Breakdown Cover: Tiers and What They Include
Breakdown cover is sold in tiers, and the differences between them determine whether a breakdown is an inconvenience or a serious problem.
The standard tiers
Roadside assistance attends a breakdown away from home, usually with a minimum distance from the property — commonly a quarter of a mile. If the car will not start on the driveway, basic roadside cover does not apply.
Home start removes that restriction, and it is worth having because a large proportion of breakdowns are failures to start at home, particularly batteries in winter.
National recovery transports the vehicle and occupants to a destination of your choice anywhere in the country when it cannot be repaired at the roadside. Without it, recovery may be limited to a local garage.
Onward travel provides a hire car, accommodation or alternative transport while the vehicle is repaired, which matters on a long journey.
European cover is a separate addition and is not included by default.
Vehicle-based or person-based
Vehicle cover attaches to a specific car and covers anyone driving it.
Personal cover attaches to you and applies to any vehicle you are travelling in, including as a passenger.
Households with more than one car frequently find personal cover for the main drivers cheaper than covering each vehicle, and it is the option most often overlooked.
Where cover is already held
Many packaged bank accounts include breakdown cover, and many new vehicles come with manufacturer assistance for a period.
Some motor insurance policies include it or offer it cheaply as an add-on, and some credit cards provide it.
Check before buying, since duplication in this category is very common and the second policy adds nothing.
Conditions that catch people out
Waiting periods after purchase, commonly a day or more, meaning cover bought during a breakdown does not respond to it.
Exclusions for vehicles above a certain age or weight, or for those not maintained in roadworthy condition.
Limits on the number of call-outs per year, after which further attendance is chargeable.
Running out of fuel, misfuelling and lost keys are excluded from some policies and covered by others, and these are frequent causes of call-out.
Caravans and trailers are usually excluded unless specifically covered.
Choosing sensibly
Match the tier to the driving you actually do. A car used locally by someone with another vehicle available needs less than one used for long motorway journeys with no alternative.
Home start is worth having in almost all cases. National recovery matters for anyone travelling beyond their local area.
Compare renewal against new-customer pricing every year, since this market prices new business considerably more keenly than renewals.
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