Snow's on the way . . . it's time to dig out breakdown cover

By LIZ PHILLIPS FOR MAILONLINE
Updated:

Snow forecasts for parts of the country are a sharp reminder to motorists of the importance of breakdown cover.

Christmas is also upon us, so the last thing you need is to be stranded on your holiday travels.

Without cover, the average garage call-out charge is £90 to fix your engine and £66 for a flat battery, according to the AA.

Scroll down for more

Mrs Jo Newton of Church Rd, Bolton

Disaster struck when Jo Newton was rushing to take her daughter to school last month. Her six-year-old Vauxhall Zafira wouldn't start. Fortunately, she had breakdown cover with Home Start from her insurer Sheilas' Wheels.
   Mrs Newton, 41, who lives in Bolton, Lancashire, says: 'They were out within the hour. The recovery man got it going and followed me to a local garage, which fixed it and returned it by lunchtime.
   'It's the second year I've had full breakdown cover through my insurer. It's cheaper to do it that way.' Mrs Newton's policy costs £473.74, including £78.75 for breakdown cover.


The AA would charge £192 to help with long-distance recovery for someone not already a member; this includes its top- ofthe-range membership fee of £89.

Breakdown cover is often offered by your insurer as an addon to your motor policy, or you can go directly to motoring associations such as the RAC, AA and Green Flag.

Insurers cover your car - the older it is, the more it will cost you, though premiums usually rise only when it is more than six years old. Or you can cover yourself, whether a passenger or the driver, through motoring organisations and some insurers, such as Saga.

You need to make sure you know what is covered, as there are several levels. With basic roadside assistance, you will still have to pay for the cost of repairs, though it usually includes towing you to a garage.

As part of your existing policy, Saga costs £32 (or £37 standalone), Direct Line charges £34.65, while esure and Sheilas' Wheels cost £36.76.

The RAC and AA charge £28 online for roadside assistance. To cover you in any car, the RAC is £34.50 and the AA is £37.50.

Relay cover will get you and your car home, to a local garage or the destination of your choice, while home start means a mechanic comes to you to fix your vehicle.

Europ Assistance starts at £45 for roadside and relay cover. For the full package including roadside recovery, relay and home start, Churchill charges £61.95, according to financial researcher Defaqto. Greenbee costs £64 and Tesco £70.35.

Some insurers, including AA and Saga, will cover you if you are stranded in the snow, as long as it is not dangerous to rescue you. Others, including esure, will not.

Most watched Money videos