Car breakdown cover is being scrimped on by over four million motorists this winter risking those drivers an unexpected bill of well over £100. New research by Halifax found one in seven motorists either did not have car breakdown cover at all or did not know if they were covered.
A spokesperson for car breakdown company, the ETA, said: “Arranging for the roadside recovery of a car, van or motorcycle recovery without the benefit of breakdown cover can be a costly affair, but with prices starting at less than £30 for one year’s cover, it’s a false economy to go without. The protection offered by the ETA is particularly comprehensive because Included in every policy is service called Auto Repair, which pays up to £500 for parts and labour following a breakdown.”
The research carried out by Halifax found that three in ten drivers said they had broken down on the way to work in winter. Almost one quarter of younger drivers do without breakdown cover compared to fewer than one in ten of motorists aged over 55.
Analysis of data from more one million breakdown cover policies by the ETA reveals the most common reasons for having to make a claim on your breakdown cover.
| Position | Symptom | Percentage |
|
1 |
Engine dead when ignition key turned |
30.27% |
|
2 |
Engine died and will not re-start |
8.11% |
|
3 |
Flat tyre – no spare tyre |
7.50% |
|
4 |
Engine turns over, but will not start |
7.48% |
|
5 |
Loss of engine power |
3.49% |
|
6 |
Engine management warning light on |
3.32% |
|
7 |
Clutch failure |
2.55% |
|
8 |
Gearbox/clutch fault |
2.49% |
|
9 |
Overheating |
1.85% |
|
10 |
Flat tyre – spare, but no jack |
1.49% |
How to avoid breakdowns
Even a well-maintained car, van or motorcycle can break down and that’s where good breakdown cover is essential. ETA car breakdown cover gives the assurance of friendly and efficient help when you need assistance.
In many cases, the problem can be solved by having a skilled mechanic on hand. ETA car breakdown cover guarantees up to an hour of free roadside assistance to try and get you moving. If the problem is more serious, we guarantee to transport your vehicle to a suitable garage, even if this means taking you home first and then arranging a next-day recovery free of charge – unlike many of our competitors.
Once a breakdown has occurred, the best way to avoid further trouble is to ensure that proper repairs are carried out for any faults that may have been uncovered during the incident. Luckily, every ETA breakdown cover policy includes FREE Auto Repair cover, which can cover the cost of repairs following a breakdown up to £500 for vehicles under 10 years old or with fewer than 100,000 miles on the clock.
Why choose car breakdown cover from us?
Established over 20 years ago, and with over 5,000 recovery trucks on call 24/7, we have a proven track record of providing efficient, reliable breakdown cover.
We handpick only the best local mechanics and garages around Britain to send out if you break down. We believe this way of working is efficient, environmentally friendly and helps supports local communities and economies, too.
On top of this, we offset the carbon emissions of the recovery trucks that go out to assist you, reducing the impact your breakdown has on our environment. Every one of our customers also helps to fund the work of our charity, the ETA Trust, which we set up in 1994 to campaign for a safer, cleaner transport future.
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