Breaking down somewhere you do not know is disproportionately stressful. You cannot describe where you are, you do not know which garage is any good, and there is usually a check-in time or a ferry involved.
Cornwall gets a very large seasonal influx and the roads reflect it. Here is the practical version for visitors.
Describing where you are
Do not rely on a village name — Cornwall has many similar and repeated place names, and several villages share a name with somewhere at the other end of the county.
Use a what3words address if you can. Failing that: the road number, the last town you passed through, your direction of travel, and any pub, chapel, farm shop or beach car park sign you can see.
Hire cars and courtesy vehicles
If you are in a hire car, your rental agreement usually specifies who to call and may prohibit you from arranging recovery yourself. Check the paperwork or the app before booking anything, because unauthorised recovery may not be reimbursed.
If the hire company's provider cannot get to you in a useful timeframe, ring them and ask directly whether they will authorise a local operator.
Getting to your accommodation
Tell us on the call whether people need moving as well as the vehicle. Where there is space in the cab, passengers can usually travel with the truck, and knowing the numbers in advance lets us plan it.
If the vehicle is going to a garage and you are going to a cottage or campsite, be clear about both destinations so it can be handled as one plan rather than two calls.
Seasonal realities
In peak weeks the A30 and the coastal approaches get congested and garages are busy, so parts and repair slots can take longer than they would at home. It is worth asking the garage for a realistic timeframe early, so you can make travel decisions with real information.
Beach and cove car parks add their own constraints — height barriers, soft surfaces and, in places, tide. Mention any of these when you call.
Need this sorted today?
Visiting and stranded? Call us with a what3words address and we will come to you.
Frequently asked questions
I do not know where I am. How do I tell you?
A what3words address is ideal. Otherwise give the road number, the last town you drove through, your direction of travel and any visible sign — a pub, chapel, farm shop or beach car park name all help.
I am in a hire car. Can I just call you?
Check your rental agreement first. Most specify a recovery provider and may not reimburse a recovery you arrange yourself. If their provider cannot attend in a useful time, ask them to authorise a local operator.
Can you take us to our accommodation too?
Where there is space in the cab, passengers can normally travel with the truck. Tell us how many people are with you when you call so we can plan it.
Our car is stuck in a beach car park. Can you reach it?
Usually, but height barriers, soft sand or gravel and, in some places, the tide all matter. Describe the car park and the surface when you call.
Services covered in this guide
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