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Breakdown insurance, also known as roadside assistance, is a type of insurance policy that provides assistance if your vehicle breaks down. It offers help with things like roadside repairs, vehicle recovery to a garage, and sometimes even onward travel support. This is different from standard motor insurance, which focuses on liability and damage to your vehicle. 

 
Key features of breakdown insurance include:
  • Roadside Assistance

    A mechanic will come to the scene to attempt to repair your car. 

     
  • Vehicle Recovery

    If the repair is not possible at the roadside, the policy will arrange for your vehicle to be towed to a garage. 

     
  • Onward travel assistance:

    Some policies may offer help with onward travel arrangements, such as public transport or hire cars, if you can’t continue your journey. 

     
  • Home start

    Some policies may cover breakdowns at home, including issues like a flat battery or locking keys in the car. 

     
  • European Cover

    Breakdown insurance is available for use within the UK, and some policies extend cover to Europe. 

     
Benefits of having breakdown insurance:
  • Peace of mind:

    Knowing you’ll get help if your vehicle breaks down, regardless of location, can reduce stress. 

     
  • Protection against unexpected costs:

    Roadside assistance and recovery can help avoid costly repairs or towing charges. 

     
  • Help with onward travel:
    Policies with onward travel assistance can ensure you can continue your journey even if your vehicle breaks down.
     
    Breakdown Insurance Pay from Figures
    You could pay from £15.49 per year*
    *Based on quote data provided by Seopa Ltd during November 2024. This quote was
    provided to the majority of customers. The quote price you could achieve is dependent on your individual circumstances.
    Car breakdown insurance in the UK: a comprehensive guide
    Car breakdown insurance, often referred to as breakdown cover, is a specialized insurance product in the UK designed to provide assistance and recovery services if your vehicle unexpectedly stops working. Unlike standard car insurance, which covers costs associated with theft, accidents, or damage to your vehicle and others, breakdown insurance focuses on getting you back on the road or recovered safely in the event of a mechanical or electrical fault. 
     
    Key keywords and concepts
    • Breakdown cover UK: This broad term encompasses all breakdown assistance policies available in the UK.
    • Roadside assistance UK: The most basic level of cover, providing help at the scene if you break down more than a specified distance (typically ¼ mile) from home.
    • Vehicle recovery UK: If roadside repairs aren’t possible, this ensures your vehicle and passengers are towed to a garage or designated location.
    • Home start breakdown cover: Also known as “home assist” or “at-home cover”, this provides assistance if your vehicle breaks down at or very close to your home address.
    • National breakdown cover: Extends recovery services across the entire UK, allowing you to be towed to any location nationwide.
    • Onward travel: Covers the cost of continuing your journey (e.g., courtesy car, public transport, or even overnight accommodation) if your car cannot be fixed at the roadside.
    • European breakdown cover: Provides breakdown assistance and recovery services if you’re driving in mainland Europe.
    • Car breakdown insurance comparison: Crucial for finding the best policy to suit your needs and budget by comparing quotes and features from different providers.
    • Best breakdown cover UK: Subjective, depending on individual requirements and priorities (e.g., price, speed of response, customer service, inclusions). 
     
    Why is breakdown cover important?
    Breaking down can be a stressful and inconvenient experience, especially if you’re stranded in an unfamiliar area or at an inconvenient time. Breakdown cover offers peace of mind by: 
    • Providing prompt assistance: A qualified mechanic or patrol will be sent to your location to diagnose and attempt to fix the problem.
    • Ensuring safe recovery: If a roadside repair isn’t possible, your vehicle and passengers will be safely transported.
    • Minimizing disruption: Onward travel options can help you continue your journey and minimize delays.
    • Potentially saving you money: The cost of breakdown cover is often significantly less than the expense of a one-off call-out or independent recovery services, particularly without pre-arranged cover. 
     
    Types of breakdown cover
    Breakdown cover is typically offered in different levels to cater to various needs and budgets. The main types include:
    • Roadside Assistance: The most basic level, covering breakdowns occurring a minimum distance (e.g., ¼ mile) from your home. Includes roadside repair attempts or towing to a local garage.
    • Home Start (At-Home Cover): Extends coverage to breakdowns at or very close to your home address, crucial for situations like a flat battery on your driveway.
    • National Recovery: Provides towing to any destination in the UK, offering greater flexibility than being limited to a local garage.
    • Onward Travel: Offers alternative transport, such as a courtesy car, public transport reimbursement, or overnight accommodation if your vehicle requires garage repairs and cannot be fixed at the roadside.
    • European Breakdown Cover: Specialized cover for driving in Europe, including roadside assistance, recovery, and sometimes repatriation of your vehicle and passengers back to the UK. 
     
    Choosing the right breakdown cover
    When selecting a breakdown policy, consider these factors:
    • Frequency of travel: If you frequently drive long distances or travel abroad, higher levels of cover (National Recovery, European Cover) are more suitable.
    • Age and reliability of your vehicle: Older vehicles or those with a history of breakdowns may benefit from more comprehensive coverage.
    • Driving habits: If you frequently use your car for work or family transport, onward travel might be essential.
    • Personal vs. vehicle cover: Personal cover covers you as a driver or passenger in any vehicle, while vehicle cover is tied to a specific vehicle, regardless of who is driving it.
    • Budget: Compare quotes from various providers like the AA, RAC, Green Flag and others mentioned in The Car Expert’s breakdown provider list. 
     
    Important considerations
    • Existing coverage: Check if your car insurance policy or bank account already includes breakdown cover to avoid duplication.
    • Waiting periods: Some policies may have a waiting period (e.g., 24 hours) before the cover becomes active, so plan ahead if you need immediate assistance.
    • Policy inclusions and exclusions: Pay close attention to what’s covered (e.g., misfuelling, lost keys, number of callouts) and what’s not.
    • Optional extras: Consider adding specific coverage like key replacement or tyre replacement if these are important to you.
    • Haggling for better deals: Don’t be afraid to negotiate, especially with renewal policies, as successful haggling is common with breakdown providers. 
     
    Leading providers in the UK
    Well-known providers like the AA and RAC offer a wide range of cover levels and benefits. Other reputable options include Britannia Rescue, Start Rescue, and Green Flag. 
     
    Conclusion
    Car breakdown insurance in the UK is a valuable investment for any driver, offering peace of mind and essential assistance when you need it most. By understanding the various levels of cover, comparing providers, and considering your individual needs, you can choose the best policy to protect yourself and your vehicle against the unexpected. 
     
    AI responses may include mistakes. For financial advice, consult a professional. Learn more
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
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    • The Main Types of Breakdown Cover Explained – NerdWallet UK
      Oct 14, 2021 — The 5 Main Types of Breakdown Cover Explained * Roadside Assistance Breakdown Cover. * National Recovery Breakdown Cover. * Home Start Breakdown Cover. * Onward…
      NerdWallet
       
       
    • European Breakdown Cover | Compare quotes with GoCompare
      European breakdown cover * What is European breakdown cover? If you’re going to Europe and plan to drive, European breakdown cover provides roadside assistance …
      Go Compare
       
       
    • Compare Cheap Breakdown Cover
      The main levels of cover you need to think about are: * Roadside assistance. This is the most basic level of cover. With roadside recovery or assistance, a mobi…
      Compare the Market
       
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You could save up to £518.14*
*51% of consumers could save £518.14 on their Car Insurance. The saving was calculated by
comparing the cheapest price found with the average of the next six cheapest prices quoted
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Motorbike Insurance Pay less than Figure
You could pay less than £255.01*
*51% of consumers who received a quote for Motorbike Insurance through this service
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Bicycle Insurance Pay less than Figures
1) You could pay less than £27 for bicycles valued up to £1500*
*51% of customers with a bicycle valued up to £1500 who obtained a quote for Bicycle
Insurance through this service provided by Seopa Ltd during June 2025 were quoted
less than £27. Using the same calculation for bicycles valued between £1500 and £3000
gave a figure of £48 and for bicycles valued over £3000 gave a figure of £102. The
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*51% of customers with a bicycle valued between £1500 and £3000 who obtained a quote
for Bicycle Insurance through this service provided by Seopa Ltd during June 2025
were quoted less than £48. Using the same calculation for bicycles valued up to £1500
gave a figure of £27  and for bicycles valued over £3000 gave a figure of £102. The
quote price you could achieve is dependent on your individual circumstances.
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*51% of customers with a bicycle valued over £3000 who obtained a quote for Bicycle
Insurance through this service provided by Seopa Ltd during June 2025 were quoted
less than £102.. Using the same calculation for bicycles valued up to £1500 gave a figure
of £48 and for bicycles valued between £1500 and £3000 gave a figure of £48. The
quote price you could achieve is dependent on your individual circumstances.
 
Pet Insurance Pay from Figures
You could pay from £3.35 per month*
*Price per month for cover based on a dog, Burger, one year old, no known medical
conditions and up-to-date vaccinations. Based on quote data provided by Seopa Ltd during
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circumstances.
You could pay from £3.35 per month*
*Price per month for cover based on a cat, Ozzy, one year old, no known medical conditions,
up-to-date vaccinations, and microchiped. Based on quote data provided by Seopa Ltd
during June 2025 The quote price you could achieve is dependent on your individual
circumstances.
 
Breakdown Insurance Pay from Figures
You could pay from £15.49 per year*
*Based on quote data provided by Seopa Ltd during May 2025. This quote was
provided to the majority of customers. The quote price you could achieve is dependent on your individual circumstances. 
 
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