What is Breakdown Cover?

From punctures to total engine failure, cars can be unpredictable and are prone to breaking down. Breakdown cover means you can have help in this unfortunate situation.

With a breakdown insurance policy, all you have to do is call your breakdown assistance provider as listed on your certificate of insurance (you received this upon purchasing your policy) informing them of the location of your breakdown.

Once they arrive, they will try to fix your vehicle there and then so you can continue with your journey. Depending on the level of cover you’ve purchased, Eversure breakdown cover can also recover a vehicle that’s broken down at your home, tow your vehicle to garage, or even reimburse the cost of emergency accommodation.

Types of Breakdown Cover

At Eversure, we offer different levels of breakdown cover: silver, gold, gold (excess), platinum and platinum (excess). Included in our standard silver band of cover is roadside assistance, national recovery and onward travel. From silver to platinum (excess), each level of cover increases in scope of protection.

Roadside Assistance: Included as standard in all our policies, roadside assistance is where an assistance provider will be sent to your breakdown location to try and fix the issue.

National Recovery: If your car cannot be fixed at the roadside, it should be towed to a nearby garage or your home. If it’s then not possible to repair your vehicle on the same working day, your car will be transported either to your home address or to a garage close to your house.

Home Start: Breakdowns that happen at your home, or within a one-mile radius of your home, can be addressed by an assistance provider.

Onward Travel: We will reimburse the cost of one of the following options to allow you and your passengers to either continue your journey or to return home whilst your vehicle is being repaired. The options include public transport, a hire car for up to 48 hours, or a taxi.

Emergency Overnight Accommodation: The cost of emergency overnight accommodation for one night will be reimbursed.

Cover Included in European Policies Only

Repatriation: If your vehicle cannot be recovered within 14 days of the date you intended to return to the UK then we will arrange and pay for the transportation of your vehicle to your home address or a suitable garage that’s within 25 miles of your home address.

Motorway Fee Reimbursement: As many European motorways are privately managed, it means they have their own breakdown services, and we are often unable to assist. The local assistance provider is likely to ask you to pay upfront, but with a European breakdown policy, this amount can be reimbursed. Read more about breaking down in Europe here.

Get a quote to see how our different cover levels compare so you can choose the car breakdown cover that suits your needs best, allowing you to drive at home or abroad safe in the knowledge you’ll receive assistance should you need it.

Personal vs Vehicle Breakdown Cover

Personal Breakdown Cover

Opting for personal cover means you are covered in any eligible vehicle, whether you’re a driver or a passenger. This means that if the driver does not have breakdown cover, you’ll still be able to benefit from the help of an assistance provider.

With personal cover, you’re able to add multiple drivers, meaning it’s a fantastic option for families sharing cars at one address.

If you or the people listed on the personal cover policy are not in the vehicle when it breaks down, the breakdown won’t be covered.

Vehicle Breakdown Cover

Vehicle breakdown cover insures a specific vehicle regardless of who is driving it, as long as the person driving it is permitted to be.

This type of cover makes the most sense for people who only drive one vehicle. It also makes sense for those sharing a single car as it means whoever is driving it at the time of breakdown will be able to benefit.

With vehicle cover, you will not be covered if you’re driving a vehicle not listed on the policy. Additionally, if you’re a passenger in an unlisted vehicle that breaks down, you also won’t be covered.

UK vs European Breakdown Cover

UK Breakdown Cover

If you're staying within the UK, a standard breakdown policy will usually suffice – you will have full roadside assistance and recovery from your front door, across the UK and back again.

European Breakdown Cover

If you’re planning to drive abroad, then European breakdown cover is probably what you need. This type of cover can help with:

• Roadside repair and recovery in European countries
• Repatriation of your vehicle back to the UK if needed

We offer breakdown cover for over 50 European countries but make sure to check your destination is listed to avoid any issues.

As we cannot upgrade your coverage from UK cover to European, it’s really important to ensure you understand what cover level will best suit your needs before purchasing.

Single vs Annual Cover

If you select an Eversure European breakdown cover policy, you'll then be asked to choose between single vs annual coverage.

Single trip European breakdown cover is best suited for those who don’t travel abroad often and only need breakdown cover for a short period of time whilst they’re in Europe. This policy will cover a trip to Europe that begins and ends in the UK and is ideal for British holidaymakers.

If you take multiple trips to Europe a year, then an annual European breakdown policy will suit your needs best. You select the maximum trip length and then you can travel to Europe as many times as you wish, so long as each trip does not exceed the specified duration. Additionally, annual European breakdown policies auto-renew each year so you can benefit from rolling and uninterrupted cover.

Do I Need Breakdown Cover?

Breakdown cover is not a legal requirement; it’s just strongly recommended. Without it, calling for assistance could result in expensive charges as recovery services can charge an emergency callout fee. Breaking down in a foreign country could incur even greater costs, with the inconvenience being much higher also.

Having breakdown cover allows you to drive with confidence as you’re reassured that in the event of a breakdown, you’ll be protected.

Before purchasing breakdown cover, you should check you aren’t covered elsewhere. You could be covered by the following:

• Your car insurance
• Packaged bank accounts
• Vehicle warranty

There are no benefits to being covered twice. You’ll simply be paying for insurance you don’t need and aren’t able to claim on.

What are the main exclusions of breakdown cover?

At Eversure, we do not cover vehicles used for hire and reward or courier services. This means vehicles used for food and parcel deliveries, taxis, furniture transportation, removal vans, equipment transportation, and commercial goods deliveries. Please be aware that this list is not exhaustive.

We also do not cover breakdowns caused by poor maintenance, such as excessive tyre wear or insufficient amounts of water and oil. Please keep your vehicle in good condition.

Additionally, we have a claim limit of £15,000 per period of insurance.

Final Thoughts

Eversure car breakdown cover offers your peace of mind, from your commute to work to your scenic drives through the continent. With cover levels to suit every need, whether it’s simple roadside assistance or a comprehensive European plan, having breakdown cover means you’ll have support wherever and whenever your car lets you down.