Breakdown Cover Glossary: Terms Explained A-Z

Accident recovery: Recovery of a vehicle after a collision rather than a mechanical failure. Usually handled by your car insurer; some breakdown policies include it as an extra.
Call-out limit: The maximum number of times you can use the service in a policy year. Common on budget policies; unlimited on some premium ones.
Contractor network: Independent local recovery operators and garages dispatched by a provider instead of its own patrols.
Cooling-off period: The 14 days after buying a policy in which you can cancel for a refund, less any call-outs used and sometimes an admin fee.
European cover: Breakdown cover that applies in listed European countries, including repatriation of the vehicle to the UK.
Flatbed: A recovery truck that carries the whole vehicle on its deck. Required for most electric cars and four-wheel-drive vehicles.
Home start: Cover for breakdowns at or within a set distance (usually a quarter of a mile) of the policy address.
Joint cover: Personal cover for two people living at the same address.
Key cover: An add-on covering lost, stolen or broken keys, including locksmith costs and sometimes replacement keys.
Lack of charge: Policy term for an electric vehicle that has run out of battery charge. Treated by some providers like running out of fuel.
Misfuelling: Putting the wrong fuel in a vehicle. Recovery is usually covered; draining and repairs usually are not unless you have a misfuel add-on.
National recovery: Transport of the vehicle and its occupants to a single destination anywhere in mainland UK when a roadside repair is not possible. Also called Relay, Recovery or Nationwide Recovery.
Onward travel: A hire car, accommodation or public transport to let you continue your journey while the vehicle is repaired. Also called Stay Mobile.
Patrol: A provider's own employed mechanic in a branded vehicle, as used by the AA and RAC.
Pay and reclaim: A policy type where you arrange and pay for recovery yourself and claim the cost back up to set limits.
Personal cover: Cover attached to a named person, applying in any eligible vehicle they are driving or travelling in.
Repatriation: Transporting a vehicle (and its occupants) back to the UK from abroad when it cannot be repaired within a set period.
Roadside assistance: The basic level of cover: a mechanic attends a breakdown away from home and attempts a repair, with a tow to a local garage if needed.
Single-trip cover: European cover bought for one journey and priced by the day.
SORN: Statutory Off Road Notification. A vehicle declared SORN is untaxed and must not be driven; some breakdown policies will not attend it.
Territorial limits: The list of countries in which a European policy applies.
Vehicle cover: Cover attached to a registration number, applying whoever is driving the vehicle.
Waiting period: The time after purchase before cover can be used, usually 24 hours, sometimes longer for home start or recovery.
White label: A breakdown product sold under a retailer, bank or insurer's brand but underwritten and serviced by an assistance company.