|  With
the holidays almost upon us and long,
light nights, most of us will be putting
in extra motoring hours – whether
it is going on days out or driving abroad
– and the need to ensure we don’t
get stranded if our car breaks down
en-route.
And
that is where breakdown recovery policies
come into their own. However, with so
many different types on offer, it can
be difficult knowing which is the right
one for you to choose.
Our
short guide will give you the low down
as to what the different terminology
means so you can make an educated decision
when choosing a policy. While the following
information is general, you should make
sure you check out the individual policy
terms and conditions, as these can vary
from company to company.
What
are the different levels of cover?
Generally, there are four different
levels of cover available.
‘Roadside’
or ‘Roadside Assistance’
policies will cover you only if your
car breaks down when you are out on
the road and at least 0.5-1 mile away
from your home (companies vary). A mechanic
will try and fix the problem at the
roadside and if they are unable to,
they will tow you to the nearest garage
or back to your home (whatever is nearer),
within a set radius.
The
next level - normally called ‘Roadside
& Relay’, ‘Roadside
& Recovery’ or similar - will
cover you at the roadside and, if your
vehicle can not be repaired, you and
up to a pre-defined amount of passengers,
will be transported to your home or
any other single UK mainland destination.
The
third level (look out for the words
‘At Home’ or ‘Home
Start’)- provides the cover as
described above, plus a mechanic will
come out to your home if your vehicle
breaks down.
Comprehensive
policies offer all of the above, plus
additional benefits – for example,
a replacement car; overnight accommodation
or onward travel arrangements if local
repair is not possible within a reasonable
time.
How
much will it cost?
This
depends on the provider and the level
of cover offered but average prices
range from circa £25-£45
for a basic personal membership. For
comprehensive cover, single membership
costs around £150, with Family
Cover costing circa £200. (Check
out rates at the RAC
and The
AA)
What
is European Cover?
European
Cover – basically cover on the
continent - is offered by some of the
larger companies, and you will need
to pay an additional premium for this
cover. It’s worth knowing that
if you travel abroad and your vehicle
breaks down, you should be aware that
recovering a car from the South of France
to London could cost up to £1,000.
What is the difference between
‘personal’ cover and ‘vehicle-based’
cover?
Some
of the larger providers offer this option
of insuring the car or the driver.
Vehicle-based
Membership covers the named vehicle
regardless of who is driving. It normally
costs less than personal membership.
Personal
cover will cover you, no matter what
car you are in and whether you are the
driver or the passenger.
How do I know which policy is
right for me?
Decide what type of cover you need,
then look for policies that meet those
requirements while offering the best
deal.
Consider
whether you want a company with an established
reputation or whether you do not mind
trying an unfamiliar one. For example,
some of the lower-priced providers will
not have their own team of qualified,
endorsed mechanics (unlike the RAC and
The AA) and tender out their business
to local garages. Consider what would
make you feel more comfortable in the
event of your vehicle breaking down.
Look
at your own circumstances – if
you drive alone a lot, for example,
you may want the security of knowing
you’ll reach your destination
if your vehicle breaks down. In this
instance, you would opt for a “Rescue,
Recovery and Onward Travel” type
policy.
A
person who is quite knowledgeable on
cars and does not travel very far in
their vehicle may just need a “Rescue”
only policy.
And
a family who go on driving holidays
in the UK and abroad may favour a comprehensive
“Rescue, Recovery, At Home, Onward
Travel and European” type-combination.
By weighing up what you need from your
policy and doing your research, you
should find the most cost-effective
cover for you. Happy motoring!
|
Returning
from a holiday in France, Jean Carpenter
had her handbag stolen while she was
standing at the baggage carousel at
Gatwick Airport. She lost the keys to
her Peugeot that were in the bag, as
well as her house keys and found herself
stranded in a multi-storey car park
with no way to get home. 
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