Some Basic Tips To Consider

Should I cover myself or the vehicle?

The good news is, you have a choice, the bad news is, you may have to change your membership to another provider. You will find that the major memberships only offer one option or the other, although they do offer extended policies than can cover the whole family. So make sure what the correct option is right for you before you buy.

Ask Yourself

  • Do I spend more time all of my time in just one car?
  • Or am I regularly swapping cars with my partner or other family member?
  • Do my children borrow the car?

With the RAC, you are covered not the car. That means providing you are in a private vehicle (not commercial) and that vehicle has a breakdown, you can call the RAC out. This could be a great option if you regularly change vehicles and are unsure what to do in a breakdown.

The Green Flag and the AA, cover the vehicle. This could be the ideal solution if several people use the same car. Partners who share the car, or in a situation where you allow your children to borrow the car. They can call out the engineer to fix the vehicle, providing they have permission to drive the car.

What is the average breakdown cover call out time?

All the breakdown cover companies quote their average call out times as a way of you doing business with them, some of them are as low as 35 minutes and all say their average call out time is under an hour. Please be aware that this is an average figure and those who breakdown near a recovery agent, could have an engineer there within 5 to 10 minutes. This will balance out the call out times where help does not arrive for over an hour. Look out for schemes that give you a cash pay back if they are over 1 hour in assisting you.

In summary.

  • Some service providers promise to be there within a certain period of time.
  • Some service providers, states their average time only.

My breakdown is preventing me from being somewhere important

This is one of the biggest mistakes people make when choosing a breakdown cover policy. Many opt for the cheapest option, which is normally roadside assistance only. This policy will not get your car home or to where you want to be, only to the nearest garage, which you may not a have a choice in. If you regularly have important dates than cannot be missed and you must get there in your car, consider looking at the recovery options, which will get you and you car to anywhere in the UK mainland you choose. Obviously there are different conditions and offers, so check these out on the relevant breakdown cover service provider's web site.

Top Tip

  • If you not arriving at your destination in time is an issue, consider a recovery policy

My car has broken down and can't be fixed at the roadside?

Depending on the policy you have will determine whether the car is taken to the nearest garage, or home if it is nearer, or have the choice of having it taken to anywhere in the UK mainland. Most breakdown cover providers, state that 80% of all repairs can be fixed at the roadside, so the odds are on your side.

Summary

  • If you rarely drive a long distance with a particular car. A roadside assistance policy may be ideal for you.
  • Most repairs are done by the roadside.

I have locked myself out of the car

Some car breakdown cover providers are happy to state they will help in these situations. Some do not publicly state this and may have no obligation to help, but feedback states, most companies would attend in these situations. You may want to check the policy details for policies that are based on agents attending the call out rather than dedicated patrols. The agents would expect payment from the breakdown cover policy no matter what the reason. If the call out reason is not part of their contract they may refuse to attend. This information can be found in your polices terms and conditions.

Extra Services

  • Some service providers will help you beyond the agreement.
  • Some breakdown cover providers, state they will help you with the little things also.
  • Some network garage will only work if they will get paid for the job and may not help with non contracted issues. It will be at their discretion

I have broken down and don't know where I am

Many companies have technology now to tell you where you are by your mobile phone signal. So if you have broken down on a country lane or somewhere without and road signs or land marks, then can still find you.

Communication Tip

  • Do not worry about being lost. Breakdown cover operators have systems that will help find you. The RAC has a way of finding you, using your mobile phone.

If you have some top tips to help us deciding what is right for our readers, please let us know



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