Compare breakdown cover

What is breakdown cover?

Breakdown cover is a type of insurance that protects you from getting stuck on the roadside if something were to happen with your car, like a flat tyre or a mechanical fault. Breakdown cover typically includes roadside repairs and, in cases where your car can’t be fixed, the option to have it towed to a nearby garage.

How to compare breakdown cover

There’s no such thing as a one size fits all breakdown cover policy as your personal circumstances will dictate the cover you need. Follow the steps below to help find the right policy for you:

1. Start by researching regular car insurance. Some car insurance policies automatically include breakdown cover and you might find a great deal at this stage. Otherwise you’ll need to buy breakdown cover as a separate policy or optional extra.
2. Shop around. The best way to get the best deal on breakdown cover is to compare as many policies and providers as possible. Some providers will offer price matches on lower premiums you find online. When your policy is up for renewal, it’s worth shopping around again as you might find an even better deal and switching could get you big savings.
3. Use autofill to save time. Simply switch this feature on in your chosen web browser. If you want to review your quotes, or make small changes to your form, you can also do so by accessing the Finder quote email and clicking “Edit quote details”.
4. Make sure your details are correct. Seemingly minor details like your age, location, occupation and marital status can have a major impact on the cost of your cover, so make sure you input the correct information to ensure you get an accurate quote.
5. Balance your cover needs with a reasonable price. There’s no such thing as the perfect policy, the key is to find a happy medium between the price and the level of cover that suits your personal circumstances.

How can I save money on my breakdown cover?

There are a couple of ways you can save on your breakdown cover before you sign on the dotted line. To get the best deal, heck out our three handy tips:

• Age of your car. If your car is brand new, it might be worth opting for a more basic form of cover for the first couple of years. With a new car you’re less likely to need the full works. If your car is relatively old, then it might be time to think about increasing your breakdown cover. Unfortunately, many insurers don’t offer breakdown cover for cars older then 15 years old, but make sure to shop around if this is what you require, as some companies might offer it.
• Check your car insurance policy. You might find that your car insurance policy already includes breakdown cover so you don’t need to spend the extra cash. But it is important to check what is included within this cover, as you may find it only covers the basics.
• Joint policy. Often it can be cheaper to buy a joint or family policy if you have more than one driver in your household, rather than individual policies for each person.

What types of breakdown cover are there?

There is nothing worse than needing a tow and realising your breakdown policy doesn’t cover you for it. There are different types of breakdown cover out there so make sure you understand what you’re signing up to.

There are typically five types of breakdown cover available:

• Roadside assistance. This is the most basic form of breakdown cover and should be included within all breakdown policies. Roadside assistance ensures that if your car breaks down further than a quarter of a mile from your home, someone will be sent to assist you on the road. If your car cannot be fixed on on the roadside, it will typically be towed to a nearby garage.
• National recovery. Also known as vehicle recovery, this type of cover is the level up from roadside assistance. National recovery means that, if your car can’t be fixed on the roadside, it can be towed to any location of your choice within the UK.
• Home start. This provides you with cover should your vehicle break down at home or very near to it (usually within a quarter of a mile to a mile radius of your home). Home start cover is sometimes called at home recovery or at home breakdown.
• European cover. As the name suggests, this type of cover protects you on the roads when you’re driving in Europe.
• Onward travel. If your car can’t be fixed on the side of the road, then having onward travel cover means that you will be offered a way to continue your journey. Some companies offer to reimbursed you for public transport costs, pay for an overnight hotel stay or offer a replacement car hire while yours is being repaired.

What are my breakdown cover options?

You can either take out breakdown cover for a vehicle or a person. Prices for personal breakdown cover tend to be higher, but if you’re someone who drives more than one car, then it may suit your needs.

• Vehicle breakdown cover. This is the most common type of breakdown cover and is attached to a specific vehicle only. Some insurers include this as standard in their car insurance cover, but in many cases this is either an optional extra that can be added to your policy for an extra premium, or a stand alone policy you can take out separately.
• Personal breakdown cover. This is breakdown cover that is attached to an individual, so you’ll be protected no matter which vehicle you drive. This tends to be more expensive, as the insurance company doesn’t have details about the car to quantify risk with, but is worth it if you regularly need to drive different vehicles.

Some companies also offer family breakdown policies, which can cover your entire family in case any of them break down on a journey.

Is breakdown cover worth it?

In a nutshell, yes. You never know what could happen out on the roads, and if your car suddenly packs it in, you don’t want to be stuck on the roadside. It’s also particularly relevant for you if you’re driving an older vehicle, as those are more likely to have mechanical faults (but note that cover is rarely offered to cars older than 15).

Having breakdown cover means that you have someone you can call for help, either by fixing your car, helping you get to a garage or helping you back home.

You may find that breakdown cover is already written into your car insurance policy, so first check your policy documents to make sure you’re not spending unnecessarily.

Pros and cons

Start comparing breakdown cover

Frequently asked questions

• Should I buy the cheapest breakdown cover?

  While it’s tempting to opt for the cheapest policy available, this might end up being a false economy. If you often drive further away from home, you can be left out of pocket if you break down but you only have the most basic policy, as it might not include enough cover to get you and your car back home.

  This can mean you have to fork out on overnight accommodation, a hire car or public transport to continue your journey.

• Can I pay for my breakdown cover monthly or annually?

  In most cases, you have to pay for your breakdown cover in one lump sum. This will offer you a certain amount of call outs for the time of the policy. You might be able to find a provider that allows you to pay monthly, but it can be more expensive.

• Could I already have breakdown cover in my existing policy?

  Potentially, yes. Some car insurance policies, and even some additional financial products like your current account, automatically include breakdown cover as a standard. Check with your specific providers to see if this is the case for you.
  If not, breakdown cover can be taken out as an optional extra to your existing policy or as a separate policy entirely.

• What happens if I break down?

  Once you and your vehicle are in a position of safety, locate your policy documents. It’s a great idea to have these prepared either saved on your phone or stored safely in your vehicle. Contact the designated number in your policy information, they’ll take a few details and send out a mechanic.

• Can I claim straight after taking out a breakdown cover policy?

  This will differ between providers, but in most cases cover tends to start around 24 hours after payment is made.

• Can I cancel my breakdown cover policy?

  As with regular car insurance, you’ll typically be given a 14-day “cooling off” period in which you can cancel your cover without incurring a fee. After the two-week period, you may be charged if you want to cancel your policy before the renewal date. Check your policy details to see what charges might apply.

  In cases where you’ve used your breakdown cover within the 14-day period and then want to cancel, you likely won’t be given a refund.

• How many call-outs can I make in a year?

  This will vary by provider and level of cover. More expensive policies are likely to offer more call outs per year (some might even offer unlimited call outs), but the extra expense may be worth it if you spend a lot of time on the road.

• What isn't covered by breakdown insurance?

  Some breakdown policies will have certain exclusions. This will vary by provider, but usually includes:

  • Repeat call-outs for a the same fault
  • Routine maintenance
  • Breakdown relating to an accident
  • Roadside assistance for an incident where the emergency services are involved
  • Cars older than 15 years old

  Some exclusions might also relate to breaking down with animals in the vehicle or on private land.

• What happens if my vehicle can't be repaired at the roadside?

  This will depend on the level of cover you have and what the issue is with the car. Most basic policies, which should include roadside assistance, will at least cover you to be towed to a nearby garage. It’s worth checking out different levels of cover to see what would work best for you, for example, investing in national recovery cover if you want the option to be towed to a garage of your choosing.

• What happens if I break down without breakdown cover?

  Most breakdown policies only start to offer cover 24 hours after the initial payment is made. However, if you break down without a policy in place, you might be able to get instant cover with some breakdown insurance providers, but this may cost more.

  Another option is to call Green Flag, who offers a breakdown service, on 0800 400 600; or the AA, who offer instant cover, on 0800 88 77 66. This will involve paying an emergency call-out fee, which can be expensive, but might still be more economical than the alternatives.

• What extras can I add to my breakdown policy?

  This will vary by provider, but you would usually be able to add cover for misplaced keys or misfuelling (when you top up with the wrong fuel).

• Am I covered if my van breaks down?

  Many insurers will include vans in their breakdown cover, but it’s best to check the details of your policy to make sure.

  Note that your insurance company might have policy exclusions relating to using your van for business purposes, so, if this is relevant to you, double-check the small print.

• Will I be covered if I'm towing a caravan?

  Most standard breakdown policies don’t include cover for vehicles towing a caravan or other kinds of special vehicles.

  Policies that cover you for caravans, trailers, and similar vehicles are available. You can find out more information in our guide to caravan insurance.

• Will my classic car be covered if it breaks down?

  Cars older than 15 years old are usually not covered by standard breakdown policies. As classic cars tend to be older and with parts that are hard to replace, they require specialist cover.

  That said, classic car breakdown cover is available, but might require some shopping around to find a good deal.

• Can I get breakdown cover for my motorbike?

  Many insurers offer cover for motorbikes or mopeds, including breakdown cover. You can take out a motorcycle breakdown policy that offers the same levels of cover as a car breakdown policy, from basic roadside assistance to onward travel.

• How can I find a good deal on breakdown cover?

  The best way to find the most suitable breakdown cover for you is to compare policies.

  Things to consider when you shop around include:

  • How often you get on the road
  • How often you drive far away from home
  • The age of your vehicle
  • Whether you usually carry passengers or travel with pets in your car
  • If you would prefer to always be towed back to your local garage if you break down, however far away from home you are

  Remember that cheapest isn’t always best, so make sure to read the policy details so that you’re not left out of pocket if your car breaks down.

Written by

Louise Bastock

Editor

Louise is an editor at Finder, specialising in a broad range of financial topics from energy to first-time buyers and financial wellness. As Finder’s video manager she is also responsible for presenting and producing the UK’s video content across multiple channels including YouTube, TikTok and Instagram. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature from King’s College London. In her free time, Louise can be found performing in comedy clubs across the UK or figuring out how to justify having a hot tub in her garden. See full bio

Louise's expertise

Louise has written 16 Finder guides across topics including:

• Financial wellness
• First-time buyers
• Energy
• Millennial money
• UK top trends
• Hosting live events
• Self-shooting video production
• Video editing