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AA - Breakdown services - RAC - Car breakdown cover - More Than - Breakdown cover
Each year thousands of motorists get stuck or break down on the road. If you own a car that is more than three years old then it has more than a 10% chance of breaking down each year.
The winter months are particularly well known for their ability to ensnare cars mid journey, but don’t be fooled in to a false sense of security if you make it though the winter without requiring some form of roadside assistance from a car breakdown cover company.
Some faults are common; and can easily be avoided if you spend 30 minutes each month checking over your car. After all, taking proper care of your car should be common sense, it is an asset worth keeping in good condition should you decide to sell the vehicle at a later date. It may also prevent you from having to call out breakdown services and wait in the freezing cold for someone to come and rescue you.
To keep your car on the road requires proper and regular servicing. Even so it is highly advisable to invest in breakdown cover from a breakdown services specialist; you never know when you may need it! This becomes an even more pressing need if you take your car abroad and are unfortunate enough to breakdown.
Common types of car breakdown cover
Roadside rescue breakdown cover
If you breakdown, this type of policy will quickly get you moving again or towed to the nearest garage within a specified radius. If the car can be fixed at the roadside you should receive minutes (up to 60) of free labour to repair minor mechanical or electrical faults. All you are likely to pay for are the parts.
Note: Incidents at your home or within specified radius of your home would not be covered.
Roadside rescue and home rescue breakdown cover
Should provide the same level as cover as roadside rescue but will also extend the cover to your house. In addition, your vehicle should be returned to your local garage.
Roadside rescue and recovery plus breakdown cover
This policy should provide all the benefits of Roadside Rescue and Home Rescue to cover your car at your home address, plus a choice of either:
A hire car to either return home or
continue your journey.
The cost of alternative transport to enable your journey or return home
to be completed.
Accommodation in a local hotel while awaiting completion of repairs
providing the incident occurs more than a set number of miles away from
your home.
European rescue breakdown services
If you drive on the continent it is worth
considering a European breakdown cover policy. Some insurers provide this free
of charge with their car insurance policy, so check the small print.
Some of the benefits of cover include:
Car breakdown cover abroad
The cost of travelling home if your car is stolen
The return of you vehicle if it cannot be driven
Legal cover and pay for the delivery of replacement parts if they're not
available locally
Other inclusions/exclusions to look for
Depending on the insurer or the car insurance policy you have, you may well receive extra benefits included into the policy. For example some insurers offer:
1. Cover for caravans or trailers but
ensure you check the policy details before you sign up.
2. Car breakdown cover as part of the car insurance policy, which means
minimal additional work for you.
3. Discounts on the policy for 2nd and 3rd cars kept at the same
address.
4. It is also essential that you use a well known company. After all,
the larger the company providing breakdown cover the larger their recovery
operator network is likely to be. Most large insurers have a network of
operators with at least 2,000 members.
What to do if you break down
1. Pull off the road and park in a safe
place.
2. Put on the hazard warning lights and decide on your course of action
before calling for help.
3. Put a warning triangle on the road at least 45 metres (147 feet)
behind your broken down vehicle on the same side of the road.
4. Always take care when putting a warning triangle behind your vehicle.
Never use a warning triangle on a motorway.
5. Keep your sidelights on if it is dark or visibility is poor.
6. Lock the doors and call for help from your mobile phone or from a
payphone. Remember, if you do not have a mobile phone always keep some
loose change in your car to call from a payphone.
Car breakdown cover companies
AA - Breakdown
services
RAC - Car
breakdown cover
More Than -
Breakdown cover