National Recovery ensures that if your vehicle can't be fixed at the roadside, it will be transported to a destination of your choice anywhere in the UK - typically your home or a garage you trust. Without this, basic policies often only take your car to the nearest garage, which might not be convenient or trustworthy.
- You regularly drive long distances (50+ miles from home)
- You travel across the UK for work or leisure
- You want your car taken to your preferred garage, not a random one
- Being stranded far from home would be very disruptive
- You have family commitments that make flexibility essential
- You mainly drive locally within 20-30 miles of home
- You'd be happy with your car going to a nearby garage
- You have alternative transport options (second car, good public transport)
- Budget is tight and long trips are rare
- Basic policies only recover to nearest suitable garage
- Some policies have mileage caps (e.g., 10 miles without upgrade)
- May not cover vehicles over certain weight limits
- Trailers and caravans usually need separate cover
Typical cost: £30-60 extra per year
Providers with National Recovery
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between recovery and roadside assistance?
Roadside assistance means a patrol tries to fix your car where it's broken down. Recovery means towing your vehicle somewhere else - with national recovery, that's anywhere in the UK you choose.
How far will they take my car?
With full national recovery, anywhere in mainland UK. Without it, typically just to the nearest suitable garage - which could be miles from home in an unfamiliar area.
Is national recovery included in comprehensive cover?
Usually yes. Most 'comprehensive' or 'full' cover tiers include national recovery. Basic roadside-only policies typically don't.
Not sure if you need national recovery?
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