Is it worth getting breakdown cover?

Fingerbobs

Just wondering whether there is actually any point in paying for an annual breakdown cover subscription, when you can just call out a 24-hour recovery firm as and when required, for about the same as a year's cover with something like AA or RAC.

In over 20 years of driving, I've never broken down. The only time I've called out a recovery firm was to transport a vehicle that couldn't (at the time) be driven on the road back to my house, and it cost £65. This compares favourably with a single year's recovery policy. I don't plan on breaking down more than once a year, so what's the point in an annual policy?

Peter999_2

It's a well known fact that if you cancel your breakdown insurance your car will breakdown the next day.

Fingerbobs

I've never had a breakdown policy. I've never been able to see the point, for the reasons mentioned above. Just wondering if I'm missing something?

RobM99

Some car insurance policies include it. Might be worth a look.

forgotmyname

How much would it cost to transport your car 100 miles and then get to a car hire centre and 2 days car hire?  Many years
ago thats what happened to me, only 30 miles from the destination but they recommended taking me back home and gave
me a free hire car for 2 days so that i could complete my trip. Cost me 1 day extra hire as it was a weekend trip.

Back then it was about £60 a year and the extra days hire was £30 or so.

Fingerbobs

forgotmyname said:

How much would it cost to transport your car 100 miles and then get to a car hire centre and 2 days car hire?  Many years
ago thats what happened to me, only 30 miles from the destination but they recommended taking me back home and gave
me a free hire car for 2 days so that i could complete my trip. Cost me 1 day extra hire as it was a weekend trip.

Back then it was about £60 a year and the extra days hire was £30 or so.

I don't know, but I'll bet it would cost significantly less than the total amount you've paid for your breakdown cover throughout your driving career.

EssexExile

It's like any insurance, you weight the benefits of having the cover against the cost. If you think the risk of breaking down in the middle of nowhere & not being able to continue with your trip & having the hassle of getting the car repaired & getting home is not worth £50 a year then you don't pay it. If you think it is worth it, you do.

Fingerbobs

My point is that if you do break down in the middle of nowhere, you just phone up a recovery company and they come and get you for a fee, which is about the same as a year's breakdown cover. I can't see what advantage being a member of a recovery service and paying an annual fee gives you, unless you're breaking down all the time!

Herzlos

Fingerbobs said:

My point is that if you do break down in the middle of nowhere, you just phone up a recovery company and they come and get you for a fee

And then what? Recover the car to the nearest garage and leave you at the side of the road?

What if you can't find a local recovery company or the cost is astronomical?

I mean it works fine if you're willing to take the risk and don't really need your car. I have mine because it's less hassle/unknown and includes onward journey cover.

pallyman

You can full breakdown cover for about £60 less if you so not want home start.

deanos

pallyman said:

You can full breakdown cover for about £60 less if you so not want home start.

I have Start Rescue £29 a year including at home cover