An breakdown cover is an additional option that you can buy to ensure you get help with repairing or towing your car to a garage if your vehicle fails during the course of a travel. Roadside assistance is just one of the many kinds of breakdown cover that you can purchase.
Breakdown cover can be extremely useful when your car fails suddenly. It could cover anything from a dead battery to a punctured tyre. If you’re covered under breakdown cover, your policy provider will send a skilled mechanic to you if your car fails. This mechanic will fix your vehicle and help you get out on the roads or tow your vehicle in the direction of the nearby garage in case it needs extra time and help you fix it. Breakdown cover policy guarantees that you won’t be stranded in middle of your journey and helps you fix your car. Policy providers usually cover most vehicles, including vehicles, vans, bicycles, motorhomes, caravans, trucks and buses. The policy provider may have requirements for these vehicles including a minimum weight or age limit of the vehicle. Make sure to read the small print of the contract to ensure you’re covered.
How does breakdown cover function?
Specifics can differ depending upon the amount of coverage you’re insured you have it with, but typically, you simply pull over and phone your policy provider when you’re having trouble with your vehicle.
When you call the insurance company, they’ll need your location and assist in determining what’s wrong with your car so they can get a mechanic in your direction. You may also be able to use an app to notify your insurance provider and send them your location. Be sure to are carrying your policy provider’s phone number on your phone, and write it down on a piece of paper in your car, as well as any account number, unique code or any other policy information that you will receive as part of your cover.
Different types of breakdown cover
There are five different levels of breakdown cover that you can pick from. The best type of cover for you will depend on the amount and where you are traveling, and the coverage you require.
1. Assistance at the roadside
Roadside Assistance is the most basic form of cover and is covered in most of the policies you purchase.
Roadside assistance is available by the roadside if your vehicle breaks down during your journey. A trained technician arrives at your location and fix it right on the spot. If your vehicle requires further assistance, they’ll take the vehicle to the closest garage or the one selected by you or your provider , based on the terms of the policy. One thing to keep in mind when selecting the appropriate level of breakdown cover is that help will only be provided if your vehicle is unable to continue operating at a certain distance your home, usually at least a quarter of a mile away.
Looking for breakdown cover comparison? Check out breakdowncover.co.uk
2. Home recovery
The at-home recovery, commonly known as home start, assists when your vehicle fails to start at your registered home address, or within a short distance from home. This is generally not part of roadside assistance’s level of coverage which is why a home start could be a viable option when you typically drive close to your home. The exact distance within which you can seek assistance for home start would depend on the policy you have with your insurance provider.
You’ll get the same amount of assistance as roadside aid and, in the event that the mechanic is unable to repair your vehicle and tow it to the nearest garage. This kind of breakdown cover is useful in the event that you often travel for short distances or if you need to leave your car at a stop for a few minutes that results in a low tire or battery that is not fully charged.
3. Onward journey
The onward or ‘alternative transportation breakdown cover assures you that even if your vehicle isn’t able to be repaired on the roadside, your journey won’t come to a halt.
When you take a trip that is on the way it is possible to receive a courtesy car, overnight accommodation arrangements, reimbursement of travel expenses as well as medical or special assistance any other public transportation option – depending on what’s mentioned in the contract to ensure that you arrive at your destination safe and sound. It’s a great option for those who travel regularly over long distances, especially for business , since it will help you arrive at your meeting on time or that you aren’t late for your train or flight. If you’re considering taking on a journey breakdown cover, you should check for any restrictions regarding what is covered. For instance, charges like ferry and toll costs could not be included as part of the policy, the cost of accommodation covered could be for only a specific number of nights or a particular number of persons as well as the costs for a hired car or taxi may cover only a specified amount of days or miles.
4. National or vehicle recovery
“National Recovery,” which can also be known as’vehicle recover’, gives you the comfort of having your vehicle towed into any place in the UK of your choice regardless of the distance. This means, for example, the location could be a specialist garage that you choose or even your home address.
This is a great alternative if you often travel for long distances as it will give you peace of head in knowing you and your car can get assistance at the roadside no matter where you are in the distance from home , or your preferred destination for return.
5. European recovery
If you’re planning to drive your vehicle on the next journey to Europe, then European recovery cover could be an excellent alternative for you.
With this type of cover in case your vehicle is damaged, you are able to fix your car at the side of the road or get your vehicle hauled to the closest garage. Although it’s similar to roadside assistance, the major advantage to European recovery is having an expert’s assistance in sorting out your vehicle while you’re abroad. You may also be able to get your car sent returned to UK depending on the insurance coverage that covers the cost of transport. These five policies are among the most popular types of breakdown policies, different providers might offer different kinds of breakdown cover in addition to the possibility of choosing the multi-car cover and commercial cover along with family cover.
Different styles of breakdown policies
Apart from the different types of cover You can also choose the style of policy that’s best for you – traditional or insurance style.
Traditional style
If you opt for a traditional style breakdown cover that you choose, you’ll be able to enjoy all the benefits that your chosen policy will provide after you’ve paid the annual or monthly fee to your policy provider.
Insurance style
In an insurance-type cover it is necessary to pay up-front for repairs or towing costs and car rental, as well as any other services you require in the event that your vehicle breaks down. You can later be able to claim back the amount by showing the receipts to the policy company.
How can you tell the differences between personal cover and vehicle cover?
A breakdown cover can be bought as an individual cover or vehicle cover.
Personal cover
Personal cover is designed for a particular person. If you purchase a your own cover, it doesn’t matter which car breaks down, so long as that you’re inside the vehicle.
Advantages of personal cover include:
* You’ll receive assistance regardless of the vehicle you are driving * If your policy provider specifies so you’ll be covered even if you’re an passenger in the vehicle If you own multiple vehicles, it can be an excellent option personal cover can be extended to cover the other members of your family as well if your policy provider allows
Some disadvantages of personal cover are:
If you’re not in the car, any shared owner of the vehicle or a family member won’t be covered in your personal cover This is usually more expensive than obtaining vehicle cover for your car. If more than one person uses your car, you might be interested in obtaining family cover as an addition to your personal cover in the event that your insurance provides for. The amount of individuals covered under family cover is contingent on the policy prover. All family members need to be at the same address in order to be considered for family cover and everyone gets the same coverage. Usually it is possible to add anyone on the family cover which includes children, spouses, friends and flatmate – in the event that you live in one household.
Cover for the vehicle cover
A vehicle cover can be used to claim damages if one particular vehicle fails. The policy can be used only against specified vehicles, and not to cover other vehicles.
The benefits of having a vehicle cover:
* Your policy provider may permit you to cover only a handful of vehicles covered under this policy, provided that they can be registered with your specific address. * It’s generally cheaper than a personal cover This is a great option if various individuals drive your vehicle If you own a single vehicle, this can be the best option for you.
The disadvantages of car cover:
It is not protected if you’re driving who is driving someone else’s car * You can cover only one vehicle under the vehicle cover It’s not the ideal solution if you drive multiple cars and it can cost more to cover each car separately than obtaining a private cover If you want to cover more than one vehicle Multi-car cover can be a good alternative if your insurance provider offers it. The number of vehicles that can be covered under multi-car cover will be determined by the insurance company as well as whether all vehicles receive the same amount of protection. Typically multi-car cover requires all vehicles to be registered at the same address.
What do breakdown cover include and exclude?
What’s covered depends on the amount of breakdown cover you purchase, as well as the terms and conditions.
To know exactly what’s excluded from your policy, you should read the policy documents carefully, and then determine what you are able to bring a claim against, and what’s not covered.
A few common exclusions to a breakdown cover are:
There is a problem within your car that won’t cause your car to breakdown such as running out of fuel , or having a malfunctioning entertainment centre, horn or other vehicle accessories that are damaged. The breakdown could be caused by a road accident (though they may be capable of towing your vehicle) A breakdown due to poor car maintenance, like running out of tyres, or vehicle management issues like refilling your tank with the wrong fuel type * Breakdown because your car’s not roadworthy * Breakdown on private property (except the property is yours and it’s covered in your insurance) * Breakdown with animals or pets inside the vehicle of replacement parts * The policy might have an activation time of just a few hours, a few days or a few weeks or a partial cover that can last up to 30 days
Breakdown cover other add-ons
There are numerous add-ons are available to you to gain additional coverage in addition to your selected policy. The options available to you for additional coverage will vary between policies and providers.
Consider the possibility of an add-on to help make the policy better suitable for your requirements in deciding on the best breakdown cover for yourself.
Common breakdown cover options include:
* Replacement of a Tyre * Battery Key replacement * Fuel mis-filling * Family cover * Multi-car cover * Special vehicles cover
