Most drivers are likely to experience a breakdown at some point. having a breakdown coverage could make this experience less stress-inducing. Your breakdown provider can assign a technician to fix your vehicle or tow it for repairs, so that you won’t be left stranded by the side of the road should your vehicle stop working.
Drivers aren’t legally obligated to have breakdown insurance, however it’s useful to have in case something happens. So what exactly is breakdown coverage and what protection does the policy offer you?
What is breakdown cover?
Breakdown cover is a form of insurance which can help you out if your vehicle breaks down at home or out on the roads. The breakdown insurance policy means that, if your car stops working and requires repair then you can contact your breakdown provider to help solve the issue.
Although breakdown coverage isn’t legally necessary, having this type of protection will reassure drivers, particularly before a long journey. You can drive with confidence in the knowledge that, should their vehicle fail the car won’t become stranded and they won’t need to pay a premium for an emergency call out from a local garage.
The support you’ll get from breakdown cover will depend on the service you select and the amount of coverage you choose.
How does breakdown cover work?
You can either buy breakdown insurance as a separate insurance policy or combine it with other services like your car insurance or even your account at the bank. In most cases, you will pay for your breakdown insurance each month or annually, but there are certain “pay and collect” policies that require you to cover the cost of recovery in advance and claim them later.
If you’re covered and you break down, as soon as you’ve stopped at an area that is safe, you can phone your breakdown service provider to seek assistance. They will send out an engineer who will attempt to repair your car or, if they’re unable to fix it at the scene and they need to take you to an nearby garage at minimum. The next steps will be based on what’s wrong with your car , as well as the breakdown protection you’ve got.
For most breakdown insurances there is no need to pay an extra amount when you get assistance.
What are the different types of breakdown cover?
There is a variety of different breakdown coverage packages available depending on your driving habits and the amount of protection you need.
In the beginning, you’ll be able to choose from a single breakdown plan for you and your vehicle, or a policy for multiple vehicles or people.
There are two major types of breakdown coverage:
Personal breakdown insurance that covers the person in question in any vehicle they are driving or a passenger in.
Vehicle breakdown cover which will only cover the specific vehicle or vehicles according to a policy.
No matter which breakdown membership you choose you’ll have the option to choose from different levels of coverage, ranging from basic roadside assistance up to extensive, onward travel coverage.
Roadside Assistance Breakdown Cover
It is the most common and basic breakdown cover plan available. It promises that the service provider will visit the vehicle that has broken down and either fix it there and then, or make arrangements for it to be towed by a garage nearby, for more complicated repairs in the event of a need.
National Recovery Breakdown Cover
In most cases, providers provide you with a recovery service, as well as up to seven passengers travelling together, to be tow anywhere in the country, either to your chosen destination or to a garage in close proximity to your destination.
Home Start Breakdown Cover
Home Start breakdown cover will not just provide the basic roadside assistance and if your vehicle should malfunction at home or within half a mile from it, then you’ll be covered by your breakdown membership plan.
Onward Travel Breakdown Cover
In the event of an Onward Travel breakdown cover, the company will provide you with a rental vehicle or cover other transportation costs, and/or any costs associated with an overnight accommodation, so you can drive on while your own vehicle is being repaired.
Additionally some breakdown providers also offer some optional add-ons to their coverage, such as:
key replacement
misfuel cover
Replacement of tyres
battery replacement
Parts and labor
Does your insurance policy provide coverage for breakdown repairs?
The fact is that your car insurance will not cover breakdowns as standard, even if you are covered by a comprehensive policy. But, many insurers work with breakdown service providers to allow drivers the option of buying breakdown insurance at the with purchasing their car insurance policy.
Car insurance is a way to cover expenses in the event of an accident, however not if your vehicle breaks down.
The claims you make on your breakdown cover will not be counted as a claim for your car insurance or affect your no claims bonus as these are two distinct policies even if you purchase them both.
What exactly is breakdown cover?
While the details may differ between providers as well as the level of cover in general breakdown coverage will provide you with 24/7 roadside assistance across the UK (and Europe, if you have European cover).
Breakdown cover will typically cover the cost of a mechanic coming to help you on the side of the road so you can continue on your way or, in the event of a need it will tow one to the garage or repair shop for additional repairs.
Breakdown cover will help with many different faults, such as punctures, battery failure, and other mechanical problems that keep your vehicle from running.
Your breakdown coverage may include coverage for caravans or trailers that are towed by your vehicle, but you should check the specifics of your policy to find out exactly what kind of coverage you’re entitled to.
Does breakdown cover cover repairs and repairs?
The cost of any parts including a new tyre, or the cost of fixing your car at a garage are not normally covered by breakdown coverage unless you’ve taken out a specific policy to include these components.
In most cases the insurance will be used to cover repairs done by the mechanic who was responsible for breakdown who is at the location.
If you do add extra insurance to cover the cost of parts and garage repairs, there will usually be an amount limit that the breakdown company will accept so you would have to cover any excess that exceeds this amount.
What do breakdown covers exclude?
The specifics of exclusions can differ between breakdown companies and policies, however your breakdown cover may not be able to help when you:
For breakdown assistance, contact us within 24 hours after taking out cover.
Request multiple repeat call-outs for the same issue.
Make sure you have the maximum amount of call-outs allowed by your provider.
Break down in your the home or close to it (unless your insurance covers Home Start cover). If you are breaking down on private property, rather than an open road.
Are involved in a crash on the road.
Call for help with routine maintenance, or for non-urgent repairs. For example, breakdown cover will not typically cover windscreen repairs.
You haven’t taken care of your vehicle properly. It could include filling up with the incorrect fuel, or not topping up your engine oil, or continuing to drive in the face of a problem, which eventually caused a break down.
Pets or animals are allowed with them when you get stuck. A pet in the car isn’t necessarily concern, however it is something to be considered within your policy’s terms.
Use the car to race or for any other activity that is not permitted.
Who offers breakdown coverage?
There are several companies offering breakdown memberships to select from either traditional, pay-and claim or directly from your car manufacturer when you purchase a brand new car.
A majority of car manufacturers will offer free breakdown protection as part of their warranty when you purchase an automobile. Depending on the manufacturer the coverage level and the duration of the breakdown insurance plan will differ, but the average length is up to three years, particularly when you have your vehicle repaired at the main dealer.
When is the best time to use breakdown cover?
Typically, your full breakdown cover will begin at the end of 24 hours following purchase or at the time you choose your beginning date. Some providers may offer an unrestricted recovery service in the meantime, but this might be subject to some conditions.
If you have already broken down but don’t have any insurance coverage You can still seek aid from a breakdown company.
