Levels of Cover

The levels and types of vehicle breakdown cover available to drivers will vary between providers, but generally, there are four different levels of cover available, a standard breakdown recovery service, recovery at home or at the roadside, recovery plus onward transport, and a comprehensive all-inclusive roadside support plan. A fifth level, European cover, is also available from some of the larger insurers, but this is usually taken in addition to any of the previous four.

The most standard types of cover available provide on-call mechanical assistance at the roadside and attempt to make your vehicle roadworthy again in the shortest time possible. If this is not possible, then the mechanic will either provide or arrange for a tow to the nearest garage or back to your home address, whichever is nearer. A maximum tow radius applies to some basic breakdown cover plans.

With the majority of standard breakdown cover plans, you will not be able to receive mechanic support if your vehicle has broken down within a certain distance of your driveway – policies which are described as coming with a 'home start' service included mean that you will be covered for assistance anywhere in the UK, whether you break down on the roadside or on your doorstep.

Higher levels of breakdown cover include policies in which repairs will attempt to be affected as described above, with alternative transport for you and a pre-determined number of passengers provided should your vehicle not be able to be repaired at the roadside, allowing you to continue your journey.

The most comprehensive breakdown cover plans typically offer everything listed above, along with a range of additional services and recovery benefits including the provision of replacement and/or hire vehicles so that you can continue travelling to and from your place of work whilst repairs are being made, and cover for overnight accommodation and/or alternative travel arrangements should your holiday or journey be disrupted as a result of a breakdown.

Many insurers also supply drivers with European cover, which extends your vehicle breakdown insurance plan to include cover for any breakdowns sustained whilst driving on the continent. European cover is typically offered as an extra premium alongside a range of other polices, although sometimes it is available separately.

As well as thinking about the level of breakdown assistance you require for your vehicle, you should also consider what type of cover you want. Will you be the only person driving your car? Do you drive a van for work and have a car for personal reasons? Do you currently live with a partner and do you share the same car or have separate vehicles of your own?

Types of Cover

Types of cover are typically divided into two main categories:

• Vehicle Based Cover

• Personal Cover

Vehicle Based Cover

Vehicle based cover is designed for families and couples where more than one person will be driving one vehicle, ensuring that the vehicle will be covered in the event of an accident regardless of who is behind the wheel. Vehicle-based cover also normally costs less than personal cover.

There are a number of varying degrees of vehicle-based cover depending upon the number of named drivers and the number of people living at one address. The three main types of vehicle-based cover available from the majority of insurers are as follows:

• Single - covers one person as the driver or passenger in any vehicle

• Joint - will cover two people, living at the same address

• Family - offers cover for your family

Family vehicle insurance plans vary between insurers – some offer cover for upto four people living at the same address, some offer cover for two adults and two others under 21 years of age.

Personal Cover

Personal cover plans are more expensive than vehicle-based plans, but are a better all-round solution for drivers with more than one vehicle registered under their names. The most common plans provide cover for individuals who have one vehicle for work, and another for personal use. Personal cover also provides roadside recovery rescue cover for the insured individual no matter what car they are in, and whether they are driving it or not.

Related Frequent Questions:

• Types of Cover
• Service Considerations
• European cover benefits
• Al Testing