Protecting your Fleet with Breakdown Cover
At FleetCover, we know how important it is that your fleet business is fully protected and prepared for anything. This is why we offer fleet breakdown cover to help keep you moving, even when your vehicles may not be.Get a quote from an insurance professional today
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Fleet breakdown cover is a specific coverage made for your fleet vehicles, helping to keep your business moving. Policies are typically designed for fleets of 2 vehicles or more.
Is fleet breakdown cover a legal requirement?
While fleet breakdown cover is not a legal requirement, it is essential for protecting your business from expensive costs should any of your vehicles breakdown. It is particularly useful for companies that have a large fleet, such as taxi or delivery companies.
How does comprehensive breakdown cover protect your fleet?
When you choose a comprehensive fleet breakdown policy, you can be confident that all of the vehicles in your fleet are protected in the event of a breakdown.
Most comprehensive breakdown policies will include:
- Homestart – If one of your drivers breaks down at their home address or at the business address, your insurer can come to them and help to get everything back up and running as soon as possible.
- Roadside assistance – If you break down mid-journey, your breakdown provider will send someone to help you at the roadside. If your vehicle can’t be fixed at the roadside, it will usually be towed to the nearest garage.
- National recovery – This will provide roadside assistance, as well as towing your vehicle and transporting any drivers and/or passengers to your chosen location.
Does fleet breakdown cover protect different types of vehicles in one fleet?
Depending on the policy you invest in, fleet breakdown insurance will protect different types of vehicles under one policy, including:
- Cars
- Motorcycles
- Vans
- HGVs
- Trucks
- Minibuses and coaches of all sizes
However, some policies may have their own exclusions for certain vehicles and will need their own individual policy. These vehicles can include:
- Vehicles that weight more than 3.5 metric tonnes
- Vehicles wider than 2.5 metres
- Motorcycles under 121cc
Some policies can also exclude coverage for taxis, courier vans and haulage companies due to the different rules and regulations around these vehicles.
The benefits of comprehensive fleet breakdown cover
Comprehensive fleet breakdown cover has a large number of different benefits, which is why it is so popular amongst fleet managers.
Unlimited callouts
Depending on the insurance provider you choose, your comprehensive cover may include unlimited callouts. This means you don’t have to worry about getting caught short whilst you or your team are on the road.
24/7 availability
Roadside assistance can be used at any time of the day, ensuring there are minimal disruptions to your business.
Replacement vehicles
Many insurers will offer replacement vehicles as part of their comprehensive policy if your vehicle cannot be repaired at the roadside or at home.
Optional extras
Many comprehensive policies also have optional extras that you can add on for a small additional cost. These extras include the likes of:
- Battery replacement
- Tyre replacement
- Lost keys
- Misfueling cover
- European coverage
How to effectively manage breakdowns across a fleet of vehicles
There are a few things you can do to manage the number of breakdowns occurring across your fleet.
Regular servicing and maintenance
One of the easiest ways to manage your breakdowns is by regularly having your fleet vehicles serviced. This ensures that all your vehicles are working as they should be, all the fluids are topped up and will help to catch any minor issues before they turn into major ones.
This also includes smaller things such as checking tyre tread, replacing oil and checking brakes.
Driver training
Your drivers should know the proper way to handle vehicle breakdowns. This means knowing who to call, how to park vehicles safely when roadside and how to spot issues before they become a bigger issue.
Training your drivers to listen for and identify unusual sounds, noises and dashboard warning lights will help to prevent major problems. They should also be aware of safe driving practices, such as not accelerating too hard and slowly coming to a stop.
Implement technology
There are a variety of different fleet management tools and software available now to help keep the vehicles you use running smoothly. Telematics allow you to see vehicle status, driver actions and other important information.
There are also automated reminders for regular maintenance tasks that help you remember when it is time to check each vehicle in the fleet.
Getting the right fleet breakdown cover with FleetCover
The best way to keep your fleet of vehicles protected is to work with a fleet-specialist provider, like FleetCover. We understand the needs of a fleet and the trouble breakdowns can cause on larger operations.
Speak with our team to discuss what fleet breakdown cover could look like for your business, and whether it can be added onto a fleet insurance policy too!
Invest in comprehensive breakdown cover
Accidents can happen, no matter how prepared you are. This is why it is essential to have the right level of protection in place to fix the issues as quickly as possible and reduce downtime that could harm your business.
Having a well-defined breakdown plan, paired with your breakdown cover, is a must for ensuring your fleet business is protected against expensive repair and recovery costs should the worst happen.
Regular servicing and maintenance
One of the easiest ways to manage your breakdowns is by regularly having your fleet vehicles serviced. This ensures that all your vehicles are working as they should be, all the fluids are topped up and will help to catch any minor issues before they turn into major ones.
This also includes smaller things such as checking tyre tread, replacing oil and checking brakes.
Driver training
Your drivers should know the proper way to handle vehicle breakdowns. This means knowing who to call, how to park vehicles safely when roadside and how to spot issues before they become a bigger issue.
Training your drivers to listen for and identify unusual sounds, noises and dashboard warning lights will help to prevent major problems. They should also be aware of safe driving practices, such as not accelerating too hard and slowly coming to a stop.
Implement technology
There are a variety of different fleet management tools and software available now to help keep the vehicles you use running smoothly. Telematics allow you to see vehicle status, driver actions and other important information.
There are also automated reminders for regular maintenance tasks that help you remember when it is time to check each vehicle in the fleet.
Getting the right fleet breakdown cover with FleetCover
The best way to keep your fleet of vehicles protected is to work with a fleet-specialist provider, like FleetCover. We understand the needs of a fleet and the trouble breakdowns can cause on larger operations.
Speak with our team to discuss what fleet breakdown cover could look like for your business, and whether it can be added onto a fleet insurance policy too!
