Last Updated on October, 2024
Most car manufacturers will give FREE breakdown cover as a part of their car warranty when you purchase a new car.
However, the warranty expires after some years.
So, you need to go for a car insurance policy to request assistance anytime, anywhere. If you’re here, you’re expecting something more about what a breakdown mechanic can do with your own car at the roadside, right?
Please keep reading to learn everything about it and act like a pro next time when you talk to many breakdown providers out there.
Quick Summary
- The services provided by a breakdown recovery mechanic at the roadside may include fixing a flat tire, jumpstarting a battery, and providing a temporary fix for more complicated problems.
- There are different types of breakdown cover options available, such as personal and vehicle cover, with different levels of protection and services.
- Breakdown cover includes 24/7 roadside assistance, towing services, and help with common car problems such as flat tires, dead batteries, and engine issues.
Contents
- 1 What Can Breakdown Recovery Mechanics Fix At the Roadside?
- 2 The Importance of Roadside Assistance and Recovery Services
- 3 What Are the Different Types of Breakdown Cover?
- 4 What Does Breakdown Cover Include?
- 5 What to Consider When Selecting a Roadside Assistance and Recovery Service?
- 6 Conclusion
- 7 FAQs
What Can Breakdown Recovery Mechanics Fix At the Roadside?
As a driver, encountering an emergency situation is common. For example, your vehicle can break down and cannot be repaired on the spot most of the time.
Even if you have the most reliable vehicle and take good care of it, unexpected issues can still arise because cars have many parts.
So, what do you do with the broken-down car? Can it be fixed on the spot, or does it need to be towed to a local garage? Listen to this if you prefer your peace of mind; the key is to know what to expect. Sometimes, the issue can be resolved right there on the road.
Other times, it might need to be taken to a garage for a closer look. No matter how careful you are, breakdowns are unavoidable. However, understanding the possibilities can help you be better prepared. I’ll discuss some essential things which you should know.
What Can Mechanics Fix At the Roadside?
Roadside mechanics are good at fixing common problems with car(s). For example, if you have a flat tyre or a spare tyre, they can quickly change it by selecting a new tyre for you. If your car won’t start, it’s often because of the battery.
Roadside mechanics can give it a quick boost using jump-start leads or a battery booster to get you back on the side of the road temporarily. Plus, depending on your car, they might even replace the battery for a more long-term solution.
These mechanics focus on fast solutions to help you keep going. They can come up with temporary fixes for more complicated problems, enough to get you home. However, you’ll still need to visit a car repair shop later to fix the issue entirely.
Can Breakdown Recovery Fix a Starter Motor?
If a car doesn’t start, people often think it’s the battery, but sometimes the issue can be with the starter motor. You can usually fix a battery problem (including a flat battery) on the spot, but the starter motor is more complex.
The reason is that each car model uses a different starter motor, so it’s not realistic to carry around all those parts in a van or truck. Unlike starters, batteries are more universal – most popular cars use only a few standard sizes.
How Does Breakdown Cover Work?
You can buy a breakdown cover on its own or with other things like car insurance or your bank account. Usually, you pay for it once every year or every month. Some plans let you pay for help when you need it and then get your money back later.
If your car breaks down and you have cover, find a safe spot to stop and call for help with routine maintenance. They’ll send someone to fix your vehicle or tow it to a nearby garage if it can’t be fixed on the spot.
What happens next depends on what’s wrong and what kind of breakdown cover you have. The BEST part is, with most breakdown plans, you don’t have to pay extra when they come to help you.
Note: Unlike car insurance, most breakdown cover policies don’t have an excess to pay.
The Importance of Roadside Assistance and Recovery Services
Listen, your car can break down anywhere, even in isolated or unsafe places. With a breakdown recovery, you’re safe, and help is just a call away.
Plus, these services are fast when your car STOPS; a quick response from them can get you back on track or solve your problem quickly.
Choosing roadside assistance is often cheaper than fixing things yourself. Because they have the tools and know how to save you from expensive mistakes, you can also ask for help without leaving your car through the app or a call.
This is super easy when you’re in an unknown place or lousy weather. Understood?
What Are the Different Types of Breakdown Cover?
There are different breakdown cover OPTIONS based on your driving habits and the level of protection you want. You can choose between a policy for just yourself or your car or one that covers multiple vehicles or people.
There are two main types of breakdown covers:
- Personal Breakdown Cover: This covers you, no matter which car you’re driving or if you’re a passenger.
- Vehicle Breakdown Cover: This vehicle cover ONLY COVERS the specified vehicle(s) on the policy.
Remember! No matter which membership you choose, you’ll have OPTIONS for different levels of cover. However, Car insurance can help cover costs in the event of an accident, but not when your car breaks down.
| Roadside Assistance Breakdown Cover | National Recovery Breakdown Cover | Onward Travel Breakdown Cover | Home Start Breakdown Cover |
| Fix your car on the spot or tow it to the nearest garage if needed. | Includes towing for you and up to seven passengers anywhere in the country. | Provide a rental/hire car or pay for other transport costs and accommodation while your car is repaired. | Cover breakdowns at your home or within a quarter-mile from it. |
What Does Breakdown Cover Include?
Breakdown Cover provides 24/7 roadside assistance in the U.K. and sometimes in Europe (European Cover). The services include a mechanic helping on the roadside or towing your car to a garage.
It covers problems like flat tyres, dead batteries (or flat batteries), broken clutch, alternator faults, starter motor, engine overheating, fuel filter issues, or contaminations, electric control unit (ECU), gearbox, diesel particulate filter, and other mechanical problems.
Your policy may also include help for trailers or caravans towed by your car. So, ALWAYS check the coverage details of your policy.
Note: Breakdown cover won’t usually cover windscreen repairs. So regularly check it for your safety.
However, this will be helpful during longer journeys.
What to Consider When Selecting a Roadside Assistance and Recovery Service?
To avoid regrets, when picking a roadside assistance and recovery service, please think about these things:
- Make sure the service covers the places you go, like your town or the roads you travel on.
- Ask how quickly they usually come to help you in an emergency.
- Check if they can help with what you might need, such as towing, jump-starting your car, or changing a tire.
- Read what other people have said about the service. This will tell you if they are good at helping and if customers are happy.
- Some services give you extra benefits, like DISCOUNTS on hotels or rental car(s). Think about these extras when you decide.
- Understand how much you have to pay and if there are any membership fees.
Useful guides:
Conclusion
Now, it’s your turn.
You ALWAYS need to be cautious to save yourself from unexpected vehicle issues. For this, you need to make a responsible decision for your safety and peace of mind.
However, if you’re planning for a vehicle breakdown recovery cover, do more research on many breakdown provider(s), their policy, terms, and conditions, pricing details (including an extra cost), and more.
PRECAUTION is worth the regret!
