Get Comprehensive Breakdown Cover with Your Car Insurance

Motor breakdown policies will usually provide different levels of cover that can include:

> roadside assistance
> taking your broken down vehicle to the nearest garage
> assistance in case your car won't start at home
> breakdown cover in Europe.

When you take out your car insurance plan, you may want to consider taking out additional cover for breakdown to suit your needs. Good car insurance companies will usually offer flexible levels of cover to suit your budget and needs. John Lewis, for example, offers three levels of breakdown cover: Roadside Rescue; Home Rescue; and European Rescue. However, with standard car insurance, you may find that mechanical, electrical or computer failures in your car will not be covered.

When you have protected yourself with motor breakdown coverage, there are a few other things you can do to protect yourself during a breakdown particularly on a motorway:

> When you break down, pull off the road as far as possible, with your wheels turned to the left. This will reduce your risk from oncoming traffic.

> Switch your sidelights and hazard lights on to alert other vehicles of your presence.

> If you're on a motorway, try to stop near an emergency phone if possible. Phones are placed at one-mile intervals along the hard shoulder for you to contact the emergency services. If you use these phones, the emergency services will be able to find your location more easily.

> All passengers should get out of the car on the left-hand side, and wear luminous safety jackets if you have them.

> Do not attempt any repairs yourself, but wait for the professional breakdown and recovery company to come to your assistance.

> You can keep a blanket and other emergency supplies in your car in case of breakdown by the side of the road

By taking these safety precautions during a breakdown, you can reduce the risks for yourself. You should also insure your car insurance against breakdowns so that you can be safely back on the road again as soon as possible.