Lots of people in the UK have taken to buying European breakdown cover because of how helpful it can be in a number of situations. While this is typically a feature that you have to pay extra for with most providers, it is worth looking into before making a choice. You could find it to be extremely helpful when you are travelling far from home. It is a safety net that will give you peace of mind on long trips.
What is European Breakdown Cover?
European breakdown cover provides you with a variety of helpful roadside services anywhere in Europe. This includes flat tyre changes, battery jumpstarts, and towing services. You simply call the appropriate number and a technician will be sent to your location. It doesn’t matter where in Europe you are. If the problem with your vehicle cannot be resolved on the roadside by the technician, you can get a tow to wherever you want. You could also get a free overnight stay at a nearby hotel. This makes breaking down far from home far less of a nightmarish situation.
Cost of European Breakdown Cover
The total cost of European breakdown cover depends on a number of factors, including the provider you choose. The average cost is around £50 extra per year, but it depends what exactly your policy consists of. When you consider everything you are getting, it is certainly worth the money.
The amount of money you’ll have to pay for this type of cover depends on how long you are travelling far, where you are going, your vehicle, and the level of cover you get. You might end up paying more depending on which country you are going to, as the repair costs might be higher. Those who have older vehicles also tend to pay more.
What’s Included?
The standard European breakdown cover policy will give you a number of things, including:
- Towing services: Most of these breakdown cover policies including towing to a nearby garage as standard. You might have to pay extra if you want to be able to get your car towed to anywhere in Europe though.
- Key lockout: If you happen to lock your keys in your car on a trip through Europe, you can call for someone to let you in. These technicians have special tools to open up your car so you can get back on the road as quickly as possible.
- 24/7 assistance: You can call for help at any time of the day or night, which is very convenient. Whether you break down in the middle of the afternoon or 3am, you can rely on these services.
- Flat tyre change: If you get a flat tyre while travelling, these services can be of great help. You can get someone out to change your tyre and put on your spare until you can get a proper new one.
- Courtesy car: If your car is in the garage being repaired, you could get a car hire through your policy until yours is ready. This can mitigate the inconvenience you experience if you have a breakdown while travelling through Europe.
Number of Callouts
One of the most important things to look for in a European breakdown cover policy is the number of callouts you are allowed. Some of these providers set a limit on the number of times you can use their services each year. It is important that you find out what this number of is before deciding to go with a certain provider. You should ideally look for a provider that doesn’t set any limit on this at all. While you might have to pay more for unlimited callouts, it could be worth it if you travel a lot or drive an older vehicle.
Reviewing Your Policy
Before you go on any long trips through Europe, it is a good idea to take a close look at your breakdown cover policy so you know what is included and what is not. This way you will know exactly what to expect if and when you break down on the road. It’s also important to keep the number of the service stored in your phone in case you ever need to call it.
While some people regard European breakdown cover as a rip off or waste of money, there are a lot of people who can really benefit from it. You should at least take some time to explore what various providers have to offer. Make sure that you get a policy that matches your specific needs so you get your money’s worth. If you regularly travel outside of the UK, you should definitely have this type of cover. It can make your live a lot easier if you blow a tyre or your car suddenly dies while driving.
