{"id":1576,"date":"2023-06-20T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-06-20T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/knowledge\/vehicles\/what-is-business-breakdown-cover\/"},"modified":"2025-05-22T13:14:11","modified_gmt":"2025-05-22T13:14:11","slug":"what-is-business-breakdown-cover","status":"publish","type":"knowledge","link":"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/knowledge\/vehicles\/what-is-business-breakdown-cover\/","title":{"rendered":"What is business breakdown cover?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

With 329,509 sold in the UK in 2022, there\u2019s no denying how much we rely on our commercial vehicles (Statista Research Department, May 2023). Which is why it\u2019s so important to make sure your business car or van is fully insured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether you\u2019re using your vehicle to get from A to B or it’s a crucial part of how you run your business, read our guide to learn more about what business breakdown cover is \u2013 as well as how to choose the best breakdown cover for your vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is breakdown cover?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Breakdown cover is a type of insurance which helps you if your vehicle breaks down. Your cover will generally include roadside assistance \u2013 where a mechanic comes to where you\u2019ve broken down and fixes your vehicle. If they can\u2019t fix your vehicle, you\u2019ll be towed to a garage for further repairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It\u2019s important to note that breakdown cover and car insurance aren\u2019t the same thing. If you break down and don\u2019t have specific breakdown cover, your vehicle insurance won\u2019t cover you if you call roadside assistance. Car or van insurance helps with costs when you have an accident (and is a legal requirement), whereas breakdown cover helps when your vehicle has broken down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Breakdown cover doesn\u2019t just cover cars. You can get breakdown cover for whatever vehicle you drive \u2013 including vans and motorcycles \u2013 and it can even cover fleets of company vehicles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why do I need breakdown cover for my business?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While breakdown cover isn\u2019t a legal requirement \u2013 for a company car or personal vehicle \u2013 it\u2019s still an important cover to have. If you rely on your vehicle for work and something happens, you\u2019re at risk of losing out on money, clients, and reputation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the core aspects of any breakdown cover for business is roadside assistance. However, you can tailor your cover to suit the needs of your business and add what you need to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep reading to find out more about some popular add-ons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alternative transport cover<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One popular option is to include alternative transport cover, often called onward journey cover. This means that if your vehicle can\u2019t be fixed quickly enough, your insurance will cover your replacement journey, such as hire cars or public transport costs \u2013 meaning you never have to miss a client meeting or project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Depending on the requirements of your job, you should always make sure your onward journey cover doesn\u2019t have any exclusions, such as maximum or minimum distances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vehicle recovery<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you frequently travel long distances for work, adding vehicle recovery to your cover means your vehicle can be towed to any location in the UK. It also provides you with roadside assistance wherever you are in the country, allowing you to take on jobs and clients further afield with peace of mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

European cover<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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You can also choose a cover which works outside of the country. If your work frequently brings you to Europe, it might be worth adding European cover to your breakdown package. This could be a useful addition if you often have business in the EU.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be sure to read the details of your chosen cover. Some providers allow a limited number of European trips, whilst others offer an annual cover for unlimited trips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How does business breakdown cover work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Depending on the breakdown cover you choose, it can work in two ways. Traditional business breakdown cover is paid in a monthly or annual fee and is there to protect you when unexpected circumstances arise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, some covers will have you pay for any repairs or assistance directly and allow you to claim this back afterwards. It\u2019s important to choose a breakdown cover which works best for your business and vehicles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whichever type of cover you choose, paying a smaller fee each month or being able to claim back your expenses will be less of a financial burden than an unexpected mechanic fee after a breakdown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business breakdown cover vs personal breakdown cover<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some breakdown covers insure people and others insure vehicles. Make sure you choose a cover that works for your type of business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may also be able to choose a personal breakdown cover option for your business. If you\u2019re the only driver for your business and you drive just one vehicle, you may still be covered on a personal breakdown policy. However, it\u2019s important to check this criteria with your breakdown cover provider to see if you\u2019ll be covered commercially.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which is the best breakdown cover UK?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve just bought or leased a van<\/a> or car<\/a>, the next thing you should do is buy your breakdown cover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With so many different types of cover available, it\u2019s important to do your research and choose a cover which works for your business. Aspects to consider include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n