A majority of drivers will experience a breakdown at some point. having a breakdown coverage could make this experience less stress-inducing. The breakdown service provider will send someone to help fix your vehicle, or tow it for repairs, so you aren’t stranded on the side of the road should your vehicle malfunction.
Drivers aren’t legally required have breakdown insurance, however it’s a good idea to have it in case there’s a problem. So what is breakdown cover exactly and what protection does an insurance policy provide?
What is breakdown for?
Breakdown cover is a form of insurance which can help you out if your car fails at home or on the road. Having breakdown cover means that when your car ceases functioning and requires repairs it is possible to contact your breakdown service provider to assist you fix the problem.
While breakdown insurance isn’t legally necessary, having this type of protection can reassure drivers, especially prior to a long trip. You can drive with confidence knowing that should their car break down, they won’t be stranded and they won’t need to pay a premium for an emergency call-out from garages in their area.
The support you’ll receive from breakdown insurance will depend on the service you select and the coverage level you decide to purchase.
How does breakdown cover work?
You can either purchase breakdown coverage as a separate policy, or purchase it combined with another service such as your car insurance or even your bank account. In the majority of cases the cost for your breakdown cover every month or year, though there are some “pay and demand” policies that allow you to cover the cost of recovery in advance and recover them later.
If you’re covered and your car breaks down, after you’ve stopped in a safe place you can phone your breakdown service provider for help. They’ll send out an engineer to try to fix your car, or if they can’t repair it on the spot then they’ll tow you to a nearby garage , at minimum. The next steps will be based on the issue with your car and the breakdown insurance you’ve got.
With the majority of breakdown insurance policies there is no need to pay an excess when you get assistance.
What are the various types of breakdown insurance?
There is a variety of different breakdown insurance packages available depending on your driving habits and the level of protection you desire.
Firstly, you can choose from a single breakdown plan for your car or yourself or a policy for multiple vehicles or people.
There are two major types of breakdown cover:
Personal breakdown cover which will cover the individual no matter what vehicle they’re driving or are a passenger in.
Car breakdown cover that is only applicable to the vehicle, or vehicles, according to a policy.
Whatever breakdown service you select you’ll have the option of varying levels of protection, which range from basic roadside assistance up to comprehensive, onward travel cover.
Roadside Assistance Breakdown Coverage
This is the most typical and basic breakdown membership cover plan available. It guarantees that your provider will arrive at your broken down car and fix it right there and then, or arrange that it be tow by a garage nearby, for a complex repair when needed.
National Recovery Breakdown Cover
In the majority of cases, they include recovery services for you along with up to seven passengers travelling together, to be tow anywhere in the country, either to your destination of choice or to a garage close to the location you want to go.
Home Start Breakdown Cover
Home Start breakdown cover will not just provide the basic roadside assistance, but should your car is to break down near your house or within a quarter of a mile from it, then you will be covered by your breakdown membership plan.
Onward Travel Breakdown Cover
When you have Onward Travel breakdown cover, your provider will supply you with a rental car or pay for any other transportation expenses, or cover the cost of an night-time accommodation so that you can drive for as long as your car is being repaired.
Furthermore some breakdown providers also offer various additional features to their coverage, such as:
key replacement
misfuel cover
Tyre replacement
battery replacement
Parts and labour
Does car insurance provide coverage for breakdown repairs?
The fact is that your car insurance will not provide breakdown cover as standard, even if you are covered by a comprehensive policy. However, many car insurers work with breakdown providers to allow drivers the option of buying breakdown coverage at the same time as purchasing their automobile insurance.
Car insurance is a way to cover costs in the event in the event of an accident. But not if your car is damaged or breaks down.
The claims you make on your breakdown insurance won’t be counted as a claim for your car insurance or affect the no-claims bonus since they’re two separate policies, even if you buy both of them.
What is breakdown cover?
Though the specifics will vary between companies and the different levels of cover in general breakdown coverage provides 24/7 roadside assistance throughout all of the UK (and Europe, if you have European coverage).
Breakdown cover typically covers the costs of a mechanic who will assist you at the roadside so you can go on with your journey, or, if needed by towing the vehicle to an auto repair shop for additional repairs.
Breakdown covers can assist with a variety of issues including punctures, flat batteries, and other mechanical issues that hinder drivers from taking the road.
Your breakdown insurance may include cover for any caravans or trailers being towed by your vehicle, but you should check the specifics of your policy to find out exactly what coverage is included.
Does breakdown cover include parts and repairs?
Costs of part including a new tyre, or even the cost of fixing your car in a garage, will not usually be covered by breakdown cover unless you’ve taken out a specific policy to include the costs of these items.
Most of the time it will be used to cover repairs done by the mechanic who was responsible for breakdown who is at the site.
If you do add extra coverage to cover the costs of garage repairs and parts typically, there is a maximum amount that the breakdown service provider will allow which means you’ll have to pay more than this amount.
What does breakdown cover exclude?
The exact exclusions will vary between breakdown companies and policies, however your breakdown cover may not be able help if you:
Request breakdown support within 24 hours of taking out cover.
Repeat calls-outs to fix the same problem.
Make sure you have the maximum amount of calls that your provider will allow you to make.
Break down at home or close to home (unless the vehicle is covered by Home Start cover). If you are breaking down on private land rather than a public road.
You are involved in an accident on the road.
For assistance with routine maintenance or other repairs that are not urgent. For example, breakdown cover won’t usually cover windscreen repairs.
Have not looked after your vehicle properly. For example, this might include filling your tank with the wrong fuel, failing to top up your engine oil, or continuing to drive with a problem which later resulted in a breakdown.
Bring pets or other animals accompany you in case you have to stop. The presence of a pet in your car isn’t necessarily an issue but it’s something to look out for in your policy terms.
Use the vehicle to race or for any other prohibited activity.
Who is the provider of breakdown insurance?
There are several companies offering breakdown insurance to choose from either traditional, pay-and claim or directly from your vehicle manufacturer when you purchase a brand new car.
Most car manufacturers will provide free breakdown protection as part of their warranty when you purchase the latest model of car. Depending on the manufacturer the coverage level and the duration of the membership plan can differ, however the most common length is from to three years. This is especially if you get your car maintained at the main dealership.
When is the best time to use breakdown cover?
Typically, your complete breakdown coverage will commence 24 hours after purchase or on the selected start 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 do not have any insurance coverage You can still seek help from an emergency breakdown provider.