Car insurance add-ons and extras.
Learn about car insurance add-ons and optional extras. Like Breakdown Cover and Key Cover with Tesco Car Insurance.
Published: 17 February 2026
What are car insurance add-ons?
Add-ons are optional extras you can add to your car insurance policy for an additional cost.
They’re designed to help with specific situations that your policy doesn’t cover, or doesn’t fully cover, on its own.
With Tesco Car Insurance, you can choose the following optional extras:
- Breakdown CoverBreakdown Cover
- Motor Legal ProtectionMotor Legal Protection
- Key CoverKey Cover
- Upgraded Courtesy CarUpgraded Courtesy Car
How do I add an extra to my car insurance?
We’ll ask you to choose your optional extras when you get a car insurance quote. But you don’t have to decide then. You can add optional extras to your car insurance policy at any time - either online, in Your Insurance Account, or by giving us a call.
The cost of an add-on depends on:
- the type of add-onthe type of add-on
- your caryour car
- your cover level - for example, what level of Breakdown Cover you wantyour cover level - for example, what level of Breakdown Cover you want
When thinking about optional extras, it’s worth checking your policy documents to see what’s included with the level of car insurance you have.
For example:
Gold Car Insurance
- An Enhanced Courtesy Car is included with our Gold comprehensive cover. This is the same as our Upgraded Courtesy Car add-on for Silver and Bronze.An Enhanced Courtesy Car is included with our Gold comprehensive cover. This is the same as our Upgraded Courtesy Car add-on for Silver and Bronze.
Silver and Bronze Car Insurance
- A small courtesy car is included with our Silver and Bronze comprehensive cover.A small courtesy car is included with our Silver and Bronze comprehensive cover.
- An Upgraded Courtesy Car is available as a paid add-on for Silver and Bronze comprehensive cover.An Upgraded Courtesy Car is available as a paid add-on for Silver and Bronze comprehensive cover.
What do car insurance extras cover?
Here’s what the most common add-ons and extras can include. And, where applicable, how they work with Tesco Car Insurance.
Breakdown Cover
With our Breakdown Cover add-on, you’ll get expert help from the RAC if your car breaks down.
Dependent on the level of cover you choose, that means:
- 24/7 roadside assistance - for breakdowns more than a quarter of a mile from home24/7 roadside assistance - for breakdowns more than a quarter of a mile from home
- Vehicle recovery - to your next destination or a garage of your choiceVehicle recovery - to your next destination or a garage of your choice
- Onward travel - alternative travel arrangements to get you where you need to goOnward travel - alternative travel arrangements to get you where you need to go
Motor Legal Protection
This add-on can help to cover the cost of your fees if you need to take legal action against someone on the road.
It includes:
- cover up to £100,000 for legal costs and expenses to pursue uninsured lossescover up to £100,000 for legal costs and expenses to pursue uninsured losses
- 24/7 legal advice helpline for you and your named drivers24/7 legal advice helpline for you and your named drivers
- cover for the cost of a lawyer following an accident that isn’t your faultcover for the cost of a lawyer following an accident that isn’t your fault
- help to recover personal injury costs, excess fees and loss of earningshelp to recover personal injury costs, excess fees and loss of earnings
Key Cover
Our Key Cover add-on could save you hassle with your car keys - whether they’re lost, stolen, damaged or just locked inside.
Cover for all your insured car keys includes:
- replacement keys and locks up to £1,500 per policyreplacement keys and locks up to £1,500 per policy
- a nationwide network of locksmiths to help if your keys are lost, stolen, damaged or locked inside your cara nationwide network of locksmiths to help if your keys are lost, stolen, damaged or locked inside your car
- onward transportation costs, or 3 days’ car hire, if you can't use your own caronward transportation costs, or 3 days’ car hire, if you can't use your own car
- a special key fob for your insured keys, so there’s more chance of finding them if they’re lost or stolena special key fob for your insured keys, so there’s more chance of finding them if they’re lost or stolen
Upgraded Courtesy Car
With this add-on, you’ll get a courtesy car that’s similar in size to your own instead of a small courtesy car.
That means:
- You’ll get a courtesy car that’s similar in size to your own, in terms of luggage and seating capacity.You’ll get a courtesy car that’s similar in size to your own, in terms of luggage and seating capacity.
- You can use it for up to 28 days while your own car's off the road - if it’s being repaired following a valid claim, or if it’s written off or stolen.You can use it for up to 28 days while your own car's off the road - if it’s being repaired following a valid claim, or if it’s written off or stolen.
This add-on is available with our Silver and Bronze comprehensive cover.
If you have Gold comprehensive cover, an Enhanced Courtesy Car is included with your policy as standard.
Excess Protection
Some insurance companies offer an add-on that lets you protect your car insurance excess.
If you have Excess Protection, you can claim back some or all of your excess after certain claims.
Excess Protection isn’t available with Tesco Car Insurance.
What is the cost vs benefit of adding optional extras?
When thinking about a car insurance add-on or optional extra, try to weigh up the yearly cost against:
- how likely you are to use ithow likely you are to use it
- the hassle it could save youthe hassle it could save you
- the money you might save versus a one-off paymentthe money you might save versus a one-off payment
- the peace of mind you could get, knowing you’re covered in case something happensthe peace of mind you could get, knowing you’re covered in case something happens
Here are some examples of when car insurance add-ons can add value, and a few things you need to think about.
Think about real world use
- If driving a small car could cause you problems, an Upgraded Courtesy Car might be worth it.If driving a small car could cause you problems, an Upgraded Courtesy Car might be worth it.
- If you drive far to the office every day, or on holiday, Breakdown Cover with vehicle recovery and onward travel could pay off with one call out.If you drive far to the office every day, or on holiday, Breakdown Cover with vehicle recovery and onward travel could pay off with one call out.
Consider the financial impact
- Motor Legal Protection can help you reclaim your excess and other losses after a non fault accident. (Any claim depends on your chances of success.)Motor Legal Protection can help you reclaim your excess and other losses after a non fault accident. (Any claim depends on your chances of success.)
- Key cover can be cheaper than replacing modern keys and locks yourself.Key cover can be cheaper than replacing modern keys and locks yourself.
Check limits, exclusions, and who can use it
- Look for claim limits, waiting periods and approved repairer requirements.Look for claim limits, waiting periods and approved repairer requirements.
- Some features might apply only to specific cover levels.Some features might apply only to specific cover levels.
Add or remove extras to meet your needs
- You can add or remove optional extras when your car insurance is due for renewal. Or you can add extras easily during the year, if your needs change.You can add or remove optional extras when your car insurance is due for renewal. Or you can add extras easily during the year, if your needs change.
Why choose Tesco Car Insurance?
It’s easy to compare cover levels and choose add-ons with Tesco Car Insurance. And we’re here to help and support you too.
Here are just a few of the reasons to choose us:
- UK-based customer serviceUK-based customer service
- 99% of Car Insurance claims paid (July 2024-June 2025).99% of Car Insurance claims paid (July 2024-June 2025).
- Save money with your ClubcardSave money with your Clubcard
Help for Car Insurance customers
If you’re a Tesco Car Insurance customer, find out how to manage your policy, get in touch or make a claim.
Important information
Tesco Car Insurance is arranged and administered by Tesco Insurance and is underwritten by Tesco Underwriting Ltd.
Tesco Insurance Breakdown Cover is provided, administered and underwritten by RAC Insurance Ltd.
Motor Legal Protection is underwritten by AMTrust Specialty Limited.
Key Cover is underwritten by AA Underwriting Insurance Company Ltd. Claims are handled by Keycare.
Upgraded Courtesy Car Cover is underwritten by Tesco Underwriting Ltd.
You’ll find complete details of the cover, monetary limits, exclusions, excesses and terms in our policy schedule.
Learn more about Car Insurance
Compare our Gold, Silver and Bronze comprehensive cover and save money with your Clubcard. For drivers aged 21 and over.