Total is claiming to be the first petrol retailer in the UK to offer its customers free breakdown cover, following the launch of its Total Assistance scheme last month. Launched on the basis that

21% of UK drivers do not have breakdown cover, Total Assistance offers customers free comprehensive breakdown insurance for 14 days with every purchase of 30 litres of fuel by car drivers and 10 litres for motorcyclists from any of its service stations.

As they purcase the fuel motorists are given a membership card which contains a unique number which can be texted, along with the vehicle’s regstration number, to Total Assistance which will confirm details of their insurance cover back to the customer’s mobile phone. Gemma Sheperdson, brand marketing manager at Total, said: "Total Assistance is an excellent way of giving customers a valuable service they want, need and will genuinely use at a time when every penny counts."