It's not a legal requirement, but picture the scene...
You're stuck on the side of the road at night, smoke billowing out of your bonnet. The heavens have opened, and you have no idea when the 24-hour call out team will arrive.
If you had the right breakdown cover, you would already be safe and warm in the tow truck with a professional on the case.
We've got five tips to help you get those premiums down
Only pay for features you need
Save money by covering multiple cars under one policy
Sometimes breakdown cover is included with your bank account or car insurance
... the smaller breakdown companies might have good deals too!
It's the easiest way to save money on your policy!
The cost of your breakdown policy will depend on the level of cover you need:
Your breakdown provider will send their patrol to your location for roadside assistance.
Find out more >If there's no chance of fixing the problem roadside, vehicle recovery will make sure you're towed to the nearest garage or your home. It's included along with roadside recovery on most breakdown policies.
Find out more >If your car breaks down outside your house, home start will get you back up and running again.
Find out more >If you're on the way to a destination when you break down, you'll be covered to get there by another means with onward travel.
Find out more >For road trips across the pond, you can get breakdown cover for Europe.
Find out more >This could contribute towards or cover the expense of replacement.
Filled up your tank with petrol instead of diesel by accident? You may be covered by your breakdown policy for misfuelling your car, but also check whether it's included under your car insurance.
Find out more >If your car does give up the ghost it's important to pull over so that you're out of the way of any traffic.
Everyone must leave the car and move to safe place away from moving vehicles.
Call your breakdown cover provider immediately and let them know where you're stranded and they'll send someone along to assist you.
It depends on the policy you have chosen. Personal breakdown cover means you'll be covered whichever vehicle you're in, even if you're a travelling as a passenger.
On the other hand, vehicle cover is soley for your car, van or motorbike. So, assistance will be provided, whoever is driving it.
Broken down in your local shopping centre car park? What about on your mate's farm? In that case, your breakdown provider might charge you extra or not cover you at all if access is difficult or prohibited
If you breakdown while transporting pets or livestock, onward travel for your pet is up to the discretion of your breakdown cover provider. Assistance for livestock is very unlikely under a standard policy, but you can get specialist livestock or horse trailer breakdown cover to avoid this.