How to compare breakdown cover
It’s always a good idea to compare breakdown cover before you buy. Remember, just choosing the cheapest option may not give you the cover you need. So, do your homework to make sure you have complete peace of mind.
Here’s a quick guide of what to look for when comparing breakdown cover:
What’s included as standard?
A good place to start when choosing your breakdown cover is to check what's included as standard. Some providers include more than others with their entry-level cover.
Here’s a rundown of what you get on all RAC cover levels, compared to our competitors.
RAC | AA | Green Flag | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roadside Assistance |
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| 20-mile taxi from the garage† |
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Compare levels of cover
Levels of breakdown cover vary from provider to provider. But the main features are known as Roadside Assistance, At Home (or ‘Home Start’), National Recovery, and Onward Travel.
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FREE car health check
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5 callouts
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Roadside Assistance
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FREE car health check
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5 callouts
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Roadside Assistance
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National Recovery
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FREE car health check
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Unlimited callouts
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Roadside Assistance
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National Recovery
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At Home
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FREE MOT
Worth up to £55, at selected RAC garages
Personal vs vehicle cover
With most providers, breakdown cover can either apply to you or your vehicle. It’s up to you to decide which type of cover works best for you.
Personal cover
Personal breakdown cover means you’ll be personally covered if you break down in any eligible vehicle, as a driver or passenger. This type of cover usually costs more than vehicle cover. But it can work out cheaper if you drive more than one vehicle regularly.
With the RAC, you can cover up to 5 people on a single policy (as long as you live at the same address). But with the AA and Green Flag, you can only cover up to 4 people.
Vehicle cover
Vehicle breakdown cover means your vehicle is covered no matter who is driving when it breaks down. With the AA’s vehicle breakdown, you can only cover 1 vehicle.
Answers to your questions
Q. What types of breakdown cover should I consider for more than one car?
Depending on how you use your cars, you might want to consider personal cover or vehicle cover for multiple cars.
Personal cover means you’re covered as a driver or passenger in any eligible vehicle – and you can add up to 5 people living at the same address to your policy. It’s ideal if you or your family regularly drive more than one car.
With vehicle cover, each vehicle on your policy is covered no matter who’s driving. And you can get vehicle cover for up to 3 cars registered at the same address on one policy.
Q. How does the RAC compare to Green Flag and AA?
When looking for breakdown cover, make sure you check what’s included as standard with the RAC, Green Flag and the AA. For example, the RAC include a 20-mile taxi† from the garage with every cover level. Other providers don’t. You should also check prices and reviews to make sure you get the cover you need. Find out more about how else we compare above.
†Following a breakdown, if you’re taken to a garage, we’ll reimburse you for a taxi home up to 20 miles.
Q. Which breakdown cover starts immediately?
RAC Breakdown Cover begins on the day you buy it, as long as you haven’t broken down already. You can also choose to start your policy later if you prefer. Extras like National Recovery and Onward Travel both start 24 hours afterwards. And Key Replace, Battery Replace and Tyre Replace start 14 days after your main breakdown cover begins.
Q. Can I get breakdown cover in Europe?
Yes, you can with RAC European Breakdown Cover. It’s available for single-trips or as annual cover for multiple trips during the year. You can see how our European cover compares to other competitors.