With the winter months looming they will bring increased rain, wind and icy spells which can play havoc on the roads and with our cars bringing unwanted stress, inconvenience and sometimes significant financial outlay. Motor breakdowns increase significantly over the winter period, peaking in January. Motor Breakdown Insurance can add value to a motor insurance policy or be sold on a stand-alone basis offering your customers’ peace of mind should they breakdown on the roadside.
We’ve devised a checklist for your customers that can help them prepare for wintry conditions and help reduce the chances of a motor breakdown.but also be prepared should the worst happen.
Check your car
- Check Antifreeze regularly and check concentration to be sure you have sufficient cold temperature protection.
- A flat Battery is the most common cause of winter breakdowns. Get batteries checked and replaced if necessary. Batteries that are more than five years old may struggle in the cold
- To avoid running out of petrol try and keep at least a quarter of a tank of Fuel in a tank in case of unexpected delay.
- Regularly check Lights are clean so you can see and be seen. It is advisable to also carry spare bulbs
- For winter motoring it is recommended that Tyres have at least 3mm of tread and that you check tyre pressures every two weeks.
- Windscreen – reduce dazzle from the low sun by keeping the screen clean inside and out. Now is a good time to renew worn wiper blades.
- Screen wash – use a 50% mix of a good quality screen wash to reduce the chance of freezing in frosty weather.
- Locks and door seals – stop doors freezing shut with a thin coat of polish or Vaseline on rubber door seals. A squirt of water dispersant (WD-40) in locks will help stop them freezing.
Protecting you and your car in the winter
4th October 2013
With the winter months looming they will bring increased rain, wind and icy spells which can play havoc on the roads and with our cars bringing unwanted stress, inconvenience and sometimes significant financial outlay. Motor breakdowns increase significantly over the winter period, peaking in January. Motor Breakdown Insurance can add value to a motor insurance policy or be sold on a stand-alone basis offering your customers’ peace of mind should they breakdown on the roadside.
We’ve devised a checklist for your customers that can help them prepare for wintry conditions and help reduce the chances of a motor breakdown.but also be prepared should the worst happen.
Check your car
- Check Antifreeze regularly and check concentration to be sure you have sufficient cold temperature protection.
- A flat Battery is the most common cause of winter breakdowns. Get batteries checked and replaced if necessary. Batteries that are more than five years old may struggle in the cold
- To avoid running out of petrol try and keep at least a quarter of a tank of Fuel in a tank in case of unexpected delay.
- Regularly check Lights are clean so you can see and be seen. It is advisable to also carry spare bulbs
- For winter motoring it is recommended that Tyres have at least 3mm of tread and that you check tyre pressures every two weeks.
- Windscreen – reduce dazzle from the low sun by keeping the screen clean inside and out. Now is a good time to renew worn wiper blades.
- Screen wash – use a 50% mix of a good quality screen wash to reduce the chance of freezing in frosty weather.
- Locks and door seals – stop doors freezing shut with a thin coat of polish or Vaseline on rubber door seals. A squirt of water dispersant (WD-40) in locks will help stop them freezing.
Check your motor breakdown insurance policy is up-to-date
- You may have purchased motor breakdown insurance directly or it may be included as part of your main motor insurance policy, car aftercare package, bank account or credit card. If you have switched insurer check whether it is still included by reading your policy wording or double check if your policy is still offered as a benefit via another product or service.
- Make sure you have access to the 24/7 emergency helpline for the motor breakdown provider or even better save the details in your mobile phone.
- Ensure the policy you have purchased is active and still offers sufficient cover for your current driving habits. Motor breakdown normally runs for a 12 months period and there are usually four levels of cover available for vehicle, personal or family cover. Typical levels of cover might include:
- Roadside Assistance
- We will arrange for a vehicle rescue operator to spend up to one hour to try to fix the car if it breaks down
- If it cannot be fixed we will arrange for the vehicle to be taken to a local garage to be repaired at the policyholders cost
- Home Recovery Assistance
- Should a policyholder breakdown at or within one mile radius of their home we will arrange for a vehicle rescue operator to spend up to one hour to try to fix it.
- If it cannot be fixed we will arrange for the vehicle to be taken to a local garage to be repaired at the policyholders cost
- UK Nationwide Recovery
- If the policyholder’s vehicle cannot be repaired at the roadside or at a local garage the same day we will arrange one of the following:
- For the vehicle, driver and up to 6 passengers to be taken to the policyholders destination or home
- Bed and breakfast accommodation for one night
- Hire of another vehicle
- Emergency driver
- European Assistance
- Should a break down occur whilst the policyholder is in Europe (including the UK part of their journey) we will arrange for a vehicle rescue operator to spend up to one hour to try to fix it. If it cannot be fixed we will arrange for the vehicle to be taken to a garage to be repaired at the policyholder’s cost.
For more information about offering motor breakdown insurance scheme as an add-on or stand alone insurance product please contact us.
