Breakdown Guides

Breakdown recovery in three simple steps

By James Sherwood james@consumerchoices.co.uk

Getting home safely is the priority when your car breaks down at the roadside, and there are just three things you need consider before comparing breakdown recovery deals.

Getting home safely is the priority when your car breaks down at the roadside, and there are just three things you need consider before comparing breakdown recovery deals.

1. Basic breakdown recovery package

There are two main types of breakdown recovery:

• Vehicle-based: covers one car against breakdowns, rather than an individual person.

The major benefit of vehicle-based breakdown recovery is that it enables anyone to drive your car, safe in the knowledge they’ll be able to get help should it break down.

However, the nominated car’s age, condition and mileage will all affect how much your breakdown recovery package costs. Older cars with plenty of miles on the clock, for example, could cost more to cover because they’re more likely to break down.

• Driver-based: covers one individual against vehicle breakdown, irrespective of the car they’re driving.

If you have several cars at home then driver-based breakdown recovery is ideal because you’ll be covered whatever car you’re driving (though some breakdown providers apply special terms and conditions to this rule).

The cost of your breakdown recovery will be based on several factors, including your age and driving history - penalty points will count against you, for example.

2. What do breakdown recovery deals include?

Most breakdown packages cover:

• Roadside assistance - mechanics will try to fix your car at the roadside so that you can continue on to your destination
• Garage tow - if they can’t fix your car at the roadside then they’ll tow it to a nearby garage, though additional parts and labour costs may not be covered.

If you want breakdown recovery that’s more tailored to your specific needs then most breakdown providers offer a range of extras. These may include:

• Home recovery - if your car won’t start on the driveway, mechanics will come to your home
• Recovery options - if mechanics can’t fix your car at the roadside, you’ll be given the option of a paid public transport ticket home, an overnight hotel or hire car
• European cover - protect yourself and your car against breakdowns while away on holiday.

3. The top breakdown providers

The AA

The AA’s breakdown recovery packages start from just £30

The AA is the UK’s largest breakdown organisation with over 3,000 trained patrols, which help fix more car breakdowns at the roadside than any other breakdown recovery company. The company aims to repair each breakdown in an average of 30 minutes.

The RAC

RAC breakdown recovery packages start at £28

The RAC is one of the UK’s oldest motoring services and offers many levels of breakdown cover, ranging from basic breakdown recovery to European breakdown assistance. RAC fixes 80% of vehicles at the roadside and have around 2,000 patrols.

Green Flag

Sign up to Green Flag breakdown recovery from just £20

Green Flag aims to reach all callouts within 30 minutes and its mechanics fix an average of 86% of vehicles at the side of the road. Green Flag will also text you to let you know they’re on their way when you’ve broken down.

Asda breakdown

ASDA breakdown cover - provided by Britannia Rescue - fixes 74% of cars at the roadside and has an average response time of around 40 minutes.