Breaking down is never much fun, especially if you’re far from home. But if you have breakdown cover, there’s no need to panic and one phone call means help should be on its way. To make sure you stay safe if the unexpected happens, here are five key steps to follow brought to you by car comparison experts https://www.mustard.co.uk/car-insurance/.
1. Park somewhere safe
If you break down, try to get to the left-hand side of the road as far as you can. If you’re on the motorway, aim for the hard shoulder or a safe emergency stop area.
2. Stay safe
It’s crucial that you keep yourself safe so exit your car from the left-hand side (never from the right as this is the closest to the traffic).
3. Be seen
If you can, you should stay on the verge putting as much distance between you and the traffic. If you’ve got a hi-vis vest, remember to put it on.
4. Warn other drivers
Put your hazard lights on. If it is safe to do so, place a warning triangle roughly 45 metres (147 feet) from your car. You should never attempt this on the motorway.
If you’ve broken down at night, keep your side lights on and make sure they’re visible. Call for help
If you have breakdown and recovery insurance, call your insurer. They may have a dedicated helpline so if they do, make sure you keep a note of this in your glove box so it’s there when you need it.
What happens if I don’t have breakdown insurance?
If you don’t have breakdown insurance, you can call for help using the emergency telephones which are dotted along the motorway, they’re spaced one mile apart. These phones connect directly to the Highways Agency or the police.
You can also call a local garage if you know where you are. Hopefully they will be able to send someone to help.
Alternatively, you can arrange for immediate breakdown insurance which you can buy on the spot. Your new insurer will then be able to send someone to help. Bear in mind that this will cost considerably more than buying a breakdown policy beforehand.
What does breakdown insurance cover?
As its name suggests, breakdown cover is there to help when your car breaks down. You can buy policies as part of your car insurance package or as a standalone product.
The type of help you get will depend on the policy you choose. Insurers offer different features which can be combined, giving you all-round support for a number of different events. Alternatively, you can buy specific aspects individually, choose from:
- Roadside breakdown and recovery — if you break down at the side of the road, help will be sent to you. If your car can’t be fixed at the scene, your insurer will arrange for it to be taken to the nearest garage.
- Home start — if your car won’t start at home, a mechanic will come and try to resolve the issue. Policies will usually extend cover to a few miles from your home so if your car decides to break down just as you leave, you should be covered for that too.
- National recovery — if your car can’t be repaired at the roadside, your insurer will arrange for it to be taken to a UK garage of your choice.
- Onward travel — these policies help you continue your journey by alternative means, usually your insurer will arrange a courtesy hire car or taxi.
- European breakdown — offers assistance while you’re in Europe, always check the country you’re visiting is listed on your policy.
How much does breakdown cover cost?
Price depends on the policy you choose and the features included. Remember to shop around at comparison sites like mustard.co.uk to ensure you get the best value for money.
Also, be mindful that while cheaper policies look like a bargain on paper, they might not give you the level of cover and assistance you expect. More expensive policies often combine several features as standard, such as breakdown, recovery and onward travel.
On the flip side, lower priced plans may mean you need to buy each feature individually which could increase what you pay. So, for peace of mind and a policy that gives you exactly what you need, always compare quotes.