National Breakdown

National Breakdown: breakdown cover for domestic vehicles and commercial fleets

National Breakdown is a British company specialising in breakdown insurance and roadside assistance services. It operates under the registered name International Breakdown Ltd and focuses on offering flexible policies covering everything from private vehicles to commercial fleets of up to 44 tonnes, including motorcycles, cars, light vehicles, vans and trucks. The company presents itself as an innovative presence in the breakdown recovery market and has a network of independent agents in the UK and Europe, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Cover products for individuals and businesses

National Breakdown's catalogue is organised into two main areas: domestic or personal cover and business cover. On the domestic side, it offers Personal Breakdown Cover, which protects the driver or passenger in any eligible car or motorcycle, and Vehicle Breakdown Cover, which covers the vehicle for private use regardless of who is driving it. It also offers Motorhome Breakdown Cover for motorhomes, whether for recreational or commercial use.

For the business sector, the company offers Business Breakdown Cover for fleets of one or more vehicles, with selectable cover levels for each unit. This includes Taxi Breakdown Cover, designed specifically for taxis and private hire vehicles, and Minibus Breakdown Cover for minibus fleets, whether used for school, charitable or organisational purposes. Cover extends to vehicles of up to 44 tonnes, with options for mixed fleets.

In addition, the company offers a Pay As You Go (PAYG) membership for £10 per vehicle per year, which gives a 10% discount on standard non-member rates when assistance is needed. There is also the option of non-member assistance and European Single Trip cover for one-off trips to the continent.

Services for intermediaries and claims management

National Breakdown works with insurance companies, brokers, vehicle warranty, hire and fleet companies, among others. For these partners, it offers claims administration, bespoke product design, accident and incident management, out-of-hours call handling and claims and complaint handling. The company also invites independent breakdown agents to join its network.

History and operational capacity

Founded in 1999, National Breakdown was the first company to offer domestic and light commercial breakdown insurance via the internet. In 2006, following a change in consumer expectations and a rationalisation of distribution channels by major providers, the company returned to its roots in commercial recovery, launching an innovative product for heavy vehicles and a specialist service for the road haulage industry. In recent years it has expanded its offering to cover everything from personal vehicles to 44-tonne trucks.

The company operates from its office in Bradford, which has capacity for unlimited telephone lines 24 hours a day and can triple its number of operators. Its emergency call centre operates continuously and the company describes itself as a small, growing firm, with a customer base ranging from the smallest brokers to some of the largest in Europe.

Regulation and road safety

National Breakdown is authorised and regulated by the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). On safety, the company reminds drivers that if they break down in a live lane of a motorway or dual carriageway, they should keep their seatbelt fastened, turn on their hazard lights and call 999 immediately. If possible, it recommends moving the vehicle to a safer location and, if leaving the vehicle, exiting through the door furthest from traffic and waiting behind the safety barrier. Repairs should not be attempted on the motorway or near moving traffic.

Location and contact

Office 1, 1 Link 606 Business Park, Staithgate Lane, Bradford, BD6 1YA