Get RAC emergency breakdown cover today
Stuck with a broken down car? Whether you’re an existing RAC member or not, we’re here to help you.
Find out how to get emergency roadside assistance if you’re already a member below. Or if you’re not covered with us, see how to get instant breakdown cover now.
Report your breakdown
If you’re already a member, the quickest way to get help is to report your breakdown online.
Prefer to speak to us? Call 0333 2000 999. Lines are open 24/7.
Why choose the RAC?
Whether you’re looking for instant breakdown cover or emergency breakdown recovery, the RAC is here to help. Here’s why you should choose us:
Help in 60 minutes
We get to most breakdowns in 60 minutes or less
Our patrols fix 4/5 on the spot
RAC patrol drivers can fix many issues on arrival, helping get you back on the road
Repairs done in just 30 minutes on average
Once our patrols arrive, you could be back on the road in just 30 minutes
Save up to £150
Up to £150 of savings on fuel, tyres, servicing and more
RAC instant breakdown cover can help in almost any situation
Not sure if the RAC can help? See below for some common issues that we can fix to get you back on the road. If you don’t see your issue here, give us a call on 0330 159 8743 and our team will do their best to get help to you.
Breakdown issues
Below are a few of the common breakdown problems that our patrols can help with.
*The RAC will seek to recoup the cost of recovery from your insurer/3rd party insurer. You may be asked to pay if this isn’t possible.
My car is broken down at home, what do I do?
If your car’s broken down at home with no breakdown cover, please call the RAC non-member number on 0330 159 8743. We’ll talk you through your options and help you find the right cover. If you already have cover with us, you can report your breakdown online.
Do you offer emergency breakdown cover for non-members?
If you break down, but aren’t an RAC member, we can offer you emergency breakdown cover. Your vehicle must have a valid MOT and road tax for us to help. However, if you’re stuck in the live lane of a motorway or dual carriageway and feel you’re in immediate danger, please call 999 first.
Broken down with no cover?
Here’s what the RAC can do: we’ll send help to you today, whether you’ve broken down on the road or at home. We’ll try to fix your vehicle there and then. If we can’t, we’ll tow you up to 10 miles. Any further and you’ll need to pay an additional fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
If there is nowhere secure for you and any passengers to wait, or you feel unsafe at all, then you should call the police to inform them that you have broken down.
Yes, the emergency services telephones positioned along motorways are free to call. They connect directly to the police, or the Highways Agency.
If you break down without cover, there is a fixed fee for the RAC to attend and support you. And we offer a range of cover types to meet your needs — most without a callout charge.
Some basic faults can be fixed. You may have changed a flat tyre before and, with a spare wheel on board, can do this again yourself. If you feel confident in fixing the problem then you can try – but you must be in a safe position first. If you're in any doubt or don’t feel safe, call the RAC for help.
We understand that breaking down can be stressful and so we aim to get to all members as quickly as possible. If a vulnerability is disclosed or suspected, our call centre team are trained to ease anxiety and prioritise the patrol attendance.
You can get breakdown cover from lots of different places, including:
- directly from a breakdown provider, such as the RAC
- with a vehicle purchase
- with car insurance, travel insurance or bank account.
If you’re not sure whether you have breakdown cover, it’s worth checking your records before you buy. This includes your emails and hard-copy documents. You can also call a provider to see if you’re covered.
We can help you at the roadside if your vehicle breaks down in Europe, as long as you’ve bought RAC European Breakdown Cover before your trip. We can help you in up to 48 countries across mainland Europe. These countries are split into zones, so you can easily select the right cover for you and your trip.
Please call us on 0330 159 8743 and we’ll be happy talk you through your options. You’ll get access to immediate emergency breakdown and we’ll also help arrange an annual or monthly membership for the next 12 months if you would like ongoing cover.
If we can’t fix you on the spot, you can choose which garage you go to. Just keep in mind that if you don’t have National Recovery as part of your cover, you’ll be limited to a 10-mile tow.
We'll take you to an RAC approved garages or garage of your choice. Please talk to your patrol when they arrive.
Having breakdown cover isn’t a legal requirement – you won’t be breaking the law if you don’t have it. But if you drive without breakdown cover and you break down far from home, it may be difficult (and expensive) to get help.
You can set your breakdown cover to start on the same day you buy it. This means if you buy cover and then break down out on the road later that day, we’ll come rescue you. But if you’ve already broken down, you can’t buy breakdown cover online. Instead, please call 0330 159 8743
Some of the other extra features and add-ons won’t start until a while later. National Recovery and Onward Travel start 24 hours after your main cover starts, and Key Replace, Battery Replace and Tyre Replace start 7 days later.
Breakdown cover can be included when you buy car insurance, but it can differ depending on your provider. It’s always best to check your policy documents to see if it is included.
If you’re currently broken down without cover, call our team on 0333 2000 999. Already a member? Report your breakdown online.
If you feel like you’re in immediate danger, you should contact the emergency services. Find out more information around what to do if your car has broken down.
Page reviewed by: Andy Baker