Does Car Insurance Cover Breakdowns?

Breakdowns can be a frustrating and expensive experience. You may be wondering if you can rely on your car insurance to cover the cost of a breakdown. The answer is, it depends. Not all car insurance policies cover breakdowns and those that do may provide different levels of coverage. Let's take a closer look at what breakdown coverage typically involves and how to get the best policy for your needs.

What Does Breakdown Insurance Cover?

Breakdown insurance typically provides coverage for the cost of towing and labor charges for when your car breaks down away from home. Some policies may also provide coverage for things like battery boosts, flat tires, dead engines, and locksmith services. Coverage for certain services may depend on the insurer, so make sure to read your policy and the fine print to find out exactly what is covered and what isn’t.

Are Breakdowns Covered by Comprehensive Insurance?

Comprehensive car insurance is one of the most popular types of car insurance and it provides coverage for damage to your vehicle and other parties’ vehicles caused by accidents. However, it does not usually provide coverage for breakdowns. If you’re looking for coverage for breakdowns, you may want to look into an extended warranty, which can provide coverage for mechanical and electrical breakdowns.

Do You Need Breakdown Insurance?

Whether or not you need breakdown insurance depends on your vehicle and the amount of coverage you want. If you’re driving an older car, you may want to look into a breakdown policy to provide extra peace of mind. On the other hand, newer vehicles may already come with a manufacturer’s warranty that provides coverage for mechanical and electrical breakdowns. Alternatively, you may want to consider an extended warranty to provide extra coverage.

How to Get the Best Breakdown Insurance

If you’re looking for breakdown insurance, you’ll want to shop around for the best deal. Be sure to compare policies from different providers and read the fine print to make sure you’re getting the coverage you need. It’s also important to consider the terms and conditions of the policy, such as the excess, the limits on the number of claims you can make, and the duration of the policy.

The Bottom Line

Breakdown insurance can provide peace of mind by covering the cost of towing and labor charges for when your car breaks down away from home. Not all car insurance policies provide coverage for breakdowns, so make sure to read the fine print and shop around for the best policy for your needs. With the right breakdown policy, you’ll be prepared for whatever the road throws at you.