Compare European breakdown cover

Planning a European road trip or driving abroad while on holiday? Whatever the reason, if you’re driving in Europe, having breakdown cover in place should be something you seriously consider. If you have UK breakdown cover already, you should be aware that this won’t cover you outside of the country. You will need to have separate European breakdown cover – which could prove invaluable if you break down at the roadside of an unfamiliar motorway.

If you’re unlucky enough to break down while abroad, you need to know help is available. European breakdown cover is there to make sure everything runs as smoothly as possible. But before you buy, take the time to compare European breakdown cover and find out what features you need, and which cover is going to be best for you.

Exactly what’s included in European breakdown cover depends on your provider and the level of protection you choose.

Now with 33% off annual European breakdown cover^†. Complete peace of mind, for less.

^†For annual European breakdown cover. Offer ends 01/12/23, 9am.

What should I look for when comparing European breakdown cover?

You'll want to look at some of the features that are traditionally offered as part of European breakdown cover policies. These are:

• 24/7 English-speaking helpline – ​so you won’t have to worry about a language barrier if you call for help.
• Accommodation and Onward Travel – if your vehicle can’t be fixed right away, we can organise a hire car to keep moving, or a hotel while your car's being repaired.
• Repatriation of vehicles – this means that, if your vehicle can’t be fixed before you’re due to travel home, your vehicle will be transported by to the UK. Whether this is available to you depends on the value of your vehicle and the level of cover that you've chosen.
• Garage labour costs – some policies cover all garage labour costs if your vehicle needs to be fixed. Others might not cover this expense, or will only cover it to a certain limit, so always check before purchasing.
• Roadside assistance in the UK – if your vehicle breaks down in the UK before you're due to leave, you can get a hire car to continue your trip to Europe. This is included in both our Standard and Extra levels of cover.

What does the RAC offer that other providers don’t?

Our top level of cover – Extra – is officially the best cover in the market^*. Let’s compare this to what other providers are offering – see how we measure up against the AA and Green Flag.

If you’re travelling to Europe for a short trip, check out our single trip European breakdown cover product today.

What type of cover will I need?

What type of cover you need will depend on the length of your trip and where you’re travelling to.

Will you need single trip or annual cover?

You can get European breakdown cover for a one-off trip lasting up to 90 days. Or for multiple trips during a year up to 90 days each.

Which countries are you travelling to?

Most policies spilt countries into three ‘zones’. Make sure you double-check what countries are covered by a policy before you buy.

Compare our European breakdown cover

We offer two levels of cover, Standard and Extra – both rated 5 out of 5 stars from Defaqto. Compare European breakdown cover from the RAC below.

Our cover levels

 

SALE 33% OFF^†

Standard

• Cover level – Comprehensive
• Roadside Assistance in Europe
• We’ll pay up to £150 towards garage labour costs. Provided repairs are completed on the same working day
• Get up to £500 accommodation expenses or up to £1,500 to continue your journey
• 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
• If your vehicle can’t be fixed before you’re due to return, we’ll help get you and any passenger's home up to £1,500
• Get 2 days’ UK Roadside Assistance before you depart, for all breakdowns over a ¼ of a mile from home
• 24/7 English-speaking helpline
• FREE European Legal Care
• Replacement train/ferry ticket for up to 1 missed connection, if the delay is caused by a breakdown

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SALE 33% OFF^†

Extra

• Cover level – Comprehensive Plus
• Roadside Assistance in Europe
• We'll pay up to £1,000 towards garage labour costs. Provided repairs are completed within 7 working hours
• Up to £1,200 accommodation expenses and/or up to £3,000 to continue your journey
• We’ll cover all costs to get your vehicle to get it back to the UK, providing it’s not beyond economical repair
• If your vehicle can’t be fixed before you’re due to return, we’ll help get you and any passenger's home up to £3,000
• Get 7 days’ UK Roadside Assistance before you depart, for all breakdowns over a ¼ of a mile from home
• 24/7 English-speaking helpline
• FREE European Legal Care
• Replacement train/ferry tickets for up to 3 missed connections, if the delay is caused by a breakdown

Get a quote  

 

What countries are covered by RAC European Breakdown Cover?

Whether you’re comparing short term European breakdown cover or looking for a longer-term policy, it’s important to know where you can use your cover.

You can get RAC European Breakdown Cover in up to 48 countries across mainland Europe, including France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Portugal and Belgium, as well as the Republic of Ireland. This also includes a range of other countries, including Albania, Armenia, Gibraltar, Moldova, Macedonia, Serbia and many more.

These countries are split into Zone 1, Zone 2 and Zone 3, so you can easily pick the right cover for you and your trip.