Breakdown cover
Encyclopedia
Breakdown cover is a service that provides assistance to motorists whose vehicles have suffered a mechanical failure that is significant enough to leave them stranded at their present location.
In most areas, the service is a provided by competing commercial service providers, with a set yearly fee to purchase the service. In some areas, there is a government-sponsored or -sanctioned monopoly, and the service may be in the form of an insurance policy with premiums, instead of a member subscription fee.
In Europe, it is popularly available via each country's national automobile membership association, but may also be made available as part of the service of a vehicle insurance
company, or other companies whose primary business is to offer such assistance. Many autombile manufacturers offer roadside assistance for their customers, sometimes for free for some period after the purchase of a new vehicle.
The term breakdown cover is most common in the United Kingdom
; elsewhere, it may also be referred to as emergency roadside repair or roadside assistance. Such services originated with early national motoring organisations
, such as the member clubs of the United States' American Automobile Association
(AAA), the United Kingdom's Automobile Association (AA), Germany's Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club
, and the Canadian Automobile Association
(CAA). Many of these associations were founded as membership-based clubs for early enthusiast motorists; services to assist members were introduced sometime later, with the creation of a fleet of assistance vehicles. In the case of the UK AA, these were traditionally motorcycle
-mounted prior to the introduction of van
s.
When communication technology and availability made it practical, a network of emergency phone boxes, placed at intervals by the roadside, was introduced in some countries. In recent years, the widespread ownership of mobile phones has, to a large degree, supplanted the need for an emergency phone network. With many more vehicles on the road, breakdown cover is now offered by a greater number of companies, e.g the AA
, RAC
, Green Flag
, GEM
, RescueMyCar.com
, and Autonational Rescue
, particularly car insurers.
an automobile
, towing
a vehicle
, helping to change a flat tire
, providing a small amount of fuel
when a vehicle runs out of it, pulling out a vehicle that is stuck in snow
or helping people who are locked
out of their cars.
offer a free, volunteer service called Chaverim ("friends"), that performs similar services, supported by donations. Most Chaverim organizations usually do not offer towing, and have limited geographic service areas.
In most areas, the service is a provided by competing commercial service providers, with a set yearly fee to purchase the service. In some areas, there is a government-sponsored or -sanctioned monopoly, and the service may be in the form of an insurance policy with premiums, instead of a member subscription fee.
In Europe, it is popularly available via each country's national automobile membership association, but may also be made available as part of the service of a vehicle insurance
Vehicle insurance
Vehicle insurance is insurance purchased for cars, trucks, motorcycles, and other road vehicles. Its primary use is to provide financial protection against physical damage and/or bodily injury resulting from traffic collisions and against liability that could also arise therefrom...
company, or other companies whose primary business is to offer such assistance. Many autombile manufacturers offer roadside assistance for their customers, sometimes for free for some period after the purchase of a new vehicle.
History
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
; elsewhere, it may also be referred to as emergency roadside repair or roadside assistance. Such services originated with early national motoring organisations
Motor club
Motor clubs are organizations, either for-profit or non-profit, which motorists can join to enjoy certain benefits provided by the club relating to driving a vehicle. There is typically an annual membership fee to join...
, such as the member clubs of the United States' American Automobile Association
American Automobile Association
AAA , formerly known as the American Automobile Association, is a federation of 51 independently operated motor clubs throughout North America. AAA is a not-for-profit member service organization with more than 51 million members. AAA provides services to its members such as travel, automotive,...
(AAA), the United Kingdom's Automobile Association (AA), Germany's Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club
ADAC
The ADAC is Germany's and Europe's largest automobile club, with more than 17 million members in June 2010. It was founded on May 24, 1903 as "Deutsche Motorradfahrer-Vereinigung" and was renamed in 1911...
, and the Canadian Automobile Association
Canadian Automobile Association
The Canadian Automobile Association , commonly known as CAA, is a non-profit federation, founded in 1913, of nine clubs across Canada, providing roadside assistance service, a complete range of auto touring and leisure travel services, insurance services, and member discounts with preferred...
(CAA). Many of these associations were founded as membership-based clubs for early enthusiast motorists; services to assist members were introduced sometime later, with the creation of a fleet of assistance vehicles. In the case of the UK AA, these were traditionally motorcycle
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
-mounted prior to the introduction of van
Van
A van is a kind of vehicle used for transporting goods or groups of people.In British English usage, it can be either specially designed or based on a saloon or sedan car, the latter type often including derivatives with open backs...
s.
When communication technology and availability made it practical, a network of emergency phone boxes, placed at intervals by the roadside, was introduced in some countries. In recent years, the widespread ownership of mobile phones has, to a large degree, supplanted the need for an emergency phone network. With many more vehicles on the road, breakdown cover is now offered by a greater number of companies, e.g the AA
The Automobile Association
The Automobile Association , a British motoring association founded in 1905 was demutualised in 1999 to become a private limited company which currently provides car insurance, driving lessons, breakdown cover, loans and motoring advice, and other services...
, RAC
RAC plc
RAC Limited is a breakdown company in the United Kingdom supplying products and services for motorists. Initially formed as the "Associate Section" of the Royal Automobile Club, it was incorporated as R.A.C. Motoring Services Ltd. in 1978. It was then sold by the members of the Royal Automobile...
, Green Flag
Green Flag
Green Flag is a roadside rescue company based in the UK. It was formed in 1971 as the National Breakdown Recovery Club and operated under this name under the ownership of National Car Parks until 1994, when it was renamed Green Flag as a symbolic brand name...
, GEM
GEM Motoring Assist
GEM Motoring Assist is a road safety and breakdown recovery organisation based in the UK. It was formed in 1932 as the Company of Veteran Motorists and operated under this name until 1983, when it was renamed The Guild of Experienced Motorists as a symbolic brand name...
, RescueMyCar.com
RescueMyCar.com
RescueMyCar.com is a UK based Breakdown Cover provider, and is a member of the NCI Vehicle Rescue plc group of companies. Established in 2000 the company initially, specialised in motorcycle recovery, quickly expanding into the much larger car and van markets...
, and Autonational Rescue
Autonational Rescue
Autonational Rescue is a car breakdown service based in the United Kingdom that provides roadside and recovery assistance to motorists...
, particularly car insurers.
Services
Breakdown cover may include jump startingJump start (vehicle)
A jump start, also called a boost, is a method of starting an automobile or other vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine when the vehicle's battery has been discharged. A second battery is temporarily connected to provide starting power to the disabled vehicle...
an automobile
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
, towing
Tow truck
A tow truck is a vehicle used to transport motor vehicles to another location , or to recover vehicles which are no longer on a drivable surface.Towing services are generally provided by an emergency road service operator...
a vehicle
Vehicle
A vehicle is a device that is designed or used to transport people or cargo. Most often vehicles are manufactured, such as bicycles, cars, motorcycles, trains, ships, boats, and aircraft....
, helping to change a flat tire
Flat tire
A flat tire is a deflated pneumatic tire, which can cause the rim of the wheel to ride on the tire tread or the ground potentially resulting in loss of control of the vehicle or irreparable damage to the tire and wheel....
, providing a small amount of fuel
Fuel
Fuel is any material that stores energy that can later be extracted to perform mechanical work in a controlled manner. Most fuels used by humans undergo combustion, a redox reaction in which a combustible substance releases energy after it ignites and reacts with the oxygen in the air...
when a vehicle runs out of it, pulling out a vehicle that is stuck in snow
Snow
Snow is a form of precipitation within the Earth's atmosphere in the form of crystalline water ice, consisting of a multitude of snowflakes that fall from clouds. Since snow is composed of small ice particles, it is a granular material. It has an open and therefore soft structure, unless packed by...
or helping people who are locked
Key (lock)
A key is an instrument that is used to operate a lock. A typical key consists of two parts: the blade, which slides into the keyway of the lock and distinguishes between different keys, and the bow, which is left protruding so that torque can be applied by the user. The blade is usually intended to...
out of their cars.
Volunteerism
Most roadside assistance is done via contracted services, as described above. Many large Jewish communities on the East Coast of the United StatesEast Coast of the United States
The East Coast of the United States, also known as the Eastern Seaboard, refers to the easternmost coastal states in the United States, which touch the Atlantic Ocean and stretch up to Canada. The term includes the U.S...
offer a free, volunteer service called Chaverim ("friends"), that performs similar services, supported by donations. Most Chaverim organizations usually do not offer towing, and have limited geographic service areas.
See also
- Vehicle RecoveryVehicle recoveryVehicle recovery is the recovery of any vehicle to another place, generally speaking with a commercial vehicle known as a recovery vehicle, tow truck or spectacle lift....
- Breakdown (vehicle)Breakdown (vehicle)A vehicle breakdown is the operational failure of a motor vehicle in such a way that the underlying problem prevents the vehicle from being operated at all, or impedes the vehicle's operation so much, that it is very difficult or nearly impossible, or dangerous to operate, or else at risk of...
- Car safetyCar safetyAutomobile safety is the study and practice of vehicle design, construction, and equipment to minimize the occurrence and consequences of automobile accidents. Automobile safety is the study and practice of vehicle design, construction, and equipment to minimize the occurrence and consequences of...
- InsuranceInsuranceIn law and economics, insurance is a form of risk management primarily used to hedge against the risk of a contingent, uncertain loss. Insurance is defined as the equitable transfer of the risk of a loss, from one entity to another, in exchange for payment. An insurer is a company selling the...