A Lesson Learned In the hope that I can avoid anyone else falling into the same trap - when my car had two punctures (and one spare wheel) I contacted my normal garagiste (who has a depannage vehicle). He came out immediately and took the car back to his garage. He told me that my insurers would refund the cost and that it would not affect my no claim bonus. (A fact of which I was not aware).
When I contacted my insurers they informed me, in no uncertain terms, that the policy stated that I had to contact their people first (whose name and contact details are on the insurance certificate) and get them to arrange it or the insurance would not respond. He also said that all garagistes were full aware of this stipulation and should have so informed me. Be warned.