Unexpected Things Happen When You Least Expect It So Get Breakdown Cover If You Don't Want To Be Stranded

Breakdown cover is not a legal requirement when you own a car. When you take out car insurance, it is however available as an optional extra to give you peace of mind should you ever need roadside assistance.

Breakdown cover is not really that expensive to have; a basic package can cost as little as £36 a year or increase if you choose to have any of the many extra optional choices available to you. People who purchase or own reliable vehicles do not usually take out cover as it's not really needed. If you choose not to purchase any cover, remember that you will need to arrange everything yourself should you ever need any assistance. The best thing to do is to keep a number for a national recovery or breakdown specialist and keep it in the car at all times. So if the car ever breaks down and needs towing, you won't be left panicking.

Types of breakdown cover

Roadside assistance - as long as you are over half a mile away from your home someone will come out to help get you back on the road.
Home - as an extra service you can choose to include home coverage so if your vehicle fails to start they will also come out to your home address to fix any problems.

There are many other optional extras that you can have added on your policy that can save you time and hassle should you ever need assistance.
Recovery - you can opt to have all passengers in the car get alternative transport to continue the journey. This is when the vehicle cannot be repaired on the road and will need to be taken away to be repaired. Depending on where you breakdown, you may be able to get a replacement vehicle or overnight accommodation.
European breakdown - there are some larger breakdown companies that can also provide cover in most European countries. This can come in handy if you have a holiday home such as in Spain, Portugal and France. It may also be cheaper than taking out a new short term European breakdown cover each time you go abroad.

Is breakdown cover really necessary?

Depending on how much you drive and where you travel to, it may be very handy to have especially if you travel around the UK a lot and you have an older car. If you do not venture far enough, routine care for your vehicle can be enough to prevent future breakdowns. Check oil, water and tyre pressure regularly and familiarise yourself with the internal components under the bonnet. This can help identify any problems and get them repaired before any lasting damage is caused.