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Breakdown Cover

About Breakdown Cover

In the UK vehicle breakdown services are called into action over 20,000 times each day. There are many causes such as flat tyres, faulty batteries and general engine problems.

Many of these breakdown cover issues are resolved by the rescue patrol at the roadside. Most emergency repairs are carried out by the UK's breakdown service providers at the scene. This means most road users are back on their way without significant delay.

If the breakdown recovery provider cannot fix the car at the scene then they will tow you to the nearest repair garage. For enhance breakdown recovery then you can buy breakdown cover that includes full vehicle recovery to your home address or local garage. Further breakdown options include cover that will provide the cost of a replacement vehicle and any emergency accommodation needed as a result of the breakdown.

Your Protection

There are many cases of vehicles on the side of the road being hit by other vehicles. For some just changing a flat tyre on a motorway hard shoulder has ended horrendously so it pays to have breakdown cover protection in place.

By having breakdown cover you have an emergency service provided by experienced, safe roadside assistance. If your vehicle has broken down in a dangerous area such as on the side of a busy stretch of fast road, the breakdown recovery unit will know what to do to make you safe as soon as possible.

When you buy breakdown cover this is what you are purchasing an emergency service whose number on priority is safeguard your wellbeing  in addition to fixing your car and getting you to your destination ASAP.

Today’s Cars

Today’s cars are far more complex than their predecessors and as a result there is often little we can do under the bonnet ourselves. Modern computers control much of a the car's engine workings, and now a breakdown recovery’s diagnostic tools are far more superior to our own tinkering, Breakdown recover can be invaluable in this incidence.

Flat batteries are still the most common cause for calling breakdown recovery services but other causes include the unintended immobiliser activation, plus drivers who lock themselves out of the vehicle by accident. Immobiliser problems and lock outs are the two fastest growing reasons issues for breakdown recovery services.

Precautions

Each year thousands of motorists get stuck, or break down on the road that can easily be avoided if you spend time each month checking over your car to ensure aspects such as the battery, oil, water and tyre pressure are in the correct state.

There are many breakdown recovery services out there such as the AA or the RAC, Green Flag, Britannia and Europ Assistance, so make sure you shop around to find the best price.

Types of Breakdown Recovery

There are various breakdown policies:

Roadside Rescue

If your car breaks down beyond a specific distance from your registered home address, then this type of breakdown recovery policy will quickly get you on the road again or if not then you will get a tow to the nearest breakdown approved garage within a certain radius. If the car can be fixed at the scene then you should receive up to 60 minutes of free labour to repair the breakdown fault. You may still have to pay part costs.

Roadside Rescue and Home Rescue

This is the more extensive breakdown recovery policy that provides the same level of cover as roadside rescue but in addition will cover a breakdown at your home or in a certain vicinity of your home.

Recovery Plus Options

In some case of breakdown recovery you may still require to get to your destination or to return home. In this instance some breakdown recovery providers will give you  'Recovery Plus', which can provide the following options:

A hire car to allow you to continue your onward journey or cost of other transport.

Some breakdown recovery services will offer accommodation in a local hotel while you await repairs.

European Breakdown Cover

Driving on in Europe can be challenging enough without worrying about a breakdown situation. Benefits of European Breakdown cover include:

Roadside breakdown cover.

The cost of returning home if you are a victim of car theft.

The recovery of your vehicle back to the UK if un-driveable

Legal cover for any claims brought against you.

The cost of delivering replacement parts to your breakdown location if they're not available locally.

Tips to keeping your car on the road

Preparation is the best prevention of a breakdown recovery situation:

Check you have the spare tyre is in working order and you have a jack and wrench.

Check your tyres regularly according to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure. Check tyre treads are within the limits required by law.

Check water and anti-freeze levels

Clean headlights to give optimum performance.