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Competitor comparison based on insured cover described in the AA policy document. Excludes European cover. Information correct as of April 2026.
RAC vs the AA at a glance
The RAC and the AA are two of the biggest and most well‑known breakdown cover providers in the UK. Before choosing between them, it’s worth understanding how their breakdown cover options compare.
RAC Breakdown Cover
AA Breakdown Cover
UK roadside assistance & recovery
At Home
Included with selected cover levels (Extra and Complete)
Available as an optional add-on
National Recovery
Included with selected cover levels (Standard onwards)
Available as an optional add-on
Onward Travel
With 5 claims a year
With 3 claims a year
Vehicle, personal & family cover
Household limits
Up to 3 vehicles and 5 people
1 vehicle per policy or up to 4 people
Electric vehicles covered
EV specific support if battery runs flat
10-mile EV boost
Battery replacement optional extras
Tyre and key replacement optional extras
£20 off RAC Mobile Mechanic services
Free legal helpline
FREE accident care
T&Cs apply1
FREE MOT worth up to £55 at selected garages
Included with Complete cover
Repair time
30 minutes on average
The AA doesn't specify their repair time
What is the best breakdown cover for you?
From electric vehicles to family driving, here's how the two providers compare, so you can find the cover that fits your lifestyle. If you compare the RAC and AA’s breakdown cover, it’s clear both offer UK-wide breakdown services, with different packages depending on the level of cover you need.
The RAC is the most experienced breakdown provider with over 125 years’ experience. The AA have 120 years’ experience. RAC vans are equipped with EV Boost which can give you a 10-mile tow to the nearest charging point, and with the RAC you can add more vehicles and more people to your policy than the AA.
Families
RAC
Covers up to 5 people living at the same address for households that need it, while the AA covers 4.
Multi-car households
RAC
Option to cover up to 3 vehicles on one policy. The AA offers cover for 1 vehicle.
Additional RAC vs AA breakdown cover comparison
Who is cheaper?
We promise UK drivers complete peace of mind® for less. So if you find the same cover cheaper with the AA, we’ll beat their price by 20%.^
Which includes At Home?
RAC includes At Home with Extra and Complete cover and offers it as an add-on to other levels. The AA also offers At Home as an optional extra across its cover options.
Which includes National Recovery?
National Recovery is included with selected RAC cover levels and may be available as an add-on for others. With the AA, National Recovery is available as an optional add-on.
Rated 'Excellent' on Trustpilot
Why 15 million choose the RAC for breakdown cover
Big fleet. Fast rescue
With over 1,700 RAC patrols, we get to most breakdowns in 60 mins or less.
RAC trained patrols
We fix 4 out of 5 breakdowns, saving you the cost and hassle of a garage.
Price Promise
If you find cover cheaper with the AA, we'll beat it by 20%.^
More for your money
Award-winning cover, with a free car health check and savings on fuel, tyres and more.
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Compare RAC and AA European Breakdown Cover
The RAC and AA both offer breakdown cover for when you’re driving in Europe. With RAC European Breakdown Cover you’ll get money towards the cost of repairing your vehicle in a garage as standard, providing repairs are completed within 7 working hours. You’ll get £150 with our Comprehensive cover, or £1,000 with Comprehensive Plus cover. But with AA European Breakdown Cover you’ll have to pay extra for this. We also offer larger allowances than the AA for alternative travel and accommodation expenses on our Comprehensive Plus cover – that’s why we’ve got the best cover you can get3.
Find out more about RAC vs The AA's European Breakdown Cover.
Breakdown cover options
At the RAC, we provide breakdown cover tailored to your needs.
Answers to your questions
Like most providers, including the RAC and the AA, breakdown cover doesn’t usually include:
Routine or maintenance issues
- Non‑emergency repairs, regular servicing, or problems caused by neglect or DIY maintenance.
Pre‑existing faults
- Breakdowns that happened before the policy started.
- Breakdowns within a 24‑hour waiting period after you buy your cover (for new policies).
Repeat callouts
- Second visits for the same fault within 28 days.
Garage repair costs
- Parts and labour at a garage are not covered as standard.
Fuelling errors
- Draining or removing incorrect or contaminated fuel, lubricants, or fluids.
Both the RAC and the AA provide At Home cover. With the RAC, it’s included in our 'Extra' and 'Complete' packages, and it covers you if you break down at, or within a ¼ mile of your home address.
The RAC and AA both offer a range of breakdown cover options, and which is best for you will depend on your needs, so make sure to check what’s included before you buy.
The RAC and the AA both offer car history checks. But unlike the AA, the RAC also checks for common causes of breakdown and common MOT faults, on top of the standard vehicle history checks. And you’ll get vouchers worth up to £55 to spend at the RAC shop.
Yes – and so do we. If we can’t repair your tyre at the roadside, we can fit you with our universal wheel to keep you going. And with Tyre Replace, you can get cover for up to 5 replacement tyres a year.
The RAC is a respected breakdown cover provider with over 125 years of experience fixing cars. We’re trusted by over 15m members and have an ‘Excellent’ Trustpilot rating – so you know you’re in safe hands with our UK breakdown cover. If you break down, our network of over 1,600 fully trained, uniformed patrols means we usually get to you in 60 minutes or less, and fix 4/5 vehicles breakdowns.
The RAC and the AA both offer breakdown cover in Europe. Take a look at our RAC vs AA European breakdown comparison to see what level of cover you get with each provider.
The best breakdown cover for you depends on your specific needs. But the RAC offers a range of flexible cover to suit you, from Basic cover to Complete cover with all the bells and whistles. Plus, we’re trusted by over 15 million members and have an ‘Excellent’ Trustpilot rating – so you know you’re in safe hands with our UK breakdown cover.
Page reviewed by Andy Baker. Last updated 17/06/26.