What to compare before buying breakdown cover

Breakdown policies can use similar names while providing different levels of assistance. A useful comparison should start with where help is available, what happens if the vehicle cannot be repaired and which people or vehicles are covered.

Choose between vehicle and personal cover

Vehicle cover normally protects a named vehicle when an eligible driver is using it. Personal cover normally follows the named person when driving or travelling in an eligible vehicle. Check the exact policy definition before deciding.

Compare roadside and recovery assistance

• Minimum distance from home for roadside assistance
• Time or work limits for attempted roadside repair
• Where the vehicle may be recovered
• Whether passengers travel with the recovered vehicle
• Limits on call-outs, labour or recovery distance
• Treatment of repeat faults

Check home assistance

Basic roadside cover may exclude breakdowns at home or very close to the registered address. Home-start assistance can be important where the vehicle fails before a journey begins, but eligibility distances differ between policies.

Review onward-travel benefits

If the vehicle cannot be repaired promptly, a policy may offer a replacement vehicle, public transport or accommodation. Check qualification rules, financial limits, duration, vehicle availability and whether costs require prior authorisation.

Confirm vehicle and journey eligibility

• Vehicle age, weight, height or length limits
• Cars, vans, motorcycles, trailers or caravans covered
• Use for commuting, business or commercial purposes
• UK-only or European territorial cover
• Maximum trip length for European travel
• Requirements for servicing and roadworthiness

Read exclusions and claim procedures

Policies may exclude known faults, poor maintenance, misfuelling, flat batteries, tyre problems or incidents following an accident. Confirm what evidence is required and whether arranging assistance independently could affect reimbursement.