Like any vehicle, your car could break down at any time. Whether you get a tyre puncture, a flat battery or end up with a complete engine failure, problems with your car can potentially leave you stranded at the side of the road. Breakdown cover aims to provide a quick and effective service to help you out with little fuss or worry.

In most cases, roadside assistance will be able to get you up and running again with the help of a mobile mechanic. If your car cannot be repaired there and then, a recovery service will make sure you and the car are towed to a nearby garage for fixing. Depending on the level of coverage you opt for, you can even be taken onwards to your destination or back home.

Breakdown cover can sometimes come bundled with your standard car insurance, but is most commonly purchased as a standalone policy. If you require it separately, there are plenty of options available from a wide range of providers that can cover just the basics or give you a fully comprehensive service.

When seeking out car breakdown cover, there will be a few particular options for you to consider. Firstly, you will need to decide whether you wish to have personal cover or vehicle cover.

With personal breakdown cover, you’ll be able to rely on assistance or recovery for any car you’re in as long as it complies with the rules set by your policy. This is useful if you’re the driver or a passenger with access to multiple cars, for example cars owned by your family members. Vehicle-based breakdown cover, however, applies to a specific car that can be used by various named drivers.

You may also be able to select from a couple of payment options for your policy. Traditional style payments will allow you to pay for your breakdown cover just as you would for any other type of insurance. This allows you to pay a set amount monthly or annually for cover on everything in your policy.

An alternative method – typically referred to as pay-and-claim cover – is often a cheaper way to go about getting breakdown cover. You still pay an annual premium that’s significantly lower, but you may also need to pay an additional fee to a local recovery service for work on an individual basis.

It’s uncommon that you’ll experience a breakdown in your car, but with cover in place, you can rely on quick support if the worst should occur. It’s always useful to be prepared by keeping your policy information handy, either with a physical copy in your glove box or a digital version on your smartphone. Some providers may even have a phone app that you can download to your phone, so you can log in and retrieve your policy documents when needed.

If you’re unfortunate enough to break down, make sure you’re parked as safely as possible and switch on your flashing hazard lights to notify other drivers. If you’re on the motorway or a busy main road, stay in the hard shoulder or as far to the left as possible. You may even need to get out of the car via the passenger side door to reduce the risks to yourself and passing traffic.

Once you and your passengers are safely away from the carriageway – behind barriers where possible – you can call your breakdown cover provider to request help and let them know where you are. They will send out a mechanic to come to the rescue. Your mechanic should then be able to fix the problem or, if necessary, tow you and your car to a garage for further assistance.

At Arkwright, we have a diverse panel of vehicle insurance and breakdown cover specialists who can provide a unique quote that tailored to your needs. Whether you require a fully comprehensive car breakdown policy or just something that covers the basics, we determined to find you the cheapest possible option.

To get started, simply call us on 01204 392 525 or get in touch through our online form by clicking on the “Get a quote” button. Speaking to one of our expert team, you can let us know your specific requirements so we can source the best available car breakdown cover policy for you.