Breakdown cover: A little backup for the road ahead.
From the daily commute to the long way home. Tell us what you need and request a breakdown-cover quote with Kompare.
- Choose your cover
- A simple quote request
- No obligation
What breakdown cover can cover
Tell us which features you want included in your quote. Availability, limits and exclusions depend on the provider.
- Roadside assistance
- Local recovery
- Home assistance
- National recovery
- Multiple vehicles
How it works
- Tell us about your vehicles. Enter your registration and tell us how many vehicles need cover.
- Choose your cover. Let us know whether you want help at home and national recovery.
- Request your quote. Leave your details so we can contact you about your breakdown-cover options.
Is breakdown cover a legal requirement in the UK?
No. Breakdown cover is optional. The law only requires motor insurance on vehicles used on public roads. Breakdown cover is a separate service that helps when your vehicle stops working. Some car insurance policies include it as an extra, so check what you already have before you buy.
What are the different levels of breakdown cover?
Cover is usually built up in layers. Roadside assistance tries to fix the vehicle where it stopped. Recovery takes it somewhere if it can't be fixed. Home assistance covers breakdowns at or near your home. Onward travel can help you finish your journey. The exact names and limits depend on the provider.
| Feature | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| Roadside assistance | Help at the roadside if you break down away from home |
| Local recovery | A tow to a nearby garage or destination if it can't be fixed |
| National recovery | A tow to a destination further away, within the provider's limits |
| Home assistance | Help if the vehicle won't start at or near your home |
| Onward travel | Help such as a hire car or accommodation, depending on the policy |
What does breakdown cover usually leave out?
Breakdown cover pays for the call-out and labour within the policy's limits. It usually doesn't pay for parts or garage repairs. Common exclusions include running out of fuel in some cases, faults you already knew about, vehicles over a provider's age or weight limit, and breakdowns that happen before cover starts.
Should breakdown cover follow the car or the person?
Vehicle cover protects one vehicle, whoever is driving it. Personal cover protects you in any vehicle you are travelling in, as driver or passenger. Which suits you depends on how many vehicles you use and who drives them. Ask the provider to quote the version that fits.
What affects the price of breakdown cover?
The main factors are the level of cover you choose, the number of vehicles, whether cover follows the vehicle or the person, and the age of the vehicle. Some providers also limit call-outs per year, so the terms differ as well as the price.
How can I keep the cost of breakdown cover down?
Only choose the features you will actually use. If you rarely drive far from home, you may not need national recovery. Check whether your car insurance or a bank account already includes breakdown cover. Covering several vehicles on one policy may also be worth asking about.
What do I need to get a breakdown cover quote?
Your vehicle registration, how many vehicles need cover, and which features you want, such as home assistance or national recovery. The provider may also ask about the vehicle's age and when you want the cover to start.
Breakdown cover questions
Am I buying cover by filling this in?
No. This is a quote request. You can discuss the price, terms and start date before deciding whether to buy.
What is home assistance?
It is a cover feature for breakdowns at or near your home. Tell us if you would like it included in your quote; the provider will confirm the exact terms.
What is national recovery?
It is a recovery option for when a vehicle cannot be repaired at the roadside. The provider will explain the destinations, distance limits and conditions that apply.
Can I request cover for more than one vehicle?
Yes. Choose one, two, three, or four or more vehicles in the form. For four or more, we will take the first registration and discuss the others with you.
What if I have already broken down?
This form is for arranging future cover. It does not request emergency assistance or activate cover for an existing breakdown. Contact your current breakdown provider if you need help now.
Does breakdown cover pay for repairs?
Usually not the parts or garage work. It covers getting help to you and, if needed, moving the vehicle, within the provider's limits.
Is there a waiting period after I buy?
Some providers don't cover breakdowns in the first days of a new policy. Ask when cover starts.
Can I get cover for an older vehicle?
Often yes, but some providers have age limits or extra conditions. Tell us the vehicle and the provider will confirm.
Does breakdown cover work abroad?
Standard UK cover usually doesn't. European cover is normally a separate option.
Is a flat battery or flat tyre covered?
Usually yes, as a roadside call-out. Check the policy for what the provider will do and any limits.
Written and checked by the Kompare team · Last updated October 2026
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