Breakdown cover is sometimes the service you think you can manage without - until your car breaks down on the way to that important business meeting or en route to the airport, to start the long-awaited family holiday. A car breakdown can happen at any time, and often at the worst possible time, so it’s no surprise that so many people choose to take out breakdown cover.
If you’re just starting to look for breakdown cover, the good news is that there’s plenty of choice. There are a range of breakdown cover providers, offering lots of different packages. The RAC is the UK’s most experienced breakdown cover provider, established in 1897, but how does it compare to a newer provider? Emergency Assist was founded in 2017.
Contents
Cover - what’s included?
Brand & Reliability
Level of breakdown cover
Comparing Breakdown Cover Reviews
Emergency Assist Cover - what’s included?
Choosing the right kind of breakdown cover for you should be about more than just cost, although it’s an important factor, of course. Everyone has a budget to work with, so the cover needs to be affordable. But, you should also look into the service you get with each breakdown cover provider. What’s included with certain types of breakdown cover packages from the RAC compared to Emergency Assist?
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RAC |
Emergency Assist |
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Hire car period available period with Onward Travel cover
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72 hours
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24 hours
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Onward transport for driver and passengers
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Yes - driver and up to eight passengers
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Yes - driver and up to four passengers |
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Personal based memberships available
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Yes
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No
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Key cover availbel as an optional extra
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Yes
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Yes
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Monthly contracts available?
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Yes |
No |
RAC source - breakdown cover
Emergency Assist source
Comparison made on the 21st December 2018
Brand and Reliability
As Britain’s most experienced provider, the RAC have been championing motorists for over 120 years. They’re equally proud that 92% of members have told us they would recommend RAC breakdown cover to family and friends.
RAC patrols fix four of out five broken down vehicles, at the roadside, within an average of only 30 minutes.
Breakdown cover from the RAC has been awarded a 5-Star rating by Defaqto *.
Emergency Assist’s Premium Cover has been awarded a 3-Star rating by Defaqto**.
*5 star rating refers to the RAC’s Roadside Recovery, At Home & Onward Travel offering
** 3 star rating refers to Emergency Assist’s Ex Misfuel, Keys & Unlimited Call Outs offering
RAC: Defaqto ratings
Emergency Assist: Defaqto ratings
Level of breakdown cover
Both the RAC and Emergency Assist offer a range of breakdown cover packages, allowing you to build your perfect level of cover. Here’s what each level of cover provides:
RAC
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Roadside
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This is the RAC’s standard cover. If your car breaks down 1/4 mile or more away from home, you’ll get assistance at the roadside.
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Recovery
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This cover entitles you to national recovery to anywhere within the UK mainland if your vehicle can’t be fixed at the roadside. Only available if you break down more than ¼ mile from your home.
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At Home
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This type of cover means you can call on the RAC for support if you break down at home, or within 1/4 mile of your home.
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Onward Travel
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Onward Travel provides a hire car, public transport or even hotel accommodation for you and your passengers.
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Emergency Assist
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Saver Cover
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This provides roadside assistance 1/4 mile or more away from your home. If your vehicle can’t be fixed, you’ll be towed to a garage within 25 miles.
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Premium Cover
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This has all the benefits of Saver cover with additional services, including national recovery, homestart - help if you break down at home or within 1/4 mile of it - and onward travel.
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Complete Cover
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This is Emergency Assist’s most comprehensive level of cover, adding cover in any EU member state country.
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Source: https://www.emergencyassistltd.co.uk/product/premium-cover/
Comparison made on the 21st December 2018