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- Great cover deals for all your insurance needs
There is still plenty of winter left for many motorists and their vehicles to be caught out by sudden outbursts of bad weather. But motorists without breakdown cover are in for another shock when they call out the local garage to rescue them - the average bill is now £65.
By taking proper care of your car you can reduce the risk of having to call for assistance and wait in the freezing cold for rescue. Regular servicing will also help to keep it in good condition for when you come to sell it.
From as little as £30 per year (that's only £2.50 a month), breakdown insurance will give you peace of mind that you will not be left stranded on the roadside. This could save you up to hundreds of pounds if you do not already have breakdown insurance cover. As with all insurance products there are numerous providers and policy types. Be sure to read the policy terms and conditions to make sure you understand what level of cover you have taken out. Here are the options for the types of breakdown cover on offer:
1. Roadside Rescue: If you break down, this type of policy will quickly get you moving again or towed to the nearest garage within a specified radius. If the car can be fixed at the roadside you should receive guaranteed minutes (up to 60) of free labour to repair minor mechanical or electrical faults. All you are likely to pay for are the parts.
Note: Incidents at your home or within specified radius of your home would not be covered and only the specified car in the policy would be covered.
2. Roadside Rescue and Home Rescue: This should provide the same level as cover as roadside rescue but will also extend the cover if your car breaks down at home or within a ¼ mile of your home. If the vehicle can not be fixed, it will be towed to your local garage.
3. Roadside Rescue and Recovery Plus: This policy should provide all the benefits of Roadside Rescue and Home Rescue to cover your car at your home address, plus a choice of either:
¢¢ A hire car to return home or continue your journey.
¢¢ The cost of alternative transport to enable you to complete your original journey or trip home.
¢¢ Accommodation in a local hotel while awaiting completion of repairs, providing the incident occurs more than a certain number of miles away from your home.
4. European Rescue: If you drive on the continent it is worth considering a European breakdown policy. Some insurers provide this free of charge with their car insurance policy, so check the small print. Some of the benefits of cover include:
¢¢ Roadside breakdown assistance
¢¢ The cost of travelling home if your car is stolen
¢¢ The return of your vehicle if it cannot be driven
¢¢ Legal cover and payment for delivery of replacement parts if they're not available locally
Other Inclusions/Exclusions to look for:
Depending on the insurer, you may receive extra benefits in the policy. For example, some insurers offer cover for caravans or trailers (check the policy details before you sign up) and discounts on the policy for second and third cars kept at the same address.
It is essential that you use a well-known company. After all, the larger the company providing cover, the larger their recovery operator network is likely to be. Most large insurers have a network of operators with at least 2,000 members.
What to do if you break down
1. Pull off the road and park in a safe place.
2. Put on the hazard warning lights and decide on your course of action before calling for help.
3. Put a warning triangle on the road at least 45 metres (147 feet) behind your broken down vehicle on the same side of the road.
4. Always take care when putting a warning triangle behind your vehicle. Never use a warning triangle on a motorway.
5. Keep your sidelights on if it is dark or visibility is poor.
6. Lock the doors and call for help from your mobile phone or from a payphone.
NB: If you do not have a mobile phone always keep some lose change in your car to call from a payphone.
