Instant breakdown cover

Breaking down at the side of the road is frustrating, but it can also be expensive if you don’t already have breakdown cover. Can you even get instant cover when you break down? The short answer is yes, but it can cost an extra £110 before anyone has even come out to look at your car. We’ve looked at your options and whether getting an annual policy is likely to be the better bet.

What is instant breakdown cover?

Most breakdown insurance policies start at least 24 hours after you first apply for cover, which means they cannot be used if you’ve already broken down.

Instant breakdown cover is a breakdown policy that takes effect as soon as you take it out, so that you can start using the cover immediately.

Who might need instant breakdown cover?

Instant breakdown cover can be useful if you’ve already broken down.

Calling a tow or someone to help you in an emergency can be expensive, so an instant breakdown policy can provide an alternative. However, note that these type of policies tend to cost more than a regular breakdown policy.

You might also take out an instant breakdown policy if you’re going on a last-minute long trip and want to make sure you are covered in case you break down (if you don’t already have breakdown cover in place).

What types of instant breakdown cover are available?

The specs of the cover will depend on the provider, but options include:

• A one-off call out. The insurer will send someone out to help you in that specific instance, but cover won’t continue after that. You’ll likely just get basic roadside cover with this.
• A basic instant cover policy. Some providers offer the most basic type of breakdown cover – roadside assistance – to help in the immediate situation, and then give you a policy for one more call-out within a year.
• A full membership policy. Some providers ask you to sign up for a full annual policy, and charge an extra fee for the instant cover.

Can I get instant breakdown cover if I’ve already broken down?

Yes, but it will probably cost you. If you want cover to start immediately, you will likely have to pay an emergency call-out fee, which can be quite expensive.

Additionally, the cover you get may be limited. For example, you might only be allowed to make one more claim in the year.

Do I have to pay extra for instant cover?

Yes, immediate breakdown cover costs more than regular policies. Cost will vary by provider, but you may be charged a fee of up to £110 on top of the cost of signing up to a new policy.

How long will it take for help to arrive?

This will vary by insurer and will depend on their workload at the time you break down.

Most providers aim to arrive within an hour, but some might get to you in 45 minutes. Ask what the average response time is before you buy a policy.

What should I do if my car breaks down?

The first thing to do would be to get your car off the road if you can and get yourself and your passengers to safety.

Once you’ve done that, you can call for help. You can do this either by calling an insurance company and getting immediate breakdown cover, or by calling a local garage and asking them for help.

You can also use an emergency telephone if you have broken down on a motorway, but note that you may be charged £100 to have your vehicle towed to a garage.

How do I buy instant cover?

You cannot get instant cover online. You have to call the provider you wish to purchase a policy from and explain your situation. You can find some potential insurers in our guide to the best breakdown cover.

Frequently asked questions

• What else can I do if I've broken down?

  You have a couple of options if you’ve broken down and you don’t already have breakdown cover:

  • Contact a local garage. You can look up the number of a local garage and they may tow your vehicle back to their location. Note that they might charge you for this on top of the cost of any repairs. Additionally, if they can’t repair your vehicle on the same day, you will have to find an alternative way of getting home or to your destination, or fork out for a local hotel for the night.
  • Use an emergency telephone. If you’ve broken down on a motorway, you’ll find emergency telephones along the side of the road. However, you may be charged £100 to have you vehicle towed to a garage.

• What are the benefits/things to be aware of with instant cover?

  The cost would be one thing to look out for, as instant cover can be very expensive. The amount of excess you’ll have to pay might also be quite high. How long you’ll have to wait for help to come is another thing to check before you purchase.

  Depending on your needs, you’ll also want to consider whether the policy includes having your car towed to a garage local to where you’ve broken down, or one near your house, and if it includes cover to get you and the people you are travelling with home as well.

• Should I carry out repairs myself?

  It’s not recommended to carry out repairs to your vehicle yourself, unless you have the relevant training for this. If you are not a qualified mechanic, it’s best to leave repairs to the professionals, to avoid inadvertently causing more damage.

• How does instant breakdown cover work?

  Most breakdown policies make you wait between 24 and 72 hours before you can use them (from the time you apply – online or over the phone). To get immediate breakdown cover, you must call the insurance company directly. Cover starts right after you take it out, so that you can use it if you’ve already broken down. This is more expensive than a regular breakdown policy and may come with additional restrictions, but can be very helpful in an emergency.