Do You Need Breakdown Cover?

Who benefits most from breakdown cover?

Drivers with older vehicles, long commutes, or rural routes get the most value from breakdown cover. If your car is over five years old, the likelihood of a roadside failure increases with every year.

Which drivers should prioritise it?

Cars over 10 years old account for a disproportionate share of breakdown callouts. Even well-maintained older vehicles develop faults that are impossible to predict.

Battery failure is the single most common reason for a breakdown callout in the UK. Batteries typically last three to five years, and cold weather accelerates their decline.

What does breakdown cover include?

Most policies cover roadside repair and vehicle recovery as standard. Higher-tier plans add home start, onward travel, and European cover.

What are the main cover levels?

Roadside-only cover is the cheapest option and covers repairs at the roadside. If the problem cannot be fixed on the spot, you are responsible for getting the car home or to a garage yourself.

Roadside plus recovery is the most popular tier. It covers both roadside repair and towing to a nearby garage if the car cannot be fixed where it is.

Top-tier cover adds home start, meaning you are covered if the car breaks down at or near your home address. It typically includes onward travel too, which covers a hire car, hotel, or alternative transport if your car cannot be repaired the same day.

Around a quarter of breakdowns happen at or near the driver’s home. Without home start cover, your provider may not attend if the fault occurs within a certain radius of your postcode.

If you drive in Europe, you will need European cover as an add-on or a separate policy. Our guide on driving abroad with UK car insurance explains what your motor policy does and does not cover outside the UK.

How much does a breakdown cost without cover?

A single callout without cover typically costs £150 to £500, depending on the fault and location. National Highways recovery charges on motorways can reach £150 before any repair work begins.

How do costs compare to annual cover?

Annual breakdown cover costs £60 to £120 depending on the level of cover. One breakdown without cover can cost more than three years of annual premiums.

If your car needs a longer tow, costs rise quickly. A 50-mile recovery without cover could add £200 to £300 on top of the initial callout fee.

Our guide on car insurance costs explains how premiums are calculated and what affects your quote, including how breakdown cover sometimes bundles with motor policies.

Can you get breakdown cover through your car insurance?

Some fully comp policies include basic roadside assistance, but it varies between insurers and is rarely as extensive as a dedicated breakdown policy.

What are the alternatives to standalone cover?

Premium bank accounts sometimes include breakdown cover as a perk. Check your account benefits before paying for a separate policy, as the included cover may be sufficient for your needs.

Manufacturer warranty cover is another option. Most new cars include free roadside assistance for the first three to five years, covering both mechanical and electrical failures.

Pay-per-use callout services are available from some providers. These charge a flat fee per breakdown rather than an annual premium, which suits drivers who rarely use their car.

The ABI provides guidance on how motor insurance products work, including how insurers bundle breakdown cover with car insurance policies.

How should you choose a breakdown provider?

Compare providers on response times in your area, the level of cover included in the base price, and whether they impose limits on callouts per year.

What should you check before buying?

The three major UK providers are the AA, RAC, and Green Flag. All offer similar core cover, but they differ on pricing, response times, and add-ons.

Pay attention to whether your policy covers the vehicle or the person. Personal cover means you are covered in any car you are driving or travelling in, which is useful if you drive multiple vehicles.

Do not automatically renew. Breakdown providers regularly offer new customer discounts, and existing customers who negotiate at renewal almost always get a better deal.

Check whether the policy covers vehicles over a certain age or mileage. Some providers exclude cars older than 15 years or those used for commercial purposes without declaring it upfront.

If you only need cover for a short period, temporary car insurance sometimes includes optional breakdown cover for the duration of the policy.

Our guide on lowering your car insurance premium covers ways to reduce your overall motoring costs, including bundling breakdown cover with your policy.

What should you do if you break down without cover?

If there is an immediate safety risk, call 999. Otherwise, search for a local recovery service and be prepared to pay £150 to £500 for the callout and towing.

What steps should you follow?

Move the vehicle off the carriageway if possible. Turn on your hazard lights, use a warning triangle if you have one, and stand well back from the road while you wait.

Search online for local recovery services and compare prices before agreeing to a tow. Costs vary widely between providers, and roadside operators at the scene often charge premium rates.

On a motorway, use the emergency phone on the hard shoulder or call National Highways on 0300 123 5000. Do not attempt to repair the vehicle yourself on a live carriageway.

If you break down on a smart motorway with no hard shoulder, put your hazard lights on and try to reach an emergency refuge area. Stay in the vehicle with your seatbelt fastened until help arrives.