Being on the road means that you’ll eventually find yourself breaking down. It happens to the best of us and, sadly, our insurance isn’t going to cover it. To prevent a breakdown from completely ruining your day, week or month, you need a dedicated roadside cover policy. This will make sure you can keep things moving or, at least, get to a repair sooner rather than later. However, with the cost of owning a car so high, especially in areas like London, it can be tempting to lean toward cheap breakdown cover.
Is this the right move? Well, it’s not entirely simple. The fact of the matter is that cheap breakdown cover can definitely be a good choice, especially if you go to the right provider. However, it’s important that you don’t mistake a low price tag for a good deal. Choosing the cheapest policy possible may well leave you in just as much trouble as if you hadn’t bothered in the first place. This blog will explore the importance of balancing affordability and value for money to ensure you get the best possible policy for your budget.
Why you should choose a cheap breakdown cover policy
Cheaper policies, regardless of the provider, will generally include roadside assistance. This means a mechanic will be sent to your location to attempt the repair at the roadside, and tow you to the nearest local garage if they can’t get the job done themselves. That’s what a cheaper policy is likely to cover, whether it comes from a big box brand or an independent.
You might also consider a cheaper policy a smart move if you’re driving a newer, more reliable car and don’t need to travel particularly long distances. If this is the case, breakdowns are fairly unlikely to be a major concern.
Choosing cheaper car breakdown companies
It’s worth remembering that a cheap roadside recovery cover policy can be highly effective, and even fairly comprehensive, as long as it comes from a good provider. Larger brands spend a lot on things like television advertisements, other forms of marketing and reputation management, along with generally having much higher overheads. A smaller independent brand isn’t likely to invest as much on these promotional efforts, meaning they can pass the savings directly on to you.
If you are going to choose a smaller provider, it’s vital that you look for signs of a reliable business. Things like an ‘Excellent’ Trustpilot rating are always a good indication that you can put your faith in a company.
The risks of the cheapest car breakdown cover
It’s worth noting that choosing a cheaper policy from any provider will likely leave you with some catches, such as limited towing distance or service area, along with lack of extras. The lower costs might be appealing, but you might actually end up paying more in the long run.
The cheapest policies will generally lack benefits such as:
- Nationwide support & towing. Cheaper policies are less likely to offer support all over the country, or tow for particularly long distances.
- Onward travel. You’re less likely to get support, such as alternative transport or a hotel on longer journey breakdowns.
- Home starts. If your car won’t start on your own driveway, the odds are the provider won’t get you back on the road.
- Comprehensive repairs. Things like misfueling or tyre replacement might not be covered on the cheapest policy.
Picking the right cheap breakdown cover
A cheap breakdown cover policy isn’t necessarily a bad idea, but it needs to be approached with care. Don’t get too hung up on the price. If you simply go for the lowest number, you’re not likely to get a policy that does much for you. Look for the elements offered and the reputation of the business and you should be able to get a policy that works for you and your budget.