Break down covers

Countries Covered

2014-12-17T01:37:00.002-08:00

Countries Covered

Zone 1

Covers the countries below:

Andorra

Belgium

France

Germany

Luxembourg

Monaco

Netherlands

Republic of Ireland

We also cover the offshore islands of all the countries within this zone.

Zone 2

In addition to the above, Zone 2 also covers the countries below:

Austria

Denmark

Finland

Gibraltar

Italy

Liechtenstein

Norway

Portugal

San Marino

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

Vatican City

Zone 3

In addition to the above, Zone 3 also covers the countries below:

Albania

Armenia

Azerbaijan

Belarus

Bosnia Herzegovina

Bulgaria

Croatia

Cyprus (South)

Czech Republic

Estonia

Georgia

Greece

Hungary

Latvia

Lithuania

Macedonia

Malta

Moldova

Montenegro

Poland

Romania

Russian mainland (west of Urals)

Serbia

Slovakian Republic

Slovenia

Turkey(In Europe) plus Uskudar

Why choose RAC Business Breakdown Cover?

2014-12-17T01:36:00.002-08:00

Why choose RAC Business Breakdown Cover?

Less disruptions to your business - Vehicles being off the road are costing UK small businesses an average of £200 per vehicle per day1

Less chance of needing a tow - Our industry expertise and innovative services help fix 4 out of 5 vehicles at the roadside

Keeping your business moving - We repair vehicles on average within 34 minutes at the roadside.

We won't tow unless we have to

If one of your business vehicles suffers a puncture and isn't carrying a spare tyre our innovative Universal Wheel can get your vehicle back on the road quickly. It's been used 30,000 times in 2014, helping reduce the number of vehicles we recover due to a puncture

Battery problems are still the number one reason for breakdowns. We fix 98% of battery fault breakdowns at the roadside

RAC's remote diagnostics have enabled us to fix more vehicles at the roadside and our electric charger is helping us to do the same for the next generation of business vehicles.

Central heating breakdown cover

2014-05-20T00:33:00.005-07:00

Central heating breakdown cover
Central heating breakdown cover provides cover for your boiler, controls and central heating system from £4.45 a month.
This level of boiler insurance does not include an annual boiler service which can help to keep your boiler running safely and efficiency. If you would like to include an annual boiler service please see our HomeCare® range.
From
£4.45 per month[1] £99 excess
(Annual price £53.40. Prices for households within the M25 will differ. Get a quote for prices within your area).
Get a quote

10% off
This cover includes

Boiler & controls

Central heating
Benefits at a glance
Parts and labour included.[2]
Unlimited call outs per contract year.
6,000 Gas Safe registered engineers.
24/7 manned helpline.
Collect Nectar points.
With central heating breakdown cover you'll benefit from
Repairs to boiler, controls, central heating, radiators, pipework and hot water system (including unvented and pressurised cylinders).
Replacing your boiler if it is less than 7 years old and cannot be repaired.
Replacing your boiler if it is between 7 & 10 years old and cannot be repaired, as long as it was installed by British Gas and as long as you have had a continuous agreement for the life of the boiler.
Parts and labour.[2]
Unlimited callouts per contract year.
Costs up to £1,000 (inc VAT) to gain access.
There are a few exceptions, including:
Breakdowns not covered for the first 14 days.
Annual service of your boiler.
Accidental damage.
Removing sludge or hard-water scale from the boiler or system.
Repairing damaged caused by sludge or hard water scale if we have told you on a previous visit that remedial work is required.
Shower repairs.
System improvements or upgrades.

What does breakdown assist cover?

2014-05-20T00:33:00.002-07:00

For Car Insurance Customers

Breakdown assistance is a 24 hour accident, emergency breakdown and home start recovery service.

They will provide 1 hour free labour at the roadside. If they cannot fix the car, they will then tow your car to the nearest competent repairer or a garage of your choice whichever is closer.

Some of the benefits of our breakdown assistance service are:

Home start assist: Somebody to assist you if car breaks down at your home
Onward transportation: If your car breaks down away from your home and cannot be repaired we will pay for transportation to your destination within the island of Ireland
Message relay: We will pass on two urgent messages for you
The contact number for the Breakdown Assist is 01 832 8358

For full details of cover, limits & exclusions please refer to your policy pack which was issued to you when you purchased or renewed your policy. Our current policy booklet can be found here.

Breakdown cover explained

2014-02-24T05:38:00.005-08:00

Breakdown cover explained

Learn the basics of breakdown cover including how policies work, the different levels of cover and money-saving tips.

Compare breakdown coverGet Quotes
Mechanical problems are stressful and inconvenient, but breakdown cover can provide valuable peace of mind - ensuring you receive assistance at the roadside at any time of the day or night.

Breakdown companies often have their own definitions for the different cover levels and services they provide
Before buying a policy, make sure you know how it works and that you've got the appropriate cover for your needs.

What is breakdown cover?
Most standard breakdown insurance policies will offer roadside recovery and roadside rescue as an entry-level standard of service. Such cover will provide assistance to motorists who have broken down and are unable to continue their journey.

Who is breakdown cover suitable for?
Breakdown cover could be a sound investment for anyone who regularly travels by car, or another motorised vehicle. It may prove particularly suitable for people who own older vehicles, for those who regularly drive at night or in remote areas, for families, and for business travellers or commuters.

How does breakdown cover work?
There are two broad types of breakdown cover categories available to consider before you think about your cover levels:Car

Standard breakdown cover

Standard breakdown cover is offered by the majority of breakdown companies and is the most convenient option for most customers.

You choose the level of cover that best suits your needs and pay an annual fee up front. Any call outs you make during the period of cover are then free of charge.

You'll have the choice between personal breakdown cover or vehicle-based cover. The former covers you as the passenger in any car you are travelling in, providing it falls within the breakdown company's conditions. The latter covers the nominated vehicle only.

Some breakdown companies, such as the AA and RAC, have their own patrols while others, such as Green Flag, will contract out to local recovery services.

Some policies will transport the car to a local garage, others will arrange for its transportation to a garage of your choice or your home
Pay and claim cover

Pay and claim cover is something of a niche product, although it is usually the cheapest type of breakdown cover. As with standard breakdown cover you pay an annual fee up front, but the cover you receive will differ from standard breakdown cover in two respects.

Firstly, the breakdown company will not operate its own patrols - it will contract out to local recovery services. Secondly, and perhaps most significantly, you will be required to pay the local service when you call them out and then reclaim the money by sending your receipts to the breakdown company.

When it comes to choosing between the two, your main considerations will be price and convenience. This is because both options are likely to provide the same level of cover and average call-out times.

If convenience is important to you, with standard cover you can avoid the hassle of paying for the call out up front and then having to reclaim the money back. If you're considering a pay and claim policy you should consider whether you're organised and disciplined enough to have the funds to hand should an emergency strike.

What about breakdown cover levels?
Breakdown companies often have their own definitions for the different cover levels and services they provide, but they are all likely to offer the following main options:Motorbike

Roadside assistance

All breakdown policies include roadside assistance. If you break down away from home (providing you are a set distance away, generally over a quarter of a mile) then your breakdown company will send somebody to try to fix the problem at the roadside.

If your vehicle can't be fixed it will be towed (or recovered) to the nearest garage or your home, normally whichever is closer. Policies typically include up to 60 minutes of free labour, but the cost of replacement parts is not included.

Vehicle recovery

If the vehicle can't be repaired at the roadside it will be recovered along with its passengers. There may be a set limit on the number of passengers - check your policy for this.

Some policies will transport the car to a local garage, others will arrange for its transportation to a garage of your choice or your home (this service may be classified as 'national recovery' rather than simple 'local recovery'). Again, check the policy details before you buy to find out what's covered.

Faults caused by human error are a typical exclusion to look out for on your policy
Home assistance

Home assistance provides cover in the event of your vehicle breaking down at your home address or within a set distance of it - normally within a quarter of a mile.

Onward travel

Levels of onward travel cover can vary enormously between different breakdown companies. Depending on the policy, it may include car hire or alternative transportation to your chosen destination or home address, or accommodation while your vehicle is repaired.

European cover

Most breakdown companies also offer European cover, either as a stand-alone policy or as an add-on to a standard policy. If you plan on taking your car to the continent then European breakdown cover could be a sound investment.

Breaking down abroad is not only costly but can be complicated, too. With European breakdown cover you should expect to deal with English-speaking representatives and the recovery process should be quicker and less stressful.

What level of cover do I need?
The level of breakdown cover that's right for you will, of course, depend on your circumstances, including the age of your vehicle and your annual mileage.Van

How you use the vehicle will have a bearing on the level of cover you need. For example, the requirements of a driver who does a high mileage and relies on their vehicle for commuting or business use will be different from those of a driver who only uses their car now and again for short trips in their own locality.

Exclusions to look out for
All policies differ and - as always with insurance - you should read your terms and conditions carefully to ensure you have the appropriate level of cover. Some typical exclusions to be aware of when scrutinising your policy include:

Limited number of call-outs in a policy's duration
Delays from the inception/purchase of a policy to when cover starts
Weight limits on your vehicle
Faults due to human error eg lights left on, lost keys, running out of fuel, adding the wrong fuel
Are wheel changes covered? You'll typically need a serviceable and accessible spare, plus a key to remove any locking wheel nuts
All policies you compare through Gocompare.com include roadside assistance and local recovery as standard
Remember, too, that breakdown cover is not a substitute for keeping your vehicle in a roadworthy manner.

Also, providers will generally refuse to return to help a vehicle that has not been repaired to a roadworthy standard after assistance has already been provided for that problem, or for a directly related one.

For example, if you call for help for a flat battery your breakdown provider should get you started, but then it's likely that you'll have to replace the battery - if you don't you won't be able to keep relying on your provider every time you need to start the car!

How can I save money on breakdown cover?
Understanding how breakdown companies price their products can help you to keep the cost of your policy down.Jump leads

Some companies offer fixed-price premiums, while others calculate premiums based on a range of criteria, such as your vehicle’s age and your annual mileage.

What this generally means is that if your policy is classed as high risk you'll pay more for cover, and if you're classed as low risk you'll pay less.

Multi-car policies can often prove cheaper for families than family membership policies that cover individual family members, and you may also want to consider the pay and claim option.

It's always worth checking for discounts and special offers, too. Above all, the key to saving money is to shop around and compare breakdown cover policies online. Read more with our money-saving tips for breakdown insurance.

Gocompare.com and breakdown cover
With Gocompare.com you can compare quotes for breakdown cover for cars, motorbikes and vans. All policies include roadside assistance and local recovery as standard.

By spending a little more you may get better value for money
Simply tell us how old your vehicle is and whether you require additional levels of cover, then we’ll show you quotes from a range of breakdown companies.

You'll be able to filter your results to compare policies side-by-side, allowing you to see features as well as price to help you find the right option for your needs.

Remember that the cheapest policy isn't necessarily the best policy for you, and by spending a little more you may get better value for money.

Minibus Breakdown Cover

2014-02-24T05:38:00.002-08:00

Minibus Breakdown Cover
Our minibus breakdown cover price is based on the length your vehicle. Cover is available for vehicles less than 16 years old.

Adverse Claims History Quote Button

Roadside assistance.
Full UK Recovery.
Emergency travel / accommodation
Home Start
Local Recovery
Message service
Caravan / trailer service
Insurance Choice Minibus Breakdown Cover
To ensure you get the best service, we have teamed up with Axa Assistance for our minibus breakdown cover. This ensures that you get the best minibus breakdown cover at the right price.

Our taxi breakdown cover is registered to the vehicle, which means anyone can drive the vehicle and request courier minibus recovery.

Misfuelling
We will pay for the following if your vehicle is subject to misfuelling in the UK: Draining, flushing and replenishing the fuel tank with up to 10 litres of correct fuel. The most we will reimburse you in any one year is £250.

Misfuelling is free when you buy any IC Breakdown cover except Copper, when it can be purchased as an option at £5 per vehicle.

a Recovery to a garage within 15 miles of breakdown location. Please see policy wording for more information.
*The Copper policy is subject to an excess of £40 per callout, which must be paid before assistance will be approved.
About Our Breakdown Service
What can we cover?
IC Breakdown is an annual, vehicle specific policy that covers any driver insured to drive.

Car Breakdown Cover
Motorcycle Breakdown Cover
Van Breakdown Cover
Taxi Breakdown Cover
Minibus Breakdown Cover
Motorhome Breakdown Cover
No age limit on acceptable vehicles in the UK, unlike most other breakdown services!
Who do we use?
Backed by one of the world leaders in assistance services, AXA Assistance.
The membership scheme was originally started in 1998 and is part of the world’s largest insurer, The AXA Group.
Our UK motor rescue and recovery network comprises around 400 agents, giving access to over 4000 vehicles and technicians. All our UK agents are PAS43 compliant
http://www.survivegroup.org/
Average response time is 40 minutes with priority shown for females and people in vulnerable positions.
A UK Call Centre handles all emergency calls 24 hours a day 365 days a year.
For more information regarding AXA Assistance please click here.
See our Breakdown FAQ’s for more information.

Promotion Compare Breakdown Cover

2014-02-24T05:37:00.001-08:00

Promotion

Promotion
Compare Breakdown Cover
Anyone who has ever broken down will know that breakdown cover is a wise purchase - especially in the wet and cold winter months. Compare breakdown cover products by choosing a level of cover you would like from the options below. The comparison table will then display the most relevant option for you along with the latest offers.

Promotion
Choose a level of cover

Looking at breakdown cover

2013-02-01T01:55:00.000-08:00

Looking at breakdown cover for car and caravan, has anyone experienced rescue my car .com?

PS My Mayday is £89 and rescue my car quotes £33 through comparison money site.

Just read the small print and only covers caravans under 7 metres length!!! Our Swift challenger is 7.3M.
Back to the drawing board.

European Breakdown Cover - experiences, recommendations, who to avoid?

2012-12-19T00:16:00.002-08:00

European Breakdown Cover - experiences, recommendations, who to avoid?
I've been looking at European Breakdown Cover this morning and it's all very confusing, what I want is an annual policy that covers me in the UK and Europe, but it seems the AA want to sell me two separate policies and the RAC can't even be bothered to have a call centre open on a Sunday to speak to potential customers.

So I thought I'd turn to the most reliable source of knowledge when it comes to all things involving sliding, namely, you guys!

Any suggestions, recommendations, hints tips or things to avoid would be great...... (European Breakdown Cover related, lets not start the Helmet, Bristich Ski Industry or Go Pro v Contour conversations in yet another thread..... )

Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Standee, depends what you want..... the top AA cover (used to be called 5 Star, don't know if it still is) is expensive but if your car breaks down catastrophically, e.g. on the way home from the Alps, it will sort out everything. Happened to a friend. Fought her way north of Dijon in a blizzard, car broke down. Towed back to Dijon, picked up hire car (it was half term, teachers having to get back to work) and drove to Calais. Cross channel (with luggage!), into English hired car, home to London. Car taken to garage. Her expenses to go back to pick up the car two weeks later were also paid.

I have breakdown cover with my car insurance policy (I suggest you check first whether you can add it to your policy, might be the cheapest way). Had clutch pack in in Italy. Car taken to garage (a ropey one as it turned out, but I wasn't to know that.....). We could choose either a hire car for 7 days OR accommodation locally when the car was sorted out. We chose the former, but then by the time it was all sorted out, had to pay for accommodation anyway and continued our journey. All expenses to go back and pick up the car - including cost of Mont Blanc tunnel - were down to us.

That was "Saga" but the actual people doing the stuff were the AA. Had a battle with them over the cost of further repairs in France when it turned out the Italians had omitted to put oil in the gear box (long story, not nice driving through the MB tunnel with a car sounding like death). They paid up eventually but only after I went to the Insurance Ombudsman and we had a LOT of out of pocket expenses as well as extreme inconvenience.

Obviously you pay for the repairs, either way.

So far (touch wood) it's our only breakdown and the clutch had done 90K miles. Driving back to the Alps on Tuesday. Fingers crossed, touch wood, etc etc. Breakdown insurance through my car insurer - London Victoria.

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Standee, we used Quoteline Direct for a while, called them when we had a damaged windscreen, and they sorted it with FRench Autoglass and our insurers very quickly. Really helpful. Their policy was Europe wide so covered us in the UK as well, which meant we were double-insured, but it was cheaper than extending our RAC cover at the time. Have european cover through our bank account now.

You need to Login to know who's really who.
Thanks pam_w, shows how observant I am, just called my insurer and I already have European Breakdown cover as part of my policy, that's €140 in the beer kitty!

may be worth keeping open for fellow 's, happy if admin lock if they feel appropriate.

Bon Ski!

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
imho the key to these policies is what happens when the car can't be repaired immediately? Depends what you need, some only pay for a hotel bill which if you break down Friday means you probably won't get the car repaired until Tuesday/ Wednesday etc.
Some manufacturers include Euro cover in their warranty, Mercedes and Jaguar do BMW do not. Worth checking and again check what the cover is.

You'll need to Register first of course.
We've had a few different ones over the years (generally just buy on price having checked the conditions). The usual suspects will steer you in the right direction (Confused.com etc).

Our experience has been variable and seems unrelated to the price paid. In most cases you are picked up by a local garage (assuming they can't fix it on the spot) who may or may not have car hire facilities. Then you might get into a long argument about what they will or won't do. We caught fire near St Quentin on the way home and as it was Autoroute the first contact just took us to a point of safety off the Autoroute. We then phoned our breakdown insurer and explained the status. They said we'll send someone to try to repair it. We said you can't it's been on fire. Man arrives and says I can't repair that it's been on fire! He adds "It's a write off" so the breakdown insurer says in that case we won't bring it back. More phone calls questioning whether the local mechanic is an insurance assessor qualified to make that call (he clearly wasn't) led to a recovery to Calais, push onto ferry, tow off ferry and relay home.

The main thing to watch for is whether you are buying a breakdown service or an insurance that will repay allowable costs that you pay in the first. We've had two incidents in 15 years of regular European travel and now just go for the cheapest annual cover we can find - under £100 this year. If your vehicle is over 10 years old it gets a bit more restricted.

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Thought things like ADAC were available beyond German border? Prices seemed far better than I recall for AA, with the fully loaded up Pan-Europe "insurance". For those that drive to slopes, and to do other "dangerous" sports, the benefits potentially beat some of the benefits of the wintersports insurance. eg if I get injured on a bash, and can't drive home or the car gets written off on the Autostrada, ADAC pay to repatriate the car, and for occupants to fly or take train (afaict).

I will say that Touring Club Switzerland were very helpful and sorted everything direct with ADAC on my recent defect car coming back from the PSB. OK I had to pay for a new coil pack, fair enough, but the guy sorted everything out so I didn;t get stung for the call out etc. PS handy having the car reg document (we have 2 parts in Germany - whole parts stays at home, small part with you in the car), since it has all the car code details for him to punch in his computer. Got a free readout of all the car ECU codes too, and he reset them. Costs money at the local dealer for that, unless he includes it in the standard service fee.

After all it is free
Last time I needed them was 2000 but was glad I had full RAC European cover, went round a hairpin bend only to find black ice over the whole bend, a 720 degree turn later narrowly avoiding a 30+ ft drop off the side of the road and not avoiding a no overtaking sign, the car was toast, RAC would have arranged a hire car for a week but I was off on a two week holiday and it would have spent all its time in a garage at the bottom of the mountain so instead they sorted a taxi to take me from the middle of nowhere to a nearby hotel which they also sorted, then they sorted me another taxi to take me to the next mainline train station (my request), they also arranged for the car to be recovered taken to the nearest main dealer for inspection and so on, was very very happy with their aid, the insurance company took over from there and wrote the car off which, perhaps surprisingly, I was happy for them to do as I got a brand new one in its place and the spec for that model had increased in the 10 months since I'd bought it.

You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
D G Orf, sounds like you struck lucky, more ways than one. Certainly good service, like my friend (on the way home from my apartment, actually) had from the AA. It was an old car, and 4 impoverished youngsters. The car's owner had insisted that they all pay up for the AA 5 star cover. They all grumbled, as it seemed such a lot, but it turned out for the best - and wasn't a lot between 4. It's amazing how some people will try to economise on important parts of holiday cost, and then splash out on beers.

My dad used to work for the AA, so we always used to have AA 5* insurance - if he'd still been working for them I'd probably not have had to go to the Ombudsman to get any sense out of them. Mind you, my Dad always said the organisation went downhill fast when it became so commercial and when (just as he was retiring) it got taken over by what he insisted on calling "the Gas Board", that was the end. He hankered for the days when patrols in khaki gaiters with motor cycles and sidecars would salute passing members.

Ski the Net with snowHeads
I struggle with European Cover as all my cars are >20 yrs and < 30 years old, so are invariably not eligible for cover with the big boys

Currently with Adrian Flux who are completely useless - needed them in August in Dusseldorf - first off all the telephone numbers bar the last one didn't work, when I got through and gave all my details it turned out I had got through to UK breakdown so was given a number for Europe. Gave all the details and got a reference number. 3 hours later the car started so I called them up to say " don't need you now", only to find out they had no record of me at all and the reference number was completely wrong.

Needless to say they have been given an almighty bollocking.

Breakdown cover

2012-12-10T00:51:00.002-08:00

Breakdown cover
We all rely on our cars to transport us safely to our destinations on a daily basis, but what would you do if you broke down en route or if your car didn’t start in the morning?

There were around 3.4 million call outs to the AA last year. The majority of these happened in cold weather when cars are more vulnerable to break downs. Freezing temperatures can affect the running ability of your car.

Imagine being stranded in a rural location in icy conditions. We always think it won’t happen to us. Without breakdown cover, the cost of having your car recovered and back on the road again can be very substantial.

The top reasons for cars breaking down are:

A flat battery, generally caused by leaving the lights on overnight.
A flat tyre or a blow-out. Tyres should be systematically checked to make sure their pressure is correct. You should also check that your tyre tread is legal.
Locking yourself out of your vehicle, which is very frustrating if you cannot retrieve your spare keys easily or have lost your keys altogether.
Running on empty. You should regularly check your fuel gauge to avoid this happening. Avoid the petrol warning light coming on.
A faulty starter motor. This can be checked when your car goes in for a service at the garage, as a precaution.
Spark plugs failing. These should also be systematically checked when you car goes in for a service.

Investing in breakdown cover means that you have the peace of mind, knowing that if your car lets you down, help is available.

Breakdown Cover

Breakdown cover is available as an ‘automatic’ service, meaning that you pay an annual fee for membership and simply call for assistance when you need to. There is a limit on the amount of calls you can make each year.

There are different types of cover available, to suit your needs. Entry level roadside assistance will cover you if you are over a quarter of a mile away from your home, whilst European insurance will cover your for roadside assistance and car repairs when driving in Europe.

Things to consider when investing in breakdown insurance cover

Think about how regularly you drive your car, how old the car is and how many miles it has done, to how you maintain it. For new cars that have regular services and do not cover many miles, entry level insurance may be most suitable. For older cars that do quite a bit of mileage, comprehensive breakdown cover will be the best option, as it includes roadside assistance, recovery of the car, a courtesy car and also accommodation.

FREE Breakdown Cover this winter…beat the bad weather with County Insurance.

2012-12-10T00:50:00.000-08:00

FREE Breakdown Cover this winter…beat the bad weather with County Insurance.

Fantastic New Breakdown Cover Offer – FREE for a year with every new private car, van and home policy

Winter is coming..

I’m sure we don’t need to tell you that winter is well and truly here, and the last thing you want is to be stranded on the roadside in the freezing cold.

Vehicle breakdowns double in the winter, so you need complete peace of mind to know that you’ll get assistance in cold, wet, snowy and freezing conditions.

County Insurance are pleased to announce that we are offering FREE breakdown cover for a YEAR with every private car, van and even home insurance policies. This offer applies to every policy taken in December 2012 and January 2013.

Don’t discount this offer if you have a newer vehicle, as it includes running out of fuel, putting in the incorrect fuel or struggling with a puncture.

Breakdown cover at great prices

2012-11-12T00:17:00.002-08:00

Breakdown cover at great prices
Get the cover that suits you

Have you got the cheapest breakdown cover?
Cheaper than the AA or RAC for a similar kind of cover
Get home start, roadside assistance and UK recovery all for just £70 a year
Over 3,000 breakdown recovery professionals at your service
What’s it all about?UK Breakdown CoverRoadside CoverEuropean CoverHow we compare
Pay less for great value breakdown cover
It’s frustrating when your car grinds to halt or just won’t start, especially without the right Breakdown Cover. With over 3,000 breakdown professionals on call Asda Breakdown Cover gets to most people in under 42 minutes^ and over 77% of cars are fixed on the spot~.

There are three levels of cover – all of which are cheaper than similar cover from the AA or RAC, so it’s easy to choose the right one for you.

Get a quote

FIRST PERSON: DO YOU HAVE BREAKDOWN COVER?

2012-11-09T05:30:00.000-08:00

Come the summer of 2010, my girlfriend and I moved into a new flat, but with less income and no savings after my trip, I struggled financially to keep up. We had been priced out by the arrival of Westfield in West London, so had no choice but to move. With mounting money problems, I had to get two other cash-in-hand jobs, one in a music venue, the other covering football matches for a betting company on the weekends. I would often work 6 days a week, leaving at 8am and getting home past midnight. When I wasn’t working nights, I began drinking heavily, often alone. Then the inevitable relationship issues with my girlfriend started. We weren’t communicating and began falling out of love. Drinking was something I have always enjoyed socially, but it became too much, drinking on my own and not wanting to go home, ashamed I couldn’t provide my girlfriend with a stable financial footing. One night there was a leaving do after work and I caught up with a girl I’d met a year or so before. We drank too much and she suggested going on elsewhere. I cheated on my girlfriend with her that night, which marked the beginning of the end. I kept this demon a secret for a year.

I had always had a bit of a problem with commitment; something a counsellor once told me was linked to me never properly grieving my father’s death. That said, I had never cheated before and so began a self-exorcism of guilt. The drinking got worse and I started to lose my self-respect. I was on a one-man mission to fuck up my life. Just before New Year 2010 I fell to a new low of depression and self-pity. I took January off work to recover, but just felt worse and worse. I had no money to go out and often wouldn’t leave the sofa all day.

In February 2011, I finally went to the doctor who prescribed 20mg Citalopram without even glancing up. The side effects were terrible. I attempted to pull myself out of the gloom by starting a Life Coaching course, but after 2 sessions I stopped. I started sweating, the drugs making me more and more anxious. I was forgetting things at work and looked terrible. My usual exercise routine dwindled to football on a Monday night, but even that was a struggle. I started having panic attacks and my girlfriend gave me great support, which made the guilt worse.

Over the next few months they put me on so many different drugs I felt like a medical experiment, all with a variety of negative side effects. When I finally gave in and came clean to my girlfriend, she asked me to move out and we split up. I had to go back to my mum’s house, but continued to pay for a car I didn’t use and I flat I didn’t live in. If it wasn’t for my mum, I might have ended up on the street. I’m very lucky. By that time I was having an issue with my adrenal glands. You know that feeling of fight or flight you get when you sense danger? I was like that all the time, shot up with adrenalin and pissing like a racehorse 15 times a day. I would eat constantly, but all the nervous energy meant I began to lose weight. I looked like a ghost. It was at this point that I became suicidal. I couldn’t handle the constant stress and little did I know (thanks to the unsympathetic attitude of my GP), what I was experiencing was an acute nervous breakdown. I couldn’t see a way out.

One day I told a colleague I wanted to die and they took me to my GP. They couldn’t get me an ‘emergency’ appointment at a Mental Health Unit until the next day. I saw a psychiatrist and he prescribed me Clonazepam to take away the suicidal tendencies and a sleeping tablet. Later, after he missed a couple of my appointments at short notice, I told him I was addicted to the tablets but he just put my GP back in charge, simply saying: ‘I told you they were addictive’. On the way to an occupational health appointment in central London soon after I thought about killing myself once more, and it took all my strength to stay behind that yellow line on the train platform.

I didn’t sleep for 8 months (maybe 1 or 2 hours a night) and ended up having 6 months off work because I couldn’t function. I couldn’t play or watch sport, or even concentrate on a film or a book. I was close to sectioning myself, but the thought of it filled me with dread. I just wanted the pain to stop.

My family was worried sick and got me to try all sorts of things – pilates, yoga, homeopathy, strict diet, other doctors and practitioners, psychics, hippies, osteopaths, acupuncture, reflexology, hypnotism, counsellors, etc. It confused me even more. I just wanted one person I could talk to and who would prescribe me the correct medication and not kick me out of their office after 10 minutes. This would not come until October 2011, when I finally found a private doctor who thankfully gave me a discount when he saw how bad (and poor) I was. He listened, built up the medication slowly and answered my telephone calls. He even put me in touch with a free counsellor who was a lot more understanding than previous ones who seemed more interested in the two £20 notes I would hand them at the end of a disappointing session. I managed to get back to work in October 2011 – that’s one whole year now without being off sick. I am still on medication and see my counsellor and doctor for progress reports and prescriptions.

As I write, I have met someone else and am so much happier with more of an understanding about what I can and can’t achieve. I know I did wrong, cheating on my ex, but it didn’t feel like me and I am slowly coming to terms with my actions.

Now I’m healthy again, it’s nice to be back doing what I enjoy (writing) after an unhealthy absence. I only found out about CALM after my illness and now it means a great deal to me. I feel a stronger person having come through a nervous breakdown and I don’t feel I’ll ever be in that position again. Let’s spread the word – it’s ok to speak out about your problems and ask for help and people like CALM give us an outlet to do this. If you said a year ago that in 12 months time I would complete the 3 peak challenge for charity and be able to write about my breakdown, I would have laughed but that’s exactly what I’ve done. Keep Reading CALM…and Carry On!

WHAT NEXT?

Breakdown cover guide

2012-11-09T05:29:00.002-08:00

It is a good idea to obtain breakdown cover if you regularly travel by car. It is a practical way to ensure that you get a fast and efficient service should you have a breakdown and can give you peace of mind whether you're just travelling to the local shops or driving long-distance on the continent.

There are a growing number of breakdown cover providers, and the range of products they offer are ostensibly similar with mostly standardised features and benefits. However, there are a number of, often subtle, differences between policies that can affect the price you pay and the cover you receive. This breakdown recovery guide is provided to help you choose between policies and providers so that you can ensure that you acquire decent breakdown cover that suits your needs.

Breakdown cover pricing
One of the most significant differences between breakdown cover providers is the way in which their pricing system operates; understanding how each company prices their products and which system suits your particular situation can play an important part in keeping the cost down. First, you need to decide whether you want cover for yourself or your car; since some companies provide policies that cover the member no matter what car they are in (even if they are just a passenger, in many cases), whilst others cover the vehicle itself - this can often present better value for families who share a car, for example, than family membership policies that cover each family member.

Some providers offer predetermined, vehicle-based premiums, while others calculate policy prices through criteria such as your vehicle's age, your average annual mileage and the age of the policy holder. In the case of the latter, this generally means that if you or your car is seen as 'high risk' your premium will be a lot higher, and you would be better off shopping around for a fixed-price system (and, therefore, conversely if you are 'low risk', this may be the cheapest option).

The vast majority of breakdown cover providers offer an automatic system through which they send out their own patrols to deal with vehicle breakdowns or tow them to a local garage for repair. This type of system is very convenient and practical but the membership premiums can be quite expensive. However, there are a few companies who offer a 'pay and claim' service in which they arrange for a local recovery firm to deal with the situation, you pay for your garage repairs and/or recovery costs and then reclaim the expenses back from your provider. This system is not as common, and certainly not as convenient, but it can provide some degree of cover at a much lower price.

Make sure you check out any discounts on offer. Some companies operate no claims discount systems for returning customers through which you can make substantial savings. Others offer online discounts, limited-period seasonal offers and a few grant substantially discounted premiums to customers with new or nearly new cars.

What's covered?
The other major factor that you need to consider is the degree of cover a policy provides. Most basic packages offer on-the-spot repairs and local recovery only (usually to the nearest garage). You will have to pay extra for home assistance and other services such as long distance recovery (which generally means that you, your vehicle and passengers can be taken to any mainland UK destination) and emergency accommodation, car hire or travel expenses should same-day repair prove impossible. Be aware that most companies do not provide recovery in the event of accidents or vandalism on their policies, but there are a few who do, so always check the small print to find out exactly what is covered.

Most of the major providers package their policies into about four or five different products with increasing levels of cover and benefits. These packages are usually fixed, so that you may find that in order to get a particular feature you may have to pay for others that you don't really need. However, there are some companies that offer a 'pick and mix' system, so that you can just pay for the features that you require without paying extra for superfluous cover. Finally, beware of policies that advertise 'free' features such as European cover; this is fine if you require it but, generally, it will be built into the price of the premium.

European breakdown cover
If you intend to travel by car on the continent, whether it's for a business trip to Germany or a booze cruise to France, European cover could prove to be a prudent financial investment. Expenses incurred through breakdowns abroad are rarely covered by car insurance, travel insurance or standard breakdown cover policies and can be very costly - repatriation costs for your vehicle alone can run into thousands of pounds.

European breakdown cover policies are available from a number of providers, most offer it as a stand-alone product, while others include it as an add-on to standard membership.

European breakdown membership usually features full roadside and recovery assistance via English-speaking staff in each country which makes dealing with a breakdown abroad much quicker and less complicated. However, European breakdown cover can double your premium so think hard about whether you will really need it on an annual policy.

Breakdown cover tips

Practical tips and advice to help you find the best breakdown cover

2012-11-09T05:28:00.001-08:00

Practical tips and advice to help you find the best breakdown cover
Breakdown cover is a practical way to ensure that your car stays on the road - here we give you all the information you need to find the right breakdown insurance product to suit your needs.

It is a good idea to obtain breakdown cover if you regularly travel by car. It is a practical way to ensure that you get a fast and efficient service should you have a breakdown and can give you peace of mind whether you're just travelling to the local shops or driving long-distance on the continent.

There are a growing number of car breakdown cover providers, and the range of products they offer are ostensibly similar with mostly standardised features and benefits. However, there are a number of, often subtle, differences between policies that can affect the price you pay and the cover you receive so that's why we have supplied you with a breakdown cover comparison table to differentiate between these similarities easily. This breakdown recovery guide is provided to help you choose between policies and providers so that you can ensure that you acquire decent breakdown cover that suits your needs.

Breakdown cover guide

2012-08-22T02:42:00.002-07:00

Breakdown cover guide
Breakdown cover is a practical way to ensure that your car stays on the road - here we give you all the information you need to find the right product to suit your needs.

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It is a good idea to obtain breakdown cover if you regularly travel by car. It is a practical way to ensure that you get a fast and efficient service should you have a breakdown and can give you peace of mind whether you're just travelling to the local shops or driving long-distance on the continent.

There are a growing number of breakdown cover providers, and the range of products they offer are ostensibly similar with mostly standardised features and benefits. However, there are a number of, often subtle, differences between policies that can affect the price you pay and the cover you receive. This breakdown recovery guide is provided to help you choose between policies and providers so that you can ensure that you acquire decent breakdown cover that suits your needs.

Breakdown cover pricing

2012-08-22T02:41:00.005-07:00

Breakdown cover pricing
One of the most significant differences between breakdown cover providers is the way in which their pricing system operates; understanding how each company prices their products and which system suits your particular situation can play an important part in keeping the cost down. First, you need to decide whether you want cover for yourself or your car; since some companies provide policies that cover the member no matter what car they are in (even if they are just a passenger, in many cases), whilst others cover the vehicle itself - this can often present better value for families who share a car, for example, than family membership policies that cover each family member.

Some providers offer predetermined, vehicle-based premiums, while others calculate policy prices through criteria such as your vehicle's age, your average annual mileage and the age of the policy holder. In the case of the latter, this generally means that if you or your car is seen as 'high risk' your premium will be a lot higher, and you would be better off shopping around for a fixed-price system (and, therefore, conversely if you are 'low risk', this may be the cheapest option).

The vast majority of breakdown cover providers offer an automatic system through which they send out their own patrols to deal with vehicle breakdowns or tow them to a local garage for repair. This type of system is very convenient and practical but the membership premiums can be quite expensive. However, there are a few companies who offer a 'pay and claim' service in which they arrange for a local recovery firm to deal with the situation, you pay for your garage repairs and/or recovery costs and then reclaim the expenses back from your provider. This system is not as common, and certainly not as convenient, but it can provide some degree of cover at a much lower price.

Make sure you check out any discounts on offer. Some companies operate no claims discount systems for returning customers through which you can make substantial savings. Others offer online discounts, limited-period seasonal offers and a few grant substantially discounted premiums to customers with new or nearly new cars.

What's covered?

2012-08-22T02:41:00.002-07:00

What's covered?
The other major factor that you need to consider is the degree of cover a policy provides. Most basic packages offer on-the-spot repairs and local recovery only (usually to the nearest garage). You will have to pay extra for home assistance and other services such as long distance recovery (which generally means that you, your vehicle and passengers can be taken to any mainland UK destination) and emergency accommodation, car hire or travel expenses should same-day repair prove impossible. Be aware that most companies do not provide recovery in the event of accidents or vandalism on their policies, but there are a few who do, so always check the small print to find out exactly what is covered.

Most of the major providers package their policies into about four or five different products with increasing levels of cover and benefits. These packages are usually fixed, so that you may find that in order to get a particular feature you may have to pay for others that you don't really need. However, there are some companies that offer a 'pick and mix' system, so that you can just pay for the features that you require without paying extra for superfluous cover. Finally, beware of policies that advertise 'free' features such as European cover; this is fine if you require it but, generally, it will be built into the price of the premium.

European breakdown cover

2012-08-22T02:40:00.004-07:00

European breakdown cover
If you intend to travel by car on the continent, whether it's for a business trip to Germany or a booze cruise to France, European cover could prove to be a prudent financial investment. Expenses incurred through breakdowns abroad are rarely covered by car insurance, travel insurance or standard breakdown cover policies and can be very costly - repatriation costs for your vehicle alone can run into thousands of pounds.

European breakdown cover policies are available from a number of providers, most offer it as a stand-alone product, while others include it as an add-on to standard membership.

European breakdown membership usually features full roadside and recovery assistance via English-speaking staff in each country which makes dealing with a breakdown abroad much quicker and less complicated. However, European breakdown cover can double your premium so think hard about whether you will really need it on an annual policy.

Breakdown cover tips

2012-08-22T02:40:00.001-07:00

Consider whetherit is more beneficial to cover yourself or your vehicle.
If you are a 'high-risk' customer (e.g. most providers assume that younger people will make more call outs) then you might get better value cover with a company that has fixed vehicle-based prices.
Always check the small print to see what is covered by a policy. If you are unsure about anything always contact the provider before you buy.
'Pay and claim' policies are harder to find and less convenient but generally work out much cheaper.
Beware of policies that promise 'free' European cover and other complimentary features as they will usually be built into the premium price.
Buy online when possible (it is usually cheaper) and try to take advantage of limited-period deals which are regularly offered by the major breakdown cover providers.

Why being loyal drives up the cost of breakdown cover

2012-08-22T02:39:00.002-07:00

Our latest research into car breakdown cover has found that renewal prices can leave you out of pocket. Is it right that existing loyal customers are asked to pay more for breakdown cover than new ones?

2
We have just completed our annual survey of car breakdown cover, comparing companies like the AA, RAC, Green Flag and Britannia Rescue to see if any of them have made the grade as a Which? Recommended Provider.

Our surveys cover waiting times, repairs, customer satisfaction and value for money – it’s this last one that I’m feeling slightly irked about today.

Put simply, I don’t think the costs of breakdown cover are transparent enough. Headline prices look tempting (just £23 for a year’s roadside recovery with Green Flag, for example), but many providers only offer a discount upfront if you agree to automatic, year-on-year renewal.

And your premium’s likely to go up quite a lot after that first year is up, unless you shop around.

Don’t just accept your renewal quote
People regularly contact us complaining that their breakdown renewal premiums are far higher than the previous year’s cover. So we used a real case of someone renewing with the AA.

Our case study had cover for two people and two cars, with roadside assistance, and AA’s ‘relay’ and ‘stay mobile’ cover. The renewal quote they received was £205 – £65 more than the £140 they would pay if they took out a new policy with the AA online. This quote was also £100 more than they would have paid with Aviva, and £85 more than Britannia Rescue.

So our case study called the AA and pointed out the discrepancy between the renewal quote for loyal customers and the price charged for new ones. After a short delay, the AA offered to cut the price to £135 – not quite as low as elsewhere, but a hefty discount nonetheless.

Shop around for the best deal

ONE in three motorists has cut down on driving because of soaring petrol costs – up 48 per cent since 2009.

2012-06-04T03:10:00.006-07:00

So if you are worried about your travel costs, the RAC is offering 25 lucky readers the chance to win £25 of fuel along with a year’s RAC personal breakdown cover – worth £118.50.

It covers the holder with assistance in any car they are in, including recovery to any UK destination, help at home and onward travel.

Some 29 per cent of motorists say they have reduced the number of long-distance journeys they have made in the past 12 months as a result of soaring fuel prices, according to an RAC poll.

David Bizley, RAC technical director, said: “The soaring cost of fuel and the impact it is having on ordinary families is unsustainable.”

To find out more about RAC breakdown cover or their £25 free fuel promotion visit rac.co.uk.

To be in with a chance of winning enter below, usual News International terms and conditions apply. Competition closes at midnight on Saturday, May 19.

Why Green Flag's breakdown cover is a caravan trip essential

2012-06-04T03:10:00.002-07:00

When it’s time to introduce your new partner to the joys of caravanning (and they’re a bit sceptical anyway), you don’t want to find yourself stranded just off the M25 waiting to be towed.
Unfortunately that’s what happened to police officer Paul Collard. Paul, 48, his partner Emily, 28, a police support worker, plus dog Alfie, had left their home just outside Eastbourne on Good Friday this year and set off for a weekend break in the rolling Somerset hills.
A keen caravanner for the past decade, Paul had hoped to win Emily round to his passion. But his caravan had other ideas. As the couple approached Staines, other motorists signalled to Paul that he had a problem. When he left the motorway and stopped on a quiet road, he found that one of his caravan tyres was completely shredded.
Had he not just lent his spare to a fellow caravanner, he could have continued his journey safely. But this time a call to Green Flag was in order.

Find The Best Breakdown Cover Offers Near You

2012-03-31T03:16:00.004-07:00

A single can not predict when he will meet having a breakdown and he will likely be left alone there on the spot. If you’ve bought your car breakdown cover from a reputable organization you won’t must wait long ahead of aid arrives. As a way to get a mechanic on the spot, you are going to just call for calling the insurance coverage agency and giving them the address with the spot exactly where you might be stranded. With good comparison websites, like this one, it is possible to speedily get a lot of quotes so it is possible to compare them and get breakdown cover more affordable.

Not just is actually a breakdown a enormous inconvenience, but in many situations it can also prove to be a potentially harmful expertise. Does the operate require travelling around heavy amounts of traffic?

Nowadays you can find loads of companies to choose from on the net. If you compare breakdown cover online is often the most effective strategy to choose a breakdown deal. To acquire the best auto coverage to meet your budget it is essential to compare prices.

The truth is, depending on what amount of breakdown cover you opt for, you may even be supplied with a courtesy car until such time yours has been repaired. It is not possible for anybody to obtain a machine repaired within no time when it stops working altogether. Right here is actually a have a look at a few of the items that are taken into consideration with all the price tag of your cover.

This can make the task of finding the most effective insurance company less challenging. This type of insurance coverage policy is taken to ensure that a person gets a mechanic then and there if the engine of his car stops operating while on journey. Indeed, by ensuring you have some degree of cover you’ll be able to save your self time and cash with regards to transit of one’s automobile to a garage. As you are going to be driving under unfamiliar road conditions, the chances of causing a traffic accident are considerably higher.

Some, such as the AA and RAC provide roadside assistance utilizing their own dedicated patrols, whilst others (including Green Flag) instead make full use of a nationwide network of independent garages and recovery providers. In such scenario, your close friends or relatives will try to send any towing service provider so that your car might be repaired as soon as attainable. Otherwise you could end up spending cash on extras that you simply will never ever benefit from. These breakdown cover packages are extremely comprehensive in nature.

Normally the starting amount of cover most businesses provide is roadside recovery, In case you breakdown then you’ll be able to contact your organization a mechanic will likely be sent to you who will do his very best to obtain your car going again. You can find also variations referred to as extensions in breakdown insurance policies. This cover is quite essential for people who travel across large distances on a daily basis.

Ensure you do your homework and inquire, and you’ll get a satisfying coverage. Unfortunately, within the vast majority of cases, your regular car insurance coverage will be of no use to you if your car breaks down. Other cover will also give you a courtesy car if yours cannot be fixed correct away, thus finding you back on the road. It’s very helpful to have house assistance as one of your breakdown needs.

This really is why the English speaking assistance is so helpful when you break down abroad. Car breakdown cover services are provided by many businesses for the purpose of providing instant service to trapped drivers.

Having a new car should you do something like, lock yourself out of one’s car or get a flat tyre then you’ll be able to receive assist. Try and get as much out of them as it is possible to regarding the finer details of their coverage options.

Should you use these phones, the emergency services will be able to find your location more easily. This bundled plan could or might not be the cheapest or the best, but should suffice for you usage over a few days. You need to know about the spending budget concerning the additional features that you intent to gain with the simple cover.

European breakdown cover is needed for those who want breakdown cover whilst they travel outside in the UK within Europe. The price will vary, so be confident to ask a consultant about them.

This included not getting a suitable spare tire, jack, or a simple tool kit in case the worst were to happen. A car breakdown cover insurance in UK is specifically designed to protect you in case your car breaks down.

Breakdown cover also visualises any other assist which you may possibly call for such as driving the stranded passengers to their respective destinations. For a cheap car breakdown cover, you can also take advantage from the numerous discounts offered by most companies offering car breakdown services.

Breakdown Cover Comparison

2012-03-31T03:16:00.001-07:00

You can not predict when he will meet a problem with your car such as a breakdown and you may be left on the spot alone because of that. If you have purchase your vehicle breakdown cover from a reputable company you will not have to wait long for aid arrives. To get a mechanic you are going to just call for the coverage agency and give them the exact spot where you get stranded. With a breakdown cover comparison website, You can easily get a lot of quotes and compare them and get your breakdown cover more affordable. For a cheap breakdown cover, you can also get the numerous discounts offered by many companies offering car car breakdown cover services.