Does car insurance include breakdown cover?

Should you break down while out and about, breakdown cover can offer valuable assistance in getting you on the move again. While breakdown cover isn’t normally included as standard with your car insurance, it can be added either as an Optional Extra or bought as a standalone product.

In this article, we explore how breakdown and car insurance differ, plus your options when protecting your vehicle.

What does car insurance typically cover?

While breakdown cover is there should your car malfunction while you’re out driving, car insurance offers cover in the event of an accident.

The three main types of car insurance, which are:

• Comprehensive
• Third Party, Fire and Theft
• Third Party (not available through Age Co)

Comprehensive car insurance covers damage to your car and any others involved in an accident – no matter who was at fault. It also provides compensation for anyone injured in the accident.

In contrast, a third-party policy only covers the costs of damage to other vehicles and people involved in an accident. It only pays out if the accident was deemed your fault. An upgrade to this type of cover is Third Party, Fire and Theft, which will also cover damage caused by fire, theft or attempted theft.

No matter which type of cover you choose, all drivers are required to take out car insurance in the UK.

Is breakdown cover different from car insurance?   

Breakdown insurance isn’t normally provided as part of a standard car insurance policy but can often be added as an Optional Extra – depending on your insurance provider.

It provides roadside assistance if your car breaks down and pays for a mechanic to come and get you back on the road. If they can’t fix things there and then, it generally includes getting your car towed to a garage for repairs.

What is the difference between personal and vehicle breakdown cover?

Personal breakdown cover is tied to you, the policyholder. It covers you no matter what car you’re driving and provides cover if you’re travelling as a passenger. Some policies also include cover for people who live at the same address as you.

Vehicle breakdown cover is tied to the vehicle and will only provide assistance for the vehicle named in the policy. It might be possible to arrange vehicle breakdown cover for multiple vehicles under a single policy.  

What does breakdown cover include?

Breakdown cover typically includes four main benefits: 

• Roadside assistance: This basic level of cover means you’ll get a recovery patrol coming to help if you break down. It doesn’t provide cover if your car breaks down at home or within a certain distance of your address – normally a quarter of a mile.
• Home breakdown cover: If you break down at or near your home – typically a quarter of a mile – this level of cover ensures you’ll get assistance.
• Vehicle recovery: In some cases, mechanics can’t fix your vehicle on the spot. If your cover includes vehicle recovery, they’ll arrange for it to be towed to a garage. If you go for the national recovery option, they’ll tow your car to any garage you want. Otherwise, recovery will be restricted to a garage that’s local to where you break down.
• Onward travel: If your vehicle can’t be repaired at the roadside, onward travel cover will help get you to your destination. It provides you with a courtesy car and, if necessary, may cover the cost of public transport. Some cover includes overnight accommodation.

Please note: features and benefits will vary between providers. To understand what’s included in any policy, you should check the policy documents or terms and conditions.

What are the advantages of getting breakdown cover with car insurance?

Buying breakdown cover with your car insurance can be convenient. It can also mean that you won’t pay administration fees for two separate products. You may also find that if you insure two cars with the same provider, there can be further savings to having both vehicles on the same breakdown policy.

However, you should make sure that the breakdown cover on offer is what you want and need.

Buying a standalone product could mean you’re able to get better protection at a more competitive price. The only way to understand what’s right for you and your car is to explore the market.

Other ways to protect yourself and your vehicle

As well as breakdown cover, car insurers offer a choice of other add-ons that can protect you and your vehicle.

At Age Co, we offer Car Insurance provided by LV=, which has a range of Optional Extras that include:

 Guaranteed hire car: This cover guarantees use of a hire car if your own car is being repaired or if your vehicle has been stolen or written off.

• Motor Legal cover: Protects you from the potential costs of legal action (up to £100,000) if you're involved in a car accident and have been accused of committing a motoring offense.
• Extended personal accident cover: This protects you, your partner or a named driver on the policy if you or they suffer a serious injury while entering, travelling in, or getting out of your car.

Summary

Not all car insurance policies include breakdown cover as standard. Therefore, when it comes to finding the right cover for you and your vehicle, it might be helpful to keep these key points in mind:

• All drivers are required to take out car insurance in the UK. Most car insurance policies won’t offer breakdown cover as standard, so for extra protection you’ll need to consider this as an add-on service.
• When reviewing breakdown cover, look out for these key benefits: roadside assistance, home breakdown cover, vehicle recovery and onward travel.
• Personal breakdown cover is linked to the policyholder and will cover them regardless of which vehicle they’re in.
• In contract, vehicle breakdown cover is linked to the vehicle, so assistance will only be covered for the car listed in the policy.
• Alongside breakdown cover, you can further protect yourself and your vehicle by exploring Optional Extras, such as: guaranteed car hire, motor legal cover and extended personal accident cover.