What Is Breakdown Cover and Do I Need It?

Breakdown cover won’t stop your car from sputtering to an unplanned halt, but it can help you get back on the road. You can include it with your car insurance package or you can buy it as a standalone policy.

To help you work out what’s right for you and how to get the best value for cheap car insurance, mustard.co.uk shares their expert advice.

✅ What does the breakdown cover include?

Breakdown cover is exactly as it sounds, it’s a type of insurance that helps you fix your car if it breaks down while you’re out and about.

Policies cover a range of different scenarios so you’ll be able to combine different features, including:

• Roadside breakdown and recovery — if you break down at the side of the road, these policies will arrange for help to come to you. If your car can’t be repaired there and then, it will be taken to the nearest garage.

• Home start — if you can’t start your car at home someone will come to you and try to fix your car.

• National recovery — if the mechanic can’t fix your car at the roadside, these policies will arrange for your car to be taken to a garage of your choice.

• Onward travel — if your policy includes this, your insurer will arrange for you to continue your journey using alternative transportation (for example, a courtesy car or taxi).

• European cover — provides breakdown assistance if you’re driving in Europe (always check the country you’re traveling to is listed in your policy).

❌ What isn’t included?

Remember, insurers set their own terms and conditions so it’s vital to check your policy documents. Don’t assume that because different insurers label their policies with the same names, they all include the same coverage. That said, there are some typical exclusions, for instance:

• Onward travel for pets.

• Breakdowns on private land or that are caused because of an accident.

• Breakdowns that occur because of poor maintenance (like if you forget to top up the oil).

What happens if my car breaks down but I don’t have a breakdown cover?

If you don’t have a breakdown cover, you’ll need to arrange for your car to be repaired yourself. That typically means you have one of three options:

• Contact a local garage — you’ll have to find and contact the nearest garage.

• Find an emergency phone — if you’re on the motorway and don’t have a phone (or can’t use it) you’ll need to call for help using an emergency telephone. These are positioned one mile apart along the hard shoulder and go straight through to the Highways Agency or the police. When you call them, make sure you’re standing facing the traffic, this can help keep you safe as you can see what’s happening (rather than have your back turned). After you’ve made the call, you should stay on the verge if you can.

• Buy immediate breakdown cover — you can also buy breakdown cover straight away, but bear in mind this will be expensive compared to already having a policy.

Do I need a breakdown cover?

Some bank accounts include breakdown and recovery services as part of their account packages, so check to see if you already have this, otherwise, you could be doubling up on the cover.

Otherwise, whether you need breakdown cover depends on your appetite for risk,

If you don’t think you’ll need it, then you might not want a policy. Nevertheless, breakdowns happen when you least expect and cover can give you much-needed peace of mind.

How much does breakdown cover cost?

Cost really depends on the features and level of cover you choose. The more events that are covered, the higher your premium is likely to be.

To make sure you get the best value cheap car insurance, always check any conditions and exclusions (events that aren’t covered). The very cheapest policies might look like a bargain on paper, but they may not give you the help you need when you need it. On the other hand, pricier policies often bundle together several features that represent far greater value for money (for instance, breakdown and recovery plus onward travel). They could even include extras such as cover for misfuelling or lost keys at no extra charge. For car insurance that covers all the bases, head to mustard.co.uk where you can compare a range of quotes from leading UK insurers.