You’re about to go through the process of renewing your car
insurance. You are quite happy with your current provider, once again they have
shown they are willing to reward your loyalty with an attractive deal.
But then the agent you are speaking to stops - “Oh, just one
moment. My records show you do not have breakdown cover on your current policy
with us. Would you like me to add it now? It will cost an extra…”
You’re at a loss what to say. Do I want or need breakdown
cover? What’s in it for me? Is it worth the extra? You know the agent is
waiting for an answer, and being put on the spot like that, you don’t have the
time to make a considered decision. You are inevitably going to blurt out ‘yes’
or ‘no’ without really knowing which is the right answer - and you might spend
the rest of the year wondering about it.
So to save you getting flustered next time you are asked
about breakdown cover, let’s get to the bottom of things right now - is it
really as important as everyone says it is, and should your answer be an
automatic ‘yes’?
Paying for peace of mind
The easiest way to answer whether or not breakdown cover is
important to you or not is to consider a situation where your vehicle does
break down one day, or you go to use it one morning and it won’t start.
What would you prefer to happen? You have to start searching
for an on-call repair service there and then, and pay whatever it is they
choose to charge you to get your car started / tow you to a garage / tell you
that your vehicle is beyond saving?
Or would it be better if you could just dial a number for a
service you have already paid for, and they send out someone to give you
whatever help you need, without any extra cost?
If you are one of the majority of people who like the sound
of the second option better, then you have answered why breakdown cover is
important. We might not like the idea of paying more for our car insurance. But
if that little bit extra on your premium means peace of mind should your car
fail you, a swift, responsive service wherever you happen to be and - the real
deal clincher - it will actually save you money compared to paying for
emergency rescue and repair once you have broken down, it is surely money very
well spent.
Of course, taking out breakdown cover through your insurance
provider isn’t the only option available. You could sign up for a ‘motoring
club’ service like those provided by the AA, RAC and Green Flag. That really
comes down to comparing prices and deciding which sounds the most attractive to
you. But when you consider that most insurance firms offering breakdown cover
are probably working in partnership with one of the big roadside recovery
providers, it might seem simpler just to play for everything as part of a
single service.
*The information in this blog is designed to provide helpful information on the subjects discussed. Please seek a professional for expert advice as we can not be held responsible for any damages or negative consequences upon following this information.