RAC European Breakdown Cover

Breaking down is the last thing you want when driving abroad. But with RAC European Breakdown Cover, help is at hand when you need it most. Our 24/7 English-speaking helpline makes it easy to get help quickly. And we’re the only European breakdown cover provider to include unlimited roadside assistance, and a contribution towards garage labour costs, as standard. Plus, with our Comprehensive Plus cover, you’ll have the best cover in the market*, making your holiday memorable for the right reasons!

Choose your level of European breakdown cover

What is European breakdown cover?

European breakdown cover means you’re protected if you break down in Europe. You can call an English-speaking helpline, who will arrange roadside assistance. If your vehicle can't be fixed at the roadside, we'll arrange for it to be taken to a local garage where repairs can be assessed. If it can’t be repaired before you go back to the UK, we’ll help get you, your passengers, and your vehicle back home. 

European breakdown cover isn’t a legal requirement. But it can save you stress, time and money if you break down while you’re away. For example, you’ll be covered for some or all costs for roadside assistance and garage labour, depending on the cover level you pick.

Read more about driving abroad and why you should take out European breakdown cover before travelling.

Why do I need European breakdown cover?

Car issues can be problematic at the best of times, but the situation can feel much worse when you're far away from home. If you're driving outside the UK, you need to be covered for specific European vehicle breakdown, so that you can benefit from European roadside assistance and roadside recovery.

We provide European breakdown cover for many types of vehicles when travelling abroad. As well as cover for cars, vans and minibuses, we also offer:

•  Motorhome European breakdown cover
•  Motorcycle European breakdown cover
•  Caravan European breakdown cover

European breakdown cover provides you with complete peace of mind if your vehicle breaks down in Europe. With both levels of cover available, we offer unlimited roadside assistance if you call us to attend your vehicle. If your vehicle isn’t able to be repaired at the side of the road, it will be recovered to a garage to be looked at. Depending on the level of cover you’ve taken out, we’ll cover any garage labour costs, either up to £150 (Comprehensive) or £1,000 (Comprehensive Plus).

Even if you have UK breakdown cover in place, you shouldn't just assume that your vehicle has the same level of cover abroad as at home. If you're planning on driving in Europe – taking a holiday in France or Spain, for example – you should make sure you have cover. If not, it's time to start looking up European breakdown policies.

What’s included in RAC European Breakdown Cover?

Exactly what and how much you’re covered for depends on the level of cover you choose. With the RAC, you’ll always have access to our 24/7 English-speaking helpline – so you know you won’t be left stranded and help is only a phone call away.

Here’s what else you can get with the RAC:

•  European roadside assistance and recovery. 
• We'll arrange for a local garage to come out to you and inspect your vehicle – they’ll repair it at the roadside or recover it to the garage for repair.
  
  
•  Contribution to garage labour costs. 
• With Comprehensive, you’ll get up to £150. Or up to £1,000 with Comprehensive Plus.
  
  
•  Alternative travel or accommodation. 
• If your vehicle’s in the garage, you can have a hire car or hotel while it’s being fixed.
  
  
•  Getting you and your vehicle back to the UK.
•  Also known as ‘repatriation’, we can help get you and your vehicle back home if it can’t be fixed before you travel back to the UK.
  
  
•  Cover before your departure. 
• If you break down in the UK and can’t be fixed before you’re due to leave, you can have a hire car to continue your trip to Europe.

Do I need single trip or annual cover?

We offer two different types of cover: single trip and annual cover. The right policy for you depends on how often you drive through Europe each year, and how long your trips are.

How much does European breakdown cover cost?

How much you’ll pay for your European cover can depend on:

• Your level of cover: We offer 2 levels of cover: Comprehensive and Comprehensive Plus. The higher the level of cover, the more protection you’ll have, and the more it will cost. 

• How long you’re away for: Single trips costs less than annual cover4. But if you’re a regular driver in mainland Europe, annual cover can save you money in the long run.

• Where you’re going: We’ve split countries into 3 zones and how much your cover costs depends on which zone (or zones) you’re driving in.

• Your vehicle: The age, make and model of your vehicle can affect the cost of your cover, but we do offer European breakdown cover for older cars.

Essential driving to Europe checklist and the impact of Brexit

From 1 January 2021, you should make sure you have the following items before travelling to Europe:

• Vehicle log book (V5C). This shows that you’re the registered keeper. If we need to bring your broken down vehicle home, we won’t be able to do this without a copy of your vehicle log book. If you’re driving a hired or leased vehicle, you need the VE103 to show you’re allowed to use it abroad.


• UK sticker. Display a UK sticker on the rear of your vehicle, even if the number plate has the EU symbol. This is not needed in the Republic of Ireland. GB stickers and identifiers are no longer valid.


• International Driving Permit (IDP). If you don’t have a photocard driving licence, you’ll need to get an international driving permit. You can get one from the Post Office at a cost of £5.50. You may need more than one type depending on which countries you’re driving through. Find out more here.


• Trailer registration. Some commercial and non-commercial trailers must be registered before towing to or through most EU and EEA countries. If you plan to take out European caravan breakdown cover then it’s important to check your trailer before travelling. Find out more.


• Insurance green cards are no longer required for UK motorists driving in the EU.

Read more about driving in the EU post-Brexit

What countries are covered by RAC European Breakdown Cover?

The RAC offers European breakdown cover in up to 49 countries across mainland Europe. These countries are split into Zone 1, Zone 2 and Zone 3, so you can easily select the right cover for you and your trip. This includes, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Portugal and Belgium, as well as the Republic of Ireland. 

We also cover a range of other countries, including Albania, Armenia, Gibraltar, Moldova, Macedonia, Serbia and many more.