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Compare breakdown cover quotes

See how much you could save on your breakdown insurance by comparing quotes today

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Find the breakdown insurance that’s right for you by exploring our best deals.

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What sort of breakdown cover do you need?

Answer these questions to work out what's best for you

How far do you travel?

How far from home do you drive and how many miles do you drive in a year?

How many people drive your car?

If you need breakdown cover for just one car, how many people will it need to cover?

Do you drive several cars?

If you own several cars, or if you drive other people's cars, you may need personal breakdown cover, not just cover for a named vehicle.

Do you use your car abroad?

Some policies can be extended to cover European breakdowns too, insuring you for holiday travel or business trips.

Woman leaning on her car and looking at her phone

Top tips if your car breaks down

If the worst happens and your car breaks down, here are the things you need to remember:

  • Try to move your car out of the way of other vehicles and traffic
  • Turn on your lights – both your sidelights and hazard warning lights
  • Ensure you and your passengers leave the car and stand well away, keeping a safe distance from the road and other traffic
  • Call your breakdown service and give them your location – they may ask you questions in order to establish whether to prioritise you
Child smiling next to car tyres

Why your MOT is important for you and your car

An MOT (Ministry of Transport test) ensures that a vehicle (cars, motorcycles, goods vehicles) is road worthy. Essentially a mechanic makes sure the vehicle is safe to be on the road. This is a yearly legal requirement for any vehicle that is being driven on public roads.

Have a fully functioning vehicle, means you are less likely to encounter problems on the road, and therefore less likely to cause break down issues. An MOT can flag serious issues that you didn't know existed, saving you time and keeping you safe.

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Breakdown cover FAQs

Last updated: 30 May 2024

What is included in my breakdown insurance?

There are different levels of cover:

  • Roadside assistance is the most basic, meaning a mechanic will try to fix your car where it has broken down
  • You can add on vehicle recovery (being towed to a garage) and home start
  • Other options such as accommodation and onward travel are included as part of a comprehensive package, or you can add them on as individual items

What is breakdown insurance?

Breakdown insurance is another name for breakdown cover. Breakdown cover is often sold as an add on to a car insurance policy. It can also be sold on its own - as a standalone policy.

What is vehicle breakdown cover?

Vehicle breakdown policies cover the car, not the driver. Anyone driving the car will be covered. This could be a good option for a family car shared by two or more drivers.

Why you might need vehicle breakdown cover:

  • If you only ever travel in your own car, vehicle cover can give you the policy you need and may work out cheaper
  • You can also get vehicle breakdown policies that cover more than one car, which could be a good alternative to personal breakdown cover if you have more than one car in your household

What is roadside assistance?

Roadside assistance covers you if you break down anywhere in the UK, typically at least a quarter of a mile away from home. A mechanic will come and try to fix your car at the roadside, or tow it to a garage.

What is home assistance/home start cover?

Home assistance insurance will cover you if your car breaks down at home or less than a quarter of a mile away from your address – if your car won’t start in the morning. Your car will either be fixed at home or taken to a garage for further repairs.

What is vehicle recovery?

If your car can't be fixed at the roadside, vehicle recovery means your UK car breakdown cover will pay and arrange for it to be towed to a garage or your home.

What is onward travel cover?

Onward travel breakdown cover can get you where you want to go even if your car cannot be used.

It covers you whether it's a lift home or dropping you off to the destination you were travelling to, as long as it's in the UK. Onward travel breakdown cover can even be more comprehensive and can include a courtesy car or even accommodation while your car is being repaired.

Who offers the best UK breakdown cover?

Breakdown cover was originally offered to members of the RAC and the AA, which are two of the UK’s oldest driving clubs. Other providers of car breakdown in the UK have since been established such as Green Flag.

There are other companies offering breakdown cover as part of any fully comprehensive car insurance policy. These include AXA and Swiftcover.

Always compare prices and policies when looking to take out breakdown cover to make sure you're getting a good deal.rs.

Who offers breakdown cover?

Breakdown cover was originally offered to members of the RAC and the AA, which are two of the UK’s oldest driving clubs. Other providers of car breakdown in the UK have since been established such as Green Flag.

There are other companies offering breakdown cover as part of any fully comprehensive car insurance policy. These include AXA and Swiftcover.

Always compare prices and policies when looking to take out breakdown cover to make sure you're getting a good deal.

Does breakdown cover have limits?

These will vary from policy to policy. Usually the cheaper policies limit your call outs to four or five a year. Some comprehensive policies don’t have a limit.

What should I look for in car breakdown cover quotes?

Different providers can offer additional extras such as:

  • Battery cover
  • Replacement key cover
  • Cover if you fill your car with the wrong fuel

It’s worth carrying out a car breakdown cover comparison to make sure you are getting the best deal

What types of vehicles are covered?

When you buy car breakdown insurance cover you can choose whether you want a van, car, or motorcycle to be covered. If you are looking for breakdown cover for special vehicles, such as a large campervan or a car with a trailer, you will need to make that clear.

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