julie -
I have to admit my post may loook a little like spam, but can assure you it's not my intention. I can honestly declare that I have no other financial interests in this company... apart from personally being a member of a great value for money car breakdown and recovery service. Autoaid offers very cost effective breakdown service cover for just £37 / annum, it covers the proposer in any car, additionally covering their legal spouse for free who could also be driving any other car, so two cars in one household can be covered for a yearly membership fee of only £37.
http://www.autoaidbreakdown.co.uk/index.htm
The way it works is when or if you breakdown, you simply callout and pay for your own breakdown assistance at the roadside and pay for it yourself (always travel with a card), you must obtain a receipt and send it to Autoaid, who usually reimburse you for the full cost of the callout within Ten days.
You can either choose to call a local garage of your choice, or go though their control room and use one of their network agents in the locality that the beakdown occurs. They were recently voted best value roadside assistance, they are also backed by Boncaster insurance services and have a good reputation for settling claims fast and efficiently.