The CoverGirl Car Insurance Services Guide to:

What to do following a car breakdown

Of course the best thing to do is not to have a breakdown in the first place. There are many things you can do to prevent your car breaking down:

• Maintain your car – have it serviced regularly by a reputable garage
  
  
• Check your car regularly:

• Check the battery level
  
  
• Ensure the tyres are in good condition
  
  
• Check the lights, indicators, wipers and screen washers work
  
  
• Keep your petrol tank topped up

If your car has a breakdown, here are some useful tips to get you on your way as quickly and safely as possible: 

Motorway breakdown

• Pull on to the hard shoulder and park well away from the main carriageway

• Exit the car by the passenger door and stand well away from the car

• If you have a mobile phone, call for assistance

• Arrows on marker posts at the edge of the hard shoulder indicate the directionto the nearest emergency phone

• Emergency phones will link you to a police motorway control centre. Tell them the following information:
  
  
  • Your exact location
    
    
  • Car make, model and registration number
    
    
  • How many passengers
    
    
  • Your membership number if you have breakdown cover
    
    
  • Cause of accident (if known)
  
  
  
• Return to your car, but don't get in to the car unless you feel unsafe – many fatal accidents occur on the hard shoulder

• If you feel unsafe, get into your car on the passenger side, put your seatbelt on and lock all doors

Breakdown on other roads

• If you are stranded, don’t hitch a lift with a stranger

• Use a mobile phone, or find the nearest public phone to call your motoring organisation or a garage for help

• Tell them your location, car, cause of breakdown and motoring organisation membership number. If you are alone (or with children), in a remote area or feel in danger, tell the breakdown company and they will make you a priority

• Return to your vehicle and, unless there's a danger of collision, stay inside the car

CoverGirl Car Insurance Services provide cheap car insurance for women.