When you add the sums up, what is really cheaper, ensuring the car faullt does happen in the first place with regualr servicing and checks or repairing after words? What is cheaper, saveing money on not having breakdown cover or calling out a 24 hours recovery service on the road? we will not attempt to answer these questions for you, but for some it is an obvious answer on both counts. For some though will get away with things for a time, but when the worst does happen, they will fork out many times an annual policy cost, especially when many breakdown cover organisations are offering basic roadside assistance policies for under £30.

So you d the sums and decide how it adds up for you.

The breakdown cover offered is level one or to you and me, the roadside assistance option. This is where consumers need to be careful as this level of cover may not be sufficient for their needs. It is not clear whether a consumer can pay the difference and upgrade to a level that suits them or not.

What is certain though, is that just because something is free does not mean it is suitable and all consumers should considers their requirements first, before buying the car insurance, providing the free breakdown cover option was the reason for going with Churchill.

As far as Green Flag are concerned offering something for free is good marketing as there is a good chance that most will renew next year, in fact Green Flag have a policy of auto renew, so unless you cancel at the 12 month period you may find your credit card charged for next year. They do however send out reminder letters, stating they will automatically renew you breakdown cover policy, but if you are like most people, you will probably treat such letters a junk mail and may not even open it.

Anyway for some people this is a great offer, especially of they currently have no cover, or the policy offered is ideal for their driving needs. For everyone else, you should research the details first.”

Due to the high demand for road safety in today’s times, there are a large number of auto clubs offering breakdown cover at highly competitively prices. Listed below are a set of important considerations to be kept in mind while purchasing a suitable cover in order to ensure that you have availed the best value deal in the market:
• Wide coverage – While considering a suitable breakdown cover, enquire about the strength of the company’s patrol team and the areas that they cover in order to ensure that you will be rescued anywhere and as fast as possible.
• Multiple driver plans – Opting for a scheme that has the choice of multiple driver plans can be very helpful, especially if you have more than one driver in your family who uses the car.
• Tracking services – Lookout for auto clubs that have the facility of tracking your location through your cell phone when you are stranded in an unfamiliar location.
• Minimum call out time – While considering various breakdown cover options try to choose a company that offers the minimum call out time so that you get timely and efficient roadside assistance.
• Additional recovery services – Apart from availing standard services like towing and lockout assistance, flat tire replacement and refueling it is a good idea to include additional recovery services like alternative transportation, hotel accommodation and maps and directions in case you have lost your way while driving.
• Round the clock availability – Another important consideration to keep in mind while getting a suitable breakdown cover is to make sure that the auto club offers round the clock roadside assistance facilities.
• Professionally skilled rescue staff – It is also a good idea to research the web and read customer reviews and feedbacks about various roadside assistance companies and ensure that you are purchasing a breakdown cover scheme from an organization that has a skilled team of professionally trained rescue staff.

Now that you are aware of the important considerations of buying a breakdown cover, go ahead and get yourself a suitable plan for a safe driving experience.
Summary – Having a breakdown cover is one of the wisest plans a car owner can have to deal with an emergency breakdown situation. Important considerations to be kept in mind while choosing a suitable roadside assistance scheme includes, looking for wide coverage, multiple driver plans, tracking services, minimum call out time, additional recovery services, round the clock availability and professionally skilled rescue staff.

By guest blogger atul

Not sure how successful this campaign was as most stranded motorists would be more concerned about the ability to fix cars at the roadside that their vocal range. But marketing is marketing and you never know.

If you travel frequently to foreign countries, then it is advisable to buy a comprehensive international breakdown cover which not only provides for regular services like on road assistance, minor repairs, lockout assistance, towing the car, but also services like legal assistance, arranging for an emergency driver or even for an ambulance. Ensure that you get the most comprehensive international breakdown cover at the lowest possible rates. Carefully see under what all circumstances you will not be covered so that you can determine the extent up to which you will be personally liable.

International breakdown cover is helpful in making travelling abroad simpler and relatively tension free due to the following reasons:
1.    It provides a sense of security while driving overseas as you will not have to worry about dealing with a breakdown situation while you are in a foreign country.
2.    It provides on road assistance and undertakes minor repairs. If the vehicle cannot be repaired, it is towed to the nearest workshop.
3.    While travelling long distances, people usually hire a driver. If due to any circumstances, your driver becomes incapable of driving, then an emergency driver will be provided.
4.    If you meet with an accident in a foreign country, then you can seek assistance by contacting the insurance company.

Keep in mind the following points while buying international breakdown insurance:
1.    Make of the car is a deciding factor in deciding the premium amount. A hatchback will have lower premium rate compared to SUV’s.
2.    Determine the driver among your group who can get the cheapest cover based on various criteria’s like age, sex and experience.
3.    Compare policies offered by various service providers to choose the one that suits your requirements the most and is cost efficient.
4.    Buying international breakdown cover online is a good idea as it not only offers insurance cover at great prices, but also provides tips to ensure safety while travelling abroad.

Your car is one of your most valuable possessions. We spend so much money on buying the car of our choice then why not spend a little more to get an international breakdown cover which will help in resolving a breakdown situation which is likely to occur in everyone’s life at some point or the other.
Summary- Don’t let a breakdown situation spoil your holiday mood when you travelling abroad and choose the most comprehensive international breakdown cover. It provides a sense of security, services like on roadside assistance, minor repairs, lockout assistance, towing the car, and premium services like legal assistance, arranging for an emergency driver or even for an ambulance.

By guest blogger Atul

Purchasing a cheap breakdown cover is one of the wisest ways of saving additional repair costs in the long. So go ahead and choose the most suitable coverage plan and ensure a stress free drive for you and your family at an economical price.
Summary –Having a cheap breakdown cover for your vehicle is one of the most cost effective ways of ensuring a risk free driving experience. Some important considerations while choosing the most suitable and best bargain deal on roadside assistance services include understanding ones travel requirements, familiarizing with the coverage market, researching the internet, comparing various features and benefits, selecting the most suitable plan and ensuring that your basic needs are covered.

In fact 15 years ago, these breakdown cover organisation were all going through major change, to keep prices down, intruduce new technology to improve the service. the result is you can now buy roadside assistance (the cheapest form of breakdown cover), for less than tank of fuel, or for large cars, less than half the price. The attendence times are also doen, with mosts stating they can be at any car in the uk with he 35 minutes mark on average, comapred with the hour promised 15 years ago. In reality cars are more erlaiable now, so it tends to be smaller issues that dominates a roadside assistance engineers life, such as a flat battery, flat tyre or being locked out of the car. This blog is to talk about how cheap things are now in this arena without any bias towards any breakdown cover company, using video footage and whatever we can to show the point.