How does breakdown cover work?

It is a breakdown cover is an additional service you can buy in order to receive help with repairing or towing your car to a garage if your vehicle breaks down in the middle of your trip. Roadside assistance is one of the different kinds of breakdown cover that you can buy.

Breakdown cover is a great option if your car breaks down suddenly. It could cover anything from a flat battery to a punctured tyre. If you’re covered under breakdown cover, your policy provider will send a skilled mechanic to you when your car breaks down. The mechanic will repair your car and get you back on the road or tow your car in the direction of the nearby garage in case it needs extra time and help you fix it. Breakdown cover policy will ensure that you’re not stuck in the middle of your journey . It also will assist you in fixing your car. Most insurance companies cover the majority of cars, including bicycles, cars, vans motorhomes, caravans trucks and buses. The provider may have specific criteria for these types of vehicles, such as a maximum age or weight limit for the vehicle. Always check the small print of a contract to make sure you’re covered.

What is breakdown cover work?

There are a variety of details to consider based on the coverage you’re insured is involved, but generally, you can pull over and contact your policy provider in case you’re having problems with your car.
Once you contact the policy provider, they’ll ask for your location and help assess the issue to send a mechanic your way. It’s also possible by using an app to get in touch with your policy company and send them your location. You should have your policy provider’s number in your phone and written down in an article of paper inside your car, as well as any account number unique code, account number or other information about your policy that you will receive as part of your cover.

Different types of breakdown cover

There are five different kinds of breakdown cover which you can select from. The ideal type of cover for you will depend on how often and where you travel, and the coverage you require.

1. Assistance at the roadside

The roadside help is considered to be the most basic form of cover and is included in the majority policies available for purchase.
Roadside assistance helps you by the roadside in the event that your vehicle malfunctions during your journey. The trained specialist comes to your location and fix it right on the spot. If your vehicle requires any additional assistance, they’ll drive your vehicle to the closest garage or to the garage that you choose or your provider based on the terms of your policy. One thing to keep in mind when selecting the appropriate level coverage is that breakdown cover is that assistance is only offered if your vehicle has a breakdown at a specified distance from your home, generally at least a quarter of mile away.

2. At-home recovery

The at-home recovery, commonly known as ‘homestart’ can help you if your vehicle fails to start at your home address or within a brief distance from your home. This usually is not included in roadside assistance thus obtaining home-start is a great option when you typically stay close to your home. The precise distance that you can seek assistance with home start would be determined by the insurance company you choose to use.
You get the same level of assistance as roadside assistance and, in the event that your mechanic is unable to repair your vehicle and tow it to the nearest garage. This level of breakdown cover is useful if you frequently travel shorter distances or need to leave your car at a stop for a few minutes, resulting in a drained battery or soft tyres.

3. Onward journey

An alternative or onward route transport breakdown cover ensures that even if the vehicle you’re driving cannot be fixed on the road the journey won’t come to a stop.
With onward journey it is possible to receive a courtesy car, overnight accommodation arrangement and reimbursement of travel expenses and medical aids, or any other type of public transportation – depending on what’s mentioned in your contract . This will help you reach your destination safely and securely. It’s a great option for those who travel long distances frequently, especially for business , since it will help you’re at the right time, or do not miss your train or flight. If you’re considering taking on a journey breakdown cover be sure to check for any restrictions on what’s covered. For instance, costs like toll charges and ferry costs aren’t covered of the policy, the cost of accommodation covered could be limited to a certain number of nights or certain number of guests or hiring a taxi or rental car could cover only a specific number of miles or days.

4. National Recovery of Vehicles or the National Recovery of Vehicles

The National Recovery, which is also referred to as’vehicle recovery’ allows you to enjoy the luxury of having your vehicle towed anywhere within the UK that you choose, regardless of how far. So, for instance it may be a specialist garage of your choice or your home address.
This is a viable option for those who frequently travel for long distances as it gives you peace of mind knowing that you and your vehicle can get roadside assistance wherever you are, even far away from home , or your preferred return destination.

5. European recovery

If you plan on driving your car on your next trip to Europe or elsewhere, the European recovery cover can be a great alternative for you.
With this type of cover when your car breaks down, you can repair your vehicle at the side of road or have the vehicle hauled to the closest garage. While it’s similar to roadside assistance, the main benefit from European recovery is having experts’ assistance in sorting out your car while travelling abroad. It is also possible to get your car sent returned to UK if the policy covers the cost of transport. While these five are the most common types of breakdown policies, different providers might offer different kinds of breakdown cover also, as well as the option to opt for an all-car cover, commercial cover and family cover.

Click here for breakdown cover comparison.

Different styles of breakdown policy

Besides the different levels of breakdown cover, you can also select the type of policy that is best for you – traditional or insurance style.

Traditional style

If you select the traditional type of breakdown cover that you choose, you’ll be able to enjoy all the benefits that the chosen policy provides after you’ve paid the monthly or annual cost to your policy’s provider.

Style of insurance

In an insurance-style cover it is necessary to be upfront for repairs, towing charges and car rental, as well as any other services you use when your car is damaged. In the future, you may claim back the amount paid by presenting the receipts to your policy provider.

What’s the distinction between personal cover and car cover?

A breakdown cover can be bought as a personal cover or a vehicle cover.

Personal cover

Personal cover is for a specific person. If you buy your own private cover, it doesn’t matter which vehicle breakdowns, provided you’re in your car.

Benefits of having a personal cover are:

* You’ll receive help regardless of the vehicle you drive * If your insurance company specifies that you’ll receive coverage regardless of whether you were a passenger in the vehicle * If you drive different vehicles, this could be an excellent option personal cover could be extended to cover the other members of your family , if the policy you have with your provider allows it.

Personal cover include:

* If you’re not driving the vehicle, any shared owner of the car or a family member won’t be covered under your personal cover * It’s typically more expensive than getting vehicle cover for a vehicle If multiple people owns your car, you may want to consider getting family cover as an addition to your personal cover depending on whether your insurance provider permits. The number of people covered under family cover is contingent on the policy prover. All family members must be at the same residence to be considered as family cover and all members receive the same protection. Usually you can include anyone to the family cover which includes children, spouses and flatmates as long as you all live in the same household.

Cover for the vehicle cover

A car cover is a way to make claims when a specific car breaks down. This policy is applicable only for specific vehicles and not to cover other vehicles.

Advantages of vehicle cover:

* Your insurance provider might permit you to cover only a handful of vehicles covered under this policy, provided they reside at the address you provide. It’s usually cheaper than an individual cover This is an excellent option for members of your family drive your car If you own a single vehicle, this could be the best option for you.

Disadvantages of automobile cover:

* You won’t be covered if you’re driving someone another’s vehicle. cover only one vehicle under vehicle cover * It’s not ideal when you own multiple vehicles and it can cost more to cover every vehicle in the same way than obtaining a private cover If you’re looking to cover more than one car and have multiple cars, multi-car cover is an excellent alternative if your insurance provider provides it. The number of vehicles covered under multi-car cover will vary based on the policy’s provider, and all vehicles get the same amount of protection. Typically, multi-car cover requires all vehicles to have the same registered address.

What do breakdown cover include and exclude?

What’s covered and what’s not will depend on the type the breakdown cover you purchase, and your policy provider’s terms and conditions.
To find out exactly what’s excluded from your policy You should go through the policy’s documentation carefully and verify what you can assert a claim for as well as what’s excluded.
Some common exclusions in the breakdown cover are:

The issue is with your car that doesn’t cause your car to breakdown or run out of gas or having a malfunctioning entertainment center, horn or other vehicle accessories that are damaged. The breakdown could be caused by a road accident (though they might be capable of towing your vehicle) It’s due to poor maintenance on your vehicle, such as the tyres being worn out; or vehicle management issues, for example, filling up with the wrong type of fuel Breakdown due to your vehicle not being roadworthy * Breakdown on private property (except if it’s your home and covered by the policy) • Breakdown when there are pets or animals in the car * Cost of replacement parts insurance policy may have an activation period of a few hours, days or even a few weeks, or a limited cover of up to 30 days

Breakdown cover extra additions

There are numerous add-ons you can choose to add additional protection on top of your chosen policy. The options for additional coverage will vary between the policy companies.
It’s worth considering whether an additional add-on could improve the coverage fit for your specific needs in deciding on the best breakdown cover for you.
Some common breakdown cover add-ons include:

* Tire replacement * Battery replacement Key replacement * Family cover * Multi-car cover * Special vehicles cover

It is a breakdown cover is an additional service you can buy in order to receive help with repairing or towing your car to a garage if your vehicle breaks down in the middle of your trip. Roadside assistance is one of the different kinds of breakdown cover that you can buy. Breakdown cover is…