Is breakdown cover a legal requirement?

There’s nothing quite so annoying as the moment your car breaks down while you’re on your way to a crucial event. Time-consuming, frustrating and costly but, generally speaking the occurrences of this kind are few and far in between. Maybe you’ve never had problems with your car and don’t see any value in obtaining breakdown cover? Maybe it’s not a risk you’re willing to take? In this post we’ll go over the various types of breakdown cover offered and evaluate whether breakdown cover is an option that is nice to have or a must-have.

What exactly is breakdown cover?

Let’s begin at the beginning. What exactly is breakdown cover? The name itself suggests that breakdown cover is a type of insurance policy which provides help when your car is damaged or refuses to start.

What exactly is the breakdown cover?

The specifics of what’s and isn’t covered in breakdown cover will all depend on the type of policy you select. There are varying types of cover available , ranging from basic premium and the amount you pay will be different based on. The majority of breakdown cover plans will include roadside assistance should you get stuck or have a problem on the go, assistance will either repair your vehicle at the place it is or transport you to a nearby garage. The most basic plans likely will not transport you home or provide you with cars to take you over while your vehicle is repaired, but that’s the top-quality packages.

What’s missing from breakdown cover?

Breakdown cover isn’t typically inclusive of the cost for parts or the supplies needed to start your car. In essence, when you purchase breakdown cover generally, you’re paying for the mechanic’s time. If your vehicle can’t be repaired where you are and has to be brought to an authorized garage, you’ll be accountable for the cost of the garage. There also may be an upper limit on the number of call-outs you are allowed to make in a year. Also, if your car is 20 years old and you are constantly struggling with issues, you might have worn out your year’s policy out by mid-February.

How expensive is breakdown cover?

This all depends on the package you choose. The price varies from a few pounds per month for the simplest cover to a bigger portion of cash for the most premium cover offered.

Does breakdown cover legally required?

No. Breakdown cover isn’t a legal requirement. It’s not required, it’s your choice whether you opt to cover it or not, but the peace of heart that breakdown cover offers could be worth it. No one wants to break down on a quiet road at 2am and not have a method of getting back home after all.

What kinds of car breakdown cover are available?

There are two main types of breakdown cover, personal and vehicle. The best option for you depends on the requirements you want from your cover.

Personal breakdown cover

Personal breakdown cover is the term used to describe how you personally, are insured. This means that regardless of whether you’re driving your personal vehicle or are a driver in someone else’s car or a vehicle, you’re able to make a call to get roadside assistance. This gives you the peace of mind regardless of where you’re located and the mode of transport you’re in (the cover also applies to bicycles as well as other types of vehicles), you’ll never be stuck on the roadside. If your personal car is damaged and you aren’t driving it, for example, if your spouse or child is driving, you won’t be protected.

Breakdown of a vehicle cover

Vehicle breakdown cover like the name suggests, means the vehicle itself is covered. If anyone is driving will be covered in the case of a breakdown. This is a good alternative for drivers who share the same vehicle.

Coverage levels cover

There are varying levels of cover depending on what you plan to use your vehicle for. People who travel for long distances around Europe to job, for instance, will require more cover as compared to Stan at 46 who uses his vehicle for trips to the grocery store.

Assistance at the roadside

If you mostly 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 among the lowest levels of cover and comes as standard with any type or breakdown coverage. In the event of an accident, a policeman will come to your assistance in the event that they can. If they can, they’ll fix your car immediately, but in case they cannot, they’ll tow you to the nearest garage (for the most basic cover, there’s usually a limit that is 10 miles).
National Recovery Breakdown


Perhaps you have family members in a different area of the country , or maybe you work from home. If you’re regularly traveling long distances, you’ll find that the National Recovery Breakdown will be the best bet for you. It’s the next level from roadside assistance, and it ensures transportation for you and your vehicle anywhere in the country. According to the Association of Automobiles, British drivers pay around PS104million per year for breakdown costs so, if you’re a frequent traveler it’s worth taking out an insurance policy.

At home breakdown cover

Incredibly, the majority of breakdowns take place within your drive or within a short distance of your home. A flat battery is one of the most common reasons for breakdowns and this kind of cover is that a mechanic will go to your house (or anywhere within a quarter-mile of it) and either repair the car on site or drive you to a garage. This is a good option for you if you’re regularly leaving your lights on or you only use your car for a few minutes.

Onward travel breakdown cover

If you experience a breakdown in the middle of an important conference then onward travel cover will make sure you get there. Most of the time, an alternate mode of transport or transportation will be covered. the premium insurance policies usually consist of hotel stays and vehicle hire where necessary. Ideal for people who work throughout the United States.

European breakdown cover

It doesn’t matter if you work in Europe often or take five breaks a year (lucky lucky), European breakdown cover may be the best choice for you. It is, as the name suggests, this form of cover covers you in the event of a breakdown within Europe. You can choose one-time cover, if you’re going with the family to France on holiday, right through to annual cover. This type of protection usually includes hotel accommodation and car hire which will come in handy if you break down in France as you travel towards the Swiss Alps.

Things to take note of

There are plenty of options to choose from for the breakdown cover and they are diverse in cost and coverage. It is possible to use your vehicle to drive to the grocery store or to visit your family or friends occasionally and believe it’s not worth it. But, with breakdown cover comes the reassurance that you’ll never end up stuck without a way to get to get to. The simplest types of cover could cost you very little but will pay huge dividends in the event of breakdown. The peace of mind that comes with it is priceless.