ALA Breakdown vs. Admiral Breakdown | Choosing the Best Breakdown Cover

Choosing the right breakdown cover is essential for peace of mind on the road. With several providers offering a range of services, it can be difficult to know which one best suits your needs. Our breakdown policies at ALA as well as those at Admiral offer UK-wide and European breakdown cover, among other benefits perfectly suited to you and your vehicle. But which provider is best?

Our comprehensive guide will help you compare their offerings side by side, understand what makes each provider unique, and ultimately decide which breakdown policy is the better fit for you.

Key Features of ALA Breakdown Cover

At ALA, we provide comprehensive and competitively priced breakdown cover that’s designed to be straightforward, reliable, and responsive. Our breakdown policies offer four levels of cover (Roadside Assistance, Roadside and Recovery, Total UK and Total UK & Europe), ensuring customers have the flexibility to choose a plan that matches their driving habits.

Key features include:

• UK-Wide and European Cover: we offer both UK and European breakdown assistance, ideal for both domestic and continental travel.
• Home Start: Total UK and Total UK & Europe policies all include home start, which provides assistance at your home address.
• Roadside Assistance: available across the UK, we can ensure that you’ll be assisted at the roadside by a qualified recovery operator.
• National Recovery: if your car can’t be fixed at the roadside, you and your vehicle can be transported to any single location of your choice within 20 miles of where you have broken down.
• Onward Travel: ALA offers hotel accommodation, alternative transport, or a replacement vehicle, depending on the level of cover chosen.
• European Breakdown Cover: full cover in over 40 European countries, including emergency accommodation and alternative travel arrangements.
• Unlimited Callouts: provided the same fault doesn’t occur multiple times, you can call for help as often as needed.
• Lost or Broken Keys: all policies include help if you lose or damage your keys.

Additionally, we offer a quick and easy claims process via a 24/7 helpline, with a reputation for friendly customer service and clarity in policy wording.

You can find out more about our different levels of breakdown cover here.

Key Features of Admiral Breakdown Cover

Admiral, a well-known UK insurer, offers breakdown cover in partnership with the AA. It’s available as an add-on to Admiral car insurance or can be purchased as a standalone policy, and cover will start within 48 hours.

Key breakdown features include:

• AA Assistance: Admiral breakdown cover is powered by the AA, one of the UK’s largest and oldest recovery networks.
• Roadside Assistance: all policies offer roadside assistance, but the most basic policy only offers recovery within 10 miles from the breakdown.
• National Recovery: available with higher-tier policies, your vehicle can be towed to any UK destination.
• Home Start: available only with higher levels of cover.
• European Cover: offered as the most robust policy, with coverage across mainland Europe.
• Alternative Transport: on all policies, you may receive a hire car for up to three days.
• Overnight Accommodation: Admiral can offer overnight accommodation for you and your passengers for up to £150 per person.
• Unlimited Callouts: subject to fair use; multiple callouts allowed as long as faults are not recurring.
• Fuel Assist: Included with certain cover types if you misfuel.

While Admiral’s partnership with the AA ensures widespread coverage and robust roadside assistance, their policies can be slightly more expensive.

How Do These Two Options Compare Against Each Other?

Below is a side-by-side comparison of key features from our breakdown cover at ALA and Admiral’s offerings to help you evaluate the best bet, depending on the type of policy you choose.

Do I Need Breakdown Cover?

Breakdown cover isn’t legally required in the UK, but it’s often regarded as an essential service for all drivers. reasons to opt for a breakdown policy include:

• Peace of Mind: you’re never stranded, whether it’s outside your home or miles away.
• Cost Efficiency: a single breakdown can cost far more than an annual policy, especially if recovery or accommodation is needed.
• Time-Saving: with one call, help is at hand, saving you the time and stress of finding and arranging assistance yourself.
• Protection in Europe: if you’re driving in Europe, dedicated European cover ensures language barriers and local customs don’t get in the way of resolving a breakdown.
• Support for Common Issues: modern vehicles are complex; even simple issues like a flat battery or losing keys can require professional help.
• Long-Term Vehicle Care: frequent roadside issues may point to larger vehicle problems, and breakdown providers often give advice to help address recurring faults.

While newer vehicles may be less likely to suffer faults, breakdown cover is still a valuable backup, especially for longer commutes, rural drives, or trips abroad.

Start building your breakdown cover quote here.

Breakdown Cover Policies at ALA

Both ALA and Admiral offer breakdown cover that caters to a wide range of motorists, but they differ in terms of price, flexibility, and standard inclusions.

At ALA, we offer tailored, competitive breakdown cover that includes features many drivers may find invaluable at lower price points for the best value. With a flexible five-tier policy structure and European cover options, our breakdown cover is a standout choice for drivers who want reliable, comprehensive cover without overpaying. We also provide GAP insurance and extended car warranty for extra peace of mind

Get in touch with a member of our team today to find out more.