Do You Need Breakdown Cover?

A car can be an expensive part of your household, even more so when it breaks down. This is why many people consider a breakdown cover policy – it adds a little more protection against an already expensive outlay.

One of the most common questions around such a policy is whether or not you need it. For some people, it is seen as another expense they could do without; for others, it is seen as vital and keeps much more costly expenses at bay.

So, in a sense, you do not need breakdown cover, and it’s up to you to decide as a driver. However, you may not be fully aware of what it covers and why. Read on to find out more.

What is breakdown cover?

Breakdown cover provides assistance for you and your vehicle, leading to it being ready to drive again. The policy is particularly useful if your car develops a fault unexpectedly. A mechanic will attend and do what they can to repair the vehicle, and where they can’t get you back on the road, will organise for it to be towed to the garage.

There are two different types of breakdown cover available: personal or vehicle cover. Personal cover is for you, regardless of the vehicle you are in, and vehicle cover is for a specific vehicle only.

Whether you choose personal or vehicle cover, there are a variety of packages available to suit your needs.

Which breakdown cover packages are there?

There are quite a few options to choose from, but commonly there are five that are preferred by most drivers:

• Roadside assistance is one of the most common forms of cover and is available in many policies. This form of cover does exactly what it says – it provides you with a mechanic that can fix your vehicle when you have broken down on a journey. Where they cannot repair it, they will arrange to have it towed to the garage
• At-home recovery – for cars that may not like to start as they should, at-home recovery can be a lifesaver. If your call fails to start or breaks down within a quarter of a mile of home, like roadside assistance, a mechanic will attend and get your car running again. If they can’t, they will organise it to be taken to the garage. If you have chosen a roadside assistance package, it is unlikely that at-home recovery will be an option
• Onward journey cover means that if your vehicle cannot be repaired roadside, you do not need to worry about your journey being compromised. A courtesy car may be issued, or perhaps accommodation if necessary. In addition, there could also be refunds on travel expenses, and public transport expenses covered. The finer details of what is covered will be explained in your policy
• Vehicle recovery allows you to have your vehicle towed anywhere in the UK, no matter the distance. This type of policy benefits those that drive far and frequently. You could choose to have it taken to a garage or your home
• European recovery is worthwhile if you take your car abroad. Whether it’s for holiday or work, a policy such as this will mean you can get roadside assistance, allowing you to carry on driving whilst in Europe. In some cases, the policy will also allow for your vehicle to be returned to the UK.

What is excluded from breakdown cover?

Each policy will come with its own terms and conditions, so it is worth checking them before agreeing to anything. Your needs may not be met, and you could find yourself paying for a service that does not benefit you or costs you more than necessary.

Common exclusions may include:

• Breakdowns caused by poor general maintenance
• Breakdowns as a result of a road accident
• Breakdowns because your vehicle is not roadworthy
• Breakdowns on private land

This list is not exhaustive, and many other possible exclusions could apply to all types of cover.

Are parts and labour included in breakdown cover?

In most cases, policies do not cover the parts used to repair the vehicle. Much like the exclusions, you should consult the terms and conditions of your policy to see what is included. Should your car need to be taken to the garage, you will likely be having to foot the bill for that, too. Breakdown cover covers the cost of the mechanic coming out to you.

How much does breakdown cover cost?

Prices for breakdown cover vary and depend on whether you have selected add-ons to your package.

Some add-ons can make your policy more beneficial, but they come at a cost. It is then that you must weigh up whether this additional outlay is worth it against the likelihood of these problems happening.

Common add-ons include:

• Battery replacement
• Tyre replacement
• Mis-fuelling
• Family cover

A breakdown cover policy that has none of the above added on will cost less than one that factors in them all, but vehicle age, type and model all play a part too. For example, if your car is old, and therefore more prone to break down, then a policy with one add-on may cost more than a policy for a new car that has them all.

In addition to add-ons and vehicle specifics, you will need to look at whether you are planning to choose personal or vehicle cover. The personal cover does tend to be more expensive than the vehicle cover, but shopping around may uncover some great deals.

Is breakdown cover worth it?

Ultimately, this is the driver’s choice. If you own a car prone to breakdown, it could well be worth it. However, you must factor in that some policies contain a certain number of callouts per year. If your car struggles, you could use them all up with a large portion of the year remaining.

If you own a car that doesn’t falter often, then you may be thinking it just isn’t necessary to get cover. However, that’s not to say that tomorrow, you won’t have a tyre blow on a motorway or encounter a fault with the engine that you cannot diagnose.

It is not a legal requirement to take out breakdown cover, but it goes some way to giving you peace of mind on the road. If you drive a lot or perhaps your warranty has expired, then breakdown cover could be beneficial.

With 24/7 service available as well as the opportunity to save money on callouts, a breakdown cover policy can remove the stress you could encounter if you didn’t have a policy at all.

At Euphoria Finance we have access to over 50,000 vehicles, all of which have passed stringent tests to ensure they are fully roadworthy. If your current vehicle has worn out your breakdown cover policy, speak to us. We are specialists in organising cheap car finance for anyone. Whether it’s brand new cars on finance or used car finance deals, our expert team are here to get you on the road. We can even help those with poor credit secure a vehicle thanks to our bad credit car loans. Find out more today!