When buying car breakdown cover you need to consider the following points.

How good their coverage of the UK is, who it will cover, how much it costs and what's the repuation of the company like. If you travel abroad in your car then you need to look at coverage outside the UK.

About car breakdown cover

It's important to have car breakdown cover. If you break down at the side of the road then you'd have to organise a garage to come out and help you get the car going, then organise a tow truck, and have to get yourself either back home or to your destination on public transport.
If you breakdown on the motorway you will find that recovery fees can be £100 to get you off the motorway and that's after the hassle of having to find one local to where you are.

What are the different options of breakdown cover and what do they mean?

The AA has four main categories of cover.

Roadside – this is their basic level of cover. If you break down away from your home they will come out and try to get your car going again. If they can't do this then they can organise for you to be towed to the nearest garage.

Relay is the same as roadside but if they can not get your car going they will take you to any mainland UK destination of your choice.

Home start will give you breakdown coverage at your home, or near it.

Stay Mobile – used to be known as relay plus - if they can't get your car going they give you a choice of
* a replacement car for up to 72 hours (collection and delivery service available from our suppliers) or
* public transport costs, or
* overnight accommodation

How do you decide which package to get? If price is an issue for you then get the lowest level package you can manage with. If you travel a lot round the country then you might find a package which can take to your destination useful, or the most expensive package which gives you the choice of a replacement car.
Homestart gives you reassurance that if you breakdown at home, if your battery runs flat for instance, they'll come and get you started at your home. They will do minor repairs to get you on your way in your own car. This is much less hassle than trying to ring the local garage and wait for them to be able to fit you in for a home visit.

Why should you buy car breakdown cover?

• It gives you peace of mind.
• Cheaper than having to organise a tow truck yourself
• quicker. They know how to ring
• Hassle free - no ringing directory enquiries when your car breaksdown. Just ring the breakdown company and they will organise everything from there.
• Easy. You don't need to know the local garage when you're out on a day trip - the breakdown company will come out and try to get you on your way.
• Run out of petrol? You might think you'll never do this but it can happen to the best drivers - especially in a new car when you're not sure how empty the tank can go.
• Changing tyres on the motorway needs to be done by a professional for safety reasons
  The Highway Code recommends that you don't try to do even basic repairs if you break down on a motorway, including changing tyres. Call a breakdown service if you're a member or use the emergency telephone to get help.
• Put the wrong fuel in? This can seriously damage your engine. The AA offer a service to remove the fuel and drains, flushes and replenishes the system. There is an additional charge for this service but you get a discount for being a member. Over 150,000 people manage to do this each year, potentially ruining their engines.