Some breakdown cover policies are sold with an 'excess' - or the option of paying one. An 'excess' is simply a one-off payment made by the insured customer after the delivery of a service - in this case breakdown recovery. For example, a policy might come with a £30 excess - which goes towards recovery costs.
The higher the excess, the lower the premium.
Compulsory and voluntary excess
Excess payments may be compulsory with some cover policies, or they may be voluntary. Within the UK vehicle breakdown insurance industry, excess payments - either compulsory or voluntary - are uncommon.
Why do some breakdown providers offer their services with an excess?
By agreeing to pay an excess in the event of a breakdown, the customer will generally pay less for their cover. This system is more commonly seen in other types of insurance, such as vehicle, home or pet cover.
How do I find out about excess payments in my policy?
Whichever breakdown cover provider you choose, you'll be able to find out about any excess payments in the policy document.
Read your policy document
It’s important to understand what is and is not covered by your breakdown cover policy. You should choose a policy level based on your driving habits. For example, if you regularly undertake journeys across the UK, a policy with 'nationwide' cover would be more suitable.
