In a hurry for breakdown insurance? Off on holiday tomorrow and it's slipped your mind? Bought a car and want assurance that you can get home safely? Use the MoneyMaxim guide to find the companies who will cover you fastest!

No company we have come across offers total cover immediately. I guess none of us would buy cover until the dreaded moment if we could just call up and get a mechanic out without having to be a member first, but the timescales from which cover starts does differ greatly between companies so be careful where you go.

We have detailed below some companies which do offer immediate cover - but do also consider whether you can wait - you can save a lot if you can - and, again, we have detailed below those cheaper policies with a longer qualification term - broadly the longer you are prepared to wait for the policy to come into force the cheaper the cover.

The AA and RAC will come to your assistance if you have already broken down, but both will need you to become a member and you will almost certainly be charged for that call out. All companies expect your car to be in working order and roadworthy at the time you take out their insurance. You should not purchase their cover online and then attempt to call as they will not come out. Call them first if you break down.

The companies are listed on the basis of the time that roadside assistance comes into force within the next day or so. Do remember though that, if you have broken down, some companies can also help you - but you will not benefit from the online rates we offer, and will almost certainly be charged for the callout today.

Company	Full Cover Available From	Roadside Cover Available From	Cost for UK roadside home and recovery	More Info
	48 hours after policy bought	48 hours from purchase	£18.29
	Vehicle Policy
	24 hours after policy bought	Immediately	£85.00
	Vehicle cover. Price does not apply if you've already broken down. Please call 0800 887766 in this situation, prices will almost certainly be higher.
	24 hours after policy bought	Immediately	£87.45
	Vehicle Cover Price does not apply if you've already broken down. Please call 0330 1598757 in this situation, prices will almost certainly be higher.
	12.00 midnight the following day after purchase	12.00 midnight the following day after purchase	£78.50
	Individual Cover
	12.00 midnight on day of purchase	12.00 midnight on day of purchase	£28.88
	Vehicle policy