There are nearly 26 million cars on UK roads getting us to work, school, or away for a happy holiday. Most of our journeys have a purpose, and we want to get there and back as quickly and easily as possible. Whilst you never know when your car or motorbike is going to break down, you can be sure that it will be inconvenient and stressful. Breakdown Insurance can help ease the financial stress and reassure you that you’ll be quickly on your way again.

Things to think about before you get a breakdown insurance quote

• Do I need breakdown cover?

You don’t have to take out roadside rescue cover, but having it can certainly give you extra peace of mind. If you often drive at night, in more remote areas or with a young family, it could be considered especially useful.

• Do you already have roadside recovery cover?

Before you get a breakdown insurance quote, it’s worth checking if you’re already covered. It is automatically included with some car insurance policies. But it’s worth checking that the cover that is included is suitable for your needs. If your car is less than three years old, it may also come with breakdown insurance as part of the warranty.

• Don’t assume you have breakdown cover through your bank

If you think you have breakdown cover through your bank, it is worth double-checking. Sometimes bank card privileges can change. You also need to check that the level of breakdown cover that is offered through your bank is suitable for your needs. For example, check if there are any restrictions on distances from home. And make sure you’re guaranteed to be driven onwards to your chosen destination if you need this.

• Do I need specialist breakdown cover?

Do you tow a caravan or horsebox? If so, you’ll need specialist breakdown cover designed to help you continue your journey. Specialist horsebox cover ensures you’ll be rescued by a company that can help deal with your horses as well as the mechanics. And caravan breakdown cover is designed to transport both your car and your caravan to where you need to go.

• It’s not just old cars that break down

Breakdown insurance may be a very sensible idea if your car is older and less reliable. But newer cars can also go wrong. Sophisticated electrics and a lack of a spare tyre in the boot are just two of the things that commonly see drivers of newer cars needing roadside rescue.

How to get cheaper breakdown insurance

• Let your broker know if you cover a limited number of miles

Just like with your car insurance, you could save money on your breakdown cover if you only cover a limited number of miles each year. Let your broker know, so they can factor this in when looking for quotes.

• Consider the excess

Some breakdown insurance companies charge an excess for any call-out. This can help bring down the cost of cover but could cost you more if you do make a claim.

• Check if the number of call-outs is limited

Some cheaper breakdown options may limit the number of call-outs you can make in 12 months. It can be a cost-effective option if you’re confident that your car is reliable and you’re unlikely to need roadside assistance. But if your car is older, or unreliable, it may not be the most prudent option for you.

• Other ways to save money

One way to save money on your breakdown cover may be to buy it at the same time as your car insurance. Or if you own several cars, a multi-car policy could save you cash.

• Shop around for the best value deal

Like all insurance, it pays to shop around when getting a breakdown insurance quote. If that sounds like too much hassle, use an impartial insurance broker like Easy2Insure. Simply fill in our form or call us on 0800 9179522 and we’ll scour quotes from a wide range of insurance companies to find the one best suited to your individual needs.

We’re independent insurance brokers, so we’re free to look around to find the best deal available to you. And our experience and knowledge mean you can be sure we’ll find the right cover at the right price.

Another mistake owners of specialist vehicles often make is to assume their vehicle is worth less than it actually is. Unfortunately, if you make that mistake and then need to claim, you could find yourself unable to afford a replacement. Classic car values have soared over recent years. This value increase has been especially pronounced within prestige marques, such as Porsche 911. Even relatively young 911’s, which would not fall into the classic car bracket, have seen prices soar. Get your vehicle independently valued or check out the latest sale costs at auction houses like Silverstone Auctions or Bonhams.

3) My insurance will pay out whatever the causes the damage or accident

Many drivers fall foul of this insurance misconception. Most insurance policies have a “reasonable care clause.” This means that if an accident is caused as a result of you failing to take proper care of your vehicle (for example because of bald tyres), they will only pay out third-party costs (damage to any other vehicle). That means you’ll be left footing the bill to repair your own vehicle yourself.

4) I don’t have to specify cosmetic modifications

All modifications to your car need to be disclosed to your insurer or your insurance could be invalidated. Whilst a fancy paint job might not affect the handling of your car, it could make it more attractive to thieves and it could also prove costlier to put right if your car is damaged.

5) Third-party cover is always cheaper

Sometimes fully comprehensive insurance can cost less than third party cover. Always ask for both even if you only need third party cover.

6) I don’t have to admit to spent driving convictions

Many insurers ask you declare any speeding or dangerous driving convictions from the last five years. So, even if any penalties you have incurred are now spent, tell your insurer the dates just in case.

7) I don’t need to admit to speeding convictions until I come to renew

You should always tell your insurer right away if you are convicted for speeding or dangerous driving. Otherwise, your insurance could be invalidated.

8) I’m a safe driver so I don’t need to worry about what my insurance actually covers

This misconception is not just for drivers of specialist vehicles. No matter how safe a driver you are, you can’t protect yourself from other drivers or from unforeseen things happening. Quality insurance, which gives you robust financial protection is essential for complete peace of mind.

9) I can save money by putting a more experienced driver as the main driver

With the costs of car insurance soaring, it can be tempting to look for ways to save cash. But never fall into the trap of putting a more experienced driver as the main driver on the policy to save money. This is called fronting and it is illegal. If you make a claim you’re likely to be found out, and your claim will be dismissed, leaving you seriously out of pocket.

10) I don’t need to specify business use on my car insurance

Even if you only use your vehicle occasionally for business use, you still need to specify this to your insurer. If you don’t and you have an accident and your insurer suspects you were using the vehicle for business use, your cover will be invalidated.

11) My specialist vehicle insurance covers me for anywhere I drive or ride, including track days

Specialist vehicle insurance can cover you for track days – but only if this is specified. If you need it, make sure you check it’s included first.

12) I can use any high street insurance company

You can use most high street insurers for your specialist vehicle insurance, but it may cost you more. Insurance is all about risk, and specialist vehicles can be seen as out of the ordinary, so riskier. Use a specialist insurance provider or broker, who understands the unique needs of drivers with specialist vehicles.

13) All insurance companies will quote the same amount

Insurance companies use different methods to calculate risk. That means there can be a big difference between quotes for the same cover from two different insurance providers.

14) Shopping around for insurance is always time-consuming

Yes, if you ring around all the different specialist vehicle insurance providers it can take up lots of your spare time. But you don’t have to do it yourself. You can use a specialist, independent broker like Easy2Insure to do the legwork for you. You tell us your details and we will compare quotes from a wide range of big and small insurance companies for you. We’ll guide you through what the premiums cover so there are no nasty surprises. And because we can negotiate special rates with insurance providers, we’ll find it at a great value price too.

Call Easy2Insure on 0800 917 9522 or fill in a form to get your free quote today.