Motorists have to choose from a bewildering array of offers when they are looking for car breakdown cover. Here's what to look for.
Deciding on the breakdown roadside assistance for you and your car depends how far you drive - and if you travel overseas.
To help you find cheap breakdown cover, here are some key points to consider:
Will your car breakdown?
Rate the chances of your car breaking down. New cars usually come with breakdown cover and recovery as part of the warranty, so you may not need any cover. Check this before you pay for a policy.
Older cars will break down more often and breakdown and recovery cover will give you and your passengers peace of mind and take the stress of spending a lot of money to get home when you're away.
Do you cover you or the car?
Personal breakdown insurance covers you driving any car, while vehicle cover safeguards a car whoever is driving. Think about the level of cover you need and find a policy that suits
Choose your level of cover
- Basic - A technician will try to start your car providing it is at least a set distance from your home (often a quarter of a mile). If your car fails to start, then you and the car will be taken to a garage, providing they are less than 10 miles away. Often this is called breakdown roadside assistance.
- Basic plus home start - Basic cover wherever your car breaks down, even if it's outside your front door
Continuing a journey
This is a key point of breakdown cover comparison. Just about every breakdown service has different terms and conditions for helping you continue a journey.
Some will tow you home (or to a destination of your choice), while others will arrange for you to have a hire car. Breakdown policies that offer higher levels of cover will put you and your party up in a hotel or guest house or provide flights or train tickets.
Compare breakdown cover policies carefully to make sure you end up with the cover you want and aren't paying for extras you don't need.
Where do you drive?
Breakdown and recovery only applies on the UK mainland - if you plan to drive overseas, some firms offer cheap five-day cover. For longer trips abroad, try annual cover for multiple trips.
Caravans and trailers
If you are towing a caravan or trailer, most breakdown services will cover them as well, but the rules vary between providers.
They will stipulate the size and weight of the caravan or trailer - and many say you must take a serviceable spare tyre on the trip as well.
Vehicle condition and mileage
Insurers will consider your car’s age, mileage and whether servicing is up to date before offering cover.
