One in five drivers has admitted to avoiding a key safety feature while travelling on UK roads which could lead to huge fees added to their car insurance policy.
According to new data, 20 per cent of UK drivers are not covered for breakdowns in the UK with many risking huge repair costs in the event of an accident.
The findings revealed that the younger generations of drivers aged between 17 and 24 are least likely to have breakdown cover with 36 per cent saying they don’t have breakdown cover and a further five per cent stating they "aren’t sure" if they do.
This compares with older drivers aged 55 and over who currently have the most comprehensive cover of all age groups with only 13 per cent choosing to have no breakdown cover.
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Older cars are more likely to experience breakdowns with older drivers more prone to having extensive cover
PA
Breakdown cover deals with vehicles when they break down with a flat tyre or engine failure, with drivers able to call for roadside assistance and get back onto the road at a much quicker rate than those without insurance.
The research, from Go.Compare, revealed that Londoners are the least likely to have breakdown cover with 26 per cent of motorists surveyed admitting to not having it.
Elsewhere drivers in Scotland 23 per cent of drivers also avoid having breakdown cover which can add extra costs to an insurance policy.
Tom Banks, spokesperson for Go.Compare Car Insurance said: "Your car breaking down can be a stressful experience, especially if you don’t have breakdown cover, and depending on the problem it could be expensive, too. Unfortunately, many drivers don’t realise they aren’t covered until it’s too late."
He added that there are two main types of breakdown cover, personal and vehicle. Personal breakdown cover offers protection "no matter what car you’re driving or if you are a passenger" and caninclude more than one person from the same household, but it does tend to be more expensive.
Vehicle breakdown cover is for specific vehicles, "no matter who is driving, given that they are insured of course".
Banks added: "There are plenty of ways to make sure you are covered in the event of a breakdown - of those who have a breakdown cover policy, 38 per cent said they purchased this separately."
The report added that 24 per cent of drivers have included breakdown cover in their standard car insurance, while 17 per cent paid extra as an add-on to their car insurance.
The RAC explained that a benefit of having breakdown cover is that drivers have "peace of mind" knowing they will always be insured no matter what vehicle they are in.
However, unlike car insurance, there is no legal requirement to have breakdown cover in the UK for vehicles despite the benefits they provide.
The need for more comprehensive cover follows reports that car breakdowns have steadily increased over the years, especially as vehicles stay on the road for longer.
Direct Line Group found that the highest numbers of car breakdowns occurred in June, July and August in 2023 with an average of 24,881 per month compared with a 12-month average of 22,883.
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Breakdown cover can be split between personal and vehicle options
GO.COMPARE
Banks commented: "Whether you are looking to purchase a separate breakdown insurance policy, or a car insurance policy with breakdown cover included, a price comparison website is a great way to get a policy with the cover you need at a price that is right for you.
"And remember to always keep the number of your breakdown provider on hand, just in case the worst does happen."
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