The aim of this blog is to outline the cost, both financially and in inconvenience in not having motor breakdown cover and also, we will take a look at what cover can typically be provided through your insurance company.
It can be all too easy when scanning the insurance market before your renewal to find the cheapest quote and try to minimize your outlay or offset inevitable price rises by scrimping on the extra services offered but don’t lose sight of the fact that you generally get what you pay for. One of these extras is breakdown cover, exclude it at you peril…
Jump to:
What is Breakdown Cover?
What Sort of Issues can Breakdown Cover Help With?
Different Levels of Breakdown Cover
No Breakdown Cover, What Happens Next?
Breakdown Cover from Just Kampers Insurance
Summary
What is Breakdown Cover?
Breakdown cover is an optional policy benefit which you can add to your insurance, and provides assistance if your vehicle doesn’t start or suffers automotive failure while driving.
The exact services available will vary by policy and provider, but can include roadside assistance, recovery to a garage or your destination, hire cars or hotels, home assistance and European cover.
Roadside Assistance
A mobile mechanic will be sent to your location to try to fix your problem at the roadside, hopefully enabling you to continue your journey under your own steam (figuratively speaking!).
Vehicle Recovery
If a roadside fix is not possible then a tow will be given to take your vehicle to a local garage for further repairs. In some instances, your vehicle can be transported to either to your home or your intended destination.
Onward Travel
If your car cannot be fixed the same day, then this could cover alternative transport like a hire vehicle or even a hotel stay.
What Sort of Issues can Breakdown Cover Help With?
Flat or faulty batteries
Flat tyres, punctures, and wheel changes
Engine problems, including overheating
Clutch and alternator problems
Brake problems, and other critical issues
Why compromise on insuring your precious vehicle when we’ll give you £50* if we are not the cheapest.
Different Levels of Breakdown Cover
As mentioned previously, there are different levels of breakdown cover available from different providers, and at different prices.
These tend to range from basic cover which will provide roadside assistance and recovery to a local garage, to enhanced cover which can include home start, recovery to home or destination, hire vehicles and much more.
Some things to look out for…
Ensure you check your policy details, so you know exactly what you are and are not actually covered.
Some providers will link the cover to you as an individual, not a specific vehicle so whatever the vehicle you’re travelling in, you will still be covered.
If you are likely to be travelling abroad then usually the provider can factor this into your policy for driving in Europe, for example.
No Breakdown Cover, What Happens Next?
If you breakdown on your much-anticipated trip and you’re far from home, what are the options as you sit on the side of the road with your head in your hands, the kids moaning, and someone rather unhelpfully saying “what, you mean to say we haven’t got breakdown cover? You should have got breakdown cover!?
Well, I guess you must either fix it yourself if you’ve the skills and the spares, phone a friend for help, or arrange your own recovery for your vehicle on the spot.
Here’s where the cost kicks in and it’s potentially just the start.
A standalone single recovery in the UK costs between £75 to £150 for a short tow of up to 5 miles and between £300 to £450 for a recovery of around 100 miles. There’s a base call-out fee and then a cost per mile to add which can also vary upon time of day, location and type of vehicle.
Now, that’s the financial costs dealt with, but I don’t think I really need to mention the inconvenience of all this to you while you’re sitting there with your head in your hands while someone else ‘states the obvious’ in the background.
Breakdown Cover from Just Kampers Insurance
We can provide breakdown cover as an optional extra to your insurance policy, starting from just £25.50 for cars, or £42 for vans. You’ll also get breakdown cover included in your policy if you insure a camper with us!
You can click here to find out more about breakdown cover from Just Kampers Insurance.
In Summary
It’s understandable that you want to pay as little of your hard-earned cash as possible and still get a good-value product that is fit for purpose, especially on a service that you may not end up needing to use.
However, consider the consequences of not having an adequate breakdown and recovery policy in place if you do happen to need it. If it’s going to happen then usually it’s going to be in the worst place at the worst time, and you will have other people relying on you to get things sorted.
Plan ahead and look at the options from the comfort of your home, not the roadside with your head in your hands!
Don’t forget, when you insure with us, you get 10% off parts and accessories from our sister company, Just Kampers!
