Breakdown
Breaking down is not something anyone wants to think about too much but in the unfortunate event of a breakdown you want to make sure you are not left stranded.
There are a wide range of breakdown covers to choose from whether you want a jump start at home or a full recovery package.
Different Policies
There are two main types of policy you can opt for, one is the standard service most people will be familiar with and the other, you pay for the repair upfront when the engineer is called out and then claim the money back. Below are the benefits of each type of cover and who offers each.
Normal ServiceThis is the most common policy that people decide to take out. You pay an annual fee and anytime your vehicle breaks down you simply call out the service to fix your problem. You pay nothing extra for the specific call out, it is included in your subscription. AA and RAC offer this type of breakdown cover. You will usually have a limit to the number of times you can call out the service during your subscription period.
Pay on CalloutRather than the company send out their own engineers, they use a local firm and send them to fix your vehicle. You pay at the time and then you have to claim the money back from your breakdown provider.
There are benefits to both types of service, for example when you take out full cover with the AA or RAC, you simply get the problem fixed there and then - you do not need to pay any money and then have the hassle of claiming it back. The huge benefit to using the pay on callout service is that it is considerably cheaper overall.
Deciding on your CoverAs well as deciding what level of cover you will need, you also need to decide whether you just want to cover your vehicle or yourself. If you drive more than one vehicle, it is a good idea to get cover for yourself, that way you will be able to call on your breakdown cover no matter what vehicle you are in.
Levels of Cover
Most companies offer several different levels of cover from basic roadside assistance to the full recovery packages and European breakdown assistance. The covers are named differently depending on the company offering them but can generally be split into five packages:
| Included in package | One | Two | Three | Four | Five |
| Fix the problem at roadside |  |
|
|
|
|
| Recovery to garage (only to nearest garage if basic package) | |
|
|
|
|
| Recovery of up to 7 passengers | |
|
|
|
|
| Recovery to any UK destination | |
|
|
|
|
| Fix at home | |
|
|
||
| Onward travel (train ticket, hire car or accommodation) | |
|
|||
| European Breakdown Assistance | |
Breakdown Providers
| Provider | Option One | Option Two | Option Three | Option Four | Option Five |
 |
From £33.60 | From £68.25 | From £100.50 | From £125.25 | n/a |
 |
£31.55 | £68.95 | £70.65 | £101.50 | £127.85 |
 |
From £25 | From £46 | From £48 | From £59 | From £119 |
 |
£29.95 | £53.80 | £68.95 | £99.00 | n/a |
* Please note: the prices detailed above are a guide only and may not be the same for individual circumstances. Please contact the individual provider for a quote specific to your own individual requirements.