A Definitive Guide To Breakdown Cover

The two biggest names in British breakdown cover started out as motoring clubs over 100 years ago — the UK version of the Automobile Association in 1905, and the Royal Automobile Club in 1897. The principle of these clubs was to bring automobile owners together, who at that time tended to be wealthy gentlemen investing their money and time into the new engineering of the “horseless carriage”.

Vehicles of this time needed constant maintenance and the laws of the road had yet to be defined, so the clubs helped members with these challenges, sharing their knowledge and eventually shaping the motoring scene.

They used motor sport as a way of promoting motoring to the masses. As time went on, the services these clubs offered extended into aiding motorists at the roadside when their vehicle broke down, using uniformed employed patrols.

They acted as a catalyst to the development of the motor industry and were key during the “golden age of motoring”, when cars started to become affordable to the masses in the UK.

Eventually the club aspect became less proactive (although the Royal Automobile Club still exists) and the services moved closer to the insurance industry, with separate arms for aspects such as road safety.

Green Flag started much later, in 1971, as a network of garages rather than employed patrols, and was never seen as a motoring club.

Insurance Cover In Times Of A Vehicle Breakdown

What was once a service delivered by membership of a club has now transformed into a modern insurance policy and financial service. Payment is made in advance of receiving a pre-agreed service should the vehicle break down or become inoperable — a vehicle either owned by the policy holder, or being travelled in, depending on the policy. The type of cover and the conditions are stated in each policy that is bought.

It gives peace of mind that in times of trouble an experienced engineer will attend the policy holder and vehicle, and either repair it or transport it to another location.

All three major UK suppliers — the AA, RAC and Green Flag — offer a 24-hour, 365-day service accessed through an agreed hotline number. It covers the entire UK mainland, and some services advertise an average call-out time of around 30 minutes, though the location of the stricken car will obviously affect how long it takes.

Each supplier offers different levels of breakdown cover, ranging from attendance at the roadside with basic repairs, through attendance at a home address, to recovery, transportation and European options. Most carry branded policy names that, although they look very similar on paper, may have differences that limit cover for customers with varying requirements.

Some policies cover the physical car whoever drives it; others cover the driver whatever vehicle they are travelling in, as driver or passenger.

Roadside Assistance Policies

It is argued that the majority of call-outs are issues that can be fixed at the roadside safely, in a reasonable amount of time. A typical roadside assistance policy is designed to deal with that demand only.

This tends to be the cheapest option, and will cover the vehicle (or driver, depending on the policy) only if it is a stipulated distance away from home.

An engineer will attend the stricken vehicle and attempt to get the driver moving. If that is not possible they will tow or transport the vehicle to a local destination — either a garage or a home address.

Typically most call-outs are fixed at the roadside, as the most common problems are flat batteries and tyres, which the engineer can deal with on the spot.

Home Breakdown Cover

These tend to be an add-on or upgrade to another policy, extending cover to a car that will not start on the driveway at home. It does not cover maintenance issues, or repairs that are not associated with an emergency call-out.

Breakdown Recovery Policies

This is a more comprehensive policy that covers attendance at the roadside, but also the transportation of the stricken vehicle to anywhere in mainland UK, including its driver and passengers.

That can be very useful should the vehicle suffer a total failure — engine failure, gearbox failure or brake problems — things that cannot be fixed in situ and need to be repaired in a garage or at home.

There are advanced recovery options that include train travel home and local accommodation.

European Breakdown Cover

As the name suggests, this covers travel for an agreed period within the participating countries of Europe. Breakdown companies there operate differently to British ones, so any call-out will follow local practice, including local average call-out times. This kind of policy tends not to cover transporting the vehicle back to the UK.

You no longer need a Green Card to drive in the EU, including Ireland — that requirement was dropped in August 2021. A handful of non-EU countries still ask for one, among them Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Serbia and Switzerland. You do still need a UK sticker and, in some countries, additional kit such as a warning triangle or breathalyser.