Martin Lewis reveals how to save up to £150 on your car breakdown cover this winter, with tips on finding cheaper policies and haggling down renewal prices
As winter sets in, road conditions become harsher, and breakdowns are more likely.
Now’s the time to review your breakdown cover and make sure you’re not overpaying. While millions of drivers rely on breakdown cover, many end up paying too much—especially if they simply auto-renew.
But with a little effort, you can save big, and Martin Lewis at MoneySavingExpert (MSE) has some straightforward tips to help. From picking budget-friendly policies to haggling down prices, here’s how you can slash your breakdown cover costs.
The cheapest full-service policy you can get is AutoAid, costing just £57.28 per year for you and your partner. This covers roadside recovery, home start, and onward travel, and works in any car you or your partner drives. If your car is over 10 years old, there’s a £25 call-out fee, and if it’s 16+ years, the cost rises to £76.99 per year, plus any call-out fees.
Another affordable option is Eversure Gold, which costs £57.50 per year. It offers similar cover but has no call-out fee for older cars, although it won’t cover cars aged 16+ years. Both companies use local recovery operators instead of their own fleets, which helps keep costs down, and anecdotal feedback suggests that call-out times are similar to the larger providers.
If you want to go with the AA or RAC, using a cashback site can help you save over 50% on a new policy. Instead of paying around £95 for basic cover or £210 for full cover, you could pay as little as £62 for basic or £115 for full service by using the right cashback offers. When it’s time to renew, don’t just accept the auto-renewal rate.
Instead, haggle to get a better deal. Start by using charm, cheek, and a smile—there’s no guarantee of a discount, but it doesn’t hurt to ask. If they don’t offer a discount right away, ask to cancel; this will often get you transferred to a customer retention team, who may offer a better deal.
Don’t let them rush you into a decision—say you need time to check with a partner or family member. And if you don’t get the deal you want, try calling back a few days later to speak with a different agent, who may offer a better rate.
MoneySaver Nadine shared how she used MoneySaving tips to halve her renewal cost: “Thanks so much for your top haggling tips for breakdown cover. I thought I’d give it a go when our auto-renewal quote came in at over £320.”
“One phone call later, it’s now £166 [a saving of £154/yr]. I can’t thank you enough.” By following Martin’s expert advice, you can drive down your breakdown cover costs and keep more cash in your pocket this winter.
