Driving isn’t always the safest activity, but it’s something around 70% of us have to do daily just to get to work. From other drivers to potholes, there are plenty of things that can cause damage to a vehicle on the road. Car insurance and breakdown cover are two things that every driver needs to keep in mind. But what are the differences between them?
This blog explores breakdown cover and car insurance, expanding on why both things are so essential on the road.
Understanding the nature of car insurance
Car insurance is a legal requirement in the UK, providing financial protection in various extenuating circumstances. The kinds of situations or damages covered by car insurance include:
- Third-Party Liability, as in covering the damage done to other people's vehicles, property or injuries, if you’re at fault in the argument. It does not protect your vehicle or damages.
- Third-Party, Fire, and Theft (TPF&T), covering the above, along with protection if your vehicle is stolen or affected in a fire.
- Comprehensive cover, which covers all of the above, along with accidental damage, your own/passenger injuries and sometimes additional risks.
Car insurance is an essential that protects your finances significantly, especially considering the costs of some of the cars on the roads these days. But is it going to help you out if you go over a speed bump too fast without a spare tyre?
Why you need breakdown cover on top of car insurance
Roadside breakdown cover might not be a legal necessity but it’s arguably just as essential as car insurance. The policies ensure that you can get assistance to get back on the move or to a garage if your car suffers a mechanical or electrical breakdown, often including punctures. However, it’s generally not connected to accidents at all.
You can get car insurance with breakdown cover included; however, the add-ons are often more expensive than getting a separate policy from an independent provider.
The kinds of things that breakdown cover includes might be:
- Roadside assistance to get you back on the move or towed to a garage
- Vehicle recovery, meaning towing to a specific location of your choice
- Home start, covering your vehicle through a breakdown near or at your home
- Onward travel, so you can continue on your journey if the car isn’t fixable quickly
In terms of mechanical causes, recovery can be necessary for dead batteries, flat tyres, engine malfunction, lost keys or even misfuelling. It’s essential to protect you from being stranded.
Why you need both
Having both car insurance and breakdown cover is a great way to protect your interests on the road. Insurance is an absolute necessity, while breakdown cover is a practical consideration that ensures you won’t be met with extortionate call-out fees in case of an emergency.
Best of all, you can even find fairly comprehensive cheap breakdown cover policies, so it doesn’t add too much to your monthly automotive spend. Visit Motoring Assistance to find out more about on-the-road protection today.