Breakdown cover

Oh dear. It was all going so well, until your car broke down. And it's dark, cold and wet. You're in the way on a busy road. Or in the middle of nowhere. And your two year old in the child seat has started to see how loud he can scream…

We hope it's not as bad as that. But if you do break down, you'll be ever so chuffed that you took breakdown cover. Here's why.

elephant.co.uk's breakdown cover is supplied by Call Assist Limited (Axis Court, North Station Road, Colchester CO1 1UX) who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. The product is underwritten by Groupama Insurance Company Limited (6th Floor, One America Square, 17 Crosswall, London EC3N 2LB) who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

The help you need, when you need it

elephant.co.uk breakdown cover brings you the options of Local, National Plus or European Plus roadside assistance and recovery. Home assistance is also included as standard with many of the levels. See the summary of cover levels, below.

	Local Cover	National Plus Cover	European Plus Cover
Unlimited European rescue callouts
Unlimited Nationwide recovery callouts
Home assist
Roadside assistance and recovery (within 10 miles)
Priority for drivers in a vunerable situation
Lost or broken key service
Alternative transport
Emergency overnight accommodation
Recovery for caravans and trailers
Message service

• elephant.co.uk breakdown cover aims to have one of 1,500 skilled technicians with you in 30 minutes if possible. If they can't fix it by the side of the road (in 76% of cases they can*), your recovery service will take you, your car and up to six passengers to the nearest garage. If the car cannot be fixed that day then you can be taken to your home or if you would prefer and it is closer, your original destination. With Local cover there is a 10 mile limit on recovery
  
  

  *Statistic from Jan 2010-Dec 2010, excludes extreme failures

We're a sensible lot, so a priority service is given to drivers in a vulnerable situation.

• Home assistance. It's right outside your house and it just won't start; how annoying is that? Don't worry, National Plus and European Plus breakdown cover includes Home assistance too, which covers any breakdown within a one-mile radius of your home address
• Alternative transport or Emergency overnight accommodation. If you're in a rush and take a train, bus or hire car, or if you have to book into B&B or a hotel overnight, just call. Your expenses will be paid for (terms and conditions apply - see the policy booklet)
• Caravan or trailer cover. If you're towing and your car can't be repaired by the roadside, your caravan or trailer will be recovered too
• Lost or damaged key cover. How embarrassing: you've dropped your car keys down a drain cover. It's OK, this cover will include the cost of a call out for one of the technicians to be sent round*. They'll either use their trunk to get them back, or be a human with a clever way to solve the problem

*The cost of replacement keys/locks are not covered.

How it works

If you have a breakdown, call 0800 458 9283. Tell the operator your policy number, your car registration, make and model. And of course, where you are. The phone operator will take your phone number, and keep you updated with the estimated time of the technician's arrival, and their name, so you know who to expect.

Brilliant. So how do I get it?

If you are an elephant.co.uk customer, just contact our customer services on 0871 882 2233. Lines are open 8am-10pm weekdays, 9am-5pm Saturdays and 10am-4pm Sundays. Even if you are not an elephant.co.uk customer you can still benefit from this breakdown cover.

So, for example, you can get cover for your partner's car if they're insured with someone else (shame!). Click here for more details.

Calls to 0871 numbers are charged at 8p per minute plus network extras.

Trunkie tip:

If your breakdown is going to make you late and you think someone will worry, give their contact details and a message will be passed on for you.