There’s nothing quite so annoying as the moment your car breaks down when you’re on your way to a crucial event. The process is time-consuming, expensive and annoying but generally speaking, the occurrences of this kind are few and far between. You may not have ever had an issue with your vehicle and don’t see any value in getting breakdown cover? Maybe it’s not an investment you’re willing take? In this post we’ll go over the various types of breakdown cover available and decide if breakdown cover is an option that is nice to have or something you should have.
What is breakdown cover?
Let’s start at the very beginning, what does breakdown cover? The name itself suggests that breakdown cover is an insurance policy that provides assistance in the event that your vehicle breaks down or fails to start.
What’s included in breakdown cover?
The specifics of what is and isn’t covered by car breakdown cover will be contingent on the type of insurance you pick. There are varying kinds of cover available from basic to premium and the amount you pay for it will differ according to. Most breakdown cover packages include roadside assistance if you experience a breakdown or a problem on the go Assistance will fix your car where it is, or take you to a local garage. Most basic packages don’t transport you to your home or offer an automobile to help you get over while your vehicle is fixed. That’s the features of premium packages.
What’s not covered in breakdown cover?
Breakdown cover does not usually cover the cost of parts or the supplies needed for getting your vehicle running. In essence, when you pay for breakdown cover, you’re usually paying for the time of the mechanic. If your vehicle isn’t repaired at the location you’re in and needs to be taken to an authorized garage, you’ll be held accountable for the bill of the garage. There is also an upper limit on the number of calls you are allowed per year. If your vehicle has been in service for 20 years and you are constantly struggling with issues, you might have worn your year policy out by mid-February.
How expensive is breakdown cover?
The cost will depend on the type of plan you pick. The price varies between a few pounds per month for the simplest cover to a greater amount for the best cover that is available.
Does breakdown cover a legal requirement?
No. It’s not true. Breakdown cover isn’t an obligation under the law. It’s not a requirement, it’s your choice if you decide to opt for it or don’t, however the peace of mind breakdown cover brings could well be worth the cost. It’s not a good idea to drive down on a quiet sideroad at 2am , and then have no method of getting back home.
What types of breakdown cover are available?
There are two primary types of breakdown cover, personal and vehicle. The right option for you depends on the needs you have for your cover.
Personal breakdown cover
Personal breakdown cover means that you, personally, are covered. This means that whether you’re driving your own vehicle or are a driver in someone else’s car or a vehicle, you’re able to make a phone call for assistance at the roadside. This will give you the peace of mind no matter where you are and what vehicle you’re traveling within (the cover also applies to bikes along with other automobiles) It will ensure that you’re never stuck on the roadside. If your own vehicle breaks down and you’re not driving it, for example when your parent or spouse is in the car, you won’t be covered.
Car breakdown cover
The breakdown cover, as the name suggests, means the vehicle is insured. In other words, no matter who drives, they’ll be covered in the case of a breakdown. This is a fantastic option if multiple drivers use one vehicle.
Coverage levels cover
There are different levels of cover in accordance with what you plan to use your vehicle for. Drivers who travel long distances across Europe to reasons of work, for example may require more cover than Stan at number 46 who uses his vehicle for trips to the market.
Roadside assistance
If you mainly make use of your vehicle for personal journeys and rarely make long-distance drives or trips, then roadside assistance could be an ideal choice for you. It’s one of the cheapest options of cover and is included with any kind that of insurance for breakdowns. In the event of breakdown, a security guard will come to your assistance in the event that they can. If they can repair your vehicle immediately, but in case they cannot, they’ll tow you to the nearest garage (for the most basic cover, there’s usually a limitation that is 10 , miles).
National Recovery Breakdown
Perhaps you have relatives located in a different region of the country or you drive for work. If you’re regularly driving and traveling for long distances, you’ll find that the National Recovery Breakdown will be the most suitable option for you. It’s the next step from roadside assistance and it ensures transportation for you and your vehicle any location in the United States. According to the Association of Automobiles, British drivers pay around PS104million a year for breakdown-related costs. So, if you’re a frequent traveler it’s worth taking out a policy.
Home breakdown cover
Interestingly, a large number of breakdowns take place within your drive or very close to home. A damaged battery is among of the most frequent causes of breakdown , and this kind of cover means a mechanic will come to your residence (or anyplace within a quarter mile of the area) and either fix your vehicle at home or take you to a garage. This could be an ideal option for you if you’re frequently keeping your lights on, or if you only drive your car sporadically.
Onward travel breakdown cover
If you break down in the middle of an important event and need to travel onward, travel cover will ensure you arrive at your destination. Most of the time, an alternate mode of transport or transportation is covered. additional premium policies typically include hotel stays and car hire in the event of need. This is ideal for people who work all over the country.
European breakdown cover
Whether you work in Europe frequently or take five breaks a each year (lucky you), European breakdown cover might be the right choice for you. The name says it all the cover protects you in the event of a breakdown anywhere within Europe. You can choose single-trip cover, if you’re taking the family to France on holiday, right through to annual cover. This type of insurance typically includes hotel accommodations and car hire which will be useful if you break down in France when you are traveling towards Switzerland. Swiss Alps.
Things to keep in mind
There are many options to choose from when it comes to the breakdown cover and they range in both price and coverage. It’s possible that you only use your car to drive to the market or to visit your family or friends occasionally and decide it’s not worth it. With breakdown cover comes the reassurance that you’ll never be in a bind and have no means of getting to where you have to go. The most basic forms of cover will cost you small, yet pay massive dividends in the situation of breakdown. The peace of mind that comes with it is priceless.
