There’s nothing as disconcerting as a car breaking down on the way to a crucial event. The process is time-consuming, expensive and annoying but generally speaking, these occurrences are few and far in between. Maybe you’ve never encountered problems with your car therefore don’t see the value in getting breakdown cover? Perhaps it’s just an investment you’re willing take? In this article we’ll examine the different kinds of breakdown cover available and decide if breakdown cover is something that’s nice to have or something you should have.
What is breakdown cover?
Let’s start from the beginning, what is car breakdown cover? As the name suggests, breakdown cover is a type of insurance policy that offers assistance for your vehicle if it breaks down or fails to start.
What exactly is the breakdown cover?
The specifics of what’s and isn’t covered under breakdown cover will depend on the type of policy you select. There are many types of cover available from basic to premium and the amount you pay for it will differ according to. The majority of breakdown cover plans will include roadside assistance should you have a breakdown or experience a problem on the go, assistance will either fix your car where it is, or tow it to a garage in the area. The simplest packages won’t take you home or offer the vehicle to get you over until your vehicle is repaired, but that’s the features of premium packages.
What isn’t included in breakdown cover?
Breakdown cover does not usually cover the cost of parts or the materials required to keep your car running. When you purchase breakdown cover, you’re usually paying for the time of the mechanic. If your vehicle cannot be fixed where you are and requires a trip to an auto repair shop, you’ll be responsible for the garage’s bill. There is also a limit on how many calls you are allowed per year. So, if your car is 20 years old and you are constantly struggling to start, you could have worn your year policy out at the mid-February point.
How much will breakdown cover?
It all depends on the package you choose. Prices vary from a few pounds a month for the least basic cover up to a substantial amount for the best cover that is available.
Is breakdown cover an obligation of law?
No. The breakdown cover isn’t a legal requirement. It’s not mandatory, it’s your decision whether to go to cover it or not, but the peace of heart that breakdown cover brings could well be worth it. No one wants to break down on a quiet road in the early hours and have no option of getting home.
What types of breakdown cover are available?
There are two main kinds of breakdown cover that are available: personal and vehicle. The best choice for you is dependent on the needs you have for your cover.
Personal breakdown cover
Personal breakdown cover signifies that you yourself, are covered. Therefore, whether you’re driving your own vehicle or you’re a passenger in someone else’s vehicle, you can make a phone call for assistance at the roadside. This gives you the peace of mind no matter where you are and what mode of transport you’re within (the cover also applies to bikes as well as other types of vehicles) You won’t be caught in a bind by the side of the road. If your own vehicle breaks down and you’re not driving it, for example the parent or spouse is in the car, you won’t be covered.
Vehicle breakdown cover
Car breakdown cover As the name implies, signifies that the car itself is insured. In other words, no matter who drives, they’ll be covered in the case of a breakdown. This is a good alternative for drivers who share one vehicle.
Coverage levels cover
There are various levels of cover dependent on the type of activity you intend to use your car for. Drivers who travel long distances around Europe to work, for instance may require the same level of cover than Stan at 46 who only uses his car to go to the supermarket.
Assistance at the roadside
If you only make use of your vehicle for personal journeys and rarely make long-distance drives and you don’t have roadside assistance, it could be a good fit for you. It’s one of the cheapest kinds of cover and is included with any kind in breakdown insurance. In the event of an accident, a policeman will arrive to assist you should they be able to repair your vehicle there and then but should they not be able to, they’ll drive you to the closest garage (for the most basic cover the typical limit of 10-miles).
National Recovery Breakdown
Perhaps you have relatives in another part of the country or you work from home. If you’re frequently in the car and driving for long distances, it’s likely that National Recovery Breakdown will be your best option. It’s the next level from roadside assistance and it assures you transportation for yourself and your vehicle to any location in the United States. According to the AA, British drivers pay around PS104million a year for breakdown expenses. If you’re a regular traveller, it could pay to take out an insurance policy.
At home breakdown cover
Interestingly, a large number of breakdowns occur within your drive or in close proximity to your home. A damaged battery is among of the leading causes of breakdown . This type of cover implies that a mechanic will travel to your home (or anywhere within a quarter-mile of it) and either repair your car there and then or drive you to a garage. This may be a great option for you if you’re regularly leaving your lights on or if you just drive your vehicle sporadically.
For travel onwards, breakdown of the journey cover
If you experience a breakdown while traveling to an important meeting, onward travel cover will help you reach your destination. Usually, a different method of transportation or travel will be covered. higher-end policies may comprise hotel stays and car hire where necessary. It is ideal for those who have to travel up and down the country.
European breakdown cover
Whether you work in Europe a lot or you take five holidays a calendar year (lucky that you), European breakdown cover could be the perfect option for you. The name says it all, this form of cover covers you in the eventuality of a breakdown in Europe. You can choose single-trip cover, if you’re traveling with your family to France for a vacation, all up to annual cover. This type of protection will generally include hotel accommodation as well as car hire, which could help if you experience a breakdown in France as you travel for the Swiss Alps.
Things to take note of
There are a host of options when it comes to breakdown cover and they are diverse in terms of cost and coverage. You may only use your vehicle to drive to the grocery store or to visit your family or friends once in a while and think it’s not worth the cost. But, with breakdown cover comes the reassurance that you’ll never find yourself trapped without a means of getting to where you have to go. Simple forms of cover can cost very minimal, but they will yield huge dividends in the situation of an emergency breakdown. Peace of mind is priceless.