Is it cheaper to add breakdown cover with car insurance?
Adding breakdown cover as an add-on to your car insurance is often more convenient, but it is not always cheaper than buying a standalone policy.
💡 Cost & Comparison
- Standalone policies: Often cheaper initially, with basic roadside cover starting around £21 to £30 per year.
- Insurance add-ons: Can be competitively priced or convenient, but insurers often auto-renew them at higher rates or charge more for comprehensive tiers.
- Specialist haggling: Standalone providers like the AA Breakdown Cover or RAC are frequently much easier to haggle down at renewal time than a combined insurance policy.
⚠️ Hidden Limitations to Watch For
- Basic roadside only: Insurance add-ons frequently include only basic roadside assistance, meaning you aren't covered if you break down at or near your home.
- Upgrades cost extra: Adding "Home Start" or "Onward Travel" through an insurer can quickly inflate the price of the add-on.
- Check existing freebies: Check if your bank account package, credit card, or vehicle manufacturer already bundles free breakdown assistance before buying anything extra.
🗓️ Action Plan
- Step 1: Check your current bank accounts, vehicle warranty, and renewal notices for existing coverage.
- Step 2: Get a standalone quote from a dedicated provider (like RAC or the AA) and compare it against your car insurance add-on quote.
- Step 3: Match the exact level of cover (Roadside vs. Home Start vs. Onward Travel) so you are doing a true like-for-like price comparison.
🔎 Explore a detailed analysis from Which? News or read the MoneySavingExpert Breakdown Guide for tips on finding cheap roadside assistance.
Is it worth adding breakdown cover to car insurance?
Adding breakdown cover to your car insurance is usually worth it for the peace of mind, but buying it as an add-on isn't always the cheapest or most comprehensive option.
When It Is Worth It
- Older or high-mileage cars: Older vehicles break down more often, making cover a valuable safety net against expensive emergency towing fees.
- Long commutes: If you rely heavily on your vehicle for work or travel long distances, getting stranded causes major disruptions.
- Convenience: Bundling it directly with your car insurance means managing everything in a single annual renewal.
Downsides of Car Insurance Add-ons
- Limited coverage: Insurer add-ons often provide only basic roadside assistance and may exclude home starts or help within a quarter-mile of your house.
- Callout limits: Some insurance add-ons limit the number of times you can call for help per year compared to dedicated providers.
Better Alternatives to Check First
Before paying extra on your car insurance policy, check if you already have coverage:
- Packaged bank accounts: Premium accounts (like Nationwide or NatWest) often bundle UK or European breakdown cover alongside other perks.
- New car warranties: Many vehicle manufacturers include 1 to 3 years of free roadside assistance when you buy a newer car.
- Standalone policies: Dedicated providers (such as the RAC or independent firms) can sometimes offer cheaper, more flexible, or more thorough standalone protection than a car insurance add-on. For more details, read the MoneySavingExpert Breakdown Cover Guide.
What is the cheapest way to get breakdown cover?
The cheapest way to get breakdown cover is to shop around using MoneySuperMarket or Confused.com to find basic roadside-only policies from smaller or challenger providers rather than auto-renewing with market leaders like the AA or RAC.
Top Ways to Save on Breakdown Cover
- Check existing packages: Look at your current packaged bank account, car insurance add-ons, or vehicle manufacturer warranty to see if you already have free cover.
- Choose basic roadside assistance: Skip expensive extras like home start, national recovery, or onward travel if you only need emergency roadside fixes.
- Cover the car, not the person: Select vehicle-specific cover instead of personal driver cover, which is cheaper if you only drive one main car.
- Haggle your renewal: Never let a policy auto-renew; call your current provider to negotiate, as companies like the AA and RAC have very high success rates for lowering prices over the phone.
- Pay annually: Pay for your whole year upfront to avoid extra interest fees that come with monthly payments.
Is it worth it to pay for roadside assistance?
Yes, paying for roadside assistance is generally worth it because a single tow or emergency service call usually costs more than an entire year of coverage.
Costs vs. Out-of-Pocket Expenses
- Annual plan cost: $10 to $150 per year, depending on whether you add it to your auto insurance policy or buy a dedicated club membership.
- Individual service costs: A single tow often costs $75 to $250+, a jump-start or flat tire change runs $50 to $150, and a locksmith can cost up to $150.
- Value: The plan pays for itself the very first time you use it.
What is Covered
- Towing to a nearby repair shop
- Battery jump-starts or replacements (labor only)
- Flat tire changes
- Lockout service if you lose your keys
- Emergency fuel delivery (fuel cost extra)
- Winching if your car gets stuck
Where to Get It
- Auto Insurance Add-On: Usually the cheapest option ($10–$40/year), available through providers like State Farm or GEICO. Note that excessive claims on some insurance policies can affect your overall rates.
- Auto Clubs: Standalone memberships like AAA ($50–$120+/year) follow the person rather than the car and include extra perks like travel discounts.
- Alternative Sources: Check if your cell phone plan, credit card benefits, or vehicle manufacturer warranty already include free or low-cost roadside coverage before buying a new plan.
Is $200 a month a lot for car insurance?
Paying $200 a month for car insurance is right around the national average for a full-coverage policy, but whether it is "a lot" depends heavily on your specific coverage and personal risk factors.
When $200 a Month is Normal
- Full Coverage: The national average for full coverage (which includes liability, collision, and comprehensive) is about $195 to $209 per month.
- Higher-Risk Profiles: If you are a young or newly licensed driver, have a recent ticket or accident on your record, or live in a high-cost state like Florida or California, $200 is very common or even low.
- Newer or Expensive Vehicles: Insuring a brand-new or financed car costs more because replacement and repair parts are expensive.
When $200 a Month is Too High
- Minimum Coverage: If you only carry basic state-minimum liability insurance, $200 a month is expensive. Minimum coverage normally averages around $55 to $64 a month.
- Clean Record and Older Car: If you have a clean driving record, drive an older car that is paid off, and only have basic protection, you are likely overpaying.
Many users on Facebook Groups discuss paying well over $200 depending on their location, while others find ways to lower bills by shopping around.
Breakdown cover explained: Plus what to do if your car breaks down
9 related questions found
Which breakdown cover is the most reliable?
According to independent reliability and performance data from industry surveys (such as What Car? and Which?), AXA and AutoAid rank highest for operational reliability and speed, while The AA and Green Flag score highest for large dedicated patrol fleets and fix rates.
Because "reliability" can mean roadside speed, high roadside repair rates, or large network coverage, reliability varies by provider:
Top Providers for Reliability & Speed
- AXA: Ranked best overall in recent industry performance data, showing the fastest arrival times (under 1 hour for 72% of calls) and a high roadside fix rate of 82%.
- AutoAid: Ranked second for swift response times (combined sub-30 minute and 1-hour arrivals at 78%), offering highly cost-effective independent garage-backed cover.
- The AA: Operates the largest dedicated patrol fleet in the UK (around 2,900 patrols), consistently scoring high for extensive coverage, EV breakdown support, and top results in What Car? reliability surveys.
- Green Flag: Utilizes a vast network of over 3,000 independent technicians across the UK, offering reliable coverage and a price-match guarantee against competitor renewals.
Reliability & Performance Comparison
| Provider | Average Arrival Speed / Performance | Key Reliability Strength | Estimated Annual Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| AXA | Fast arrivals (<1 hr for 72% of calls); 82% fix rate | Highest overall roadside fix rate | £25 – £95 |
| AutoAid | Fast combined sub-30min/1hr arrivals (78%) | Excellent value and speed via agent network | £40 – £60 |
| The AA | Large dedicated fleet; strong mobile servicing | Largest dedicated patrol size and EV support | £60 – £170+ |
| Green Flag | 3,000+ specialized technicians | Broad garage network and consistent callouts | £45 – £110 |
Can I add breakdown cover to my car insurance?
Yes, you can add breakdown cover to your car insurance as an optional extra with many providers, or buy it as a standalone policy.
How Adding It Works
- When to add: You can select it when buying a new car insurance policy or add it mid-term through your online account or by calling your insurer.
- Important rule: You cannot buy cover and use it immediately for an existing breakdown; policies usually start 24 to 48 hours after purchase.
- No-claims bonus: Breakdown cover is separate from your car insurance, so using it will not affect your no-claims discount.
Things to Check First
- Existing cover: Check your current policy documents, as some comprehensive car insurance policies include breakdown cover as standard.
- Level of cover: Insurers often offer basic roadside assistance. You may need to pay more to include home start, national recovery, or onward travel.
- Compare prices: Adding it to your insurance is convenient, but standalone policies from providers like the RAC or Green Flag or adding it via Admiral can sometimes offer better features or lower prices.
How much does breakdown cover typically cost?
In the UK, standalone breakdown cover generally costs between £20 and £100+ per year for basic protection, while full comprehensive cover can range from £70 to £120+ annually. The exact price depends significantly on the provider, the age of your vehicle, and the tier of service you choose.
If you purchase breakdown cover as an optional add-on alongside your standard car insurance policy, the average price drops to around £30 per year.
Cost Breakdown by Tier
- Basic Roadside Assistance (£20 – £40/year): This entry-level option provides roadside help if you break down more than a quarter-mile from your house. It typically includes towing your vehicle to a nearby local garage if it cannot be fixed on the spot.
- Comprehensive / Full Cover (£70 – £120+/year): This tier bundles national recovery (towing you, your passengers, and your car to any UK destination), "Home Start" assistance (for breakdowns on your driveway or within a quarter-mile of home), and alternative travel options.
Estimated Pricing by Popular UK Providers
Many prominent providers structure their pricing on a monthly basis, though total annual costs can fluctuate widely if you choose premium add-ons:
| Provider | Starting Price | Tier Details |
|---|---|---|
| The AA | From £5.49/month | Entry-level vehicle roadside assistance. Premium comprehensive plans scale up significantly. |
| RAC | From £5.29/month | Basic standalone vehicle cover. Comprehensive options with national recovery start around £8.99–£13.79/month. |
| AutoAid | Around £66.14/year | High-value personal cover that includes home start and national recovery as standard. |
| Asda Money | From £27/year | Budget-friendly basic roadside recovery option. |
| Green Flag | From £15 – £39/year | Highly competitive rates for value-tier local roadside towing. |
Main Factors Impacting Your Quote
- Vehicle vs. Personal Cover: Vehicle-based cover (which stays with one specific car, regardless of who is driving) is typically the cheapest route. Personal cover protects you individually as a driver or passenger in any vehicle, making it more flexible but more expensive.
- Age of the Vehicle: Older cars or models that are statistically harder to source parts for often carry higher premium costs.
- Add-ons: Adding specialized European recovery, onward travel (car hire or hotel stays), or battery/key replacement coverage will increase the overall bill.
Tip: Before buying a standalone policy, check your current car insurance policy or premium bank accounts; you may already have breakdown cover included as a standard perk.
What does breakdown cover actually include?
Breakdown cover provides emergency mechanical and towing assistance when your vehicle stops working.
Core Features (Basic Cover)
- Roadside Assistance: A mechanic comes to your location to try to fix your car on the spot. This usually applies only if you break down a set distance (often a quarter-mile or more) away from your home.
- Minor Repairs: Fixes for common issues like flat batteries, electrical problems, or changing a flat tyre.
- Local Towing: If the mechanic cannot fix your vehicle at the roadside, they tow it to a nearby local garage.
Common Upgrades and Extras
- Home Start: Covers breakdowns that happen at or right outside your house.
- National Recovery: Tows your car, passengers, and vehicle anywhere in the country rather than just to a local garage.
- Onward Travel: Provides a rental car, public transport tickets, or overnight hotel stays if your car needs extended repairs.
- European Cover: Extends your roadside help and recovery services across various countries abroad.
What is Usually Excluded
- Garage Repair Costs: The policy covers labor at the roadside, but you must pay for new replacement parts, new tyres, or new batteries needed to fix the car permanently.
- Human Error: Issues caused by leaving your headlights on, running out of fuel, or putting the wrong fuel in the tank are often excluded unless you add specific extra coverage.
- Pre-existing Faults: Breakdowns caused by problems you already knew about before buying the policy.
What are tricks to get cheaper insurance?
The quickest way to get cheaper insurance is to shop around and compare quotes from at least three different companies, as switching providers saves a median of $461 per year.
Adjust Your Policy and Coverage
- Raise your deductible: Increasing your deductible from $200 to $500 or $1,000 can lower your collision and comprehensive costs by 15% to 40%.
- Drop unnecessary coverage: Remove collision and comprehensive coverage on older cars if the annual premium is more than 10% of the car's actual cash value.
- Avoid filing minor claims: Pay out-of-pocket for small, single-car fender benders to keep your driving record clean and prevent rate hikes.
Maximize Discounts
- Bundle your policies: Combine your auto insurance with a homeowners or renters policy for savings up to 30%.
- Opt for digital perks: Sign up for paperless billing and automatic monthly payments to shave a few percentage points off your bill.
- Take a safety course: Complete an approved defensive driving course to earn a recurring 5% to 15% discount.
- Enroll in telematics: Use safe-driving monitoring apps or plug-in devices if you are a low-mileage or cautious driver.
Optimize Timing and Driver Profile
- Shop in advance: Request new quotes 24 to 28 days before your current policy expires; waiting until the last minute can significantly increase your rates.
- Update your mileage: Report lower annual mileage if you drive less than 10,000 miles a year.
- Improve your credit score: Pay down debts and monitor your credit report, as most insurers use credit-based scores to determine pricing.
For more detailed strategies, read the Consumer Reports Guide on Saving on Car Insurance or explore tips directly from Progressive.