18 Feb 2008 04:33:25 | Mark Flanighan
I read in the newspapers last year that 1 in 4 people drive on
the UK roads without adequate protection for a breakdown. This
included not having a suitable spare tire, jack, or a basic tool
kit in case the worst were to happen. But what is more
surprising is how many people take to the roads without adequate
breakdown cover. It's not as though it is expensive, some
household breakdown cover names can still offer cover from £29 a
year.
When you compare this to an average call out fee from a
breakdown truck of at least double that for one call out and in
some areas in the UK could be many times that, you wonder why
breakdown cover isn't an automatic purchase. The truth is many
of us don't see the need until we actually breakdown, suffered
the costs, the inconvenience and possible the safety risk of
being stranded somewhere.
If you have ever been burgled it is probably very unlikely you
would not risk not having home contents insurance ever again,
the same rules apply to breakdown cover. Another argument is
that modern cars are more reliable these days. That is true but
when you consider that most call outs are due to flat tyres and
flat batteries, which are pretty much the same on every car,
that argument becomes weaker.
Also modern cars are harder to work on with electronics
replacing mechanical parts, needing specialist equipment. This
year I do not expect to have an accident with my modern car but
I would not risk driving without motor insurance, I also do not
expect to breakdown either, but I will be covered just in case.
My final comment is safety. If you are going to breakdown, it
could be at anyplace at anytime of day or night. Being stranded
on a lonely road by yourself at night is not the most enjoyable
experience, knowing you will be attended within the hour can be
worth more than money.
Before you take to the road make sure at least you have the
resources to get home; correct spare tire, jack, a small tool
kit, and at least consider how important Breakdown Cover can be.
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Mark also is webmaster for 
