Car Breakdown Cover

It is irritating when you are left stranded by a broken down car, but it can also be a frightening and dangerous experience. Car breakdown cover is something that you may want to consider, whether you use your vehicle to go to and from work or just for personal use.

For a set amount, you can ensure that in the event of your vehicle breaking down, there will be someone to call who will take care of you and your car at any time of the day or night. Many companies offering breakdown cover also offer car insurance, and you may be eligible for a discount if you take out both.

There are a number of different types of breakdown cover, from basic roadside recovery to a package that includes accommodation and onward travel, and companies vary in their pricing and policy details. Here are the details of a few well-known companies offering car breakdown cover:

The AA

The AA have a breakdown promise to fix your car by the road or get you another one.
They currently fix 8 out of 10 cars at the roadside.
If you call for help from a mobile, they will send you a text message to let you know that a patrol is on its way.
Currently gets to members within 35 minutes of receiving the call, on average.
Get immediate cover, and receive membership card and pack within 14 days.

The AA offer 4 different options for breakdown cover

Option 100

Roadside help at least a quarter of a mile from your home

If the problem is not immediately repairable, transport of you and your vehicle home or to the nearest garage- or provide a courtesy car for 24 hours.

Option 200

Roadside help as in Option100

Relay – If prompt repair is not possible, transport of you and up to 7 passengers home or to any mainland destination.

Option 300

Roadside recovery and Relay as in Option 200.

Home Start- help within a quarter of a mile of your home.

Option 400

Roadside, Relay and Homestart as in Option 300.

Relay Plus- provides replacement car, overnight accommodation or onward travel if a local repair is not possible.

The RAC

The RAC offers a basic Roadside recovery package plus 4 additional options for breakdown cover.

Roadside

Covers you anywhere in the UK, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, at least quarter of a mile from your home.

Provides roadside assistance or a tow to a nearby garage.

Solution One

Cover as in Roadside

Transport of you, your car and up to 7 passengers to any UK destination (if local repair is not possible in reasonable time).

You can build a no call-out discount, where you can receive a 10% discount on next years membership. This increases to a total of 50% discount over 5 years.

Free 28 point car check. Designed to keep you on the road by checking the areas most likely to cause the car to break down.

Solution Two

Cover as in Solution One, plus breakdown assistance outside your home.

Solution Three

As in Solution Two, plus transport of you, your car and up to 7 others to any Uk destination (if car can’t be fixed locally within reasonable time)

Solution Four

As in Solution Four, plus transport of car to any UK destination

Replacement car for up to 3 days

Or overnight accommodation

Or onward travel by taxi or plane up to a maximum of £150 per person or £500 for a group (depending on which is cheapest)

Tips to Help you Choose

Decide what you need/want in a car breakdown package:
Do you travel long distances, and more likely to need courtesy car availability or cover for travel costs?
Do you tend to travel short distances and use the car less often, so perhaps only need a more basic package of roadside recovery?
How much can you afford to pay for car breakdown cover?
Would you consider taking out car insurance with that company, or do you already have a policy with them, and qualify for a discount?
Do you want to pay monthly, or make a one-off payment only?
How long do you need cover?
How many people is the breakdown cover for- is it single, joint or family?
Shop around to get an idea of prices and types of cover, either by phone, in car magazines or on the internet.
Some companies offer a discount for cover arranged over the internet.
Always check the conditions and exclusions. Some companies may seem cheap, but there may be a lot of hidden costs, so take time and look carefully.