Breakdown Cover Insurance
Discover the best Breakdown cover.
Real time analytics
Advanced tracking
Instant payouts
Usable data
Guaranteed returns
Real time analytics
Advanced tracking
Instant payouts
Usable data
Guaranteed returns
Real time analytics
Advanced tracking
Instant payouts
Usable data
Guaranteed returns
Easy to use platform
NFT collection
Smart banking
Crypto wallet
User collaboration
Easy to use platform
NFT collection
Smart banking
Crypto wallet
User collaboration
Easy to use platform
NFT collection
Smart banking
Crypto wallet
User collaboration
What is Breakdown Cover?
Breakdown Cover insurance (also known as roadside assistance or breakdown insurance) is a type of coverage that helps drivers in the event their vehicle breaks down while on the road.
It provides a range of services aimed at getting you back on the road quickly or helping you manage the situation if the car cannot be fixed immediately.
Breakdown Cover can often be purchased as a stand-alone policy or as an add-on to your car insurance.
Best Breakdown Cover Insurance
StateFarm
Average full coverage premium: $241/month
Availability: In all states except MA and RI.
Customer satisfaction: 710/1,000
Pros
- Available in most states
- Great network of exclusive local agents
- Offers Drive Safe & Save: A telematics program
- Superior Financial Strengh
- Good J.D. Power claims satisfaction score
Cons
- Not available in all 50 states
- Customer service isn’t available 24/7
- Accident forgiveness cannot be purchased but must be “earned”
- Auto rates could increase twice a year
StateFarm Overview
State Farm is one of the largest and most well-known car insurance providers in the United States. Established in 1922, it has become a trusted name in the insurance industry, offering a wide variety of coverage options for drivers.
Its offerings include the standard car insurance policies like liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, as well as additional features such as roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, and rideshare insurance for drivers working with companies like Uber or Lyft.
State Farm also provides discounts for safe driving, bundling home and auto policies, and having modern safety features in vehicles, such as airbags or anti-theft devices. The company operates with a vast network of agents across the U.S., which allows for a personalized, customer-centric experience. State Farm aims to provide reliable and accessible insurance solutions, catering to a broad range of customer needs.
Is StateFarm Car Insurance Worth it?
Yes. It offers competitive pricing, especially for those who qualify for discounts, and a personalized approach through its network of agents.
StateFarm Features
State Farm provides a range of standard and optional coverage options designed to meet the needs of various drivers. These include liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, as well as add-ons like rental car reimbursement, roadside assistance, and accident forgiveness. One of the unique offerings is rideshare insurance, which covers drivers working for companies like Uber or Lyft.
State Farm also provides a variety of discounts, such as those for safe driving, bundling auto and home insurance, and for having certain safety features in your vehicle. The company’s mobile app and online tools have been enhanced in recent years, providing customers with easier ways to manage their policies, file claims, and access roadside assistance.
What is StateFarm Reputation?
For those who value a more traditional method of managing insurance through an agent, State Farm’s reputation for customer service may be appealing. However, some customers have raised concerns about the company’s handling of claims and customer service responsiveness, which could be a downside for certain drivers.
Nationwide
Monthly Cost: $236.16
AM Best Rating: A+
Quote Access: Online Estimate
Pros and cons
Pros
- Nationwide homeowners insurance policies include standard coverage for building ordinances, which helps with the costs of upgrading your home to current building codes after a covered loss. They also provide credit card coverage to protect against unauthorized transactions.
- Nationwide offers discounts for installing “smart home” devices that enhance security and efficiency, as well as for certain home renovations that improve safety or energy efficiency.
Cons
- Nationwide homeowners insurance is not as widely available as some other insurers in our rating. It offers policies in 47 states and Washington, D.C., but does not provide coverage in California, Massachusetts, or Rhode Island.
- Expansive
Overview
Nationwide generally performed well in our sub-ratings, with a few exceptions. It scored below average in both the categories of homeowners insurance companies most likely to be renewed and homeowners insurance companies for customer loyalty, earning 4.1 out of 5 in each category, compared to an average score of 4.2. Nationwide ranked sixth in our rating for the cheapest homeowners insurance companies, with an average monthly premium of $236, but it excelled in our homeowners insurance for value sub-rating, tying for third place.
Nationwide’s standard homeowners policy includes coverage for credit card fraud and building ordinances, helping to pay for repairs or rebuilding to meet current building codes after a covered loss. Optional coverages are available for water backup and identity theft, as well as for replacement costs of your belongings and dwelling.
Nationwide offers several discounts, including those for smart home devices and protective systems such as security alarms and smoke detectors. There is also a discount for renovating plumbing, electrical, or heating and cooling systems, as well as a discount for switching from another insurance provider based on the number of years with the previous insurer.
Availability: Nationwide provides homeowners insurance policies in 44 states and Washington, D.C.
Travelers:
Best Car Insurance for more dreavers.
J.D. Power Claims Rating: 680/1,000
AM Best Rating: A++
Full Coverage Monthly Cost: $141
| Pros | – Add-ons include accident forgiveness, gap insurance, and new car replacement. – Offers IntelliDrive discounts for safe drivers. – Offers a discount for hybrid and electric vehicles, which is uncommon in the industry. |
| Cons | – Scored below average in several regions of the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Auto Insurance Study. – Only offers rideshare insurance add-on in some states. |
Is Travelers Insurance Good ?
TTravelers Insurance could be a good choice if you value a wide range of policy options, especially for car insurance. The company has also expanded its home insurance coverage, and bundling may offer discounts. However, customer satisfaction is slightly below average according to J.D. Power surveys. In the 2024 Auto and Property Claims Satisfaction Studies, Travelers scored below the industry average. Comparing quotes from multiple companies can help you find the best option.
Ratings Category |
Score ( /10) |
Ranking |
Cost |
9.6 |
3rd |
Coverage |
10 |
1st |
Availability |
10 |
1st |
Industry Standing |
9 |
5th |
Overall ratings |
9.5 |
1st |
Travelers State Availability
Travelers auto insurance is available in all states except AK, HI, LA, MI, ND, SD, WV and WY. Travelers home insurance is available in all states except AK, FL, HI, LA and WV.
What’s the Travelers Reputation ?
J.D. Power 2025 Insurance Shopping Study: 870/1000 (higher than average)
NAIC Complaint Index: 0.89 (lower than average)
AM Best rating: A+ (superior)
In our 2025 survey of 2,000 respondents, including 338 Progressive customers, participants rated Progressive as average for overall customer service. Here’s how they rated the company:
Company Factor |
Progressive average |
Insurance Company Industry Average |
Overall customer satisfaction |
4.3 |
4.3 |
Affordability |
4.1 |
4.2 |
Explanation of Discounts |
4.1 |
4 |
Coverage Options |
4.2 |
4.2 |
*Ratings according to 338 Progressive customers in our 2024 survey.
Progressive customers gave lower-than-average ratings to their claims services, scoring 4.1 out of 5 in our study. They also expressed some of the lowest levels of satisfaction with their claims payouts.
In the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Auto Insurance Study, Progressive’s performance was around average in most regions. Below, you can see its rankings in each region.
- California: 5th place out of 14 providers
- Central: 6th place out of 13 providers
- Florida: 9th place out of 12 providers
- Mid-Atlantic: 11th place out of 14 providers
- New England: 9th place out of 12 providers
- New York: 6th place out of 9 providers
- North Central: 10th place out of 19 providers
- Northwest: 8th place out of 11 providers
- Southeast: 14th place out of 17 providers
- Southwest: 9th place out of 13 providers
- Texas: 9th place out of 9 providers
Key Inclusions of Breakdown Cover
-
Roadside Assistance:
- If your vehicle breaks down, the breakdown service will send a technician to your location to try to fix the issue on the spot.
- This might include minor repairs, such as changing a flat tire or jump-starting a dead battery.
-
Towing to a Garage:
- If the vehicle cannot be repaired at the roadside, it will typically be towed to a nearby garage for more extensive repairs.
- Some policies may limit the distance the vehicle can be towed or the number of miles covered.
-
Home Start:
- If your vehicle breaks down at or near your home, some breakdown cover policies will send assistance to help get your car started.
- This is helpful if you’re unable to get your car started after an overnight issue, like a flat battery.
-
Onward Travel:
- This includes providing you with alternatives to continue your journey. Options could include:
- A hire car
- A taxi to your destination
- Public transport costs
- Accommodation costs if you’re stranded overnight
- Onward travel benefits vary by policy and can be subject to limits.
- This includes providing you with alternatives to continue your journey. Options could include:
-
Replacement Vehicle:
- Some breakdown policies offer a temporary replacement vehicle if yours is off the road for an extended period, typically while waiting for repairs to be completed.
-
Emergency Fuel:
- If you run out of fuel, some policies provide emergency fuel delivery to your location to help you get back on your way.
-
Puncture Repair or Tyre Replacement:
- If you have a flat tire and don’t have a spare, some policies will arrange for it to be fixed or replaced on the spot.
-
Battery Jump-Start or Replacement:
- In the event of a flat battery, the breakdown cover will often provide a jump-start. Some providers may also arrange a new battery if needed.
How does breakdown cover work?
1. Purchase Breakdown Cover
You purchase breakdown cover from an insurer or service provider, either as a stand-alone policy or as an add-on to your car insurance. You choose the level of cover you want (e.g., basic roadside assistance, national coverage, or comprehensive cover) and pay a premium.
2. Breakdown Occurs
If your vehicle breaks down, you stop safely at the side of the road or in a safe place. It’s important not to attempt repairs yourself if you’re not safe to do so.
3. Call the Breakdown Service
- You call the breakdown service’s helpline, which is usually available 24/7. You will need to provide the following information:
- Your location (usually the exact address or GPS coordinates)
- The make and model of your vehicle
- A description of the problem, if you know what caused the breakdown (e.g., flat tire, engine failure, or flat battery)
Some breakdown providers also offer a mobile app, so you can easily request help with just a few taps.
4. The Breakdown Service Arrives
- A recovery technician is dispatched to your location, and they will arrive as soon as possible. Depending on your cover level, they will either attempt a repair at the roadside or arrange for your vehicle to be towed.
- The technician might attempt to:
- Perform basic repairs (e.g., replace a flat tire or jump-start the battery)
- Diagnose the problem and, if it’s minor, try to get the vehicle running again.
What types of breakdown cover are there?
Personal Cover
It applies to the driver rather than the vehicle. This means that as long as the policyholder is driving, they are covered, regardless of which car they are in.
This is especially useful for drivers who frequently use different vehicles, such as those who drive rental cars, company cars, or vehicles that belong to family members.
Personal breakdown cover often includes the same services as vehicle cover, like roadside assistance and towing, but with the added benefit of covering the driver across multiple vehicles.
Vehicle Cover
It’s the traditional form of coverage and applies to a specific vehicle, meaning that if that particular car breaks down, assistance is provided.
This type of cover typically includes roadside assistance, where a technician will attempt to fix the problem on-site, or towing if repairs can’t be made at the roadside.
It may also cover home start, where help is provided if the vehicle breaks down at or near your home.
Can I get breakdown cover with car insurance?
Many car insurance providers offer breakdown cover as an optional add-on to your policy. It can be purchased at the time of getting car insurance or added later.
The coverage typically includes roadside assistance, towing, and sometimes onward travel.
However, the level of cover may vary, so it’s important to check the details. Alternatively, you can also buy standalone breakdown cover from a specialist provider.
Is breakdown cover worth it?
Breakdown cover is worth it for many drivers, especially those who travel long distances or drive older cars. It offers peace of mind, knowing you’ll have assistance if your vehicle breaks down.
It can save you time and money on towing and repairs, plus extra services like onward travel. If you don’t have roadside assistance through your car insurance, it’s a valuable addition. Overall, it reduces stress in emergency situations and helps keep you on the road.
How many call-outs can I make in the year?
The number of call-outs you can make in a year depends on your breakdown cover policy. Most providers offer unlimited call-outs for basic assistance, while others may impose limits, such as three to five call-outs annually.
There can also be restrictions on the type of breakdowns covered, or additional charges for repeated call-outs within a short period.