GEM Motoring Assist breakdown cover review

If you're looking for award-winning breakdown cover, see what this reputable provider has to offer.

3.8 ★★★★★ (134 reviews) Write a review
GEM
Customer rating
★★★★★
Satisfaction survey
Policy allows you to be covered in any vehicle
You have to submit a claim through a form

Who is GEM Motoring Assist?

GEM Motoring Assist is a UK-based company that was established in 1932 as a road safety association. Since then, it’s been running independently as a trusted breakdown assistance provider for more than forty years.

GEM Motoring Assist prides itself on taking care of its members and keeping them on the move – and it does indeed do well in independent customer satisfaction surveys and awards.

Compare cover options with GEM Motoring Assist

Name Product UKFCI-RSA Personal Price (from) Vehicle Price (from) Roadside Assistance National Recovery Home Start Onward Travel Key Benefits
GEM Recovery Extra
GEM logo
£96.66
Covers the individual
GEM Recovery Reclaim
GEM logo
£78.50
Covers the individual
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What vehicles are covered with GEM Motoring Assist?

Customers can choose from a range of policies to suit their circumstances. Below is a list of the different types of breakdown cover you can get with GEM with key features for each.

  • You are covered “personally” so you will be fully protected in any vehicle.
  • Fully comprehensive policy.
  • Award winning breakdown cover – highly recommended by customers and industry experts.

All breakdown cover policies include protection for caravans, motorhomes and trailers at no additional cost. Features include:

  • If your vehicle breaks down, the attached caravan or trailer will be entitled to the same service as the vehicle.
  • If your caravan or trailer breaks down whilst being towed by your vehicle, GEM will recover it to the nearest suitable garage or your preferred destination within 10 miles of the breakdown.
  • Covers the individual.
  • Fully comprehensive policy.

Classic car breakdown cover comes at no extra costs. Features of GEM breakdown cover include:

  • Unlimited call outs.
  • Vehicles of any age are covered.
  • The policy covers the individual so that they are protected in any vehicle.
  • Fully comprehensive policy.

GEM’s motorbike cover is designed to get you back on your bike as soon as possible. Features include:

  • You will receive help in the event of an accident.
  • The patrol team will use special motorcycle trailers and loaders.
  • Covered for any problem including a puncture or a battery problem.
  • You are also covered if you run out of fuel.

What is covered under my policy?

GEM only offers comprehensive breakdown cover, meaning that you will get 24/7 home and roadside breakdown assistance, nationwide recovery and onward travel.

Cover options include:

  • Roadside assistance. With this cover, if you breakdown more than a quarter of a mile from home, GEM will carry out emergency repairs to get you on the move, otherwise it will recover the vehicle to the nearest suitable garage which is able to undertake the repair the same working day.
  • Nationwide recovery. With this cover, if GEM Motoring Assist is unable to arrange for a repair of your vehicle at or close to the breakdown scene, it will recover you, your passengers and the vehicle to a destination of your choice in the UK.
  • At Home. GEM Motoring Assist will tend to your vehicle if it breaks down within a quarter of a mile from your home address.
  • Onward Travel. With this option, if you break down more than 25 miles from home and repairs can’t be carried out that day, GEM will provide onward travel and accommodation costs up to £200.
  • GEM club membership. All GEM members receive access to free road safety advice, technical advice, plus specially selected member benefits and discounts.

What is my excess?

An excess is the amount of money that you will be expected to pay if you make a claim.

Whilst you will not have to pay an excess for your breakdown cover, you will have to pay one should you receive a replacement vehicle.

For full details about the excess on your breakdown cover, please consult your breakdown cover policy.

What is the emergency helpline process for GEM Motoring Assist?

DepartmentContact detailsOpening hours
Emergency breakdown helpline0330 999 2505 or 01206 785 80524/7
Customer service01342 825 676Mon-Fri 9am-5pm except bank holidays
Road safety advice01342 825 676Mon-Fri 9am-5pm except bank holidays

Pros and cons for GEM breakdown cover

Pros

  • Fully comprehensive cover
  • Policy allows you to be covered in any vehicle
  • 24/7 emergency helpline

Cons

  • You have to submit a claim through a form
  • Onward travel and accommodation cover limit is quite low

Our Verdict

It’s no secret that GEM’s breakdown cover is well known in the UK. With over 80 years in the industry, it’s no surprise that GEM has scooped up a number of awards in the process.

Its cover is available for a range of different road users including motorcycle riders, caravan enthusiasts and your day-to-day car driver.

One unique aspect of GEM’s policy is that it only offers personal breakdown cover, meaning you pay a flat rate for cover on any type of vehicle for no extra cost.

Overall, GEM is a great provider for customers who want a fully comprehensive policy with the added flexibility and security of being covered for multiple vehicles.

Get started by visiting GEM’s website and sign up for a policy. If you have read this review and decided that GEM Motoring Assist breakdown cover is not for you, you can also compare other breakdown cover policies on the market.

Breakdown cover ratings

★★★★★ — Excellent
★★★★★ — Good
★★★★★ — Average
★★★★★ — Subpar
★★★★★ — Poor

Finder scores, in blue, are based on our expert analysis. We also show reviews from users, where we've received more than 10, with a score in yellow. We gather more reviews from customers every year in Finder's customer satisfaction survey.

To find out more, read our full methodology.

The offers compared on this page are chosen from a range of products we can track; we don't cover every product on the market...yet. Unless we've indicated otherwise, products are shown in no particular order or ranking. The terms "best", "top", "cheap" (and variations), aren't product ratings, although we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it; this is subject to our terms of use. When making a big financial decision, it's wise to consider getting independent financial advice, and always consider your own financial circumstances when comparing products so you get what's right for you. Most of the data in Finder's comparison tables has the source: Moneyfacts Group PLC. In other cases, Finder has sourced data directly from providers.
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Danny is a publisher at Finder specialising in insurance and investing. He previously worked at the global insurer Aon and has appeared in national media giving advice on insurance. Danny holds a BA in International Business from the University of Plymouth and has undying loyalty to his average-poor football team, Portsmouth FC. See full bio

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