Breakdown services Car Breakdown cover - Questions

Am I covered if I drive someone else's car? Or are other drivers covered if they're driving my car?
You will be able to get cover for either yourself in any car, personal cover or for the car, whoever is driving. And if you and your partner both drive the same car, then it will most likely work out to be cheaper to get car cover. On the other hand if you have got two cars, and you both drive them, then it may be better to both get your own individual cover.

What happens when I break down and I don't have any breakdown cover?
If on the motorway and you breakdown then the police will arrange a local garage to tow you. This could cost £200, and works out to be much more than a year’s breakdown cover. If off the motorway, then you have other options: call out a local garage or a mechanically-minded friend. However, if your car can’t be mended at the roadside, then you’ll still have to pay to have it towed to a garage.

My car's fairly new, I don't think it will breakdown, would I need cover?
Based on a reliability survey, three-to five year old cars have a ten per cent chance of breaking down, while the older they are the greater it will get. This would make more sense economically for the older cars. This all depends on how many miles you do over the course of a year, and on the kind of driving that you do. And finally it will come down to the type of car that you drive; some are more reliable than others.

On my new car I have a warranty, do I need to have cover?
If your car is new, then it is most likely that you will get a year’s free breakdown cover. With some cars they have a three year warranty and also have three year’s breakdown cover. However you will need to check make sure that you take out cover for when your warranty finishes.

What do I get for my money?
In short what you get from the basic cover is roadside repair or towing to a garage. With the more expensive cover, you can cover the car if it doesn’t start at your home, tow you to the garage of your choice, ferry you to your destination or just simply supply you with a hire car.

Is there a limit to the number of call-outs a company will make each year?
Yes there is. For some policies have a set limit to the amount of call-outs. There are some that only let as much as four in a year. You must ask about the limit when you take out a policy, in particular if you have an older car that prone to breakdowns.