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Insurance

What are the Costs of Not having Breakdown Cover?

Published 6 January 2026

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.

Breakdown Cover with Just Kampers Insurance

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

Just Kampers Insurance - Price Promise.svg

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.

Man in hi-vis stood beside a broken down van

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.

Get In Touch to Find Out More

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!

What Should I Do and Not Do if I Have an Accident? FAQs

Do I need to tell my insurer about an accident if I’m not making a claim?

Yes, you should still notify your insurer about the incident, even if you don’t intend to claim for damage to your own vehicle. Your policy may require you to report incidents which could potentially lead to a claim, particularly if another driver later decides to make a claim against you.
Reporting the accident promptly also ensures your insurer has a record of your version of events.

How quickly should I contact Just Kampers Insurance after an accident?

You should report an accident as soon as reasonably possible. Having your policy number, details of what happened, information about the other people and vehicles involved, photographs and any witness details to hand can help make the process easier. Just Kampers Insurance customers have access to a claims service 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Will I have to pay my excess if the accident wasn’t my fault?

If you make a claim through your own insurance policy, your policy excess may still be payable initially. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, you may subsequently be able to recover this from the responsible party.

Your claims handler can explain what applies to your particular claim and whether your excess may be recoverable.

Can legal protection help if the accident wasn’t my fault?

Just Kampers Insurance policies include legal protection, which can provide assistance following a non-fault accident, subject to the policy terms, limits and exclusions.

This can include help pursuing eligible uninsured losses, such as an excess you have paid, as well as assistance with certain legal expenses, vehicle hire or claims relating to injuries and other losses.

Will I get a courtesy car while my vehicle is being repaired?

This will depend on your cover and how your claim is handled. If you make a claim under a comprehensive policy and use an approved repairer, a courtesy car may be available for the duration of the repairs, subject to availability.

Different arrangements may apply following a non-fault accident, so speak to your claims handler before arranging alternative transport yourself.

What happens if my campervan or motorhome is written off?

Your insurer will assess the vehicle and the terms of your policy before determining how the claim will be settled.

This is particularly important for classic, converted and specialist vehicles, where modifications and the vehicle’s specification can have a significant impact on its value. If your policy includes Agreed Value cover, check your policy documents to understand how this applies to a total-loss claim.

What if modifications to my campervan are damaged in the accident?

Make sure you tell your claims handler about damage to modifications and converted parts of the vehicle, rather than documenting only the exterior bodywork.

Photograph damaged pop-tops, awnings, furniture, fitted equipment and other converted elements where it is safe to do so. Keeping photographs and documentation relating to modifications before an accident can also help demonstrate your vehicle’s specification and condition.

Should I arrange my own garage to repair the vehicle?

Speak to your insurer or claims handler before authorising significant repairs. The insurer may need to inspect the vehicle, review photographs or agree repair costs before work begins.

This can be especially important with classic vehicles, campervans and motorhomes, where specialist components or conversion work may require particular expertise.

What should I do if the other driver’s insurer contacts me directly?

Don’t ignore correspondence about the accident, but avoid getting drawn into discussions about liability or agreeing a settlement without speaking to your insurer.

Just Kampers Insurance advises customers to forward third-party correspondence unanswered so it can be dealt with appropriately.

What if the other driver doesn’t have insurance or leaves the scene?

Gather as much information as you safely can, including the vehicle registration, make, model and colour, photographs or dashcam footage, and witness details.

Don’t attempt to chase a vehicle that leaves the scene. Report the incident to the police where required and contact your insurer promptly so they can advise you on the next steps.

Can I claim for belongings damaged inside my campervan or motorhome?

Whether damaged belongings are covered will depend on your individual policy and the cover you have selected.

If items inside your vehicle are damaged in an accident, photograph them and keep any evidence of ownership and value, such as receipts. Don’t dispose of damaged items until you have spoken to your claims handler.

What happens to my no-claims bonus after an accident?

The effect on your no-claims bonus will depend on factors including how the claim is recorded and the terms of your policy. Even where you have a protected no-claims bonus, a fault or pending claim may still affect future insurance premiums.

Check your policy documents or speak to the Just Kampers Insurance team if you’re unsure how a particular claim could affect your policy.

What information should I have ready when I report an accident?

It helps to have as much information as possible available, including your policy number, the date and location of the accident, details of the other driver and vehicle, photographs of the scene and damage, witness details, dashcam footage and any police reference number.

Don’t worry if you don’t have everything immediately. Report the incident promptly, and your claims handler can explain what additional information may be needed.

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Written by: Mat Williams

Mat has worked in and around Just Kampers since 2009, mainly helping out with the setting up of shows and movement of vehicles. He is a lover of all things outdoors, especially long-distance adventures on foot. However Mat has now matured to realise that there is a better way to travel than on blistered feet, he’s now a road trip convert!