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ALA Breakdown Cover vs. Saga Breakdown Cover | Finding the Best Policy for You

21 July 2025

Written by Simon England

|  6 Minutes

When your vehicle breaks down, you don’t need the added stress of worrying about what your breakdown cover does, or doesn’t, include. That’s why choosing the right provider is so vital. With all the breakdown cover providers now out there, two that you might spring to mind are ALA and Saga. Both offer different levels of cover and support services, but which one is right for you?

In this article, we’ll explore both our breakdown cover and Saga breakdown cover, comparing what offers, how they stack up, and what you need to consider when building your policy. If you want value for money, flexibility, and hassle-free peace of mind, read on to discover the best choice for you.

Breakdown Cover From ALA

At ALA, our breakdown policies are comprehensive and competitively priced, making us a great choice for all drivers. Our breakdown policies offer wide-ranging assistance for both personal and business vehicles, ensuring you’re never stuck in a familiar area. With ALA, you can build a breakdown policy quote tailored to your needs, whether you just want roadside recovery or comprehensive European cover.

A key strength of our approach is our transparency and excellent customer service. All the features of your policy are clearly outlined, and you won’t find yourself paying for services you don’t need. We offer several levels of cover, including:

  • Roadside Assistance: help at the scene of the breakdown.
  • Roadside and Recovery: transportation to a nearby garage if your vehicle can’t be fixed immediately.
  • Total UK: if your vehicle can’t be fixed locally, you, your passengers, and your car will be taken to a UK destination of your choice. Home start is also included.
  • Total UK and Europe: everything mentioned above, with the added bonus of cover when driving in Europe.

Find out more about our breakdown cover details here.

Young couple after a car breakdown

Breakdown Cover from Saga

Saga specialises in insurance for the over-50s and has a long-standing reputation in the market. Their breakdown cover is provided in partnership with the RAC, one of the most recognised breakdown services in the UK. This partnership allows Saga to offer the experience of a major recovery network, combined with tailored policies for more mature drivers.

Saga offers five levels of cover; Essential, Home Call, National Recovery, Comprehensive and Premier. Some of their policy features include:

  • Driver Care: with certain levels of cover.
  • Vehicle or Personal Cover: you’re protected whether you’re the driver or passenger.
  • Onward Travel: help with accommodation or car hire if you’re far from home.
  • European Motoring Assistance: for trips on the continent.
  • Puncture Repair: available on all policies.

While Saga’s offerings are robust, they’re not as customisable as ours at ALA, and pricing can vary depending on age. Our policies at ALA are available for all ages, not just the over 50s.

How Do I Build a Breakdown Cover Quote with ALA?

One of the most appealing aspects of our breakdown policies is how easy it is to build a tailored quote. The online process is designed to be simple and informative, guiding you through the steps to ensure you only pay for what you need.

Here’s how it works:

  1. Enter Vehicle Details: this includes where the car was bought or leased (VAT registered dealer or private seller), when it was bought, its age and mileage.
  2. Choose Your Cover Level: select from four different tiers, from roadside assistance to European cover.
  3. Add Optional Extras: such as excess cover or keycare
  4. Review and Confirm: you’ll be shown a clear breakdown of what’s included and the total cost.

At ALA, we make it easy to adjust your policy if your needs change later on. There are no hidden admin charges for basic changes, and our support team is on hand to assist if you need help deciding what level of cover suits your lifestyle. We even provide the policy documents on our website, so you don’t have to go searching for coverage information.

Start building your ALA breakdown policy quote here.

Happy senior couple on road trip

What Main Features of a Breakdown Policy Should I Look Out For?

When comparing breakdown cover providers, it’s important to look beyond the price. The cheapest policy isn’t always the best value if it doesn’t include what you need. Here are some key features to consider:

  • Response Time: how quickly does help arrive? Some providers offer average wait times, which can be useful to compare.
  • Callout Limits: are there restrictions on how often you can call for assistance? There are no restrictions on our top three levels of cover.
  • Towing Distance: does the coverage level you are choosing include long-distance recovery or only to the nearest garage?
  • Cover Type: are you covered as a driver in any vehicle, or is the policy tied to a specific car?
  • Home Start: will the provider assist if your car won’t start at home?
  • European Cover: essential for regular travel abroad.
  • Accommodation and Onward Travel: important if you break down far from home and need overnight help.
  • Excess Fees: some cheaper policies include an excess fee per callout, which can add up over time.

While Saga includes many of these features, our flexibility in building a personalised policy means you can ensure everything you need is covered.

Breakdown Coverage with ALA

ALA breakdown cover is well-suited to drivers looking for a practical, reliable solution that’s customisable and competitively priced. Unlike providers with one-size-fits-all packages, our policies are tiered, allowing you to choose the best options for your budget and needs.

With a transparent quoting process, no-pressure sales, and excellent customer support, ours stand out as a smart choice, particularly if you want quality service tailored to you.

Get in touch today to see how our breakdown policies can help you.

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