onward travel meaning breakdown cover

Onward Travel - Breakdown Cover Explained

We know that breakdown cover can be a dreary subject at the best of times, but here at CBC, we want to attempt to make it that little bit easier to understand. We’ve put together a whole host of articles explaining breakdown cover in a way that’s easy to understand in the hope that customers everywhere can be that bit better informed about the wonderful world of breakdown cover.

This one’s all about onward travel options, so settle in, grab a brew and prepare to be enlightened.

What is Onward Travel?

Onward travel is a benefit in your breakdown policy that allows you to be transported to a location of your choosing; this can be either your final destination, temporary accommodation such as a hotel or back to your home, generally this is done on a reimbursement basis. So you’ll pay the cost of the travel and your policy will pay you back the money after your claim.

It’s important to note that this specific benefit only applies when you are a certain distance from your home address, so you need to check your policy cover for the exact distance.

How Does it Work?

When you make a claim on your breakdown policy and your car has to be recovered to a garage and repairs aren’t easy or quick, if you have onward travel included in your policy, you may be offered the option of onward travel if your car can’t be fixed by the end of the working day.

It’s at this point that you’ll have a few options:

Public Transport

You can take buses, coaches, trains or equivalents to your desired location and be reimbursed the cost (up to a certain amount of money) of that journey. If public transport isn’t readily available, you may also take a taxi.

If you’d rather hire a car to continue your journey, then the onward travel cover in your policy will reimburse the cost (up to a certain amount) of hiring a car to get you to where you want to go.

On some policies the cost of returning and collect your vehicle when repaired is covered too.

• Alternative Accommodation

Whilst not technically, onward travel, alternative accommodation does fall into the category of onward travel. Your policy will cover the cost of reaching a nearby hotel and the price of a room per passenger up to a certain amount. Always check your policy to find out the exact amounts that you’ll be covered for.

Is Onward Travel Included in Every Breakdown Policy?

Onward travel is not always available in every breakdown policy. Just because you have breakdown cover, never assume you’re covered for onward travel too.

It’s really important you look through your policy carefully (including the policy wording) before you purchase, so you know exactly what you’re getting for your money and what you’ll be covered for in the event you require onward travel.

Is there a Difference Between Onward Travel in UK and EU policies?

In truth, onward travel operates almost exactly the same, wherever you are. One major difference though between the UK and European policies is that more often than not the cost of onward travel is higher in Europe, simply because it’s likely you’ll have further to go. So, you’ll usually find that you’re afforded a higher reimbursement amount if you require onward travel in Europe than you would in the UK.

Check the policy wording of your breakdown cover before you buy to find out exactly how much you’ll be covered for.

Find Out More About Breakdown Cover

Want to learn more about breakdown cover and the different types of policy benefits you could be entitled to? We’ve put together a load of pages to help educate our customers and people looking for great breakdown cover, but who may not understand the ins and outs of insurance, take a look at some of our other “Breakdown Cover Explained” pages:

• Roadside Assistance
• Roadside Recovery
• Misfuelling Cover
• Puncture Cover
• Flat Battery Cover
• Motorway Fees

I Have More Questions…

No problem! Take a look at our FAQs page .

Still not satisfied? Head to our contact us page , type in your query and our customer service team will be in touch.

CBC is a trading name of Eversure Limited, Bury House, 1 Bury Street, Guildford, Surrey GU2 4AW. Registered in England and Wales no. 6751893. Eversure Limited are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

• Feb 23, 2022

What is onward travel on breakdown cover?

Having cover for onward travel can be the difference between being stuck at the roadside or a garage after a breakdown or managing to complete your original journey.

When you have a breakdown in your vehicle, the main aim of the breakdown company will be to get you going again so you can complete your journey and go about your day as normal. But if the breakdown is more serious and can't be resolved at the roadside, your level of cover will determine what your options might be. Basic policies will tend to include recovery to local garage where more advanced repairs can be completed and you can either wait for the repair to be completed, or make your own way back home or to where you were trying to get to.

However, having onward travel as part of your policy will give you additional options, and there's a couple of different levels of onward travel cover to be aware of when choosing your cover. Expect onward travel to only be available on higher levels of cover, or as an optional extra.

A short distance taxi

Some will cover the cost of a taxi up to a set distance of around 20 miles for you and your passengers to get home or somewhere else. You may have to pay your own way to go and pick up the vehicle again once it's been repaired if the garage are unable to deliver it back to you.

Alternative transport

Some breakdown providers may cover costs of standard class train travel for you and your passengers to complete your journey.

For more difficult or time-consuming repairs, a hire car could be provided for a period of up to 7 days until you get your own vehicle back.

Overnight hotel

If a short distance taxi or hire car just isn't suitable, you could opt for an overnight hotel while you're waiting for your vehicle to be fixed.

Related Posts

What is breakdown cover and do I need it?

Do I need breakdown cover for my electric car?

Be the first to know!

Get details of our latest posts sent direct to your inbox. 

Thanks for subscribing!

Our services are completely free for you to use because third parties may pay us when you visit their website through a link on our website. We always aim to give you accurate information at the point of publication, but terms of products can always be changed by the third party afterwards.

Price Comparison Websites

confused.com

MoneySuperMarket.com

comparethemarket.com

Insurers Not on Price Comparison Websites

directline.com

nfumutual.co.uk

Sensible Reviewer

All the best product and lifestyle reviews

Everything You Need to Know About Breakdown Cover

If you’re buying a car for the first time, you may be feeling a little bit daunted. There are so many things to look into, even after you’ve bought your car —   insurance, road tax, breakdown cover… It can all get very confusing. 

In this post, we’ll be focusing on the latter: breakdown cover. Considering we’re a nation of car drivers, many of us know surprisingly little about breakdown cover, what it entails, and what the best cover is for your vehicle.

Below, we’ll be taking a dive into the world of breakdown cover and discover everything you need to know, as well as answering the questions you were too afraid to ask.

Read on to find out more.

• 1 What is breakdown cover?
• 2 What does breakdown cover include?
• 3 Should you get breakdown cover?
• 4 What to think about when buying breakdown cover
• 5.1 Share this:
• 5.2 Related

What is breakdown cover?

First, we’ll start with the basics: what exactly is breakdown cover anyway?

Breakdown cover is basically a type of insurance policy that  you can get to help you out if your vehicle — whether it’s a car, motorbike or van — breaks down on the road.

By paying for breakdown cover now, you will be covered in the future. This means that if your vehicle breaks down or you’re having car trouble on the road, you will get assistance from the policy provider. This usually works by calling up the breakdown provider. They will then send a mechanic to either repair or tow your vehicle, depending on the issue.

There are two different types of breakdown cover:

Personal: Person or personal breakdown covers the policy holder travelling in any vehicle (as long as it meets the requirements in your policy), regardless of whether you are the driver or a passenger  in a car driven by someone else

Vehicle: Vehicle breakdown just covers one specific vehicle (this could be a car, van or motorbike etc) so you can only claim when you break down in that vehicle

Normally, vehicle breakdown cover tends to be the cheaper option.

You can also vary your cover depending on how basic or comprehensive you need your policy to be. In the section below, we’ll go into what breakdown cover normally includes, and if there are any exceptions to the rule.

What does breakdown cover include?

What is included in your breakdown cover can vary depending on the policy and level you take out.

However, most breakdown cover policies usually include:

Roadside assistance : The most basic level of cover, this means that if your vehicle breaks down, your policy provider will send out a mechanic to repair your vehicle on the roadside. If they are unable to do this, they will use a recovery vehicle to tow it to either the nearest approved garage or a destination of your choice (providing that destination is nearby).

Vehicle recover : This level of cover is national, meaning that you can have your vehicle towed to any location in the UK, including your home or a garage of your choice — see it as a step up from roadside assistance, allowing you more options of where your vehicle is taken to.

Onward travel : Onward travel provides you with alternative modes of transport, should the breakdown mechanic not be able to repair your vehicle roadside. This includes options such as a hire car, alternative transport (such as taxi, bus or train, of which the policy provider will cover a set amount) or even overnight accommodation.

At home cover: Also known as home start , this covers you if a breakdown happens at home or a within a short distance of your home (such as ¼ mile away from your house). This could be a situation where you

Of course, you can buy more expensive, inclusive breakdown policies which will cover you on things like:

Multiple vehicles

Trips to Europe

Key replacement

Tyre replacement

Battery cover

Using the wrong fuel in your vehicle

Depending on how you use your vehicle, you can decide on the level of cover that you wish to buy.

Should you get breakdown cover?

We would always recommend getting breakdown cover if you own a vehicle.

Breakdown cover is not expensive at all — especially when you take into consideration the amount of money you fork out annually for car insurance and road tax (let alone money spent on fuel).

It’s a small price to pay for peace of mind; you’ll be safe in the knowledge that if you do ever get stranded on the roadside, help will be at hand.

What to think about when buying breakdown cover

There are a few different factors you need to take into account if you’re thinking about buying breakdown cover:

Do you own a vehicle?

Do you share the vehicle with anyone?

Do you travel a lot/drive abroad?

How much are you willing to spend?

Do you need a basic breakdown plan or a comprehensive plan?

Taking all of these factors into account will help you decide on the best cover for you.

What is the best breakdown cover?

There are a range of different options for breakdown cover, depending on what you need and your circumstances. It’s pretty easy to figure out what you need using online comparison sites — all you have to do is fill in your information, and the comparison site will do all of the hard work for you, and pick the best-priced, most suitable cover for your needs.

However, if you’re looking for a brief overview on breakdown covers, take a peek at the answers below:

The cheapest breakdown cover: GreenFlag and Emergency Assist Ltd. both do very cheap, simple breakdown cover

Most comprehensive breakdown cover: RAC and the AA provide comprehensive cover to help you out in a number of different breakdown situations

Best breakdown cover for young drivers: Direct Line, Aviva and Co-op do great cover for young drivers at a very reasonable price

Best breakdown cover for drivers who regularly travel abroad: GEM Motoring Assist is a very popular cover provider with drivers who need European breakdown cover. However, most major providers will also provide European cover as an add-on to policies.

If you’re still feeling stuck, then check out customer reviews online to see how real drivers found their breakdown cover policies.

Hopefully our guide should have covered all of the things you need to know about breakdown cover. We’ll be adding more to this page soon, so stay tuned for more breakdown information!

Any other questions? Ask away in the comments below.

Share this:

• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Be the first to get Sensible Reviews

Join our mailing list and be the first to get the sensible reviews straight into your inbox.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

• Small Business
• Credit Cards
• Personal Finance
• Business Loans
• Business Bank Accounts
• Free Business Bank Accounts
• Business Insurance
• Business Energy
• Business Water
• Accounting software
• How Do Business Loans Work?
• How To Get A Business Loan
• Do I Need A Business Bank Account?
• How To Open A Business Bank Account
• Do I Need Business Insurance?
• Types Of Business Insurance
• How To Switch Business Energy Supplier
• How To Start A Business
• What is an SME?
• How To Go Self-Employed
• How To Grow Your Business

Whether you’re an established business or start-up, see the latest offers from leading business bank account providers

• Personal Loans
• Secured Loans
• Bad Credit Loans
• Guarantor Loans
• Car Finance
• Unsecured Vs Secured Loans
• How to Get a Loan
• Why Can’t I Get A Loan?
• What Are Joint Loans?
• What Is A Bank Loan?
• Am I Eligible For A Personal Loan?
• What You Need To Know About APR
• Paying Off A Loan Early
• Loans For People On Benefits

Compare loans and check your eligibility from a range of leading loan providers

• Best Mortgage Lenders
• Mortgage Rates
• Commercial Mortgages
• Mortgage Calculator
• Stamp Duty Calculator
• Mortgage Eligibility
• What Is Stamp Duty?
• Fixed Vs Variable Rate Mortgages
• What Is A Buy-To-Let Mortgage?
• What Is A Joint Mortgage?
• How Remortgaging Works
• How To Pay Off Your Mortgage Early
• How Long Does A Mortgage Offer Last?
• What Is A Shared Ownership Mortgage?
• What Is A Guarantor Mortgage?
• UK House Prices
• How To Open A Bank Account
• Student Bank Accounts
• How Overdrafts Work
• Can I Open A Bank Account For My Child?
• Regular Savings Accounts
• What Is A Personal Pension?
• ISA Or Savings Account?
• How To Choose A Credit Card
• Do I Need A Credit Card?
• Credit Card Charges And Fees
• Debit Vs Credit Cards
• Breakdown Cover
• Car Insurance
• Home Insurance
• Travel Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Do I Need Breakdown Cover?
• Do I Need Life Insurance?
• Types Of Life Insurance
• What Is Home Emergency Cover?
• How To Maintain Your Vehicle
• Benefits Of Life Insurance
• Can You Have Multiple Life Insurance Policies?
• What Does Car Warranty Cover?
• Insurance Hub
• Car Breakdown Cover

What is Breakdown Cover and What Does it Include?

Most drivers are likely to break down at some point, and having breakdown cover can make this situation less stressful. Your breakdown provider can send someone to help fix your car or tow it for repairs, so you won’t be left stranded by the roadside should your car stop working.

Drivers aren’t legally required to have breakdown cover, but it can be useful to have just in case something happens. So what exactly is breakdown cover and what cover can a policy give you?

What is breakdown cover?

Breakdown cover is a form of insurance that can help you out if your vehicle breaks down at home or on the road. Having breakdown cover means that, if your car stops working and needs repairs, you can call your breakdown provider to help fix the problem.

Although breakdown cover is not legally required, having this protection can reassure drivers, especially before a long journey. They can drive safe in the knowledge that, should their car break down, they won’t be stranded and they won’t need to pay over the odds for an emergency call-out from a local garage.

The assistance you can actually get from breakdown cover will depend on your provider and the level of cover you select.

How does breakdown cover work?

You can either purchase breakdown cover as a separate policy, or purchase it combined with another service such as your car insurance or even your bank account. In most cases, you will pay for your breakdown cover annually or monthly, although there are some “pay and claim” policies where you pay for the costs of recovery upfront and then reclaim them later.

If you have cover and you breakdown, once you have stopped in a safe place you can call your breakdown provider for assistance. They will send out an engineer who will try to repair your car or if they can’t repair it at the scene, they will tow you to a nearby garage at the minimum. What happens next will depend on what is wrong with your car and the breakdown cover that you have.

With most breakdown policies, you won’t need to pay an excess when you receive assistance.

» MORE: Do I need breakdown cover?

What are the different types of breakdown cover?

There are a range of different breakdown cover packages available depending on your driving habits and the level of protection you want.

Firstly, you can choose between a single breakdown policy for yourself/your car, or a policy for multiple vehicles or people.

There are two main types of breakdown cover:

• Personal breakdown cover which will cover the individual, whatever car they are driving or are a passenger in.
• Vehicle breakdown cover which will cover only the specified vehicle, or vehicles, on a policy.

You can read more about the differences between personal and vehicle breakdown cover and their respective benefits.

Whatever breakdown membership you choose, you will get the option of different levels of cover, ranging from basic roadside assistance to comprehensive, onward travel cover.

Roadside Assistance Breakdown Cover

This is the most typical and basic breakdown membership cover plan that is available. It guarantees that your provider will come to your broken down car and either fix it there and then, or arrange for it to be towed to the nearest garage, for a complex repair if needed.

National Recovery Breakdown Cover

In most cases, providers include recovery for you, as well as up to seven passengers travelling with you, to be towed anywhere across the country, either to your chosen destination or a garage near your destination.

Home Start Breakdown Cover

Home Start breakdown cover will not only include the basic roadside assistance, but should your car break down at your home or within a quarter of a mile from it, then you will be covered by your breakdown membership plan.

Onward Travel Breakdown Cover

With Onward Travel breakdown cover, your provider will supply you with a rental car or pay for other transport costs, and/or cover the costs of any overnight accommodation, so that you can continue driving while your own car is getting repaired.

In addition to this, many breakdown providers offer some optional add-ons to their cover such as:

• key replacement
• misfuel cover
• tyre replacement
• battery replacement
• parts and labour

» MORE: Types of breakdown cover

Does car insurance cover breakdown repairs?

No, your car insurance will not provide breakdown cover as standard, even if you have a comprehensive policy. However, many car insurers work with breakdown providers to give drivers the option of buying breakdown cover at the same time as purchasing their car insurance policy.

Car insurance can help cover costs in the event of an accident, but not when your car breaks down.

Any claims you make on your breakdown cover won’t count as a claim on your car insurance or affect your no claims bonus as they are two completely separate policies, even if you buy them together.

What does breakdown cover include?

Although details will differ between providers and the levels of cover, as a rule, breakdown cover will provide you with 24/7 roadside assistance across the UK (and Europe, if you have European cover).

Breakdown cover will typically cover the costs of a mechanic coming to assist you at the roadside so you can continue your journey or, if necessary, by towing you to a garage for further repairs.

Breakdown cover can help out with many different faults, such as punctures, flat batteries, and any other mechanical issues that prevent you from driving.

Your breakdown cover may also include cover for any trailers or caravans towed by your car, although it’s worth checking the terms of your policy to see exactly what cover applies.

Does breakdown cover include parts and repairs?

The cost of any parts, such as a new tyre, or the cost of fixing your car at a garage, will not usually be covered by breakdown cover unless you have taken out a specific policy to include these elements.

In most cases, it will only cover any repairs made by the breakdown mechanic at the scene.

If you do add extra cover to include the cost of parts and garage repairs, there will usually be a maximum amount that the breakdown provider will permit so you would have to pay for anything over this limit.

What does breakdown cover exclude?

The exact exclusions will vary between breakdown providers and policies , but your breakdown cover may not be able to help if you:

• Request breakdown support within 24 hours of taking out cover.
• Request multiple repeat call-outs for the same problem.
• Reach the maximum number of call-outs allowed by your provider.
• Break down at home or close to home (unless you have Home Start cover). Or if you break down on private land rather than a public road.
• Are involved in a road accident.
• Call for help with routine maintenance or non-emergency repairs. For example, breakdown cover won’t usually cover windscreen repairs.
• Have not looked after your car properly. For example, this might include filling up with the wrong fuel, not topping up your engine oil, or continuing to drive with a problem that then caused a breakdown.
• Have pets or animals with you when you break down. Having a pet in the car may not necessarily be an issue, but it is something to look out for in your policy terms.
• Use the car for racing or any other excluded activity.

Who provides breakdown cover?

There are several providers of breakdown membership to choose from: traditional, pay-and-claim or direct from your car manufacturer when you purchase a new car.

Most car manufacturers will provide free breakdown cover as part of their car warranty when you purchase a new car. Depending on the manufacturer, the level of cover and the length of the breakdown cover membership plan will vary, but the average length is up to three years, especially if you get your car serviced at the main dealership.

How much is breakdown cover?

The most basic breakdown cover could cost between £30 and £60 a year, while the more comprehensive breakdown cover policies can be over £100. However, many breakdown providers periodically run special offers which would allow you to buy cover at a cheaper price. The actual cost of your breakdown cover would also depend on:

• Whether you choose personal or vehicle cover.
• The number of people/vehicles on the policy.
• The level of protection you select.
• If you include any add-on policies with your cover.
• The type of vehicle you are purchasing cover for (cars, motorcycles, vans, classic cars, horseboxes, caravans).

Unlike car insurance, the age and condition of the car and your age and driving record should not affect the cost of your breakdown cover premiums.

How soon can you use breakdown cover?

Typically, your full breakdown cover will begin 24 hours after purchase or on your chosen start date. Some providers may offer a limited recovery service in the meantime, but this may come with some conditions.

If you have already broken down but don’t currently have any cover, you can still request assistance from a breakdown provider.

About the Author

Rhiannon has been writing about personal finance for over three years, specialising in energy, motoring, credit cards and lending. After graduating from the University of Cambridge with a degree in…

Dive even deeper

What is a car warranty and what does it cover?

A car warranty covers the cost of the repair bill if you need to fix a problem with your car. It will often cover parts including the engine, gearbox, suspension, brakes and steering, although details will differ between policies.

When Doesn’t Life Insurance Pay Out?

It’s rare for life insurance not to pay out. In the vast majority of cases, insurers pay the lump sum as the policyholder intended. But it’s worth knowing why a handful are declined and what you can do to help make sure yours isn’t one of them.

What is Home Emergency Cover, and is It Worth It?

Home emergency cover helps cover the cost of call-out fees, labour and parts if you need urgent repairs to your property. But what counts as an emergency, and is the extra cost worth it?

• Mobile Phones
• Broadband & TV
• Smart Speakers
• Streaming Services

Personal or Vehicle Breakdown Cover: How to pick a policy

By Clare Hopping

4th April 2014

Nobody wants to be left stranded on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere in the event of a breakdown. So when choosing your personal or vehicle breakdown cover, what should you choose and when? If you’d pardon the pun, we’ve got it all broken down for you.

Breakdown cover is divided into two different parts: personal and vehicle. Personal breakdown cover covers you as a driver or passenger in any vehicle, anywhere. Vehicle breakdown cover covers for your named vehicle only, regardless of who is driving it.

Do I need breakdown cover?

You’ll truly appreciate breakdown cover when your car stops in the middle of a busy road  and you’re late for a business meeting or a flight, with no clue how to get help. Those with appropriate cover should be able to save their backsides with a simple phone call and in most cases, the problem will be dealt with at the roadside. However, it’s important to remember that there are different policies types to choose from, covering different things. So you must choose one which is right for you. 

Should I get personal breakdown cover? 

You should get personal breakdown cover if you drive more than one vehicle or you want to be covered when driving someone else’s vehicle, or if you’re a passenger in a mate’s car and you’re concerned their dusty rust heap will die on you at any moment. 

When should I get vehicle breakdown cover?

Vehicle breakdown cover is ideal if you want to save money, because it costs less. You should get it if you only have one car and if you don’t care about someone else’s car breaking down when you are in it. If you’re the sort of person that’s happy walking away from a stranded mate, then this is the cove 

Where can I find the cheapest breakdown cover?

The cheapest policy we could find from the ‘big 3’ is an offer from GreenFlag . The ‘Rescue’ option starts from £27 and includes roadside assistance, specialist equipment and unlimited callouts. This is a good option for those who want to save money or if you don’t drive very often.

Green Flag’s personal breakdown cover, also called ‘Rescue’, costs more. This option starts from £38, although at the time of writing there is a 2 for 1 offer so you and another member of your family can get cover in the UK.

Do I need European breakdown cover? 

If the thought of getting stranded in Europe on a road trip scares you, then you might want to consider European cover. This is available on a pay-as-you-go trip-by-trip basis or on a permanent basis if you’re a regular across the channel. If you’re just heading over on a booze cruise,  RAC’s ‘European Rescue’ option gives you peace of mind on your road trip from £7 per day. It’ll cover you in 20 countries and their offshore islands in continental Europe. If you break down, you can get your vehicle fixed on the side of the road or have it taken to a local garage for repair.

If you regularly drive through Europe, or you plan on spending a long time on that side of the pond, GreenFlag offer an option called ‘Euro Plus’, which starts from £116. For this price, you get 90 days European cover on top of everything included in the ‘Rescue’, ‘Rescue Plus’, ‘Recovery’, and ‘Recovery Plus’ options. This includes roadside assistance, national recovery, onward travel and misfuelling cover. 

Can I get a courtesy car with my breakdown cover?

The AA offers ‘Onward Travel Options’ with its personal breakdown cover. This offers a choice of car hire, public transport or overnight accommodation. It costs £80.98 for the first year or £8.10 monthly, which is more pricey than GreenFlag’s ‘Rescue Plus’ at £45 for the year. GreenFlag’s ‘Recovery Plus’ includes a hire car, alternative transport  or overnight accommodation if your car can’t be repaired locally that day.

What do I do if I put the wrong fuel in my vehicle?

GreenFlag offers misfuelling cover under its vehicle breakdown cover. The company say it will drain the tank for “free” — provided you’ve bought a ‘Rescue Plus’, ‘Recovery’, ‘Recovery Plus’ or ‘Euro Plus’ policy. This service is not included in the basic Rescue option. Rescue Plus starts from £45.

What if I break down on my driveway?

Yes. GreenFlag, RAC and The AA all offer home rescue under their vehicle breakdown covers. GreenFlag’s ‘Cover At Home’ option is included in its £45 Rescue Plus package.

The RAC and the AA charge more, but they also offer more. The RAC’s ‘At Home Rescue’ option will see them attend if your car doesn’t start within a quarter mile of your house. You cn even choose a time for them to attend to make it more convenient. This will set you back in the region of £113 as part of the a broader package that also includes roadside rescue.

The AA’s ‘At Home’ option also allows you to call them if you have broken down within ¼ mile of your house and you can book a time for them to come and fix your car. Prices for the ‘At Home’ option start from £85.99.

Do you have personal or vehicle breakdown cover? What works best for you? Share your comments in the comment section below. 

Looking for cheap breakdown cover? Check out our amazing breakdown cover comparison tool!

No related posts.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Best Tumble Dryer: Air your clothes with these top dryers

What is ios and what does ios stand for, how to dry out and rescue a wet phone: does rice actually work, punch club walkthrough: tips and tricks for training the perfect warrior, quad hd vs qhd vs qhd+ vs 4k ultra hd: what does it all mean, trending now.

Single Trip European Breakdown Cover

With you all the way.

Roadside Assistance

• Recovery to Local Garage
• Onward Travel

Overnight Accommodation

Repatriation.

• Policy Wording
• Product Information Document
• Why Choose Eversure
• Policy Limits
• Key Policy Exclusions
• Breakdown Cover FAQs

Maximum vehicle age at date of departure: 14 Years (inclusive)

Maximum vehicle age at date of purchase: 19 Years (inclusive)

Maximum vehicle age for Personal Cover: 15 Years (inclusive)

• The cost of essential spare parts or repair costs at a garage
• any labour charges in excess of one hour
• anything caused by the Insured vehicle being used for carrying goods or materials, hire or reward, or motor racing, rallies, speed or other tests
• vehicles aged 15 years or more at the date of departure.
• vehicles more than 3,500kg in weight (including any load), 7 metres long, 3 metres high and 2.3 metres wide.
• vehicles carrying more than the recommended number of passengers (maximum being 8 including the driver)
• vehicles not kept in a safe and roadworthy condition and serviced in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications
• any hotel or bed and breakfast arrangements if your main accommodation is a tent
• the cost of a replacement vehicle if you have already got one under section 1 - cover before you leave
• trips within the United Kingdom, Channel Islands or Isle of Man other than during the direct journeys between your home and your international departure point
• Any breakdown assistance within 24 hours of purchase
• Vehicles exceeding the maximum age limit for their category at the date you buy the policy
• Vehicles which exceed the weight, length, height, width, or maximum number of seats for their category
• Breakdowns or accidents relating to a caravan or trailer
• The cost of any parts, components or materials used to repair the vehicle
• Assistance following an accident, theft, fire, or vandalism
• The cost of draining or removing contaminated fuel
• Breakdowns caused by failure to maintain the vehicle in a roadworthy condition including maintenance of proper levels of oil, water, or tyres
• Assistance on certain Auto Routes in Europe - you must use the official SOS boxes to arrange assistance. Once the vehicle has been recovered from the Auto Route, you should contact us, and we will make any further arrangements for you
• Service where glass or windscreens have been damaged
• More than six callouts in any one period of insurance
• Claims totalling more than £15,000.00 in any one period of insurance

European Single Trip Breakdown Cover is, although an absolute mouth-full, a great way to help ensure your next road trip or continental getaway goes as smoothly as possible. The last thing we want on our holidays is to be stranded by the side of a road with a breakdown in a country where you don’t speak the language, with no help available.

From Iceland to Sicily, our single trip policy will offer you the peace-of-mind necessary for you to get the most out of your holiday. With a 24-hour claims line and a team of dedicated responders, if the worst should happen during your trip, there’ll be people ready to assist you when the moment comes.

What is Single Trip European Breakdown Cover?

Single trip European breakdown cover is designed for people who go away to Europe with their caronly once a year.

With single trip cover it’s easy to choose the exact days you need the breakdown insurance for so you’ll know you’ll be covered for the entirety of your trip, leaving you with one less thing to worry about.

What Does Single Trip European Breakdown Cover Include?

Single trip European breakdown cover provides you with the following policy benefits:

The staple of any breakdown policy is getting someone out to you as quickly as possible to try and assist you at the roadside. Some European roads can be remote and, depending on where you breakdown, waiting for assistance can occasionally be stressful. However, with the right cover in place you’ll be safe in the knowledge that you're not on your own.

Onward Travel Options

If the repairs to your vehicle are not possible immediately, as necessary parts may be required then the onward travel benefit will provide you with options to either wait for the vehicle to be repaired or continue your journey and return to collect when repaired. The options available are, Overnight Accommodation, Public Transport or a Hire Car.

If your destination is a little further away, and you’d rather stay closer to your vehicle, then finding yourself some alternative accommodation for the evening may be a good option. you can get yourself accommodation for the period you’re waiting for (up to £500 total) so you can wait out the repair in comfort.

Hire Car During Repair If your destination is someway but repairs will take a few days, to help keep you on the move, you can option for a Hire Car for which the policy will reimburse you up to a total of £250, to get you and your passengers to your destination. Publlic transport

If you’re near the end of your journey and your desired destination isn’t that far away but again repair may take a few days, then public transport may be the right choice for you.

Taking a bus or train to complete your journey could be quicker and less stress than continuing to wait for your car to be fixed. You can pay for your ticket (making sure you keep all records and receipts) and you can claim up to £300 through us once you return home.

If the repair to your vehicle is not possible before your return to the UK the breakdown damage is severe, you will be offered the option of full repatriation of yourself, your passengers or your vehicle back to the UK.

Do make sure you check the policy wording for all terms and exclusions to make sure you get the right cover for you.

Single trip vs. Annual European Breakdown Cover

It can be difficult deciding which European cover level is right for you out of single trip or annual. If you’re planning on several trips abroad then annual cover may be more suitable for you – however if you rarely travel to Europe in your car, then single trip is most likely better for you.

Make sure you think about your cover level carefully because unfortunately we can’t change you cover form annual to single or vice versa once you’ve purchased.

Which Countries Will I Be Covered In?

If whether you choose a single-trip or annual European policy, you’ll be covered in the following countries and regions:

Albania, Andorra, Austria, Balearics, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canary Isles, Corsica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Isle of Man, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madeira, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Romania, San Marino, Sardinia, Serbia, Sicily, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Vatican City.

What Happens if I Breakdown Whilst on Holiday?

Breaking down whilst on holiday can be a real headache, but if you have cover in place then all you need to do is give your assistance provider a call and they’ll take care of the rest.

We use a network of local recovery agents across Europe who will try and get your car fixed at the roadside.

Our FAQs are intended as a guide and are not exhaustive, you should not rely on these in their entirety and should read the Policy Wording for all policy Terms, Conditions and Exclusions. If you have any additional queries regarding our insurance please use our Contact Us section to get in touch. We will endeavour to respond to any queries within 24 business hours.

• Affiliates and Partners
• Terms and Conditions
• Privacy Policy

Eversure Limited, Bury House, 1 Bury Street, Guildford, Surrey GU2 4AW. Registered in England and Wales no. 6751893. Eversure Limited are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Limited Time Offer

all breakdown cover using code: SPRING50 at checkout.

Complete UK & European Breakdown Cover

Safeguard your adventures, whether home or abroad.

From as little as: £48.75 for the year.

Peace of mind, wherever you roam: From UK motorways to European adventures, Emergency Assist's comprehensive breakdown cover keeps you moving. Enjoy extensive assistance, nationwide recovery in the UK and roadside support across 25+ European countries. Our multilingual support helps you navigate any situation and our affordable prices won't weigh you down. Get a quote and experience worry-free driving across borders!

Simple no-tricks pricing

For ultimate cover, our Complete European breakdown membership has it all. Providing the same great benefits and coverage as that of our Premium Cover, but with the added surety of European Travel, it makes for a complete service.

What's included

Excess options are available, but not essential.

Home Start.

Cover for punctures and flat tyres**.

Cover anywhere throughout the United Kingdom.

Cover in any EU member state country plus Switzerland and Norway.

Includes extended hire car, overnight accommodation and onward travel options.*

Unlimited callouts during the year of membership.

Over 3,000 recovery agents nationally.

Our Complete memberships cover the vehicle, not the individual, meaning whoever is driving the vehicle at the time of a breakdown is eligible to call us for assistance.

From as little as:

Membership wording

See what our amazing customers have got to say about us.

Ready for peace of mind? Buy online today.

What are you covered for.

Roadside Assistance

Local Recovery

National Recovery

Onward Travel

Overnight Accommodation

European Cover

We use Cookies

We use necessary cookies to make our site work. We would also like to set some non essential cookies that help us make improvements of how you experience the site. These will only be set if you accept. Dont accept? Manage cookies.

There's a problem, but we're fixing it We're having problems with our phones at the moment, so unfortunately you won't be able to get through to us. Don't worry, if you need to make a claim you can still call us but for any other queries check out our FAQs or use our web chat service - it will pop up on your page. Don't forget, you can still get a quote online.

Broken down?

• Get a Quote

Get award-winning breakdown cover .

Cover you can count on..

We have 3,000 expert technicians ready to help 24 hours a day, nationwide.

That's why, on average, we get to breakdowns in an hour.

Whatever you need, we've got you covered.

Underwritten by U K Insurance Limited.

Which? Trusted Traders approved breakdown service

Top breakdown cover provider: UK Customer Satisfaction Index (July 2023)

Best breakdown cover provider 2023: YourMoney.com

Why you can count on our breakdown cover .

Cars, motorbikes, EVs, light vans - we've got them all covered

4/5 customers would recommend us to friends and family

What you can get with your breakdown cover .

24/7 roadside assistance.

Our breakdown bread and butter. If you break down over a 1/4 of a mile from home, you'll get expert roadside help or a tow to a local garage.

National recovery

If your vehicle can't be fixed locally, we can take you, your motor, and any passengers to a single destination you choose in the UK.

Cover at home

They say home is where the heart is. It can also be where a technician is (if your vehicle conks out at your home and you need our help).

Onward travel

You know 'the show'? Well, it must go on. So, we can help arrange a hire car, alternative transport, or even accommodation if you need it.

Unlimited callouts

Yep, you read that right. You can call us out as many times as you need. You may be charged if you call us out for a repeat problem within 28 days.

European cover

If you buy standalone European cover without cover in the UK, your car must be under 16 years old. And if you choose European cover with cover in the UK (Euro Plus), your car must be under 25 years old.

Whatever you need, we've got it covered .

Single and multi-vehicle cover, personal cover, family cover, electric vehicle breakdown cover, motorcycle breakdown cover, caravan and trailer cover.

You can find out more about our breakdown cover levels in our policy booklets .

Only the best technicians get the green flag .

Whenever you breakdown, you need a technician that seriously knows their stuff.

So, only the best local technicians get to join our nationwide network.

We have 3,000 technicians ready to help 24/7. They really are the bee's knees. The top bananas. The dog's, well, you know.

They may not all use the same looking vans, but they're all here to do the same thing – to help you as quickly as possible.

How we'll help when you break down .

Let us know what's happened over the phone or by using our handy app .

One of our local specialists will get to you ASAP (or at a time you choose).

They'll arrive and work their magic so you can get back on the move.

Our app is not available for Excess and Fleet policies, or for vehicles registered in the Isle of Man.

You can request a rescue using our app or by giving us a call.

Get the Green Flag app:

Call from the UK:

Call from Europe:

Pardon Our Interruption

As you were browsing something about your browser made us think you were a bot. There are a few reasons this might happen:

• You've disabled JavaScript in your web browser.
• You're a power user moving through this website with super-human speed.
• You've disabled cookies in your web browser.
• A third-party browser plugin, such as Ghostery or NoScript, is preventing JavaScript from running. Additional information is available in this support article .

To regain access, please make sure that cookies and JavaScript are enabled before reloading the page.

     Need Help? Open daily

0330 880 5098

5p/min plus network extras

• Compare cover
• What's covered Roadside Assistance Roadside Recovery Message service Nationwide recovery Onward travel UK overnight accommodation UK hire vehicle Homestart assistance Roadside assistance in Europe Recovery in Europe Replacement parts EU onward travel EU car hire EU accommodation EU vehicle storage EU vehicle collection Repatriation Meaning of words
• Areas of cover Local recovery National Recovery & Homestart National Recovery, Homestart & Europe
• Vehicles Cars 4X4s MPVs SUVs Light Vans --> Motorhomes Campervans Motorcycles --> Towed Caravans & Trailers

Do you have questions or seek more info?

*RAC price £170.00. AA price £169. Competitor prices have been based on our cover that includes nationwide recovery, home assistance, alternative transport, overnight accommodation and key assist. Last updated 14/07/2020

Image sourced from Allianz Global Assistance.

You are logged in as Reports