What to do if your car breaks down. 09/08/13


If you break down at the roadside, it is essential to remember the correct precautions to take to protect you, your passengers and other road users from accident or injury.

There are hundreds of accidents every year on UK roads caused by motorists who fail to follow these simple steps when broken down at the roadside.

  • Get your vehicle off the road, if you can do so safely

  • If your vehicle is causing an obstruction, turn on your hazard lights

  • Wear light coloured or high visibility clothing if you have any with you

  • If you have a warning triangle put it on the road at least 45 metres (147 feet) behind your vehicle, on the same side of the road or use other permitted warning devices if you have them. Always take great care when placing or retrieving them, but never use them on motorways

  • keep your side lights on if it is dark or visibility is poor

  • Do not stand (or let anybody else stand) between your vehicle and oncoming traffic

  • At night or in poor visibility do not stand where you will prevent other road users seeing your lights

  • If you feel safe to do so, it is advisable not to sit inside your vehicle while waiting for assistance. Wait at least 10 metres away from your vehicle and preferably behind a crash barrier if there is one



No need to claim on your insurance

Anyone who has been involved in a road accident has the right to choose who repairs their vehicle. If you were responsible for the accident you were involved in, the company that insures your vehicle would normally deal with your accident claim.

However if you were not at-fault for the accident, you can choose to either claim on your own insurance policy or make a claim independently of your insurer. To find out more call 02392 484 244 and we will be happy to help.

We and our partners help thousands of people make independent accident claims. Our service enables motorists to get the help and assistance they need to resolve their accident related issues, with the costs being recovered directly from the at-fault driver on your behalf.

No excess to pay

Unfortunately even if an accident was not your fault, your insurer will almost certainly require you to pay your excess before any repair is started on your car.

This money should of course be recovered by an insurer at a later date, but with our service - you do not have to pay it at all.

By using our independent claims service, you are not making a claim on your insurance policy and so you will have no excess to pay.

Receive a comparable replacement hire vehicle

Not all insurance policies will include a replacement hire-car for you to use if yours is damaged and unroadworthy. In fact it is typically an 'optional extra' on your policy.

Other policies may offer a 'courtesy car' but this is often just a 'basic' saloon or hatchback which may not be suitable for your needs.

Car Call and its partners will provide a comparable replacement vehicle as part of our service. This means we will endeavour to supply a hire-vehicle that similar to your own in terms of its type, make and engine size.

So whether you drive a small hatchback or a prestige sports car, we will look to provide a similar hire-vehicle that suits your needs.

Manufacturer approved vehicle repairs

If you have been involved in a car accident, the last thing you want to have to worry about is the quality of the repairs to your car. We have a UK wide network of partner approved Accident Repair Centres available to all of our customers.

Many of our accident repair centres are have manufacturer approvals for specific brands, so if you require a manufacturer approved repair centre, simply tell your personal claim handler and they will ensure your vehicle goes to an approved repairer.

Want you vehicle repaired by a specific garage? No problem, we can alternatively use a repairer that you specify.

Legal Assistance

Our partner solicitors provide legal assistance as part of our service. They specialise in motor claims related issues, so you can be assured of the best possible advice and assistance.

They issues they can assist you with include:

  • Recovery of the cost of the replacement hire-vehicle
  • Recovery of the cost of uplifting your damaged vehicle
  • Recovery of all repair costs
  • Recovery of the cost of damaged of personal items
  • Seeking financial compensation for an injury