What towing & recovery actually covers

A black car is moved onto the back of a tow truck.
There’s more to a breakdown service than you might think.

Breaking down is stressful enough without also having to wonder: Will I have to pay for recovery? What happens if I’ve had an accident? Does my breakdown cover include towing?

Many drivers assume towing is automatically included in every breakdown policy. But the truth is, the level of support you get depends on what’s covered in your specific roadside assistance plan.

This guide explains what towing and vehicle recovery services usually include, what they don’t, and who pays for towing after an accident.

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James Orry Leave a comment

Why do car batteries die in winter?

A roadside technician checks a failing car battery.
The cold winter weather doesn’t play nicely with your car’s battery.

There’s nothing worse than heading out on a freezing winter morning, turning the key… and being met with silence.

A flat car battery is one of the most common causes of breakdowns during cold weather – and it can happen anytime, without much warning. Even if your battery seemed perfectly fine in recent months, winter conditions can quickly expose hidden weaknesses.

So, why do car batteries die in winter? And what can you do to prevent being stranded with a car that won’t start? Let’s look at why cold weather can prove so challenging.

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James Orry Leave a comment

How to change your windscreen wipers

Windscreen wiper blades play a vital role in giving drivers a better, clearer view of the road.

Being able to change your car’s windscreen wiper blades is a vital car maintenance skill. The process varies from car to car but there are similarities between all of them which we’ve covered below with a step-by step guide and a handy video showing how our experts do it.

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Chris Webb Leave a comment

Expert advice: what cold weather does to your car

cold weather
Winter affects many parts of your car (Picture iStock/Hutchyb)

Winter is here and with the cold weather comes a whole lot of challenges, and not just for us drivers. Cars too will be suffering in the lower temperatures. Here are the different ways icy conditions affect your car and some handy suggestions for ways to reduce their impact.

Low temperatures thicken the oil

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Mike Shaw 4 Comments

Winter driving: a bit of preparation goes a long way

When it comes to winter driving, you should always expect the unexpected.

The British weather is unpredictable at the best of times, and you never quite know what’s around the corner.

That’s why it’s good to be prepared. Before you hit the road, pack a winter survival kit, just in case you get stranded in bad conditions.

It might sound like an extreme measure, but you’ll be glad it’s there if the worst happens.

So, what should you pack?

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Adam Love 34 Comments

Five reasons why cars break down (and how to avoid them)

It may be the most wonderful time of the year, but unfortunately, winter’s the peak time for car breakdowns.

Many cars suffer similar issues, which means we know what to expect and can help you do something about it.

Here we look at the top reasons why cars break down and some tips you can follow to keep yours on the road.   

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Adam Love 37 Comments

Do you know how to change a tyre?

Drivers across the UK run into some kind of tyre trouble every 90 seconds – that’s around 40 flat tyres, blowouts, or punctures every hour.

Around 360,000 people were faced with a flat tyre last year, but do you know what to do if it happens to you? According to research by Green Flag, around 40% of drivers said they would have a go at fixing a flat tyre themselves.

If you’re someone who likes rolling their sleeves up but wouldn’t know where to start, we’re here with a guide on how to change a tyre.

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Adam Love 37 Comments

Don’t think twice, de-ice!

It’s a familiar scene across the country on cold winter days. You leave the house, it’s freezing outside, and you just want to jump in your car and get going, but the windows are covered in ice.

What do you do? Clear a little peephole and get going, or brave the cold and fully clear your windscreen?

Well, 45% of people admit to driving without full visibility in icy conditions, according to research by Green Flag. But, not only could that be dangerous, it could get you in trouble.

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Adam Love 24 Comments

Keep your car battery ticking over

When winter hits, breakdowns get more frequent, and it pays to be prepared. Especially with your battery.

November to January is peak season for breakdowns, and batteries are one of the biggest culprits. Green Flag’s callouts for flat batteries increase 60% in the winter, especially on those dreaded Monday mornings (when cars that have been parked up over the weekend can’t face the commute either).

Getting off to a false start at the beginning of the week is no fun at all, but luckily, we’re here with some tips to keep your battery feeling positive.

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Adam Love 24 Comments

Stay safe if you’re driving in a storm

Over the past few years the UK has seen a sharp increase in the number of storms we’ve had to deal with. Even though the names they have these days aren’t that scary, a storm shouldn’t be taken lightly – it can cause serious damage, injury, and even death.

Last winter, Storm Eowyn was the UK’s most powerful windstorm for more than a decade, with gusts of 135mph, while Storm Bert hit us with the wettest day since October 2020. Not ideal driving conditions.

With another storm season on the way, here are our top tips for staying safe on the roads.

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Adam Love 38 Comments

Getting through your MOT

When your MOT comes around you hope that your car passes the test without it costing too much of your hard-earned cash.

You never know if it’s going to sail through with no problems or if there are a load of defects that need patching up before you can get back on the road.

However, there are some things you can do to give your car a better chance of passing its MOT the first time. And thankfully, you’ll find them all right here…

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Adam Love 4 Comments

Don’t miss your MOT

Have you ever been happily driving along when you suddenly get that sinking feeling and realise your MOT has expired?

You won’t be the first person that’s ever happened to, and you certainly won’t be the last.

According to research by Green Flag, almost a quarter of MOTs were carried out late in 2023. That’s 7.6 million vehicle owners risking a fine by driving without a valid MOT.

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Adam Love 3 Comments

Ageing cars fuel a rise in breakdowns

Cars of different ages, makes, and models driving on a busy road.

The number of cars breaking down each year is on the rise, fuelled in part by the increasing average age of vehicles on the road.

Our data shows the average age of cars on British roads has risen by 42% over the past 20 years, from 6.6 years old in 2003 to 9.4 years in 2023.

They say that with age comes wisdom. Well, it can also come with the occasional breakdown…

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Chris Webb 14 Comments

Enjoy a summer break, not a summer breakdown.

Avoid a summer breakdown

As motorists across the country are packing their suitcases, we’re predicting a seven per cent increase in breakdowns during summer. That means around 150,000 callouts for our mechanics to provide support over the summer.

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Chris Webb 38 Comments

Expert advice on how to avoid a car key catastrophe

Taking better care of your car keys can save time, money and plans being cancelled this summer.
Taking better care of your car keys can save you time, money and stress.

Our research reveals that a car key-related callout took place every seven minutes in 2024. According to our data, two-thirds (62 per cent) of car key callouts were a result of drivers locking their keys in the car. A further fifth of callouts were for keys being jammed in the lock or ignition, whilst 12 per cent were a result of lost keys.

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Chris Webb 37 Comments

Driving holidays on the up: great places to stop on British road trips

a silver car driving past hills next to an expanse of water in the UK

Forget sweltering in a steamy sun-baked airport departure lounge; the driving holiday is the favoured way to take a summer break for many British travellers.

It coincides with the increase in popularity of the ‘staycation’, that sees a whopping 52% of Brits choosing holidays within in the UK. Furthermore, 34% love it so much they’re holidaying here more multiple times a year.

If you’re one of the millions planning a road trip this summer, we’ve compiled a list of places to enjoy while on the road around the UK.

Great places to stop during a UK driving holiday

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Chris Webb 3 Comments