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*Based on quote data provided by Seopa Ltd during November 2024. This quote was provided to the majority of customers. The quote price you could achieve is dependent on your individual circumstances.

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If you want to save on roadside assistance, don’t auto-renew every year. With so many levels of cover to choose from, some research will ensure you get the right cover for your needs. This guide will give you the information required to compare policies and keep your wallet happy.

Here at iCompare 4U you can compare UK breakdown providers and get a quote online. You can compare breakdown and recovery quotes for cars, vans and motorcycles. Getting inexpensive breakdown cover is a must, not just for budget drivers but anyone who values not throwing their money away needlessly.

Is Breakdown Cover Worth it?

Most people start by looking for the low price breakdown cover. But you should also consider the quality and level of cover.

Breakdown insurance gives you peace of mind, especially if you rely on your vehicle for daily commutes or if it’s essential to your business. Using an online tool can help you to search multiple providers to find the level of cover that suits your needs.

Getting a quote is quick and easy. Just fill in the short online form and compare quotes from UK providers. The age of the vehicle will be a significant factor in the price you pay for breakdown insurance and the level of cover you will get.

You can also compare prices and see what’s included in each policy and the level of cover. You’ll see Home Start, Roadside Assistance, European cover, and car hire, and if a relief driver can be provided, you can buy the best breakdown cover for you.

Vehicle breakdowns are stressful but with appropriate cover, a driver can get their car fixed and back on the road any time of day or night.

What is Vehicle Breakdown Cover?

If your vehicle has broken down, the aim is to get you back on the road quickly and safely. Therefore good insurance cover includes services like roadside help, towing and repairs and can be tailored to your budget and needs.

Choosing Personal Cover or Vehicle Cover

Whether you choose personal or vehicle breakdown cover, you can buy it as a standalone policy or as an add-on to your car insurance. Breakdown cover lets you drive with peace of mind, knowing help is just a phone call away if you hit trouble on the road.

Types of Cover

In the UK, there are two main types of breakdown insurance.

Standard breakdown insurance is the most common and basic cover that most providers offer. With this type of insurance, you choose the level of cover you need and pay upfront for any breakdown assistance. The fee is paid annually and you get breakdown assistance for the next 12 months with no extra charges.

Most companies manage their own assistance services. Standard coverage usually includes personal breakdown cover or vehicle-based insurance. With personal cover the policyholder is covered in any vehicle they travel in. With vehicle-based cover, the driver chooses a specific vehicle for cover, and only that vehicle is insured. You’ll learn more about these types of cover further down the page.

Most policies only include the first 60 minutes of labour for roadside assistance and do not cover the cost of any parts required to repair your vehicle. If a driver wants cover for all repair costs, including parts they usually have to pay a higher premium. They may also have to pay an excess on each claim.

Pay and claim cover works in a similar way to standard insurance. You pay an annual fee upfront for breakdown services. There are a couple of main differences between this and standard breakdown insurance. Firstly, the breakdown company outsources its services to local providers instead of operating its own fleet. Secondly, upon calling for assistance, drivers must pay the local provider upfront and then send the receipts to their insurance company for reimbursement.

Pay and claim cover may be lower than standard breakdown insurance so the policyholder could save money but lose some of the convenience of the standard policy. Remember, neither type of breakdown cover is meant to replace routine vehicle maintenance. Most insurers will not assist a driver who continues to call for assistance for the same problem without fixing the issue after the first call.

Components of a Breakdown Insurance Policy

Breakdown cover options vary by provider and policy, but common options are:

Roadside assistance: This supports drivers if their vehicle experiences a breakdown while away from their home. When assistance is requested, a representative from the breakdown service will be dispatched to aid the driver. Typically, a minimum distance requirement must be met for service eligibility, usually set at approximately a quarter mile, or 400 meters, from the driver’s home.

Vehicle recovery: When roadside assistance is unable to resolve a vehicle issue right away, the car is transported to the driver’s residence or the nearest mechanic. Usually, the closest option is chosen, but depending on the terms of the policy, the driver may be able to select an alternate drop-off location.

Home start: Not all policies include this, but it covers assistance if a breakdown occurs at the driver’s home or nearby.

Onward travel: When a vehicle breakdown disrupts travel plans, this feature covers expenses for alternative transportation. In certain policies, it may also include the cost of accommodation if the breakdown occurs far from home.

European cover: Most breakdown insurance providers offer the option to add cover for breakdowns occurring in European countries.

These breakdown cover options allow you to choose the level of cover that suits your driving habits and travel plans.

What Else Maybe Included in Breakdown Cover?

Puncture cover: Help with punctures including repair and replacement.
Flat battery cover: Help with flat batteries including jump-starts and replacement.
Misfuelling cover: Help if you fill your vehicle with the wrong fuel including draining and cleaning the fuel system.

How much is Breakdown Cover?

If you want to buy breakdown cover, the first thing to do is check your existing standard motor insurance policy because sometimes it’s included in that policy. If you don’t have breakdown cover already included, you may be able to add it to your existing policy.

What affects the cost

The cost of breakdown cover can be affected by:

Level of cover: The services and features included in your policy.
Vehicle: Your vehicle type, age, make, model and mileage.
Driver: Your age, experience and driving history.
Location: Your region and postcode, which can affect the likelihood of needing help.
Provider: The breakdown cover provider you choose, including their reputation and customer feedback.

By considering these, you can choose a breakdown cover policy that’s right for you.

Compare vehicle Cover Policies

Drivers can compare breakdown service and insurance online by first filtering their options to the features they need in their policy. Additional features can be handy depending on the driver’s needs and how they use their vehicle. For example, features like onward travel and European cover are useful for someone who travels a lot for personal or business purposes but are a waste of money for a driver who only drives locally.

Breakdown Cover Exclusions

When comparing options, drivers should check the exclusions as missing or not reading this correctly could lead to unexpected issues in the future. Most policies have some or all of the following exclusions or stipulations:

Annual (or policy) limit on the number of call-outs.
Vehicle weight limit.
Human error such as misplacing or losing keys, running out of fuel or a flat battery from leaving the lights on.

Some policies don’t cover wheel changes, so it’s the driver’s responsibility to keep a roadworthy spare and whatever accessories are needed to change the wheel.

Shared Family Car?

When choosing your policy consider the following:

Driver cover: Make sure the policy includes all family members who will drive the car. Some providers offer policies that allow multiple named drivers which can be useful for a shared vehicle.

Additionally, some policies might state that all members on the policy have to live at the same address.

Usage: How often is the car used and by how many family members. A policy with unlimited call-outs might be more suitable if the vehicle is used constantly.

Cost: A shared family car policy can be more cost-effective than buying individual breakdown cover for each driver. Look for options that offer discounts for multiple drivers or vehicles on the same policy.

Flexibility: Choose a policy that allows for changes, like adding or removing drivers as family circumstances change.

By considering the items above, you can find a breakdown cover policy that covers all users of the shared vehicle.

Summary: How to Choose the Right Breakdown Cover

Choosing the best breakdown cover is about considering your specific needs and budget. These will dictate what services and features you should look for in the policy. Below are several considerations to keep in mind:

Level of cover: Make sure the policy has the services and features you need.
Cost: Look at the policy’s total cost including any excess or additional charges.
Reputation: Check the provider’s reputation, including customer feedback and reviews.
Customer service: Check the standard of customer service, including response times and communication.

Comparing your options allows you to choose a breakdown cover policy with the right balance of cover and cost.

Reputation and Customer Feedback

Reputation and customer feedback is key when choosing a breakdown policy provider. Look for providers with:

High customer satisfaction scores: Consistent positive feedback from customers.
Customer reviews and feedback: Real-life experiences from other drivers.
Awards and industry recognition: Awards that prove excellence.
Transparent and clear communication: Straightforward information about policies and services.
Quick customer service: Fast and helpful responses to queries and requests for help.

By looking at these you can find a breakdown cover provider that meets your needs and provides great customer service so you can have peace of mind when you need roadside assistance.

Reducing Premiums

Drivers might find fixed price premiums vs calculated premiums useful. This could be important because calculated premiums are based on factors like annual mileage and the age of the nominated vehicle. So, the older the car or the more miles you drive, the higher the annual premium will be. Therefore, sometimes it’s lower to go for a fixed price policy, but drivers should also consider the cover level difference between these types of breakdown policies.

Keep in mind that households with multiple cars may get a premium discount if you insure all your vehicles with the same breakdown provider. Make sure to tick that you have more than one car when you compare prices.

Pay and claim options instead of standard breakdown insurance may also reduce costs, but the trade-off may result in a lower service level.

When you compare breakdown cover, consider all the factors outlined in this article and you should be able to find the right policy for you.