Please find below some common questions we are asked.
If you cannot find the answer to your question, please call us on the number above during our office hours.
1. Why is your breakdown cover so cheap?
2. I have never heard of your company.
3. Do you cover the person or the vehicle?
4. Do I get immediate cover?
5. Who rescues me when I need to use the service?
6. How long will I have to wait to be rescued?
7. How does the Recovery work?
8. Is there a limit on the number of times I can use the service?
9. Do I get a discount if I purchase more than one policy?
10. How can I find out more information before making a decision?
11. Can I speak to someone before I purchase a policy online?
12. How do I purchase my policy?
13. What happens once I have purchased the cover?
14. Is this just another “Pay and Reclaim Scheme”?
15. What if my vehicle can’t be repaired at the roadside?
16. How much does it cost to change my vehicle on my policy?
17. Can I change my level of cover mid term?
18. Is there any maximum limit to the size of a caravan or trailer that you will cover?
19. Does your European policy cover breakdowns whilst towing a trailer or a caravan?
20. Does your breakdown service cater for people with hearing difficulties?
21. Can I buy your breakdown cover if my vehicle exceeds 17 feet (5.18 meters) in length?
22. My vehicle is over 10 years old, am I covered?
23. Do I need to carry a spare wheel?
24. Is there a limit on the amount of time I can spend in Europe on the Gold Policy?
25. Do you provide cover in the highlands and islands of Scotland?
Q1. Why is your breakdown cover so cheap?
A. Our scheme is run by an insurance company who do not spend millions of pounds on advertising like our main competitors do each year, this saving is then passed on to our customers.
Q2. I have never heard of your company.
A. IC Breakdown is administered by us Insurance Choice. We are an insurance broker based in Leamington Spa and registered with the FSA, number 452767 and our details can be viewed on their website. This breakdown scheme has been in operation since 1983.
Q3. Do you cover the person or the vehicle?
A. Our breakdown polices cover the vehicle, and anyone driving your vehicle who is insured to drive it.
Q4. Do I get immediate cover?
A. Cover is effective from midnight on the day of purchase, this helps us exclude people who intend to use the service after the event and helps keep our costs down for the genuine customer.
Q5. Who rescues me when I need to use the service?
A. Once you have made a call in to the rescue centre, we will arrange for one of operators nationwide to assist you. Our UK motor rescue and recovery network comprises around 400 agents, giving access to over 4000 vehicles and technicians. All our UK agents are PAS43 compliant (http://www.survivegroup.org)
Q6. How long will I have to wait to be rescued?
A. The average response time is 40 minutes.
Q7. How does the Recovery work?
A. The service is designed to work in three stages (two for Copper policies):
1) Attempt to get the vehicle roadworthy within a suitable time scale, generally 30 minutes.
2) If the vehicle cannot be made roadworthy within this time scale, but a local garage would be able to do so within the same working day, then the vehicle and passengers will be taken to that garage.
Unless you have purchased a Copper policy, there is then a third stage:
3) If a local garage cannot repair the vehicle and it is more suitable to recover the vehicle and passengers to a destination of your choice, this will be arranged by the call centre.
Check the policy document for more information.
Q8. Is there a limit on the number of times I can use the service?
A. During a 12 month period, we will not be responsible for more than two claims arising from a common fault, and no more than four claims in total.
Q9. Do I get a discount if I purchase more than one policy?
A. Yes you do, we offer a £5 discount off the second and any subsequent breakdown policies you purchase.
Q10. How can I find out more information before making a decision?
A. Our website provides comprehensive information for you to view. The full Policy Wording and Key fact Summary are available to read and download in PDF format.
Q11. Can I speak to someone before I purchase a policy online?
A. Yes you can, please feel free to contact us on the number at the top of the website. We are open between 9am and 6pm weekdays, and 9am to 1pm on Saturdays.
Q12. How do I purchase my policy?
A. You can buy online immediately using a credit or debit card via a secure payment area, and we also accept PayPal.
Q13. What happens once I have purchased the cover?
A. If you buy online you will receive an instant confirmation and an email will be sent providing you with the relevant policy number and emergency contact numbers. If you buy by phone, our member of staff will instantly provide you with the policy number and emergency contact numbers.
Q14. Is this just another “Pay and Reclaim Scheme”?
A. No, we know that some cheap offers in the market place expect you to have to pay the recovery operator at the scene of an incident, we have no hidden costs, our service is covered in the annual premium you pay, you will only be responsible for the cost of replacement parts, emergency windscreens, fuel, etc.
Q15. What if my vehicle can’t be repaired at the roadside?
A. All of our policies include recovery to the nearest local garage and, other than our Copper policy, also to any other destination of your choice if the vehicle cannot be repaired during the same day.
Q16. How much does it cost to change my vehicle on my policy?
A. We allow you to change your vehicle once for no charge, we will then charge you £5 for each further change.
Q17. Can I change my level of cover mid term?
A. You cannot change your level of cover until the renewal of your policy, however you could cancel your policy and take a new policy out, but no refund would be due.
Q18. Is there any maximum limit to the size of a caravan or trailer that you will cover?
A. Yes. The maximum length for caravans and trailers is 8 metres (26.2ft), the maximum height is 3 metres (9.8ft) and the maximum width is 2.25 metres (7.4ft). Both must be attached to the vehicle by a standard 50 millimetre (2 inch) towing coupling.
Q19. Does your European policy cover breakdowns whilst towing a trailer or a caravan?
A. Yes, our breakdown policy does cover you whilst towing a trailer or a caravan whilst in one of our listed European countries.
Q20. Does your breakdown service cater for people with hearing difficulties?
A. Yes it does. Our service provides you with a Minicom number and dedicated mobile number (provided to new members when requested), which will allow you to communicate with the emergency cover control centre by text message.
Q21. Can I buy your breakdown cover if my vehicle exceeds 17 feet (5.18 meters) in length?
A. Yes, we are able to cover vehicles up to 26.2 feet (8 metres) in length, just choose the relevant policy on the buy now page
Q22. My vehicle is over 10 years old, am I covered?
A. Yes, you are fully covered except for European assistance.
Q23. Do I need to carry a spare wheel?
A. Only if your vehicle is designed to do so, Motorcycles and Cars that are not designed to carry one are exempt.
Q24. Is there a limit on the amount of time I can spend in Europe on the Gold Policy?
A. We cover you for 90 days per year within Europe and you can travel for a maximum of 31 days per trip.
Q25. Do you provide cover in the highlands and islands of Scotland?
A. Yes, we can provide a limited service in both areas.
