Vehicle breakdown cover gives you peace of mind by making sure you aren’t left stuck on the side of the road, at home or on a motorway hard shoulder. This article will help you choose the most appropriate breakdown cover for your needs.
With Breakdown Cover, you can get emergency assistance 24/7 if you experience an unexpected vehicle fault and are left stranded. A good breakdown cover service will have you back on route as quickly as possible.
Without cover in place, you could incur significant recovery and repair costs as well as disruptions to your travel plans. Breakdown cover usually includes roadside assistance for minor or common faults which can be mended straight away. A higher level of cover can offer towing services, onward travel, national and even continental recovery.
ALA Insurance has four breakdown cover options to meet various needs and budgets. Choosing the right type of cover gives you and your family peace of mind while travelling.
Roadside assistance aims to repair your car straight away and some providers will also include recovery to the nearest garage for more complex repairs. This service offers reassurance that you won’t have to pay for simple repairs or a towing service if the unexpected occurs.
Roadside Assistance immediately repairs faults like flat batteries, tyre changes, loose or broken fan belts or minor electrical faults. ALA Roadside cover doesn’t include home start, you’ll need back-up travel of your car won’t start or breaks down within a mile from home.
Opt for Roadside & Recovery if you want a bit more comprehensive cover. More than just basic roadside assistance, this option includes recovery to a chosen UK location.
In this package, a rescue service will aim to repair your car immediately or tow it to the chosen garage. A Roadside & Recovery plan doesn’t include onward travel for the drivers or passengers or home start services.
Total UK breakdown cover gives you the full peace of mind that you can get to a UK destination even if you break down. It offers services including home start, nationwide recovery and roadside assistance, onward travel and emergency accommodation if your vehicle can’t be repaired the same day. Level up coverage for European travel.
Planning a road trip in Europe? ALA’s Total Europe Breakdown Cover keeps you on track anywhere in the UK and Europe. Benefit from complete cover including roadside assistance, recovery, onward travel, accommodation and home start services. This policy is for anyone who takes their car overseas.
Beware that Total European breakdown cover doesn’t include ferry fares and tolls and is not a replacement for travel cover insurance.
Skipping breakdown cover can save you money but there is nothing more frustrating than travel disruptions, especially with the extra costs for recovery services.
When you break down without cover, you will have to arrange and pay thousands for a breakdown service. You’ll also have to cover any onward travel, overnight stays or vehicle recovery. You may also spend longer on the roadside waiting for recovery services without 24/7 support.
Breakdown Cover is a no brainer for peace of mind against getting stranded mid-journey.
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If your vehicle can’t be fixed by the roadside, what happens next depends on your breakdown cover. With basic roadside assistance, your vehicle gets towed to the nearest garage which can be inconvenient for your journey.
With national recovery, found in higher-tier packages, you can choose any garage in the UK, such as one close to your destination or a trusted mechanic.
Also, some policies offer onward travel, or emergency accommodation if your car can’t be repaired the same day. This might include a courtesy car, public transport, or a hotel for the driver and passengers.
Having pets in the car during a breakdown can be a worry. Luckily, most breakdown services can deal with this situation. It’s very important to notify the Breakdown Control Centre about your pets when you call for help. Onward travel, overnight accommodation, or even longer than-expected journeys can be extra stressful for families with pets. In this case, it’s important to have plans and cover in place for unexpected scenarios:
Here’s what to do if you break down with pets:
Home start is an extra service which helps if you break down at home or within a mile of your home address.
Home start is helpful if you have a flat battery. It also helps with other problems that could occur at the start of your journey such as flat tyres. While it isn’t necessary for everyone, home start services are convenient and you won’t have to pay for a call-out to a local garage.
Onward travel cover is a helpful part of your breakdown policy. It makes sure you are not stuck somewhere if your car cannot be fixed the same day. This service isn’t typically a standard option, but it can be worth it, especially for families with children or pets. Onward travel cover usually includes nationwide recovery, so you and your car get to where you need to go (separately obviously).
Your cover might include arrangement and payment for public transport a courtesy car, or even an overnight stay in a nearby hotel.
Breaking down overseas can be even more hassle than in the UK without the right cover in place. European breakdown cover usually includes roadside assistance, recovery services, and help with onward travel or accommodation. What’s even better is, we can arrange it all for you, taking the pressure off your rusty language skills.
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While big names like Green Flag, The AA and RAC are synonymous with breakdown cover, other providers excel in customer satisfaction and reliability. Don’t assume the biggest companies automatically offer the best and cheapest service.
Start by checking the service network that the breakdown provider uses. Explore online feedback about the recovery services’ reliability, expertise, helpfulness and customer satisfaction.
Then ensure that the insurance provider offers good customer service as you’ll want to speak to helpful and friendly staff if you ever need to ask a question about your cover.
ALA are the best in the ‘Insurance Company’ category on Trustpilot and offer award-winning customer service. When it comes to choosing a provider that has your back, ALA is the smart choice compared to many other breakdown providers.
Explore ALA’s reviews on Trustpilot to see why we’ve won awards.
When you are stuck with a broken-down vehicle, getting help fast is essential. Response times can differ based on where you are and the time of day. With ALA breakdown cover, customers shouldn’t have to wait more than an hour for recovery services.
Still, remember that the quickest service may not always offer the best value. Consider customer satisfaction, response time and value for money when deciding on the best policy for your needs.
Finding the best-value breakdown cover is not just about choosing the cheapest option. When looking for good-value breakdown cover, keep in mind to:
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Upgrading your breakdown cover policy usually comes at an extra cost and depends on how much of your original policy term you have used. Check with your provider about when your new cover will become available.
Vehicle age limits differ between breakdown providers. ALA have no age limits and both privately and dealer-bought cars are eligible. To keep your breakdown policy valid, you need to ensure your car is roadworthy each time your set off.
Response times for support depend on the breakdown provider and how remote you are. Most providers try to get to customers in under 60 minutes. It is important to check with potential providers about their estimated response times when you are doing your research.
ALA allow each customer 2 call-outs during their year-long policy term which gives you extra peace of mind if you travel frequently. Providers offering unlimited callouts often charge a considerable amount more and the majority of customers don’t use more than one call out per year.
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Breakdown Cover
