RAC vs Direct Line Breakdown Cover

RAC vs Direct Line Breakdown Cover

When choosing a breakdown cover provider, it’s important to do your homework. Here at the RAC, we’re proud to be one of the biggest and most popular providers in the UK. But how do we compare with Direct Line breakdown cover?

Here’s a handy guide to help you compare the difference between RAC and Direct Line breakdown cover.

Let’s compare Direct Line and the RAC Breakdown Cover

When comparing breakdown cover from Direct Line and the RAC, a good place to start is checking how you can purchase their breakdown cover, and what their entry-level package includes.

You can only get breakdown cover with Direct Line if you already have car insurance with them. They offer breakdown cover provided by Green Flag as an add on to your Direct Line car insurance.

For example: the RAC’s ‘Standard’ cover includes 24/7 Roadside Assistance with a 10-mile tow and 5 callouts a year; with 1 additional callout for every person or vehicle added. If you need At Home cover or unlimited callouts, you can upgrade to ‘Extra’.

As for Direct Line breakdown cover, their entry-level ‘Rescue’ cover includes Roadside Assistance, local recovery and unlimited call outs. To get more cover, you can upgrade.

The table below shows a comparison of what Direct Line and the RAC include with their entry-level breakdown cover.

Competitor comparison based on insured cover described in Direct Line policy documents. Excludes European cover. Information correct as of December 2024.
For more information about our levels of cover, visit our RAC Breakdown Cover page. You can also find out more about which promotions we're running by heading to our dedicated deals page.

Who can I get covered on my policy?

What else is included with the RAC compared to Direct Line’s membership?

In addition to the entry-level cover, higher levels of cover are also available. Here’s a brief comparison of the options offered by Direct Line and the RAC.

RAC cover levels

If you need more cover, you can upgrade from ‘Basic’ to ‘Standard’, ‘Extra’ or ‘Complete’.

What’s included with ‘Standard?’

As well as Roadside Assistance, our ‘Standard’ cover also includes National Recovery – which means that if we can’t fix you on the spot, we’ll tow you to any garage or destination in the UK. In addition, you get 5 callouts, with 1 additional callout added for every person or vehicle added. All our members get a range of benefits such as up to £20 off RAC Tyres.

What’s included with ‘Extra?’

In addition to everything covered with ‘Standard’, our ‘Extra’ cover also includes unlimited callouts (as long as it’s not for a reoccurring problem) and At Home Rescue – which covers you at or within ¼ mile of your home address.

What’s included with ‘Complete?’

As well as everything in ‘Extra’ and ‘Standard’, our ‘Complete’ cover also includes Onward Travel, where we’ll provide a hire car while yours is in the garage for up to 3 days, alternative transport² or overnight accomendation³. With ‘Basic’ and ‘Extra’ you’re not covered for this.

Plus you’ll get a FREE MOT at selected RAC garages. And with our family breakdown cover, you’ll get 2 FREE MOTs.

For even more reassurance, you can also choose from a selection of ‘add-ons’ with all cover levels. These include Battery Replace, Key Replace and Tyre Replace.

Direct Line breakdown cover levels

You can choose between five levels of cover. These levels of cover can include At Home, National Recovery, Roadside Recovery, Onward Travel and European breakdown.

Direct Line’s Onward Travel provides a hire car for up to 2 days, with a £150 contribution towards this.

Other differences between Direct Line and RAC Breakdown Cover

As well as comparing levels of cover and reviews, you should also look in more detail at what Direct Line can offer compared to the RAC. For example, don’t forget to check things like vehicle age restrictions, length of service and if they have their own fleet of patrols.

Join the RAC today