Car insurance
Breakdown Insurance
help at the roadside, recovery to a garage or home, and cover at your door or in Europe if your vehicle breaks down
Help if your vehicle breaks down, from a roadside fix to recovery and onward travel. Choosing the right level, and checking the call-out limits, matters as much as the price.
- Roadside help and recovery
- Home start and onward travel
- UK and European cover
- FCA authorised and regulated
Quick answerBreakdown insurance, often called breakdown cover, pays for help if your vehicle breaks down. Basic cover sends someone to fix it at the roadside or tow it to a nearby garage. Higher levels add recovery anywhere in the UK, help at home, onward travel and European cover. Cover can follow the vehicle or the person. Enter your registration and UK providers can come back with quotes.
This page is about breakdown cover. Accident, fire and theft cover is on our fully comprehensive car insurance page.
At a glance
Breakdown Cover, in Brief
Six things that decide how breakdown insurance behaves, before any of the detail.
- Roadside help
- A patrol to fix the vehicle where it stopped
- Recovery
- Towing to a garage, or anywhere in the UK
- Home start
- Help if the car will not start at home
- Onward travel
- A hire car, transport or a hotel
- Europe
- Cover for trips abroad, on some policies
- Vehicle or personal
- Cover follows the car or the person
The basics
What Is Breakdown Insurance?
Cover that pays for help when your vehicle breaks down, from a roadside repair to recovery. It is separate from car insurance, which covers accidents, fire and theft.
Roadside assistance
A repair at the roadside where possible.
Local recovery
Towing to a nearby garage.
National recovery
Taking you and the vehicle anywhere in the UK.
Home start
Help at or near your home.
Onward travel
A hire car, transport or overnight stay.
Personal cover
Help in any car you are travelling in, on some policies.
How it works
How Does Breakdown Insurance Work?
You choose the level of cover and whether it follows the vehicle or you, and call the provider when something goes wrong.
You choose the level
Roadside only, or with recovery, home start, onward travel and Europe.
You choose vehicle or personal cover
Cover for one vehicle, or for you in any vehicle you travel in.
You call when you break down
The provider sends help and fixes or recovers the vehicle.
Extras apply where included
Such as a hire car or a hotel if repairs take longer.
What it covers
What Does Breakdown Insurance Cover?
Roadside help at the basic level, with recovery, home start, onward travel and European cover at higher levels.
| Section | Where it sits | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Roadside assistance | Core | A fix at the roadside where possible |
| Local recovery | Core on many policies | To a nearby garage |
| National recovery | Higher levels | To anywhere in the UK |
| Home start | Higher levels | At or near your home |
| Onward travel | Higher levels or extra | Hire car, transport or hotel |
| European cover | Optional | For trips abroad |
| Parts and labour | Usually not included | Some policies add garage repair cover |
Callout, not repair bills. Breakdown cover usually pays for help at the roadside and recovery, not for parts or garage repairs, unless you add repair cover.
Exclusions
What Breakdown Insurance Does Not Include
Cover can exclude faults you knew about, vehicles over age or weight limits, frequent repeat callouts, and the cost of parts and repairs.
Known faults
Problems that existed before cover started.
Parts and garage repairs
Unless the policy adds repair cover.
Too many callouts
Some policies limit callouts a year.
Age or weight limits
Older or heavier vehicles may be excluded.
Poorly maintained vehicles
Breakdowns caused by lack of servicing.
Waiting periods
A period after buying before help is given.
Levels of cover
The Levels of Breakdown Cover
Breakdown cover is usually sold in levels, each adding to the one before.
Roadside only
A repair at the roadside, or a tow to a nearby garage.
National recovery
Recovery anywhere in the UK.
Home start
Help at or near home.
Onward travel
Keeps you moving while repairs happen.
European cover
Help when driving abroad.
Personal cover
Follows you, not the vehicle.
Running a fleet? See our guide to fleet breakdown cover.
Who it suits
Who Breakdown Insurance Suits
Anyone who drives and wants help if their vehicle breaks down.
Daily commuters
Where a breakdown would disrupt work.
Owners of older cars
Higher chance of a breakdown.
Families
Travelling with children.
Holiday drivers
Long trips in the UK or Europe.
Drivers without a spare car
Relying on one vehicle.
Drivers of several cars
Personal cover for any car.
Electric car? See our electric car insurance page for how recovery works.
Breakdown or car insurance
Breakdown Cover vs Car Insurance
Car insurance pays for accidents, fire and theft. Breakdown cover pays for help when the vehicle stops working. Many drivers have both.
| Breakdown cover | Car insurance | |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical breakdown | Help and recovery | Not usually covered |
| Accident damage | Recovery only, on some policies | Covered at higher levels |
| Theft and fire | Not covered | Covered at higher levels |
| Flat battery or tyre | Covered | Not covered |
Already have some cover? Breakdown cover can come with a bank account, a new car or car insurance. Check before you buy more. See our car insurance page.
Cost
What Breakdown Insurance Is Priced On
The level of cover, whether it follows the vehicle or you, the vehicle’s age, and any extras such as Europe. We do not print average prices.
Why the level leads
Roadside-only cover costs less than cover with national recovery, home start, onward travel and Europe.
Why the vehicle matters too
Older vehicles and some types can cost more to cover, and some providers set age limits.
What the quote is rated on
The main factors
- Level of coverRoadside to full coverBase
- Vehicle or personalWho or what is coveredRate
- Vehicle ageOlder vehiclesRate
- ExtrasEurope and onward travelRate
- PaymentMonthly or annualAdjust
Servicing
A well-maintained vehicle is less likely to break down.
Personal cover
Can suit households with several cars.
Existing cover
Check bank accounts and car packages.
The details
The Details That Decide a Breakdown Callout
Breakdown callouts can turn on the level of cover and how the vehicle was looked after. Four details come up again and again.
Check what your level includes
Roadside only will not take you home or help on your drive.
Keep the vehicle maintained
Breakdowns from neglect or known faults can be excluded.
Check callout limits
Some policies limit how many callouts you can make a year.
Watch any waiting period
New policies can have a short wait before help is available.
Quote checklist
What You Will Be Asked for a Breakdown Cover Quote
Six things shape the quote: the vehicle, the level of cover, whether it follows you, extras, your address and how you pay.
The vehicle
Registration, make, model and age.
The level of cover
Roadside, recovery, home start and more.
Vehicle or personal
One vehicle, or you in any vehicle.
Extras
European cover and onward travel.
Your address
For home start.
How you pay
Monthly or annually.
Comparing
Checking Breakdown Cover Quotes Side by Side
Four areas decide whether a policy suits you: the level, the limits, the extras, and the terms. The price is only one of them.
The level
- Roadside and local recovery
- National recovery
- Home start
The limits
- Callouts a year
- Vehicle age and weight
- Waiting period
Extras
- Onward travel
- European cover
- Repair cover
Terms
- Vehicle or personal cover
- Paying monthly or upfront
- Cancellation terms
Check the callout limits. A cheaper policy with a low limit may not suit an older car. Unfamiliar terms are explained in our plain English jargon guide.
Cutting costs
How to Reduce the Cost of Breakdown Insurance
The levers are the right level, avoiding duplicate cover, servicing and how you buy. We publish no savings figures.
Choose the right level
Pay only for the help you need.
Check for existing cover
Bank accounts and car packages can include it.
Consider personal cover
Can suit households with several cars.
Service your vehicle
Fewer breakdowns and fewer excluded callouts.
Pay annually if you can
Paying monthly can cost more overall.
Compare before renewal
Check the market rather than auto-renewing.
Glossary
Breakdown Cover Terms Explained
The words that come up most on a breakdown cover policy.
- Roadside assistance
- Help to fix the vehicle where it broke down.
- Local recovery
- Towing to a nearby garage.
- National recovery
- Recovery to anywhere in the UK.
- Home start
- Help at or near your home.
- Onward travel
- A hire car, transport or hotel while repairs happen.
- Personal cover
- Cover that follows you in any vehicle.
- Vehicle cover
- Cover for one named vehicle, whoever drives it.
- Callout
- A request for breakdown help.
- Waiting period
- Time after buying before help is available.
- Repair cover
- An extra that pays for parts and labour.
Why MyMoneyComparison.com
Why Compare Breakdown Insurance with MyMoneyComparison.com?
MyMoneyComparison.com is an FCA-authorised UK comparison service that introduces drivers to specialist brokers. We do not sell insurance and we do not give advice: the broker you choose arranges the policy. Using us is free.
One form, one car
Describe the car once, instead of repeating yourself to each broker.
Advice given
We are an introducer, not a broker. We do not sell policies and we do not recommend one insurer or product over another. Read our editorial policy.
Authorised and regulated
MyMoneyComparison.com Ltd appears on the FCA register under FRN 916241.
Incorporated
A UK company since 2013. FCA authorisation is separate and later; the register carries its date.
FAQs
Breakdown Insurance FAQs
Answers on roadside help, recovery, home start, Europe and call-out limits.
What is breakdown insurance?
Breakdown insurance, or breakdown cover, pays for help if your vehicle breaks down. It ranges from a roadside repair to recovery anywhere in the UK, help at home, onward travel and European cover.
Is breakdown cover the same as car insurance?
No. Car insurance covers accidents, fire and theft. Breakdown cover pays for help when the vehicle stops working, such as a flat battery or mechanical fault. Many drivers have both.
What is roadside assistance?
The basic level of breakdown cover. A patrol comes to fix the vehicle where it stopped, or tows it to a nearby garage if it cannot be fixed at the roadside.
What is home start?
Cover for breakdowns at or near your home, such as a car that will not start on your drive. Roadside-only policies may not help at home, so check the level.
What is national recovery?
Recovery of you, your passengers and the vehicle to anywhere in the UK, such as your home or a garage of your choice, if it cannot be fixed at the roadside.
What is onward travel?
Help to keep you moving while the vehicle is repaired, such as a hire car, public transport costs or an overnight stay, depending on the policy.
Should I choose vehicle or personal cover?
Vehicle cover follows one car, whoever drives it. Personal cover follows you in any vehicle you travel in, which can suit households with several cars or people who drive different cars.
Does breakdown cover pay for repairs?
Usually not. It pays for the callout, roadside help and recovery. Parts and garage labour are normally extra, unless you add repair cover to the policy.
Can I use breakdown cover straight away?
Some policies have a short waiting period after you buy before help is available, or charge a fee for help on the first day. Check the terms if you are already broken down.
Is there a limit on callouts?
Some policies limit how many callouts you can make in a year, or exclude repeat callouts for the same fault. Check the limit, especially for an older car.
Does breakdown cover work in Europe?
Only if the policy includes it. European cover can be added for trips abroad, often with its own limits on recovery, onward travel and repatriation of the vehicle.
Are older cars covered?
Many providers cover older cars, but some set age limits or charge more. Tell the provider the vehicle’s age and mileage when you ask for quotes.
Does it cover electric cars?
Many breakdown providers cover electric cars, including running out of charge, often by recovering the car to a charger. Check how the provider handles electric vehicles.
Is misfuelling covered?
Some policies help if you put the wrong fuel in the car, sometimes for an extra fee. Others exclude it, so check the policy if this worries you.
Do I already have breakdown cover?
You might. Some bank accounts, new cars and car insurance policies include breakdown cover. Check the level before buying more, so you do not pay twice.
How do I compare breakdown cover quotes?
Look beyond the price to the level of cover, vehicle or personal cover, callout limits, waiting periods, vehicle age limits, onward travel and European cover.
Ready when you are
Get Quotes for Your Breakdown Cover
Enter your registration and tell us about the drivers. UK providers can then come back with quotes. Free to use, with no obligation to buy.
- Roadside, recovery and home start compared
- Free to use, no obligation
- FCA authorised and regulated
Free to use · No obligation · UK brokers
About this page
This page explains UK breakdown Insurance: what it covers, what it leaves out, and how the level of cover and its limits decide a claim. It is general information rather than advice. Policies differ between insurers, so read your own documents and put the questions raised here to your insurer or broker.
How we approached this page
- Published UK breakdown cover policy summaries
- Roadside, recovery, home start and European terms
- Financial Ombudsman material on motor insurance complaints
Legal & Regulatory Information:
The MyMoneyComparison.com website is owned and operated by MyMoneyComparison.com Ltd, which does not provide financial advice and does not sell insurance policies. MyMoneyComparison.com Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for insurance mediation and credit broking activity under FCA registration number 916241.
MyMoneyComparison.com Ltd is a data controller under the Data Protection Act 2018, registered on the Data Protection Register under registration number ZA460665.
Registered Office: Jubilee House, 55 Church St, Morley, Leeds LS27 9JQ, United Kingdom.
© 2013-2026 MyMoneyComparison.com Ltd. All rights reserved.