New data reveals more than one in ten don’t have breakdown cover
New research from Go.Compare car insurance has revealed that many could be facing unexpected costs on the road – as more than one in ten admit they don’t have breakdown cover.* Nationally, this could add up to nearly 6 million drivers who are unprotected in the case they break down and need rescuing.**
The findings, which surveyed over 2,000 people across the UK, show that young drivers are most likely to put themselves at risk – with 14% of 18 to 24-year-olds admitting they don’t have a breakdown policy.
Tom Banks, Go.Compare car insurance spokesperson, warned: “While everyone knows the costs for young drivers can be higher than for those with more experience – and you might not be keen to fork out more money than you have to – going without breakdown cover could cost you more in the long run.
“Cars can break down for a wide number of reasons, whether it’s engine trouble or electrical issues. Older cars are popular with young drivers because they can be really affordable – but they’re also more likely to break down. And in the case that you do find yourself stranded at the side of the road, it’s much more expensive if you don’t have cover and have to arrange your own rescue – plus the cost of any repairs.”
The data also revealed the areas in the UK where people are most likely to drop the ball with breakdown cover. Northern Ireland claims the top spot, with nearly one in four (23%) admitting they don’t have breakdown cover, followed by Wales (16%) and Yorkshire and the Humber (14%).
Commenting on the findings, Tom said: “It’s surprising to see so many drivers taking the risk of going without breakdown cover – as a single breakdown rescue can easily cost more than having a standard breakdown policy for several years.
“Our research also revealed how people are buying their breakdown policies. Over a third (36%) said they opted to get breakdown cover through their car insurer as an add-on. While this is an easy option, we would definitely recommend comparing different breakdown policies – as you’ll often find you can get a better price, or more extensive cover, when you shop around.”
For more tips on how to get cheaper breakdown cover, visit: https://www.gocompare.com/breakdown-cover/money-saving-tips/.
Based in New York, Stephen Freeman is a Senior Editor at Trending Insurance News. Previously he has worked for Forbes and The Huffington Post. Steven is a graduate of Risk Management at the University of New York.