Car Insurance Add-Ons: Which Are Worth Paying For?
Updated Sep 23, 2026 · Hannah Breckett · 6 min read
Breakdown, legal cover, and courtesy cars can help, but you may already have them.
What this article covers
Insurers offer many optional extras at checkout. Some are useful, others duplicate cover you already have.
Compare carefully before adding them.
Commonly offered add-ons
- Breakdown cover
- Legal expenses cover
- Courtesy car or hire car cover
- Key cover
- Personal accident cover
- Protected no-claims discount
Check for duplicates
Bank accounts, credit cards, and new-car warranties sometimes include breakdown or other cover.
Read the details
A “courtesy car” may be small and only while repairs are done by an approved garage, not if the car is stolen or written off.
Compare prices
Standalone products are sometimes cheaper or better than add-ons. Think about how likely you are to use each one.
Questions to ask before you tick the box
For each add-on, ask what it costs per year, what the limit is, and what is excluded. Breakdown cover, for example, may only cover roadside help and not recovery to your home or onward travel. Legal expenses cover may only apply if a solicitor thinks you have a good chance of winning. If you would not miss the cover after reading the exclusions, it is probably not worth the price.
This is general insurance information, not legal, financial, or insurance advice. Coverage depends on your specific policy, insurer, and jurisdiction. Read your policy documents and speak with a licensed insurance agent or broker before making decisions.