Cars are the most reliant mode of transport in the 21st century, so when your vehicle suffers from a breakdown it can cause a vast array of inconveniences in a very short space of time. With the cost-of-living crisis washing over the UK and bills set to rise in the coming months, it’s no wonder that many households are starting to tighten their belts and question particular outgoing expenditures.

This is why our experts are looking into Motor breakdown and answering the question; is it worth the money and what exactly am I covered for?

What is motor breakdown?

Motor breakdown is the assurance that if your car breaks down on the roadside or even at home – that you won’t be stranded with a car that doesn’t work. Depending on your level of cover, your breakdown provider will send someone out to you to either recover your car and take it to a nearby garage for repairs, or even better, attempt a repair roadside to get you back up and running.
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What should motor breakdown cover?

Breakdown cover can vary in features, and you can opt for different levels of cover, but here are what we consider to be the very basic level of breakdown cover and what it should include.
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Roadside Assistance

• In the event of a breakdown, your provider should arrange for a recovery operator to attend to the breakdown and where appropriate, try and repair the vehicle.

Alternative Transport

• Cover providers should contribute a set amount towards the reasonable cost of alternative transport or a hire vehicle up to 1600cc to allow you to complete your original journey. You should also be provided with expenses towards the reasonable cost of alternative transport for one person to return and collect the repaired vehicle.

Nationwide Recovery

• If your vehicle cannot be repaired by an operator at the roadside or a suitable garage within the same working day, your provider should arrange and pay for your vehicle and the passengers to be recovered to your home address.

Emergency Overnight Accommodation

• Most providers will pay up to £150 for a lone traveller or £75 per person towards the reasonable cost of overnight accommodation including breakfast for the passengers whilst your vehicle is being repaired.

Caravans & trailers covered

• In the event of a breakdown where your caravan/trailer is attached, providing the caravan/trailer is fitted with a standard 50mm tow ball coupling hitch and does not exceed 7 metres/23 feet in length (not including the length of the A-frame and hitch), your caravan/trailer will be recovered with your vehicle at no extra cost. If you find that your provider is only offering a few of these features within your policy it may be time to look elsewhere for a more comprehensive, competitively priced option with a separate company.

So, is motor breakdown worth it?

In simple terms, yes. Motor breakdown is certainly something worthwhile having, if your car does breakdown whilst you are without it you could be looking at an extremely expensive bill for not only a tow but a repair when with a policy, you could have this resolved roadside for you immediately.

However, our experts do advise that you investigate how much your provider is looking to charge you in relation to other companies. We appreciate that everyone is looking for ways to reduce their outgoings at the moment and big household names such as RAC and AA charge nearly double what other reliable, trusted companies would for the same service.

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Give us a call on 0333 733 0733 for a no-obligation quote to see how much money you could be saving with your motor breakdown cover.