What is breakdown cover?

Key takeaways

• Breakdown cover gives you help if your vehicle breaks down and you cannot continue your journey

• Policies can include roadside assistance, vehicle recovery, home start, onward travel and European cover

• The right policy depends on how far you drive, where you drive and whether you want cover for yourself or one vehicle

What is breakdown cover? 

Breakdown cover gives you help if your vehicle breaks down while you are driving or before you set off. Depending on your policy, your provider may send a mechanic to try to fix the problem at the roadside, and if your vehicle cannot be repaired there, they may tow it to a garage, your home or another agreed location.

You can buy breakdown cover as a separate policy, but it may also be included with some car insurance policies, bank accounts or manufacturer warranties. 

How does breakdown cover work?

If your vehicle breaks down, you contact your breakdown provider and tell them where you are, and they will usually send a mechanic or recovery vehicle to your location. The mechanic may try to fix the problem there and then, but if that's not an option then your vehicle may be taken to a nearby garage or another location, depending on your policy.

You will usually need to tell your provider:

• Your name and policy details

• Your vehicle registration

• Your location

• What happened

• Whether you are in a safe place

Do I need breakdown cover?

You do not legally need breakdown cover, but it can be useful if you want help when your vehicle breaks down. Without cover, you'd need to arrange and pay for recovery yourself, which can be stressful and expensive, especially if you break down far from home, late at night or while travelling with passengers.

What type of breakdown cover should I choose?

The right breakdown cover depends on how and where you drive - you'll generally be able to choose between personal and vehicle cover, as well as four levels of protection.

Should I choose personal or vehicle breakdown cover?

Personal cover protects you as a driver or passenger, while vehicle cover protects a specific vehicle. Personal cover might suit you if you regularly drive or travel in more than one car, while vehicle cover may be better if one car is used by several people in your household.

If you have more than one vehicle, check whether a multi-car breakdown policy could be cheaper than separate policies.

What level of breakdown cover should I get?

The right level of breakdown cover depends on how often you drive, how far you travel and what help you would want if your vehicle broke down. The four main levels of breakdown cover are:

Can I get multi-car breakdown cover?

Yes, some providers offer multi-car breakdown cover, which lets you cover more than one vehicle under a single policy. Multi-car breakdown cover can be useful if your household has several vehicles.

Depending on the provider, you may be able to cover cars, vans or other eligible vehicles on the same policy. This can be simpler and sometimes cheaper than arranging separate breakdown cover for each vehicle.

Before buying, check how many vehicles can be included, whether all vehicles must be registered at the same address and what level of breakdown cover applies to each vehicle.

Can I get breakdown cover for specialist vehicles?

Yes, but you may need specialist breakdown cover for some vehicles, as standard breakdown policies may not cover larger, heavier or less common vehicles. This can include vans, motorbikes, caravans, trailers, horseboxes, classic cars and modified vehicles.

Before buying, check the provider’s rules on vehicle type, age, weight, height and length, as well as whether recovery is included for anything you are towing, such as a caravan or trailer.

Do I need European breakdown cover?

You may need European breakdown cover if you plan to drive overseas as standard UK breakdown cover usually only applies in the UK. European breakdown cover can help if your vehicle breaks down abroad, but the exact cover varies by policy type and provider.

Check whether your policy includes the countries you're visiting, how long each trip can last, roadside repairs, garage costs, alternative travel, accommodation and bringing your vehicle back to the UK.

Can I add optional extras to my breakdown cover policy? 

Yes, you can also get extra cover for things like: 

• Key replacement: If your keys are lost, damaged, or stolen

• Battery replacement: For when your car battery gives up the ghost

• Tyre issues: If you have a puncture or flat tyre, it will be repaired or you'll be taken to a garage for a new one 

• Mis-fuelling: This provides assistance if you accidentally fill up with the wrong type of fuel

What isn’t included in breakdown cover? 

There are some common exclusions that will sometimes apply to your breakdown cover policy, such as: 

• Private property: Your policy might exclude breakdown assistance on private land, or it could incur extra fees

• Travelling with animals: Let your provider know in advance if you have pets onboard - livestock will require a separate policy

• Road accidents: If you’re in a collision, recovery might require clearance from the emergency services before a tow can be arranged. In the event of an accident, you should always contact your car insurer in the first instance, rather than your breakdown provider

• Maintenance issues: Your vehicle has to be fully MOT’d and serviced regularly according to the manufacturer’s schedule - if your vehicle breaks down due to lack of maintenance, it might not be covered

• Overseas travel: Breakdown cover typically only applies within the UK, and additional cover is needed for driving abroad

How can I get cheaper breakdown cover?

There are a few ways to cut the cost of breakdown cover without sacrificing the protection you need:

• Compare quotes from different providers to find the best value policy

• Only pay for the level of cover you are likely to use, rather than choosing the most comprehensive option

• Check whether you already have breakdown cover through your bank account, car manufacturer, car insurance policy or another membership scheme

• Consider whether vehicle cover or personal cover offers better value based on how you use your car

• Look into multi-car breakdown policies if you need cover for more than one vehicle

• Avoid paying for extras, such as European cover or onward travel, unless you are likely to need them

• Review your policy each year instead of automatically renewing, as switching providers could save money

• Keep your vehicle well maintained, as some providers may refuse cover or charge more for older or poorly maintained vehicles

What happens if I breakdown and don’t have cover?

If you break down without cover, you will usually need to arrange recovery yourself - some providers may offer instant breakdown cover, but you could pay more or face restrictions on immediate call-outs. You may also need to pay separately for repairs, towing or storage.

If you are on a motorway or in an unsafe place, move away from traffic if you can and call for help as soon as possible. 

How can I find the best breakdown cover?

Finding the best breakdown cover is easier when you compare quotes with MoneySuperMarket. We'll show you deals from a range of providers across the market, so you can find the one that matches your needs best - then just click through to the provider's website to finalise your purchase.