A Look At Breakdown Cover

If you have breakdown cover it will give you the peace of mind that if anything goes wrong - your covered!

Breakdown cover provides protection in case your car suffers engine or other difficulties on the road or at home. Generally, basic car insurance policies do not include breakdown cover, but it is offered instead as a policy option.

If you have ever suffered from a breakdown on the road, you will know how difficult and scary it can be trying to get help on the road’s hard shoulder. Trying to fix even minor problems like changing a flat tyre can be difficult and dangerous.

With the advanced technology used in today’s engines, it is not as easy as it once was to handle problems on your own while at roadside.

Vehicle vs. personal breakdown cover

Drivers can choose between two basic types of breakdown cover: vehicle or personal. Vehicle cover only provides protection for those cars that are specified in the policy.

Vehicle cover is the cheaper option and is preferred by many drivers who are on a tight budget. Personal cover includes protection for any vehicles in which you are either the driver or passenger. While more expensive than vehicle cover, this option is for those who want maximum protection.

Personal cover is great for those who participate in rideshare (car pooling) in order to commute to work, school or other destinations.

Some car insurance policies do come with breakdown cover, however its important to check and make sure

Breakdown cover levels

In addition to choosing between vehicle and personal cover, you can also select a specific level of protection. Generally, insurance providers will offer five levels of cover:

• Roadside – The cheapest and most basic level of breakdown cover. Patrols are sent to your vehicle if it should breakdown on the side of the road. The vehicle will be repaired on the roadside if possible. Otherwise, it will be towed to the nearest garage. This form of cover will not pay for replacement parts, and it only provides a specified amount of free labour time.
• National – With this level of cover, you get all the services provided by Roadside cover along with free transportation for you and your passengers to your chosen destination.
• Home – You get all the services of Roadside and National levels combined with breakdown services delivered right to your home.
• Onward Travel – This package offers everything contained in the previous three levels in addition to paying for accommodations and car hire in case of breakdown.
• European cover – Additionally, you can choose to add cover for breakdowns that occur while driving in Europe. This can be very beneficial in countries in which you do not understand the local language. In some countries, it can be very expensive to repair your vehicle especially if it is not a car that is commonly used in the country.

Shopping for breakdown cover

Surfing the Internet is definitely the best way to shop for breakdown cover deals. Car insurance comparison websites like www.carinsurancecomparison.co.uk offer special tools that allow you to compare highly-focused quotes from different providers.

When comparing breakdown cover quotes, consider these factors:

• Amount of cover – How much protection are you getting for your premiums? For example, how much free labour time is included with the policy? Is there a cap on the amount of calls for assistance you can make in a year? Check for hidden fees that may be required in addition to the premiums.
• Exceptions to cover – Make sure that you are not surprised to find that your policy does not cover some item that you thought you paid for. Many policies include exceptions that will exclude your claim in specific instances. For example, national level cover may not send a patrol to your home if is beyond a certain distance.

Another important consideration is the company that is providing the breakdown cover. Check to ensure that it is reputable and in good financial standing. Some providers may offer very low rates, but their customer service is poor and they may give you a difficult time when you need to file a claim.

Make sure in the event of a breakdown you know the correct procedure and number to ring etc.

Look for customer reviews of insurance companies that are available on many review and comparison websites. While reviews for almost any company can be mixed, after some research you should be able to get a feel about whether the company is right for you or not.

You can also ask people in your network if they have any experience doing business with a specific breakdown cover provider.

Is breakdown cover right for me?

Breakdown cover is for any consumer who wants peace of mind that they will have access to quick and dependable assistance in case of a roadside or home breakdown. Even if your vehicle is new and well-maintained, you never know when you might run over a nail or when some other unpredictable event might occur. Fortunately, breakdown cover options exist for different budget levels.