| |
What is covered by car breakdown insurance?
Car breakdown insurance covers you against the
unexpected failure of a specific list of components.
This sort of insurance is not a maintenance contract, and
it does not cover breakdowns which occur as a result of normal
wear and tear on the car.
Indeed, it is a condition of mechanical breakdown insurance
that you keep your car in good condition by having it regularly
serviced.
It may also be mandatory that details of each service are
recorded in the warranty handbook, that you keep the receipts
relating to the services, and that the services are carried
out by a dealer who is registered for VAT.
If you cannot show that you have met the insurer’s servicing
requirements, any claims you make will be rejected.
Car mechanical breakdown insurance covers the cost of parts
and labour for factory-fitted components which need to be
repaired or replaced as a result of sudden and unexpected
mechanical, electrical or electronic failure.
The components listed in the policy document may include some
or all of the following:
• Engine
• Gear box
• Cooling system
• Fuel system
• Clutch
• Prop shaft
• Differential and drive line
• Electrics
• Steering
• Wheel bearings
• Braking system – including anti-lock braking
system (ABS)
• Turbo unit
• Suspension
• Air conditioning
• Gauges
• Computers
• Central locking
• Screen elements
Depending on the policy, cover may also include
a contribution of about £50 a day towards hiring a car
for a maximum of seven days if yours is off the road for more
than 24 hours.
However, you cannot claim for the cost of hiring a car if
you are waiting for parts to arrive or work on the vehicle
to start or continue.
You may find that you can claim something towards hotel costs
and travel on public transport (in the UK) if your car breaks
down as a result of something covered by the policy.
Some policies also cover breakdown outside the UK, provided
that the reason for the breakdown is covered by the policy.
If the policy does include cover outside the UK, it is likely
that there will be a limit on the number of days you and your
car can spend abroad, and the amount paid out for repairs
may be limited to the cost of having an equivalent repair
carried out in the UK.
See also Roadside
Recovery
|
|
