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

 

 

 

20-mile taxi from the garage 

 

 


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.

Basic £7.95 a month
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    FREE car health check

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    5 callouts
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    Roadside Assistance

SALE 50% OFF*
Extra £12.50 £6.25 a month
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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
SALE 50% OFF*
Complete £17.50 £8.75 a month
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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

*New customers only. 50% saving applies to Extra and Complete cover for 1 vehicle or 1 person. Ends 30/11/23, 7am.
Prices above are for single vehicle-based cover.

Extend your cover
Onward Travel
Can’t do without your car? Get a hire car while yours is in the garage with Onward Travel.
European Rescue
With RAC European Rescue, you’re covered in 48 countries across Europe. So you can have complete peace of mind when driving abroad.
Avoid big bills
Tyre Replace
Puncture? No problem — you're covered for the cost of 5 new tyres a year.
Battery Replace
Get a new battery if we can't recharge yours — saving you £160 on average.
Key Replace
Lost your car keys? We'll replace them, saving you £300 on average.

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. 


Join the RAC now for complete peace of mind

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.






Find out more