Breakdown Cover Comparison
Compare Cheap UK Breakdown Cover
Our roadside assistance comparison service is quick and easy to use: just enter your details and see if you could find a cheap UK breakdown cover deal for your motor or beat your current roadside recovery provider’s renewal quote.
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Compare cheap breakdown quotes
If you’re looking for cheap breakdown cover, you can find a range of price cuts across selected providers. Just look for our price cut banner when comparing quotes, to see which of our breakdown providers could offer you a discount.
In the case of a breakdown when you haven't got a breakdown policy, it is possible to purchase instant breakdown cover by the roadside. Your new provider will dispatch a mechanic right away.
It is not possible to purchase instant coverage online and has to be done by phone with a licensed advisor.
Depending on your breakdown policy, some will include coverage for breakdowns overseas as standard, while others may only offer it as an add-on. You may even be able to add it to your policy at any time, though you may pay a higher rate for the additional coverage.
You should also check to see what countries are covered – for example, the locations included in a European breakdown policy may differ depending on the provider you choose.
Generally, you will have the option of paying annually or monthly, depending on what you want to do. There are, however, some providers where you may be able to get a lower price if you pay in a certain way.
How can we help you with breakdown cover today?
Even the most modern of vehicles can’t guarantee 100% reliability, so let us help you search a wide range of breakdown policies to compare prices and levels of cover, with options for cars, vans and motorbikes.
To find the cover you need, click on our easy-to-use forms where the short, two-step process will ask for the age of your vehicle.
All the breakdown products we offer will have roadside assistance and local recovery as standard features, but we’ll ask you to decide whether you want to cover just the UK or also Europe.
If you’re having trouble deciding on the insurance you need, have a read of our breakdown cover guides, where you’ll also get the answers to frequently asked questions.
You can find out more about standard breakdown insurance, pay and claim cover, roadside assistance, vehicle recovery, home assistance, onward travel, and the other options you may want to think about, such as a vehicle, individual or family cover.
Our guides can help with areas such as whether you should couple breakdown cover with your car insurance or buy it as a separate policy.
There are dedicated pages on classic car cover, caravans and trailers, motorhomes, motorbikes, vans and business use, plus an article considering the pros and cons of choosing a small breakdown provider against one of the big organisations such as Green Flag, the AA or RAC.
Remember to watch out for exclusions – find out, for example, why you should check whether you’re covered if you break down on private land, if your car will be recovered after an accident and whether you’ll get help with a flat tyre or if you put the wrong fuel in.
We’ve got money-saving tips for breakdown cover, you can read a guide on what to do if your vehicle breaks down and an essential motoring checklist that may help prevent that unfortunate eventuality.
What's covered by a breakdown policy?
A breakdown cover is made up of five elements depending on the level of coverage you require:
Local roadside assistance
If you break down during a local journey, your breakdown provider will send their patrol to your location for roadside assistance. If your vehicle can’t be fixed at the roadside, they’ll tow to you to a local garage.
National vehicle recovery
If you break down far from home, national recovery will send out roadside assistance wherever you are in the UK. They’ll also tow you to a garage if they can’t repair your car at the side of the road. It’s included along with roadside recovery on most breakdown policies.
At-home breakdown
Also known as ‘home start’, it’ll get you up and running if your car breaks down outside your house. The distance from home that you’re covered for varies between providers, but it’s usually between a quarter of a mile and a mile from your home.
Onward travel
This’ll cover alternative transport to get you to your destination. This usually includes solutions such as a hire car or covering the cost of a train, bus or flight.
European breakdown cover
If you’re driving in Europe, European breakdown cover will cover you for the duration of your trip. It’s usually offered as an add-on to other vehicle insurance policies, rather than as standalone breakdown cover so it’s worth checking whether you’re already covered.
Breakdown Cover FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions - Breakdown Cover
What is breakdown cover?
Breakdown cover protects your vehicle in case it breaks down.
Some people also refer to it as "breakdown and recovery" and it gives assistance for everything from flat batteries or punctures to other more serious faults in your car, van, or motorcycle.
Breakdown cover means you won’t be left stranded on the roadside without a working vehicle.
What if the issue can't be fixed at the roadside?
They will tow you - dubbed recovery in the industry - either to a place where you can make a repair or to your home if your breakdown insurer is unable to repair it on the roadside.
Do I even need a breakdown policy?
Potentially not! Breakdown insurance is generally available as an individual policy, but you may also be able to get it as part of your motor insurance.
You may even get breakdown cover from your bank account - please check to make sure you don't already have breakdown cover from anywhere else!
How many callouts can I make?
Your provider and the level of insurance you choose will determine how many callouts you can make.
Some breakdown policies offer a certain number of free callouts during your policy period with additional uses requiring a fee. Always check the small print to make sure you have the right cover for you!
How do I cancel my breakdown cover?
In most cases, you can cancel breakdown cover whenever you want. Some companies offer a cooling-off period, usually around 14 days, during which you can cancel your policy without being charged.
The cancellation or administration fee will be due if you cancel after this period but contact your existing provider for more details.
What is not covered in a breakdown policy?
The type and level of cover you take out will determine what exclusions apply to your breakdown policy. Check your policy documents for the following:
- Breaking down because of neglect
- Breaking down on private land
- Breaking down with pets
- Breaking down due to an accident
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