Drivers risking costly breakdowns without roadside cover

Drivers risking costly breakdowns without roadside cover

As many as one in seven drivers in the UK are running the risk of a costly breakdown this winter as they have no breakdown cover, research has revealed.

A study by Halifax found that young drivers were the worst offenders when it comes to not having, or at least not knowing if they have breakdown cover. Twenty-two per cent of those aged below 25 were without the cover, compared to just eight per cent of over-55s.

With a large number of motorists lacking specialist cover from roadside breakdown companies, mechanics and garage businesses might find themselves in particularly high demand this winter as they are called to collect and repair vehicles. This will mean there is a pressing need for them to have a road risks insurance policy that will enable the mechanics to drive other people’s cars so they can collect and carry out the necessary work to get the customer back driving again.

Other findings of the Halifax survey included the fact that almost a third (29 per cent) of drivers admit they have failed to get to work due to a car breakdown in winter. The research also showed motorists each clocked up an average of 7,485 miles a year but many were lax when it came to ensuring their car was roadworthy.

More than a third (38 per cent) said they last checked their tyres over a month ago and 12 per cent had not checked them in over six months. Many drivers also fail to carry essential items in the car in case they break down.