Autohome

Autohome: roadside assistance from Northampton since 1971

Autohome is a British roadside assistance company founded on 8 April 1971 in Northampton. It was created to offer a breakdown service that the existing motoring organisations did not cover at the time, and its distinguishing feature was the get-you-home service when the vehicle could not be repaired at the roadside. Over the years it expanded its activity and today provides assistance throughout Europe; its subsidiary Autohome International was set up more than three decades ago in Budapest (Hungary) to cover Eastern Europe.

Coverage by vehicle type

The company offers levels of cover tailored to different vehicles, with monthly premiums that the website presents as a starting point. The catalogue shows starting rates of £3.94 per month for cars and mobility vehicles, £3.58 for motorbikes, £11.09 for vans and £11.59 for minibuses. The company invites customers to compare its offer with that of other providers such as RAC, AA or Green Flag.

Specialist services

In addition to conventional assistance, Autohome has developed specific lines for niches that are unusual among breakdown providers:

• Mobility rescue: recovery of mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs, with a network of specialist agents.
• Classic commercial vehicle cover: 24/7 roadside assistance and recovery for historic commercial vehicles, with examples such as a 1937 Bedford WTB or a 1975 Dennis F109 Pump Escape.
• Commercial fleets: cover for vehicle fleets, serving businesses of any size.
• Holiday cover in Europe: a continental policy valid in most European countries, available for periods of 1 to 60 days and limited to vehicles up to 10 years old. For more frequent use in Europe with vehicles 7 years old or newer, the company notes that its Europlus level may work out cheaper.

Discounts and renewal conditions

Autohome applies a no-claims discount on renewal for customers who have not made a claim, available on the Roadside Plus Home, UK Plus, Homeplus and Superplus levels. It also offers multi-vehicle discounts on its most popular levels: the fourth vehicle is covered at no cost on the UK Plus, Homeplus and Superplus options, an option the company presents as a way to add young drivers to the family policy.

Customer service and locator app

The company highlights the telephone service provided by its membership and breakdown control teams, and puts the average call response time at 11 seconds according to its 2023 analytics. It has a locator app for iPhone and Android that sends its 24-hour control centre the policy details and the coordinates of the location where the breakdown has occurred.

Publications and resources

The website maintains a news and advice section with articles on topics such as the usefulness of breakdown cover for mobility scooters, how to get back on the road after a van breakdown, roadside assistance for new drivers, breakdown safety in bad weather and advice for parents of new drivers.

Location and contact

Autohome Ltd, Mayleigh House, Orchard Hill, Little Billing, Northampton NN3 9AD