Those who do not purchase breakdown insurance are playing "roadside roulette" and accumulated costs of £120 million last year, it has been claimed.

According to the AA, around two million people broke down without adequate protection to cover the costs last year.

This meant that many had to pay up to three times the amount it would cost them for insurance as they forked out for emergency one-off garage assistance.

AA Patrol of the Year Andy Taylor said: "It might seem tempting to save a few quid now and gamble that your car will carry you through the downturn without crunching to a halt - but driving without breakdown cover is like roadside roulette."

The organisation also points out that cars are more likely to break down over the winter months than they are in the summer.

In related news, the Association of British Insurance believes that there are now fewer people driving without car insurance on the roads as there is an increasing fear that they will be caught out.

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