Well the 100$ fine rocked the motor racing world when emails found being sent within the Mclaren camp sealed their fate. the already rocky relationship between Alonso and Hamilton now seems to have spilt ove to Alonso and Dennis. It seems it was Alsonso that told Dennis he had emails on his sytem relating to the allegations and if he got number 1 status would not make them public. (more…)

The whole principle of inusrance and what includes breakdown cover is that things just happen when we don’t expect them, to people you would not expect and in a way you would not expect.

An example of this, is the sad dissapearance of Steve Fosset the man famous for breaking many world records including flying, hot air balloonng and many more. (more…)

Well i have chacked my rankings and the unique hits an one is the same and the other way down. This is showing me that breakdown cover is just not on the menu this September and the priorities of getting the kids back to school are more important.

Unplanned Breakdowns Occur

I can’t remember this iccuring last year, but to be honest even last week is a blur to me. What I have noticed is the increased traffic in the early hours. The queques to get out of the estate in the morning are back and everything seems to be a rush again. Ironically it is in these circumstances that unplanned breakdowns occur, when we are in a hurry and everthing seems to get in our way. (more…)

It has been quite a challnge recently regarding this breakdown cover blog. Ever since I introduced the catorgaries on the right hand side of here, my indexing of the pages have disapeared. I asumed I needed more links and worked harder but with no new results. Eventually tonight i found what might be the issue and that is duplicate content something Google does not like. (more…)

As we now know, most breakdown cover is provided by insurance companies, take RAC breakdown cover, this is owned by Aviva that own Norwich Union Insurance.

So if you buy a Norwich Union breakdown cover policy, who do you think comes to your rescue? You have got it, the RAC do. Equally they are not going to compete with each other on price either as effectivly they are the same company. (more…)

When i started this breakdown cover site about 3 years ago it was always deisgned with seo in mind or so i thought. The principles of getting good results have cjanged so much over the years that it has been a challenge in a half. take my first blog, that would have relevant pages for everyone to read. Most of these pages cannot even be found now and certainly have no PR or value. (more…)

Some of you may have recently received your Green Flag breakdown cover renewal, but before you put in the bin or just accept it, it may be worth checking out what the renewal is.

Last year at this time Green Flag had an offer where if you bought the basic rescue package, you got the home start package included. what you also may not be aware of, if the automatic renewal box you probably left ticked, whist filling in the online form.

This year as the renewal quotes are going out, they are inclusive of the home start.

So if last year you only wanted the basic rescue package, but accpeted the home start because it was free, this year you renewal is a good twenty pounds more expensive, because this year you are paying for it. (more…)

Well it’s a quiet time on the website again and fewer people are considering breakdown cover. this may be true, but more than likely, most people are now out enjoying the small amount of good weather we are having at the moment after the huge amount of rainfall during July.

Of course some people are buying breakdown cover from the vans that stand in motorway service stations and events.

Buying Breakdown Cover From Vans

These guys tend to work on a commission basis and clearly the summer months are best for them as the service stations on the motorways pack put to the brim. Just because it is summer does not mean that cars stop breaking down though. In fact some of us do more mile in the summer as it is holiday or visting time. I know many of us start using our bikes and walking, but others now do the long journeys they would not normally do.
(more…)

OK, he did not win at Silverstone, but 9 podiums in his first 9 races is beyond words to explain. In fact if a holywood blockbuster movie was to produce this story as a script it would be thrown out as just unbelievable to the general public. Yet here we are reliving the dream every fortnight.

Dont be surprised if someone is already trying to claim the film rights, or book rights to this astonishing journey of success. It will almost be devistating when Lewis does not finish on the podium, it really does have to happen sometime soon. (more…)

Well as the quieter time of year for breakdown cover hits us, Green Flag has an online deal that offers their basic Rescue deal from £27. (and not one perosn notice i had spelt rescue wrong within the title)
That is £27 for a whole year of breakdown cover, to get your car on its way, if it can be fixed by the roadside. Unlike traditional car insurance, you can compare this directly with the AA and the RAC, well get a better idea anyway . (more…)

You know how you clean out your emails and one appears that you really should have taken more notice of? Well I have just found one, regarding the different AA breakdown Cover Options. (more…)

It seems the Call me a friend adverts has become local, watching today, I see duets, i.e. aa patrolman signing with the distressed motorist. But for some reason, they do not seem distressed and happy enough to break out into song. Of course the message is “I am not bothered that I have broken down because I have Breakdown Cover with the AA. But of course that does not relate to reality, even with breakdown cover, this can be a stressful time. Waiting for the breakdown cover patrolman to arrive, not knowing if you will be on your way soon or not. Thinking of where you should be, hoping no strangers stop to offer help, hoping the patrolman can fix it within the policy you own and no other costs are to charged etc, etc.

My point is this, I think many will see this as just another advert rather than a solution to problems many face each day in their cars. What is more, sometimes a dangerous situation depending where and when you breakdown, remember you can’t choose the place and time with a breakdown.

But on lighter note and as someone who lives i the North east, I noticed everything was filmed within the North East for example the Angel of the North and the Tyne Bridge. Quite amusing really as both these areas are not somewhere you would drive your car. The Angel of the North clip shows the broken down car on the path leading to the Statue. How did it get there?

The scene under the tyne bridge is filmed on a pedestrian area, and would be moved very quickly by the police before any breakdown cover van could get there. However their point was to show the local scenes we would recognise. My final point for this blog is, if all adverts for the nation were filmed in the North East or did every region get their own specific AA breakdown cover advert

Has this happened in you area? Let me know.

Well we have talked about the RAC before, but here is their latest offer. (more…)

Well unless you live outside of the UK you could not have failed to notice the huge amount of rainfall over these last few days.

In truth about 2 months of rain fell in one day, covering many parts of the country not in inches of water but feet. Boats and helicopters seemed to be the only modes of transport in certain cities, especially in Yorkshire.

Of course we saw the big issues with the rain, but missed the extremly busy times the breakdown cover men and women endured getting damp cars or even soaked through cars, started and all their way, I wonder who fixed the boats when they brokedown, a sort of breakdown cover for boats, while it lasted. It was with great credit the emergency services incuding the breakdown cover staff, did theor job and got people home or away from thier homes depending on the emergency. The TV cameras tend to focus on the police or Ambulancemen, but forget that other civilians were helping with the cause also.
So with more rainfall due this weekend, Do you really want to drive? I am off to Rome but funny the last time I was in Italy, it was fooding over there. Very strange.

I had ver heard of microsleep until I watched an accident investiagtion documentary on TV last week. It claims that many accidents on the road are created from microsleeps which only occur for a few seconds, but enough time to create an accident. Apparently you may not even be aware that you have been asleep and in fact could have already suffered several microsleeps whilst driving.

Of course this tends to occur when you have been deprived of sleep, something most of us can suffer from on a daily basis. But the fact you are not even aware you have been falling asleep at the wheel is very worrying as it is very easy to deny that you have a problem and should not be at the wheel of that vehicle.

Long boring drives can also increase the likelyhood and especially at times when you would normally be asleep say at night.
Not sure if the energy drinks can stop this, but the safest thing to do, is not to drive if you are very tired.

We talk here of what happens when you breakdown, and breakdown cover but nothing is more important than your safety and your passengers and pedestrians around you, this could be a killer. Make sure you do not breakdown and only drive when you are alert and have full reactions.

We knew it was comming a few races ago, but de we think it woudld fair and square in one of the most difficult and action packed race for ages, well it did and god was it worth it.

I am of course talking about Lewis Hamilton getting his first F1 win after only 6 races, even Michael Schumacher had to wait 18 races for a win and no one, I say no one has been on the podium for the first 6 races of their career. There is no doubt he has a good car under him, but he had the same car, the same team as the world champion has and Lewis is now 8 points ahead. (more…)

It is now being considered in New York, to ban anyone to talk on their mobile phone or listen to their iPod whilst crossing the road. It seems many accidents are caused by pedestrians not looking where they are going do to being distracted by modern electronic pastimes.

There was no mention of reading newspapers, or talking to friends, or looking at the advertising lights. Only the electronic gadgets. Where will it end, yes i know accidents are caused this way, but there are so many other reasons for accidents and life will just stop if we wrap ourselves up in cotton wool. (more…)

It only seems a short while since the law came in against using your mobile phone whilst driving and spot fines have been put in place. But now the so called experts are saying it is just as dangerous to drive talking into a bluetooth hands free.

They believe that your attention is taken away from you driving and towards the person on the other end of the phone. It raises the question what can we do whilst driving.

Are we allowed to listen to the radio?

Are we allowed to talk to our passengers?

What is the difference of talking to a passenger or over the phone via handsfree? (more…)

The good driving rules for motorway driving continue…

6. If you find yourself being stuck in a traffic jam or caught in slow moving traffic, use your hazard lights to warn the vehicles behind that you are slowing down. Always maintain a good distance from the back of the queue and keep your eyes on the mirrors for signs of any fast approaching traffic. This will help you stay out of harm’s way or at least minimize any rear end impact.

7. When exiting the motorway maintain the same speed until you are within reach of the exit slip road. Slowing down suddenly or braking while still on the motorway can cause major congestion around exit junctions and can be very dangerous. Slips roads are designed to allow you time to slow down. (more…)

Many a time while driving on the motorway, I have noticed that many drivers are not aware of proper traffic rules while other do not follow good driving practices make me tear my hair out in uncontrollable rage and despair! Most traffic snarls and accidents on the motorway can be prevented easily if all of us follow the below mentioned good driving practices suggested by The Association of British Drivers. (more…)

Just like John, having legal expense cover can help you claim losses and compensation where the accident did not happen due to your fault. As part of losses, you can claim cost of hiring a replacement car while yours is under repair, and if you are not comprehensively covered, then the cost of getting your car repaired. And just like in the case of my dear friend John, you can claim for personal injury and loss of earnings. (more…)

Here are the Top Five common myths about car insurance. Avoid these pitfalls and make the ‘right’ decision.

5. I always end up paying high insurance – I’ll get insurance in someone else’s name this time! (more…)

The second installment written by Karma content for breakdown cover net

3. I won’t be able to get insurance as I have been involved in serious driving conviction

It’s true that speeding gets you more tickets leading to an increase in your premium. But accidents caused due to speeding leading to severe injury or worse, death is a serious crime. (more…)

What can you say that has not been already said about this 22yr old.

5 Races and 5 podiums, absolutly amazing. We first thought it was great to get on the podium after his first ever race, but ot do this 5 times in a row is incredible. (more…)

Again, it can be painful to change a flat tyre especially if it is cold and wet and dark. Unfortunate though it may be, but you should be prepared and aware of how to change a flat tyre.

Tip# 5: An involuntary pit stop without marshalling help! (more…)

After a house, I reckon, the car is perhaps the second most expensive investment any one makes. In this series of five blogs, we will discuss one basic tip each on how a bit of TLC for your car can keep it happy forever!

Tip# 3: Get Your Hands Dirty!

The mechanism under the bonnet of your car is really a magical place. It functions just like our body, where each part has a vital role to play in the overall smooth functioning of the car.

The three things you need to check, always, are all fluids. (more…)

Sometimes, understanding the very basis needs of your car, and following simple instruction to maintain it can prevent you from being caught up in serious incidents. Usually, most modern cars are almost maintenance free, but they do require regular check-ups and proper servicing from experienced car professionals to keep them going and going… (more…)

While most car owners complain that their car saps up a lot of money, what they don’t realise it that a little bit of care and regular maintenance will not just save them money but also increase the longevity of their car.

After a house, I reckon, the car is perhaps the second most expensive investment any one makes. In this series of five blogs, we’ll discuss one basic tip each on how a bit of TLC for your car can keep it happy forever!

Tip # 1: Don’t waste money on a new car

If you have recently bought a new car, then remember that it may be under a 3-year warranty period. If you feel that, there is some problem with the car, drive-in to the dealer immediately. Ask them to inspect it and have them fix the problem. The warranty period is applicable to both new and used cars so do not worry even if you’re the second owner. You can extend your 3-year warranty period to a couple of years more at a reasonable rate and enjoy some peace of mind!

Another important thing to do is look around for various offers on breakdown cover. Do your homework before you take the plunge, remember by comparing the level of cover you are getting, you will be able to save yourself from unnecessary expenses. Remember, most policies cover the person as well as the car, so even if you are riding in your friend’s car when it breaks down, you are still covered.
Written by guest blogger Karma Kontent

The other day I came across an article in a magazine, which said that more than 20% students in UK own a car and that all of them need car insurance! It’s quite a revealing statistic as car insurance just doesn’t protect you, and your car but also others. Mostly due to the high risks involved, students just like young drivers have to pay out more for their car insurance premiums.

Car Insurance for students has three primary coverage options

Third Party Only — the cheapest car insurance policy in town! It is also the minimum coverage allowed by law. Covers accidents which involve collision, injury or death. Doesn’t cover you or your car. If your care gets damaged, stolen, or destroyed you will have to bear all expenses. Doesn’t cover any incapacitating injury even if it ruins your life. Read the fine print carefully. (more…)

Can you drive a car without tyres? It’s impossible. And that’s exactly why you must never neglect to ensure that your car tyres are well-cared. Despite breakdown cover, you need to spend sometime to make sure your tyres are well-maintained as your life’s safety depends on them. Here what and how you can check your car tyres.

What to check with tyres?

Remember this five point check –

1. Check the condition of each tyres ( especially the inner and outer sidewalls)
2. Check the tread depth of your tyre
3. Check pressure in all the tyres
4. Check for any signs of irregular wear, look under the wheel arch for this
5. Don’t forget to check and examine the spare tyre (more…)

Motor sport evokes vivid images of 30 second pit stops, 10-15 people in similar colour overalls rushing to greet the race driver, and getting down to checking the mechanism of the car while some others get down to changing tyres. Do you know who these people are? These guys at the pits and paddock and trackside are known as marshals. They are the real scene stealers during every F1 race. No marshals, no motor sport. Yes, it’s true. (more…)

As a marshal, you can volunteer your services directly to the clubs you are associated with or then through the British Motorsport Marshals Club (BMMC). (more…)

Car insurance is one of the types of insurance that covers drivers for cars, motorbikes, vans, and other vehicles. Driving a car usually means taking risks for yourself and others as well. Motor insurance is compulsory in the UK.

Mostly three types of insurance covers are offered by car insurance companies. These are:

Third Party Only—it covers you against accidental damage to a 3rd party vehicle, injury and liability to passengers in the policy holder’s car.

Third Party, Fire and Theft—include all benefits of 3rd party with additional benefits of cover for fire, lightening, explosion, theft etc.

Fully Comprehensive—covers against accidental damage and injury to third parties and liability to passengers in the policy holder’s car. (more…)

Some more information about Car Breakdown Insurance While Travelling in Europe…

What’s my Choice for Car Breakdown Insurance?
The insurance policies available cover various types of trips such as single or annual. Annual insurance is perhaps most cost-effective for those of us who travel to Europe for frequent weekend trips by car.

Are There Any Limitations?
Sure, there are limitations to the mechanical breakdown insurance policy, but that’s the case with any insurance policy. Important to read the FINE PRINT. That’s where these insurers make a fool of us folks. Some clauses you should check are, ‘prior to departure’ breakdown insurance, what happens if you purchase a policy 7 days before departure but your car breaks down 2 days before you are about to leave, will you have coverage? What are the maximum days your policy will provide coverage? Are there limitations on the duration of the trips etc? (more…)

Most of us living in the UK agree that the best way to see Europe is to tour the continent by car. Not only does driving give us the freedom to go wherever we want, but we can do it whenever we want as well. But very few of us anticipate a breakdown situation, especially in the ‘middle of nowhere’ and in an unknown city, country and where people don’t speak English!

Oh God! My Car Has Broken Down

Some of the more important questions that we need to answer before embarking on the journey are – What will happen if my car breaks down just before the trip? What if it breaks down while on the trip? How will I get my car checked and repaired? Where will I stay while my car is being repaired? How can I plan for this added expense? And the most important – What will happen if my car can’t be repaired? How will I get my family and myself home and how can I pay for it? (more…)

A couple of days back, I decided to check the new rates for breakdown cover, as mine is about to expire soon. To my surprise, the search term breakdown cover came up with 100’s of names offering coverage in UK. But what actually had me interested was the number of websites offering a ‘comparison’ service. I was intrigued and decided to pursue this further. After browsing many of them, I now realise that they are good, but they left me very confused!

The comparison websites list all the major breakdown service providers, different levels or types of covers provided by them, and, of course, the cost for the type of car breakdown cover you are specifically looking for.

And your choice, based on the company and type of cover, will be the deciding factors regarding the quality of breakdown service you receive. (more…)

I was at GP Live in Donnington Park last Sunday and made a few observations.

The first was that it was nowhere as busy as I thought it would be.

Second, there was less going on than i thought there would be and

Third, the Formula One cars of the Eighties (more…)

Well they turned out in their thousands, approx, 160,000, jamming the roads around Barcelona, not to see Hamilton but to wave their national hero on Alsonso. But it was not to be and in fact probably an embarrassment, as the young 22 year old got his fourth podium in a row in second place and the world champion was only able to muster third. To wipe salt into the wounds, Lewis Hamilton is leading the F1 world championship, something unheard of as a rookie. (more…)

Well you have guest it, part 3 of of guest blogger was in the wrong order!!!

We thought we had published it, but we had just saved it, so it did not appear until after the final piece.

Well we’re sorry, but if you are reading this, you have all the parts.

This is Part III of this series on 20 ways to cheaper car insurance.

5. Boost Your Voluntary Excess—

Excess is the amount you pay if you make a claim on your car insurance. If you work on increasing this excess, you insurance company will most likely reduce your premium amount. (more…)

This is Part IV of this series on 20 ways to cheaper car insurance. Continuing from last time…

8. Ready, Steady and Go For An Advanced Driving Test—

Are you game for some fun? Apply for an advanced driving test and show your insurance company that you are a skilled driver and not a maniac let loose on the road…! (more…)

This is Part II of this series on 20 ways to cheaper car insurance. We discussed online shopping in Part I now let’s look at the others…

2 Look, Look And Keep Looking—

Just the other day; I was speaking to my friend who mentioned that he had struck gold! I asked how. He said he spend over a month shopping around for cheap but a good car insurance company. And his search helped him find big savings on his insurance premium. Morale of the story – Since all insurance companies use different formulas to calculate your premium based on facts about you and your car, if you look around you will find at least one company that provides you cheaper premium rates! (more…)

The world is a complex place and car insurance is no different!

Yes, it’s true. Why else would there be so many insurance providers providing many different insurance plans and adding to the confusion? It’s also hard to figure out why some people are paying lower premiums than others. If they are doing something right, then are you doing something wrong? (more…)

A little bit of prevention maintenance of your car can minimise the risk of having to call out for a car mechanic.

According to most motoring organisations, the maximum call outs happen on Monday morning during winters, Friday afternoons, and during school holidays. (more…)

Green Flag started out in 1971 as a National Breakdown but has now evolved into Green Flag and is owned by the Royal Bank Of Scotland that also owns Direct line, Churchill and Privilege insurance.

It is ironic that when you serch for Churchill breakdown Cover or even Direct line Breakdown Cover you are actually buying a Green Flag policy.

Direct Line are diffent in that they will give you £10 back if they do not arrive within the hour and for some reason do not promote their policy prices heavily on their homepage. in fact you need to fill in a form to get your quote. (more…)

Ok, I mentioned this a few posts ago about how the Top Gear Magazine seems to conflict with the TV show.

My next moan is aimed at Jeremy who I clearly remeber stating that his loaned Toyota Prius hybrid did not deliver any better MPG tha a normal deisel car and when you took everything into considertaion, like extra materials to build the car, the extra energy in production and the extra plastic and products with the car that needed to be disposed of at the end of the cars life, that this hybrid, hurt the enviroment more than a normal car.

Am I right or have I got this mixed up with another make or model? (more…)

I saw the Focus CC adverts on TV about 3 months ago and the decision was made, I want one!!

But since then futher reviews have changed my mind especialy when one was put against other makes of teh same class. one of teh main let downs is the roof, as it comes in 2 pieces and not 3 like most of its competitors, meaning it takes up more roof space. (more…)

As an owner of a MGB Roadster (even if it is in bits) and of course a Brit wondering why we just give car brands away to other countries, I have had some ineterest in Rover’s or MG’s move to China afetr the buyout or should I say give away when Rover collapsed. (more…)

It was reported in the Mail on Sunday yesterday that the RBS insurance arm is being offerd for sale for around £8bn. The RBS or Royal Bank Of Scotland owns Direct Line insurance, Privilege, NIG and Green Flag Breakdown Cover.

It was reported that some suggest that RBS needs £7bn in the bank in reserves to meet solvency requirements. It was also quoted tha Direct line is not for sale, which would also suggest that Green Flag breakdown is also staying put.

RBS insurance is the second largest general insurer in the UK and the largest motor insurer and has other operations around Europe with an income of £5.7bn last year.

Amost on a weekly basis there seems to be insurance organisations changing hands as if to stay ahead of the rest.

To you and me it will mean no change and “Who cares?” , but clearly someone is making money out of these changes otherwise why bother. As long as the cars keep getting fixed by the roadside and the waiting times drop, that is all that matters to you and me.

Expert’s Opinion

According to Nigel Charlesworth, spokesperson for Green Flag, “In the UK costs can be up to £100 for the call-out charge alone. Recovery to your home or destination will then be charged per mile. So if it costs £1 per mile and you live 200 miles away, you can see how the costs mount up.” Nigel further explains, ‘If your car broke down anywhere abroad, say for example in France, then that would cost close to £1,500 to repatriate you and your vehicle. And compare this with breakdown cover costing from as little as £37 a year and it doesn’t seem a bad investment’ he says.

The Insurance Story

Most insurance companies offer car breakdown cover in three different packages – bronze, silver or gold cover. And as evident, bronze membership provides you basic cover, which typically includes quick assistance if you are more than a quarter of a mile from your home, and towing your car to the nearest garage. The bronze cover works well if you have a reliable car that stays in shape even when not used or used only for local journeys. (more…)