Getting your head around breakdown cover can be tricky if you’re a new driver. Plus, getting breakdown cover can become an afterthought for many and fall to the wayside.
Many beginner drivers will usually focus on getting their road tax or insurance sorted as a priority, forgetting to sort what is a crucial element of car maintenance.
Breakdown cover is a type of insurance policy. With it, you’ll be able to get help from mechanics to assist you if your car breaks down. For example, if you get a puncture in your tyre, you’ll be able to call for roadside assistance to have that tyre repaired or replaced.
There are many options when it comes to car breakdown policies, and the choice may overwhelm beginner drivers. When choosing a cover, it’s important to evaluate and compare many different services to find one you trust.
Is it worth paying for breakdown cover?
Unlike other types of car insurance, breakdown cover is not a legal requirement, meaning you don’t need to pay for it if you don’t want it. However, getting a breakdown cover can help prevent future headaches as it gives you peace of mind that you’ll be able to easily access help when you’re in a pinch.
If your car breaks down and you don’t have cover, you’ll have to find a recovery service yourself. Not only does this create added stress, but it can also be far more expensive than a car breakdown policy.
If you need roadside recovery to tow your vehicle, you can expect to pay upwards of £300, and you’ll also have to pay for the cost of servicing and repairing your car. All this is covered in a car breakdown service.
Plus, many – although not all – breakdown services will offer a hire car that you can use if your vehicle needs to remain in the garage for a long time. This can help keep you mobile and prevent you from not having the transport needed to live your daily life.
What are the types of car breakdown cover?
If you choose to get breakdown cover, you need to be aware of the two main types: personal breakdown cover and vehicle breakdown cover. Both of these types of cover will help protect you and your car if it breaks down, but there are key differences that you should know before choosing the best policy for you:
Personal breakdown cover
When you get personal breakdown cover, you’re covered in any vehicle, both as a driver and a passenger. This cover extends to any type of vehicle, so if you’re in a car, hybrid, motorbike, or truck, you’ll be covered no matter what. Plus, if you’re a passenger in a friend’s car who doesn’t have breakdown cover themselves, you’ll still be able to call for help.
Personal breakdown cover may not suit people who share a car, such as families or those in a relationship. This is because each individual who drives the one car will need to get their own personal cover, which can be more expensive. Also, if you’re not present when your car breaks down, it won’t be covered, and you’ll be unable to get assistance for the vehicle.
Vehicle breakdown cover
Vehicle breakdown cover means that a specific vehicle is covered, and it doesn’t matter who’s driving it. This breakdown cover is usually a much cheaper option and suits those with one car. It’s also great for families who share a vehicle, as no matter who’s driving it, they’ll benefit from breakdown cover.
Do be cautious with this type of cover, though. You won’t be able to get cover if you break down while driving another car or if you’re a passenger in a broken down car.
What type of breakdown cover is the best?
The best type of breakdown cover will depend on your personal circumstances and will be different for everyone.
If you only drive a single car and don’t share it with anyone, then vehicle breakdown cover will likely be the best choice for you. If you drive multiple vehicles, such as one for work and one to ferry the family around, then personal cover may suit you as you’ll be covered no matter what you’re driving.
When choosing breakdown cover, be sure to select an option that fits within your budget and that suits your own personal circumstances.
What are the different levels of breakdown cover?
When you choose a type of breakdown cover, that cover will be further broken down into different levels. These levels dictate in which situations you’ll be able to use your cover and also detail what specific services you’ll be eligible for.
Each car breakdown cover provider will have its own levels and tiers of service. Still, you’ll likely find the following levels of breakdown cover:
Roadside Assitance
This is a basic level of breakdown cover. With roadside assistance, you’ll be able to call out a patrol car to come to you and attempt to fix your car on the roadside.
If the mechanic cannot fix your car, they’ll tow it to the nearest garage, where repairs can be done. There’s usually a limit of 10 miles, so if the garage is further away than this, you may not be able to get towed there without paying extra. You’ll only be eligible for roadside assistance if you break down over a ¼ mile from your home.
At home breakdown cover
This type of breakdown cover means you’ll be able to access help if your car breaks down on your driveway or if you’re within a ¼ mile from your home. This type of cover can be beneficial if your car has a flat battery and is struggling to start.
The best breakdown cover policies will include home assistance as standard, although some will make you upgrade to get home breakdown cover. When looking for the best UK breakdown cover for you, check to see if at home cover is a basic feature.
Roadside recovery
Roadside recovery is where you’ll be able to have your car towed to the garage if it can’t be fixed on location. Most breakdown cover policies include roadside recovery for up to 10 miles as standard. However, you’ll likely have to upgrade to be towed further than this.
It’s possible to get national recovery, where you can be towed an unlimited distance to any garage or destination in the UK. This allows you to take your vehicle to a garage of your choice or have it delivered to your home.
Onward travel
This level of cover concerns how you’ll be kept mobile after your breakdown. When you get this tier of cover, you’ll be able to get a hire car that you can use while yours is getting fixed in the garage.
Most breakdown cover policies will have a maximum number of days you can have the hire car, meaning that if your car is out of action for a while, you may have to pay extra to have the hire car for longer.
Add-ons
As well as these regular levels of cover that you’ll find with most breakdown cover providers, you can purchase add-ons to make your cover more complete.
One major add-on is European breakdown cover. This ensures you have the same amount of cover in any European nation as you would in the UK.
You can also get key replacement added to your policy to help you if you lose your keys, or you could also add tyre replacement to cover your tyres if they’re damaged.
When does breakdown cover start?
Typically, your cover will kick in as soon as you sign up and pay for your policy, meaning you can have peace of mind immediately. However, it’s common for many breakdown cover services to not include any extras in the first 24 hours. After this period, any extras you’ve added to your cover will be included.
Do be aware that if your car has already broken down before you take out the breakdown cover, it’s unlikely that you will be covered for that breakdown. You may still get assistance, but the breakdown cover provider may charge for it, which could be more expensive.
Final words
Although not a requirement by law, breakdown cover is crucial in ensuring you’re protected when driving. As a beginner driver, getting cover that doesn’t suit your needs can be easy. With the information in this guide, you should know what you look for when getting cover, as well as what makes the best breakdown cover for you.
From selecting the level of cover you need to the type of breakdown cover that’s more suited to you, knowing these basics should help a lot.
Getting a breakdown cover is the cheapest way to repair your car when things break. Regardless of how careful you are as a driver or how new your car is, you can never know when you’ll need roadside assistance. Because of this, breakdown cover can really improve your driving experience.
