Modern vehicles offer a host of amenities. Airbags, GPS navigation systems, leather interiors and a host of dimensions to choose from are only some of the benefits that we often take for granted. Still, even the most advanced machines are far from perfect. You could suddenly develop a flat tyre while on your way to work. Head gaskets can blow on occasion or you might find yourself alone on a desolate motorway after the vehicle has overheated. Standard car insurance will normally not address such circumstances, so it can be a good idea to purchase what is known as breakdown insurance. Let's take a brief look at how these bundles function, the services that they offer and how you can be sure that you are getting the best deal.
What Does Breakdown Insurance Cover?
We should first point out that breakdown insurance is NOT the same as accident coverage. These plans are only designed to be used when your car has a mechanical problem that is not the result of an incident with another driver. Some common situations that breakdown insurance addresses (besides those mentioned in the introduction paragraph) include:
- Engine-related issues.
- Broker suspension systems.
- Oil leaks.
- Problems caused by inclement weather (such as sliding off of a road).
Assuming that you encounter such situations, breakdown insurance will provide you with a mechanic as well as a towing service to a nearby shop. This insurance lists those professionals who are a part of the plan so that you will be able to determine who is available within the area.
Essentially, breakdown insurance functions much like any other policy. You will pay a monthly premium and in return, the provider covers you while on the open road. However, there are also a handful of differences which are specifically associated with breakdown insurance.
Unique Stipulations
Most breakdown insurance policies have physical limitations in regards to how far their service is available from your home. This is generally measured in a radius of a certain number of kilometres. While these policies can be ideally suited when driving to and from the office, they will generally not be applicable when taking a road trip to Europe. In such events, it could very well be wise to purchase a long-distance plan (most carriers will offer this option). Also, the length of a policy can substantially vary. There are some which can be purchased for a single use while others offer year-round coverage. This will all depend upon your personal needs.
What to Look Out For
There are often no-claims benefits associated with breakdown insurance policies. These will help to lower your rates over time. Additionally, check to see if your current provider offers this option as an addendum to an existing policy. This is a much cheaper alternative as opposed to purchasing an entirely separate plan. Make sure that the company itself is reputable and if possible, try to determine what previous and current customers may be saying about their own experiences.
