When your business relies on several vehicles to keep things moving, a breakdown can quickly throw the day off track. Whether it’s a delivery van that won’t start or a company car that breaks down on the way to a meeting, unexpected problems can lead to delays and disruption.
Fleet breakdown cover helps businesses prepare for situations like these. It provides breakdown assistance for multiple vehicles, with support such as roadside repairs and vehicle recovery, depending on the policy.
In this guide, we’ll explain how fleet breakdown cover works, what’s included and how it could benefit your business.
How Does Fleet Breakdown Cover Work?
Fleet breakdown cover works by providing breakdown assistance for several business vehicles under an agreed arrangement, rather than having to organise separate cover for each one.
When arranging cover, you’ll usually need to provide some details about your vehicles, including how many you have and what types they are. Your provider can then help you find a suitable level of cover.
If one of your vehicles breaks down, the driver’s first priority should always be safety. The Highway Code’s guidance on breakdowns explains what drivers should do if their vehicle stops on a motorway or another road.
If a roadside repair isn’t possible, recovery may be arranged to take the vehicle to a suitable garage or another agreed destination.
What Does Fleet Breakdown Cover Include?
Not every fleet breakdown policy offers the same level of protection, so it’s worth checking exactly what’s included before choosing one.
Here are some of the main types of assistance you may come across.
Roadside Assistance
If one of your vehicles breaks down while out on the road, roadside assistance means help can be sent to the driver’s location. The aim is to fix the problem there and then, so the driver can continue their journey without needing recovery.
Vehicle Recovery
Sometimes a vehicle can’t be fixed at the roadside. When that happens, vehicle recovery can arrange for it to be transported to a garage or another suitable location, depending on the terms of the policy.
If a vehicle can’t be repaired at the roadside, recovery may be arranged to take it to a garage or another suitable location. For example, Autohome’s UK Plus Van 7.5T breakdown cover includes roadside assistance and UK-wide recovery, subject to the policy terms.
Additional Breakdown Assistance
Depending on the cover you choose, you may also have access to extras such as assistance at your business address, onward travel or European breakdown assistance.
These aren’t always included as standard, so make sure you understand what’s covered and whether there are any restrictions.
Not sure which level of assistance your vehicles might need? You can explore Autohome’s breakdown cover finder to compare available vehicle cover options.
Who Needs Commercial Fleet Breakdown Cover?
If your business relies on multiple vehicles, commercial fleet breakdown cover could be worth considering.
Think about a delivery company with vans making several stops throughout the day, or a plumbing business with engineers travelling between jobs. If one of those vehicles breaks down, it can mean missed appointments, delayed deliveries and frustrated customers.
Even businesses with a handful of company cars can benefit from having breakdown assistance in place.
The main advantage is knowing that drivers have someone to contact when something goes wrong. Rather than having to organise assistance at the last minute, there’s already a process in place to get help.
It can also make managing breakdown cover across your vehicles more straightforward, especially as your business grows.
For businesses that rely on vans every day, having the right cover can make a real difference. Our guide to van breakdown cover explains how businesses can prepare for unexpected breakdowns and minimise disruption.
How Much Does Fleet Breakdown Cover Cost?
There’s no single price for fleet breakdown cover, as every business has different requirements.
The cost will usually depend on how many vehicles you need to cover, what types of vehicles they are and the level of assistance you’re looking for.
For example, a business with a few company cars may need something quite different from a delivery company operating a larger fleet of vans.
It’s also worth looking beyond the price. Comparing the different breakdown cover options available can help you understand which types of assistance may be suitable for your vehicles.
At Autohome, our Membership Team can talk through your fleet requirements and provide a quote based on the cover you’re looking for.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fleet Breakdown Cover
Yes, fleet breakdown cover isn’t just for large companies. Smaller businesses with multiple vehicles can also benefit. At Autohome, we welcome enquiries from fleets of different sizes, so it’s worth getting in touch to discuss your requirements.
Yes, commercial vans can be included in fleet breakdown cover, depending on the policy. Just make sure you check any vehicle weight restrictions and eligibility requirements before arranging cover.
Some fleet breakdown policies offer European assistance, but this isn’t always included as standard. If your vehicles travel outside the UK, check with your provider to make sure you have the right level of cover.
Get a Fleet Breakdown Cover Quote From Autohome
Whether you’re running a small business with a few vehicles or managing a larger commercial fleet, having the right breakdown cover can make dealing with unexpected problems that little bit easier.
At Autohome, we offer commercial fleet breakdown cover for businesses of different sizes. Our Membership Team can talk through your requirements and help you find cover that suits your fleet.
Ready to find cover for your business? Get a fleet breakdown cover quote from Autohome by contacting our Membership Team, or call us on 0800 371 280 to discuss your requirements.
