Our short term European breakdown cover is well-loved by our customers – not least because if offers such wide coverage. From the west coast ofPortugalto the west of the Bosphorus inTurkey, from the chilly north ofFinland, to the smooth autoroutes of southernFrance– our cover gives Europe-bound drivers the protection they need.

But even this policy couldn't have helped a pair of Emiratis who got stuck in the desert in the Central Region of Sharjah, UAE, recently – not an area covered by our short term European product!

In fact, no regular breakdown policy would have been any use – since the two Emiratis needed the assistance of a search and rescue helicopter in order to escape their sandy trap.

Local police informed the Sharjah Air Wing Section of the two missing individuals, whose off-road vehicle got a bit too 'off road' for their own safety.

Leading the rescue mission was Colonel Pilot Khalifa Abdullah Al Khatri, Acting Chief of Sharjah Air Wing Section, who took off with an emergency team immediately.

According to the Colonel Pilot, the pair were suffering from severe fatigue and thirst when they were finally located.

They were given first aid as soon as they boarded the helicopter. Later the pair told the Sharjah Air Wing Section how grateful they were for their swift and professional response.

Colonel Pilot Khalifa Abdullah Al Khatri reminded local motorists to take advantage of GPS navigational devices if they planned to explore the wildernesses of the Emirates, so they can assist with a rescue mission should one be required.

Such navigational devices – including smartphone maps and satnavs – can be of similar assistance to those who break down in the UK or the European mainland. Better still – our customers can download the free startrescue.co.uk smartphone app which uses your phones GPS to let us know exactly where you are.