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Breakdown cover explained

You can decide between cover for yourself no matter the vehicle you are travelling in (subject to that type of vehicle being included under your policy) or cover for a specific vehicle.

Personal cover applies whether you are a driver or a passenger and, in some cases, can extend to members of your family or those living at the same address as you.

Vehicle cover applies to a specific car, van or motorcycle and sometimes a breakdown policy can cover multiple vehicles. Vehicle cover is generally cheaper as the breakdown insurer can understand in more detail and more specifically what the level of risk of a breakdown will be.

Breakdown cover usually comes with different levels of cover. The level of cover you need will depend on the type of travelling, distance and frequency of travelling you do, the type and condition of your vehicle and the amount you are prepared to spend each month on cover.

This is usually called roadside assistance or local cover; it is the lowest cost of breakdown cover and consists of a breakdown provider coming to the roadside to either repair your vehicle at the roadside if possible or if not tow your vehicle to a garage. With this type of breakdown cover you cannot choose where your vehicle is towed to.

This is sometimes called vehicle recovery or national cover. This costs more than roadside assistance and if you break down on the roadside and your vehicle cannot be repaired there, you can choose any location for your vehicle to be towed to.

This cover allows you to call out your breakdown service if your vehicle cannot be started at home or within a short distance of your home.

This level of cover allows you more options to get to your destination should your vehicle have broken down and cannot be immediately repaired. This can include hotel accommodation, taxis or public transport or a rental vehicle.

Breakdown services can include a host of extras for you to choose from. This includes replacing keys, tyres and batteries and breakdowns as a result of putting the wrong fuel into your vehicle.

^{Source: Breakdown provider websites June 2022}

The cost of breakdown cover will vary across different breakdown companies and by the level of cover you select. If you have bought a new car, have serviced your car through a dealer or have a packaged bank account, then you could find this comes inclusive with free breakdown cover. You will need to check that the level of this free breakdown cover is right for your needs. You may also be able to get cashback on your breakdown service by using a cashback website.

Below is an outline of the breakdown cover available from some of the UK’s most well-known brands. The cover shown is not exhaustive and aims to give an indication only.

The AA offers personal and vehicle breakdown cover. You can also add cover for onward travel, national recovery, at home cover and European breakdown cover.

Green Flag breakdown cover includes vehicle cover for one or two cars and personal cover for those travelling in vehicles under 16-years old, privately registered and used in the UK. They can also cover motorbikes, caravans and trailers and offer European cover.

The RAC offers breakdown cover for rescue at home as well as the roadside as standard. Their standard cover includes a tow to a local garage or another location within ten miles and allows a maximum of five call outs per year. You can upgrade to unlimited cover for national recovery and be towed to any destination in the UK and with no restriction on the number of call outs you may make.

The breakdown cover available from GEM Motoring Assistance includes roadside, home, nationwide and onward travel options. In addition, they offer policyholders a free quarterly motoring magazine containing special offers.

SAGA breakdown offers Essential Cover, including roadside repair or tow to the nearest garage and the cost of a taxi for you and passengers up to 20 miles. There is also Home Call cover for breakdown help at the roadside or at home and National Recovery that will repair your vehicle at the roadside or tow this to your home or garage nationwide. Premier cover includes all the breakdown cover from Saga plus certain countries and areas in Europe. SAGA offers unlimited UK call outs with support 24 hours a day 365 days a year.