What is breakdown insurance?

What are the main points I need to think about when searching for breakdown insurance?

What happens if my car breaks down at home?

Will I still be covered if I’m driving a borrowed car?

Can I get cover for overseas travel?

Will my caravan or van be covered?

Q. What is breakdown insurance?

A. Breakdown insurance, also known as breakdown recovery, is an insurance policy designed to give you assistance in the event of your vehicle suffers a breakdown. It is possible to buy policies covering a vehicle or alternatively covering an individual, so they can call for assistance if the car they are travelling in breaks down.

Q. What are the main points I need to think about when searching for breakdown insurance?

A. The level of cover, depends on the type of policy you buy, the simplest policies provide assistance if you breakdown after having travelled a certain distance from home and will tow your car to the nearest garage, if the repair cannot be completed at the roadside. Some policies will provide cover should your car breakdown at home and the most comprehensive policies will transport the occupants of the car home, or to another destination or reimburse the policy holder for hotel accommodation, use of a hire car or other form of public transport within the limits set out in the policy, if the car cannot be repaired at the roadside. Most providers also offer policies to cover you in the event of a breakdown when driving in Europe. Like all insurance policies, there are exclusions and limitations to the cover provided, so it is important that you read the policy documentation carefully before you make your choice to ensure that you buy a policy that meets your needs.

Q. What happens if my car breaks down at home?

A. This will depend on the level of cover you take out, but many firms will arrange and pay for a callout, labour and assistance at or nearby your home. Check the policy details before you buy if this is a concern for you.

Q. Will I still be covered if I’m driving a borrowed car?

A. If you have person based breakdown insurance it should cover you as a passenger or driver for other cars, and sometimes other vehicles such as motorbikes.

Q. Can I get cover for European travel?

A. This is a common requirement, and most providers will offer European cover. If you travel in Europe often it may be worth looking into permanent European cover, but for a one off trip it can make sense to look into short term European breakdown cover.

Q. Will my caravan or trailer be covered?

A. If you are towing a caravan or trailer when you breakdown, some policies may recover the caravan or trailer as well. However there are specialist policies covering caravans or trailers so check your policy before you travel to make sure you are covered.