Is it illegal to not have breakdown cover for my car?
BREAKDOWN cover is a handy car insurance add-on that can get you out of a sticky situation - but is it a legal requirement?
Roadside assistance and breakdown cover are commonly offered as extras when you buy a motor insurance policy - we look at whether you really need it.
Breakdown cover for your vehicle isn't actually a requirement on the road, but it could save you money in the long-run.
Breakdown cover is additional car insurance, which pays for the cost of repair or towing if you break down during your journey.
But many UK drivers don't have it - and may face hefty costs in the event of a breakdown.
Paying for a tow truck driver or repair vehicle unexpectedly could set you back hundreds of pounds and disrupt your entire day if you need to find alternative transport.
So it might be worth spending a few bob a month to protect yourself against what could be a crazy cost - and plenty of inconvenience.
The RAC estimates a tow off the motorway can cost £300 or more.
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Is it illegal not to have breakdown cover?
No, it's perfectly legal to not have breakdown cover for you car.
Unlike car insurance, you're allowed to drive throughout the UK and Europe without breakdown cover in place.
Politicians have considered putting this into law over the years, but have not done so - and there's no sign of that changing any time soon.
However, it might make financial sense for you to get breakdown cover anyway.
Getting your car picked up and towed somewhere safe for repairs is likely to set you back a steep flat fee, charges of around £2 per mile and extra costs on top if the recovery mileage exceeds 10 miles.
Breakdown cover starts at £9-10 a month with major providers like the RAC, AA and Green Flag.
But make sure you haggle, too - according to , you could save upwards of £100 a year.
Is breakdown cover included in my insurance?
Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't.
You might get a better deal on cover if it's in your insurance policy - or with a provider you're already a customer with.
If you're unsure whether you have breakdown cover, check your insurance policy for confirmation.
If you can't see the details in your policy documents, contact your provider.
But make sure you don't buy cover unless you know for certain you don't already have it - there's no point paying for something twice.
What should I do if I break down?
It might seem obvious, but you cannot buy breakdown cover once you've broken down.
Green Flag, the AA and the RAC all have alternative phone numbers for motorists broken down without cover.
The fees are going to be higher than if you had repair insurance to begin with - but that's the risk you're taking by not paying for the optional protection.
However, if you already have breakdown cover simply contact your provider and they'll come get you with no extra charges - depending on the small print of your cover policy.
As a rugged winter bites and roads get tougher, we've spoken to a road expert about how to stay safe behind the wheel.
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