will likely be a different problem It’s also possible to get separate cover for livestock or horse trailers, so it’s worth looking into that if you think you’ll require it.
The car breaks down because of a road accident: If you’re involved in an accident that causes your car breaking down, your service provider may not be able help you. Even if they are able to tow your car, they could need to wait for emergency services to grant the OK first.
Failure to repair due to lack of basic maintenance: as an owner of the vehicle, it’s your responsibility for you to make sure your vehicle remains in good order. If your vehicle breaks down as a a result of improper maintenance, such as unchanged engine oil or topping it up with the wrong fuel, it might not be automatically covered
If you’re stranded abroad and break down, even if you’ve got the most comprehensive breakdown cover possible, if it only applies to the UK then you’ll need an additional insurance policy when you travel abroad.
What is the breakdown cover cost?
The type and level of cover you choose to purchase Local cover is often the cheapest and the most basic option available, and will almost certainly cost less than a policy that covers traveling onwards or at-home cover. Whichever type of cover you select, the personal or car cover could also impact the cost of premium
Additional charges you include to your breakdown policy including additional cover such as wrong fuel or key replacement may also cause your breakdown cover more costly
The number of vehicles covered by the policy – having multiple vehicles covered will likely add cost to your policy, but it is less expensive than taking out separate policies for each vehicle
The kind of vehicle you drive cars, vans, and motorcycles will require different types of repairs as well as needing different durations for the repair. The type of vehicle you choose might influence your premium quote.
The make, model and age. Different makes and models can also have varying repair costs particularly since modern cars typically have more complex and sophisticated features. Older vehicles can be more expensive to repair, due to the availability of components.
Breaking down without breakdown cover
If you have a breakdown and aren’t already having breakdown cover in place, you shouldn’t panic because you have options. Some providers offer instant breakdown cover but not all do – while certain providers may charge an additional cost for calls within the first 24 to 48 hours, and some might not be able to help at all.
Some providers will also provide an emergency breakdown service, even if you don’t have cover, though keep in mind that it will probably cost you some money.