Breakdown blunder: nearly 6 million Brits are unprotected against car breakdowns
New data reveals more than one in ten don’t have breakdown cover
New research from Go.Compare car insurance has revealed that many could be facing unexpected costs on the road - as more than one in ten admit they don’t have breakdown cover.* Nationally, this could add up to nearly 6 million drivers who are unprotected in the case they break down and need rescuing.**
The findings, which surveyed over 2,000 people across the UK, show that young drivers are most likely to put themselves at risk - with 14% of 18 to 24-year-olds admitting they don’t have a breakdown policy.
Tom Banks, Go.Compare car insurance spokesperson, warned: “While everyone knows the costs for young drivers can be higher than for those with more experience - and you might not be keen to fork out more money than you have to - going without breakdown cover could cost you more in the long run.
“Cars can break down for a wide number of reasons, whether it’s engine trouble or electrical issues. Older cars are popular with young drivers because they can be really affordable - but they’re also more likely to break down. And in the case that you do find yourself stranded at the side of the road, it’s much more expensive if you don’t have cover and have to arrange your own rescue - plus the cost of any repairs.”
The data also revealed the areas in the UK where people are most likely to drop the ball with breakdown cover. Northern Ireland claims the top spot, with nearly one in four (23%) admitting they don’t have breakdown cover, followed by Wales (16%) and Yorkshire and the Humber (14%).
Commenting on the findings, Tom said: “It’s surprising to see so many drivers taking the risk of going without breakdown cover - as a single breakdown rescue can easily cost more than having a standard breakdown policy for several years.
“Our research also revealed how people are buying their breakdown policies. Over a third (36%) said they opted to get breakdown cover through their car insurer as an add-on. While this is an easy option, we would definitely recommend comparing different breakdown policies - as you’ll often find you can get a better price, or more extensive cover, when you shop around.”
For more tips on how to get cheaper breakdown cover, visit: https://www.gocompare.com/breakdown-cover/money-saving-tips/.
Contact Information
Rubie Barker
Notes to editors
*The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 2,001 UK Nationally Representative Consumers aged 18+. The data was collected between 04.11.2025 – 07.11.2025. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Censuswide is also a member of the British Polling Council.
**The 18+ 2022 ONS population figure is 53,646,829. 11% = 5,901,151.
For further information please contact:
Lynsey Walden on lynsey.walden@gocompare.com, or Rubie Barker on rubie.barker@gocompare.com
Keep up-to-date with GoCompare on Twitter; @GoCompare
About Go.Compare
Go.Compare is a comparison website that enables people to compare the costs and features of a wide variety of insurance policies, financial products and energy tariffs.
It does not charge people to use its services and does not accept advertising or sponsored listings, so all product comparisons are unbiased. Go.Compare makes its money through fees paid by the providers of products that appear on its various comparison services when a customer buys through the site.
When it launched in 2006, it was the first comparison site to focus on displaying policy details rather than just listing prices, with the aim of helping people to make better-informed decisions when buying their insurance. It is this approach to comparing products that secured the company an invitation to join the British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) in 2008, and it is still the only comparison site to be a member of this organisation.
Go.Compare has remained dedicated to helping people choose the most appropriate products rather than just the cheapest and works with Defaqto, the independent financial researcher, to integrate additional policy information into a number of its insurance comparison services. This allows people to compare up to an extra 30 features of cover.
Go.Compare is part of Future Plc and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
More information can be found here www.gocompare.com or here https://www.futureplc.com/brands/.