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.

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.

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: Standard and Extra. 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.

What happens if you break down without European cover?

If you break down without European cover, you’ll need to find a recovery company to tow you, and a garage you can trust to fix your car. This can be tricky, especially if you don’t know the area and you don’t speak the language. You’ll also have to cover all recovery, labour and repair costs yourself. If your vehicle can’t be fixed before you’re due to travel back to the UK, you’ll also need to cover the cost of getting you and your vehicle back home. And the further away from home you are, the more this will cost.

Does the RAC offer cheaper European breakdown cover?

The RAC offer flexible options to suit your budget. ‘Standard’ is our cheapest level of cover. It starts from just £7 for 1 day of cover**. The longer you go away for, the more your cover will cost. The price of your cover will also vary depending on how old your car is. It’s worth knowing that single trip cover is cheaper than annual cover, as it only covers you for a one-off trip abroad. But if you travel to Europe regularly, annual cover can provide better value for money.

Can I get one-off cover for a family holiday?

Yes, as cover is available on a single trip basis as well as annually. The RAC has two different policies, so you can compare European breakdown cover across these variations. Standard is from £7 and the price of Extra begins at £9. Our RAC Extra policy has a Defaqto 5 Star rating, and includes garage labour costs up to £1,000 and unlimited emergency European roadside assistance and repair.

Will European breakdown cover help to get my car back to the UK?

If required, our European breakdown policies can help to get your car safely back to the UK - or repatriation, in other words. Again, there are different levels of cover depending on your policy. Standard has vehicle repatriation cover up to the market value of the insured vehicle, and Extra has unlimited cover. This is providing your vehicle is not beyond economical repair.

Does my standard RAC Breakdown Cover policy cover me in Europe?

No. If you haven’t added European breakdown cover to your policy, your standard RAC Breakdown Cover policy will only cover you in the UK. If you’re unsure, it’s worth checking your policy documents to see exactly what’s included in your cover. You can also log in to MyRAC to check your cover.

Does European breakdown cover include the UK?

With both Standard and Extra, you’ll have pre-departure cover in the UK before you leave for Europe. This means you can get roadside assistance before your trip and a hire car to get to Europe if needed. What you’re covered for depends on the level of cover you choose: Standard: You’ll have roadside assistance in the UK up to 2 days before you’re due to leave the UK and a hire car for 6 days. Extra: You’ll have roadside assistance in the UK up to 7 days before you’re due to leave the UK and a hire car for 23 days.

Can I get help if I break down abroad without European breakdown cover?

If you break down abroad but you don’t have European breakdown cover, unfortunately we won’t be able to help you get back on the road. That’s why it’s important to get it sorted before you leave the UK. Instead of calling us for help, you’ll need to make your own arrangements. For example, you’ll need to find a local recovery company to rescue you, as well as a garage you can trust to fix your vehicle. You’ll also have to recover all these costs yourself.

Can I get short-term car insurance to cover me for my trip?

Yes you can – RAC Temporary Car Insurance offers short-term insurance policies for trips of up to 30 days for cars, vans and motorhomes and allows you to extend this to cover driving in Europe - perfect if you’re borrowing a vehicle or sharing the drive and need comprehensive cover in place. Choose from between 1 hour and 30 days of cover, and you’ll be covered to drive almost instantly. Find out more about this type of cover.

Will my car insurance policy cover me for driving in Europe?

Some car insurance policies will cover you for a number of days driving in Europe, but it depends on your insurance provider. You should always check your car insurance policy documents before starting any trip to ensure you have the right cover in place. You could choose to purchase a comprehensive short-term insurance policy and add additional European cover. Tailor your policy for up to 30 days of cover, purchase online, and you’ll be covered to drive almost instantly. Read more about our Temporary Car Insurance.

Is it worth getting European breakdown cover?

Having European breakdown cover means you won’t be left stranded if your car breaks down abroad. We can repair your vehicle at the side of the road, or help you find a local garage if needed. If you don't have cover, you may find it more difficult to get help if you have car trouble while you're away.

Can I add European cover to my RAC membership?

RAC European Breakdown Cover is separate from your UK membership, so you don’t need to be an RAC member to get it. But if you are an RAC member, you can access all your policy documents and details for your European cover through your normal MyRAC account, and in the MyRAC app.

European breakdown cover & European roadside assistance

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, provided repairs are completed on the same working day.

Now enjoy 33% off annual European breakdown cover^*. Complete peace of mind, for less!

European roadside assistance in 48 countries
24/7 English-speaking helpline
Help in 46 minutes on average, in France
Five star Defaqto rated cover

Choose your level of European breakdown cover

RAC Standard

Cover level – Comprehensive
Roadside Assistance in Europe

Our trusted local experts will fix your vehicle at the roadside if you break down. And if they can’t, they’ll tow you to the nearest garage.
Up to £1,500 towards Onward Travel

Get up to £500 accommodation expenses or up to £1,500 to continue your journey.
£150 towards garage labour costs

We’ll pay up to £150 towards garage labour costs, provided repairs are completed on the same working day.
2 days Roadside Assistance before you go

Get 2 days unlimited UK roadside assistance before you depart, for all breakdowns over a ¼ of a mile from home.
24/7 English-speaking helpline

You’ll always have access to our helpline – so you know you won’t be left stranded. And help is only a phone call away.
Getting your vehicle home

We’ll pay up to the market value of your vehicle to get it back to the UK, providing it’s not beyond economical repair.
Up to £1,500 to get you home

If your vehicle can’t be fixed before you’re due to return, we’ll help get you and any passenger's home.
FREE European Legal Care

We will cover you for legal costs, up to a maximum of £100,000 per claim.
Replacement train/ferry ticket

We cover a replacement train/ferry ticket for 1 missed connection, if the delay is caused by a breakdown.

RAC Extra

Cover level – Comprehensive Plus
Roadside Assistance in Europe

Our trusted local experts will fix your vehicle at the roadside if you break down. And if they can’t, they’ll tow you to the nearest garage.
Up to £4,200 towards Onward Travel

Get up to £1,200 accommodation expenses and/or up to £3,000 to continue your journey.
£1,000 towards garage labour costs

We'll pay up to £1,000 towards garage labour costs, provided repairs are completed within 7 working hours.
7 days Roadside Assistance before you go

Get 7 days unlimited UK roadside assistance before you depart, for all breakdowns over a ¼ of a mile from home.
24/7 English-speaking helpline

You’ll always have access to our helpline – so you know you won’t be left stranded. And help is only a phone call away.
Getting your vehicle home

We’ll cover all costs to get your vehicle back to the UK, providing it’s not beyond economical repair.
Up to £3,000 to get you home

If your vehicle can’t be fixed before you’re due to return, we’ll help get you and any passenger's home.
FREE European Legal Care

We will cover you for legal costs, up to a maximum of £100,000 per claim.
Replacement train/ferry tickets

We cover replacement train/ferry tickets for up to 3 missed connections, if the delay is caused by a breakdown.

What countries are covered by RAC European Breakdown Cover?

The RAC offers European breakdown cover in up to 48 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.

Zone 1 (includes France & Germany)

Andorra

Germany

The Netherlands

Belgium

Luxembourg

Republic of Ireland

France

Monaco

We also cover the offshore islands of all the countries within this zone.

Show countries on a map

	We're the only provider to cover all costs for roadside assistance in Europe.
	With Extra you'll get a hire car and accommodation while your vehicle's being repaired – and we give you more to spend on both than anyone else.
	We're the only provider to cover all costs to get your vehicle back home, with our Extra (as long as it's not beyond economical repair).

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European Breakdown Cover

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RAC European Breakdown Cover

Choose your level of European breakdown cover

What countries are covered by RAC European Breakdown Cover?

What is European breakdown cover?

Why do I need European breakdown cover?

What’s included in RAC European Breakdown Cover?

Avoid unexpected costs

Do I need single trip European breakdown cover or annual European breakdown cover?

What vehicles are covered by RAC European Breakdown Cover?

How much does European breakdown cover cost?

Why the RAC offers the best European breakdown cover on the market^

Essential driving to Europe checklist

What happens if you break down without European cover?

What to do if you break down in Europe

United Kingdom

Republic of Ireland

France & Monaco

Rest of Europe

FAQs

Q. Is it worth getting European breakdown cover?

Q. Is it a legal requirement to have European breakdown cover?

Q. Does the RAC offer cheaper European breakdown cover?

Q. Can I get one-off cover for a family holiday?

Q. Will European breakdown cover help to get my car back to the UK?

Q. Does my standard RAC Breakdown Cover policy cover me in Europe?

Q. Does European breakdown cover include the UK?

Q. Can I get help if I break down abroad without European breakdown cover?

Q. Can I get short-term car insurance to cover me for my trip?

Q. Will my car insurance policy cover me for driving in Europe?

Q. Can I add European cover to my RAC membership?

Q. Can I drive to Europe from the UK?

Q. Can you drive a UK car in Europe?

Q. Can I use a European disabled badge in the UK?

Things you need to know when travelling in Europe

European Driving Kits

Driving in Europe checklist

10 lesser-known French road rules

Trusted by over 10 million members

SALE – 33% off European breakdown cover^*

Why the RAC offers the best European breakdown cover on the market^{^}