What is breakdown cover and why do you need it?

With breakdown cover, all you need to do is wait for someone to come help you out, but how exactly does the cover work? Here’s everything you need to know.

EASY AS HACK 

Personal breakdown cover is designed to cover you, and any other named drivers who live at the same address, rather than the car itself. On the other hand, vehicle cover is for the car that breaks down, no matter who is driving it. Once you’ve decided between the two, you then choose the different levels of cover you want or need.

WHAT IS breakdown cover?

Breakdown cover is a paid service which provides help if your car breaks down, this could be at the side of the road, or while still parked at home. Usually, you need to have a higher level of breakdown cover to get assistance at home, but it’s best to check the policy details carefully.

Let’s say, for example, it’s a cold morning and your vehicle won’t start. Or your car gets a flat tyre on the motorway, and you need to pull over to the hard shoulder. If you have the appropriate level of breakdown cover, you can call your provider and they'll arrive to help you out.

A lot of breakdowns can be fixed on the spot. And if it’s not a long-term fix, a mechanic should be able to get the car started, so you can drive to a garage, where you’ll be able to arrange a more permanent repair.

If the mechanic has no joy in getting your car back on the road, they’ll usually tow you to a local garage. Or, depending on the level of cover you have, they may be able to tow you to the garage nearest to your home. As cover levels vary between providers, make sure you check the details carefully and get the cover you need.

It’s important to know that breakdown cover is not the same as your car insurance. You won’t be covered for breakdowns even though you have insurance as the two serve different purposes. But you may be able to buy breakdown cover with your car insurance policy as an optional extra.

WHAT doeS breakdown cover include?

Your breakdown cover varies depending on the level of cover you buy. Essentially, the more you pay, the more services included.

Basic breakdown cover includes 24/7 roadside assistance if you’re beyond a certain distance from home and local vehicle recovery.

There are limitations with basic breakdown cover. You typically have to be ¼ mile away from home, you'll be towed to the nearest garage and not to a destination of your choice and if you need alternative travel arrangements, you'll have to organise this yourself.

But, if you pay more and opt for a higher level of cover, you can benefit from national vehicle recovery, at-home breakdown and onward travel.

WHAT is the difference between personal and vehicle breakdown cover?

There are two types of breakdown cover – personal and vehicle.

Personal breakdown cover protects you in any vehicle you drive, ideal if you regularly use more than one vehicle. Vehicle breakdown cover, on the other hand, applies to a specific car regardless of who’s driving, making it a great choice for households with one shared vehicle.

Once you’ve decided between personal or vehicle cover, you then choose the different levels of cover you need.

different levels of breakdown cover

There are five main levels of breakdown cover. You can combine these but the more you combine, the more you’ll have to pay.

1. roadside assistance

If your car breaks down during a journey, help will be provided there and then. And if a mechanic can’t fix it on the spot, it’ll be towed to a local garage.

Roadside assistance is usually the standard level of cover you’ll get from most providers, and the cheapest. Most breakdown cover providers will also take you and your passengers to the garage, depending on the number of passengers.

2. home start

You can get help if your car isn’t starting, and it’s parked at your home address or a certain distance from home (typically within ¼ miles).

This is particularly useful if you end up with a flat battery or a cold engine and you need your car working ASAP.

3. national recovery

This type of breakdown cover is the same as roadside assistance but if your car can’t be fixed at the roadside, you’ll be towed back to any location of your choice in the country (not just the closest garage). National recovery is useful if you’re regularly driving long distances.

4. onward travel

Onward travel includes the same service as roadside assistance, but you also get extra support for the rest of your journey.

So once your car has been towed to the garage, you’ll receive a choice of a hire car for a few days, costs for public transport or an overnight hotel (if your car is being fixed overnight). This extra level of cover is useful if you’re driving to an event and need to get there one way or another.

5. european travel

You get the same help you’d get in the UK, but when driving your car in Europe. What’s included with European breakdown cover will vary depending on the provider and has to be bought as an add-on.   

what does breakdown cover not include?

There are certain things you may not be covered for on a breakdown policy:

• A vehicle that isn’t in a roadworthy condition
• The cost of any replacement parts
• If the breakdown service has already attended to the fault and you haven’t had it properly repaired, or if you’ve failed to follow their advice
• A breakdown on private property
• Travelling with pets – notify providers beforehand so that you, your pets and your vehicle are properly covered
• If you’re involved in a road accident, providers might need approval from emergency services before they can tow your vehicle

benefits of breakdown cover

You might look at the cost of breakdown cover and question whether it’s worth it, but here are some key benefits:

• Peace of mind during a stressful situation
• 24/7 help if your car breaks down
• Car repairs carried out without hefty bills
• Multiple callouts a year
• Vehicle recovery
• Onward travel arrangements
• If you have personal breakdown cover, you can use it as a passenger in someone else’s vehicle
• If you cover a family vehicle, whoever is driving is covered

why do i need breakdown cover?

You don’t need breakdown cover, in the sense that it isn’t mandatory.

Breaking down can be nerve-racking. Especially if you’re somewhere unfamiliar, and there’s a high volume of traffic. Having breakdown cover can give you reassurance that you won’t be left stranded on the roadside, or have to abandon your vehicle.

If your car does breakdown, and you don’t have a breakdown policy, it could also be expensive to get your car recovered. According to Checkatrade, the call-out fee for a local mechanic is around £80, a tow truck is around £75 and then you’ll be paying roughly £1.50 for every mile you’re towed.

Plus, the costs can quickly rack up if you’re unlucky enough to breakdown on a bank holiday.

Lastly, having breakdown cover removes the stress of having to find someone unexpectedly to help, you’ll have a number which you can call 24/7.

what ageas breakdown cover includes

Ageas breakdown cover includes:

• 24/7 RAC roadside assistance
• Local vehicle recovery
• Unlimited calls out per year
• £0 excess payable per claim
• Misfuelling cover

Find out more about Ageas breakdown cover

The other option is to buy a standalone breakdown policy. If you’re with Ageas, we don’t offer standalone cover, but it’s easy to add breakdown cover with the RAC to your existing or new car insurance policy.

When comparing breakdown services, it’s worth weighing up not only the price, but also customer reviews or information about how long they’ll typically take to get to you.

is breakdown cover included in my car insurance?

Breakdown cover is sometimes available as an add-on to your car insurance. Don’t assume that you’re covered for breakdowns with your regular car insurance policy, always read the policy properly to find out.

If it’s not an add-on, you’ll have to search and pay for breakdown cover from other providers.

FAQs 

is there an excess on breakdown cover?

Most breakdown cover policies don't have an excess to pay. This means you don’t have to pay anything extra if a mechanic is called out to look at your car or to tow it to a nearby garage.

how many times can i use my breakdown cover?

The number of times you can use breakdown cover depends on the level of cover you have and the policy provider. Some policies allow unlimited callouts, while others limit the number of callouts per year.

can you get temporary breakdown cover?

Yes, some breakdown providers offer temporary cover or short trip breakdown cover that lasts from one day to a month. If you take out temporary car insurance, some providers let you add temporary breakdown cover as an extra. ^[1]

what happens if i change my vehicle but have a breakdown policy?

If you have vehicle breakdown cover and you buy a new car, you should let your provider know as soon as possible. This helps ensure your cover is up to date.

what would be considered a car breakdown?

A breakdown is a mechanical or electrical failure that stops your vehicle from being driven.

does breakdown cover include running out of fuel?

Most breakdown cover policies in the UK do include help if you run out of fuel, meaning they will typically tow your car to a petrol station to refuel. If you end up putting the wrong fuel in your car and your car breaks down, breakdown providers can flush out the fuel and then take you to a nearby petrol station, but the cost of fuel drainage might not be covered.

what optional extras can you add to breakdown cover?

Different providers offer different extras as add-ons to breakdown cover. You can get key replacement, battery replacement and tyre replacement as well as parts and labour cover as optional extras.

does breakdown cover include repairs?

Breakdown cover typically includes repairs made at the roadside but not repairs made at a garage. You can add a "parts and labour cover" add-on to your policy to cover the cost of repairs at a garage.

Sources

[1] - www.rac.co.uk