Breakdown assistance, sometimes referred to as emergency roadside assistance, represents an essential service that many people feel they can’t do without. While the benefits of car breakdown assistance are usually built into a comprehensive insurance policy, it must be purchased as an optional extra for those on lower levels of cover.

Breakdown assistance gives drivers peace of mind, knowing they can get help if their car breaks down while they are on the road. It provides assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

A solid breakdown assistance service is the backbone of insurance support, giving drivers the assurance that, should they encounter an accident, a fueling problem, lost keys, a flat tyre, or many other issues, expert help will be on hand. 

What is Breakdown assistance cover?

Breakdown assistance is a service provided by insurance companies to protect you in the face of roadside accidents, breakdowns, punctures or fuel problems. It is generally (but not always) included in Comprehensive policies, but must be purchased as an optional extra for lower policy types, such as 3rd party cover.

What vehicles can be covered for breakdown assistance?

Almost all vehicle types can be covered for breakdown assistance. This reassures drivers that, when setting out on a journey, they can get help if they encounter problems on the road. If you have a specific vehicle type you are concerned about, compare providers’ coverage before committing.

Personal-use cars are the most frequently insured vehicles for optional breakdown cover. It gives drivers the confidence to travel alone, knowing they will receive assistance if they need a tow, a puncture fixed, or any other emergency support to complete their journey. 

Generally, light commercial vehicles, such as vans, are covered for breakdown assistance, provided they meet specific weight and size requirements. 

Recreational vehicles, such as motorhomes and caravans, are often covered by optional breakdown assistance. There are often weight restrictions on vehicle types, but caravans, motorhomes, trailers, and campervans usually fall under a well-supported breakdown assistance programme.

As scooters and mopeds continue to grow in popularity, it has become increasingly common for riders to purchase additional breakdown assistance coverage for their vehicles. The expertise to repair them on the roadside is readily available, and they can be easily transported to garages if required.

What does breakdown assistance cover?

Breakdown assistance provides a wide range of essential, practical cover. Generally, providers offer a basic level of cover that can be taken as an add-on, as well as more detailed cover for those who want greater assurance.

Basic car breakdown cover generally includes 24/7 assistance for:

  • Roadside callouts: a trained mechanic will meet you at the location of your vehicle to work on a puncture, engine problem or other minor repair.

  • Towing services: A tow truck will be sent to your location to transport your vehicle to a garage or to your home for more significant repair, such as engine failure or accidental damage that can’t be assessed quickly at the roadside.

  • Breadth of roadside service: the most common issues are typically covered, such as flat tyres, dead batteries, misplaced keys and fuel issues.

Some insurers restrict their basic level of cover to a specified geographical radius from your home. This could be within a 20-kilometre distance, for example. For many, this is enough coverage as they don’t do long journeys. Many other drivers, however, prefer wider coverage and therefore purchase additional optional cover on top of the basic level.

This can include:

  • Personal cover: this range of cover allows you to seek assistance for any car in which you are travelling that breaks down. In some cases, you don’t even have to be the driver.

  • At-home service: It’s common that a driver discovers a flat battery, for example, in their home driveway. Optional extras can include driveway assistance repairs to save being towed to a garage.

  • Journey continuation: Cover for a replacement car or public transport costs can be included to ensure that, if you break down, you can continue to your destination or return home, if preferred.

  • Overnight accommodation: costs for unexpected overnight stays up to a stated limit (typically €35 per person per night) can be included as an extra.

European breakdown assistance is an extension of your normal cover for when you’re travelling in your own car in another EU country. Usually valid for up to 90 days, it is purchased as an optional extra so that the cover you enjoy while driving at home also protects you within the EU. 

As well as all the roadside, towing and repair services you would expect to have at home, European breakdown assistance also provides benefits including:

  • Peace of mind: You are covered throughout your journey from leaving your home to returning home.

  • Language: You can access support using dedicated English-language telephone support rather than trying to communicate in the language of the country you are visiting.

  • Emergency accommodation: Many providers will include emergency overnight accommodation cover (up to a specified value).

  • UK & non-EEA countries: Coverage can be extended to include non-EEA or EU countries such as the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Andorra.

Who offers breakdown assistance cover in Ireland?

There is a wide range of operators available to drivers seeking nearby breakdown assistance. These include:

How much does breakdown assistance cost?

Costs vary by provider, but in general, breakdown assistance ranges from around €30 per year for basic cover to as much as €300 per year for full home and European cover. 

Compare the cost of breakdown assistance

The AA, for example, charges around €90 per year for its AA Roadside Rescue Membership programme, which includes personal cover, roadside rescue and 24-hour telephone support. 

Carsimple meanwhile, can provide its breakdown service for €24.99, which includes roadside repair, flat tyre and lost key services. 

Easytrip.ie offers a basic breakdown assistance programme for €3.99 per month (paid annually), which includes roadside assistance and towing, puncture repair and continuation-of-journey services.

Factors that affect the cost of breakdown assistance

In general, breakdown assistance is flexible to the type of modern vehicle covered. However, factors such as the age of the covered car or van can affect the price. A classic or vintage car, for example, that might require parts that are hard to find or repair expertise that is not readily available, could have a surcharge added. 

Things to consider before getting a policy

Be aware that some providers impose restrictions on their breakdown assistance policies, which may affect you. Be sure to compare quotes before committing to one.

Factors to be aware of include:

  • Towing distances: If your car breaks down, it can be towed to a garage. This is normally within a specified radius of the accident or breakdown location. If you often travel far from home, this may be an issue, as you will need to return to the garage to collect it, which may not be close to where you live.

  • Limited callouts: Policies generally restrict the number of times that you can request a callout in a 12-month period.

  • Age of vehicle: Older vehicles, such as classic cars, may incur a higher surcharge due to a higher likelihood of breakdowns. An older car may also require hard-to-find parts or repair expertise that is not readily available.

  • Weight restrictions: While larger vehicles such as motorhomes and campervans are generally covered under breakdown cover, their weight can be a factor. Check the maximum weight allowed under a policy to ensure your vehicle’s weight matches.

Continuing your journey after a breakdown

In many cases, even after a breakdown, a driver must continue their journey even if their vehicle cannot. Some providers offer journey continuation services, under which the cost of a replacement car, public transport to the final destination, or emergency overnight accommodation until transport is available the next day is included. 

Providers that offer this service include the AA, Allianz and An Post Insurance.

Breakdown Assistance FAQ

Generally, yes, insurers limit the number of callouts you can make in a 12-month period. This is typically 3-5 callouts, but unlimited coverage is available as an add-on. However, this unlimited service cannot be for a repeat of the same issue within a short timeframe.

Breakdown assistance does not affect your No-Claims Bonus. The services offered, such as towing, roadside repair or battery charging, do not affect your NCB as they are not a reflection of your driving history.

Not all insurance policies include breakdown assistance. Normally, Comprehensive cover includes breakdown cover, but if you are on a lower level, such as 3rd party fire and theft, it will not be a standard service. You will need to add it as an optional extra. 

Be sure to review your policy’s terms and conditions. If it’s not included or available on your current policy, you should consider switching.

Yes, breakdown assistance covers electric vehicles. It is particularly useful if a battery runs flat before you can reach a refuelling station. An electric vehicle can be towed to the nearest garage to charge.

It’s not mandatory to have comprehensive insurance in order to access breakdown services. You can add breakdown assistance as an optional extra to 3rd-party cover, for example, at an additional fee. It does not come as standard with this lower level of insurance.

Calling a tow truck or breakdown assistance is generally more expensive than taking annual cover on your policy. It can cost from around €90 to €180 for short tow-truck journeys in Dublin, for example. 

The AA’s emergency callout service is available to non-members but costs from around €60 to more than €200 for a single callout, depending on the type of service needed. This is more than the annual cover you would receive if you added a basic breakdown service to your existing cover.

Author: Séamus Ó Doirín | Chief Insurance Editor

Séamus Ó Doirín is a Donegal based QFA who has been writing about insurance since 2020. His main focus is getting people the best value for insurance in the Irish market. His writing covers all areas of insurance and is a valuable part of the Compare Insurance team. 

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