Compare European breakdown cover

The best cover you can get*

Get a quote   

*Comparison based on RAC Extra European Breakdown Cover against the top level of cover from other major providers as of 16/05/23.

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.

Unlimited roadside assistance in Europe
Only the RAC covers all costs to get you to a garage – so you won’t have to shell out extra.

Hire Car
If your vehicle needs repairs, we’ll give you more for a hire car than our competitors.~

24/7 English-speaking helpline
Speak to experienced case handlers to manage your breakdown.

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.

 

RAC
Extra
European Breakdown Cover     
AA European Cover Green Flag Short-Term Cover Euro Breakdown
All costs covered for roadside assistance in Europe1    
Up to the vehicle's market value
 
£250 only
Time capped to 60 minutes for Roadside Assistance
We'll recover your vehicle back to the UK providing the vehicle isn't beyond economical repair 2     
Only up to the vehicle's market value
 
Only up to the vehicle's market value
 
Only up to the vehicle's market value
If repairs cost more than £500 you can choose to bring your vehicle home, providing it's not beyond economical repair 3        
If your vehicle is repaired in Europe we'll contribute towards repairs if it's fixed on the day 4   
£1,000

  
£500 if you buy parts and labour cover

    
£500
We'll provide both transport and accommodation whilst your vehicle is repaired5      
Transport or accommodation
 
Transport or accommodation
We'll provide a hire car whilst your vehicle is repaired6   
£3,000
  
£1,500
  
£1,000
  
£2,000
As part of overall transport limit
We'll provide accommodation whilst your vehicle is repaired7  
£1,200
 
£500
 
£1,000

 
£450

We'll provide a hire car to continue your trip to Europe, if your vehicle cannot be repaired before your planned departure8   
£3,000
or up to 23 days
  
Up to £1,500
  
Up to £1,500
  
£2,000
We'll cover any age vehicle 9      
Up to 11 years as standard (up to 16 years if extra premium paid)
 
Up to 15 years

 

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

Comparison Table Sources

1) We'll cover all costs for Roadside Assistance in Europe
RAC Source: Policy Schedule
AA Source: Terms and conditions page 17
Green Flag Source: Terms and conditions page 11
Euro Breakdown Source: Terms and conditions page 5

2) We'll recover your vehicle back to the UK providing the vehicle isn't beyond economical repair
RAC Source: Policy Schedule
AA Source: Terms and conditions page 19
Green Flag Source: Terms and conditions page 12
Euro Breakdown Source: Terms and conditions page 8

3) If repairs cost more than £500 you can choose to bring your vehicle home, providing it's not beyond economical repair
RAC Source: Terms and conditions page 8
AA Source: Terms and conditions page 19
Green Flag Source: Terms and conditions page 12
Euro Breakdown Source: Terms and conditions page 6

4) If your vehicle is repaired in Europe we'll contribute towards repairs
RAC Source: Policy Schedule
AA Source: Terms and conditions page 17
Green Flag Source: Terms and conditions page 11
Euro Breakdown Source: Terms and conditions page 6

5) We'll provide both transport and accommodation whilst your vehicle is repaired
RAC Source: Terms and conditions page 8
AA Source: Terms and conditions page 18
Green Flag Source: Terms and conditions page 12
Euro Breakdown Source: Terms and conditions page 5

6) We'll provide a hire car whilst your vehicle is repaired
RAC Source: Policy Schedule
AA Source: Terms and conditions page 18
Green Flag Source: Terms and conditions page 12
Euro Breakdown Source: Terms and conditions page 5

7) We'll provide accommodation whilst your vehicle is repaired
RAC Source: Policy Schedule
AA Source: Terms and conditions page 18
Green Flag Source: Terms and conditions page 12
Euro Breakdown Source: Terms and conditions page 5

8) We'll provide a hire car to continue your trip to Europe, if your vehicle cannot be repaired before your planned departure
RAC Source: Policy Schedule
AA Source: Terms and conditions page 17
Green Flag Source: Terms and conditions page 11
Euro Breakdown Source: Terms and conditions page 5

9) We'll cover any age vehicle
RAC Source: Not excluded in terms and conditions
AA Source: Terms and conditions page 14
Green Flag Source: Terms and conditions page 10
Euro Breakdown Source: Terms and conditions page 5

RAC terms and conditions here
AA terms and conditions here
Green Flag terms and conditions here
Euro Breakdown terms and conditions here

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

 
defaqto five star rating

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
Get a quote  
defaqto five star rating

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  
 
For annual European breakdown cover. Ends 01/12/23, 9am.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Before you buy European breakdown cover, think about how much cover you want, and whether you need cover for a single trip, or several trips throughout the year. RAC European Breakdown Cover has a range of options to suit whatever you need. It’s available for single trips or as an annual policy, with two different cover levels for both options.
Is roadside assistance in the UK included in European breakdown cover?
Yes, our European breakdown cover includes roadside assistance in the UK for 48 hours before you leave for Europe – or up to 7 days if you get our Extra cover. Or for longer-term breakdown cover in Britain and Northern Ireland, explore our UK cover here.
What is the difference between roadside assistance and national recovery?
Roadside assistance means we’ll come to your rescue if you break down on the road, and do everything we can to fix you on the spot. National recovery means that if we can’t fix your car at the roadside, we’ll tow it to a destination of your choice anywhere in the country. If you’re driving in Europe with RAC European Breakdown Cover, we’ll help get you and your car back to the UK if it can’t be fixed while you’re away, providing the vehicle isn't beyond economical repair.
Who provides the best European breakdown cover?
The RAC’s Extra cover is the best European cover in the market. We cover all expenses for roadside assistance across Europe, so you won’t be stranded if you break down, no matter the cost.

We also give you the choice to bring your vehicle back to the UK if repairs cost over £500 (and it isn’t beyond economical repair). Other providers don't offer this.

While your vehicle's being repaired, we’ll cover transport and accommodation. Green Flag and Euro Breakdown won't offer this.
 
With all of these benefits, it’s no wonder our Extra cover was rated 5 Star by Defaqto.

The RAC is a leading provider of European breakdown cover. But, how does it compare to The AA? Find out here.

  

The RAC is a leading provider of European breakdown cover. But, how does it compare to Green Flag? Find out here.

  
More about European breakdown cover

Whether you're popping to Paris or setting off for a two-week stay in Spain, we have flexible cover options to suit you.

  

For more information about our European breakdown cover please refer to our Insurance Product Information Document or our terms & conditions.

  

PDF

Download and complete a claim form within 90 days of your planned return date.

  

Get 14 days’ European breakdown cover for £4.17 a day^

  

Drive to Europe on a regular basis? Then annual European cover will give you complete peace of mind all year round.

  

If you’re heading for Belgium and the Netherlands and planning to drive, it’s important you know the rules of the road and have breakdown cover in place.

  

If you’re driving in Germany, it’s important that you have European breakdown cover in place to provide roadside recovery and assistance should you need it.

  

If you’re planning on driving in France, then you need to be prepared – here’s the RAC guide to European breakdown cover and rules of the road.

  

Before driving in Spain, prepare properly by understanding the road rules, checking your vehicle and arranging the right level of breakdown cover.

  

If you’re planning on driving in Italy, then you need to be prepared – here’s the RAC guide to European breakdown cover and rules of the road.

  

If you’re planning on driving in the Republic of Ireland, then you need to be prepared – here’s our guide to European breakdown cover.

  

5 Star Defaqto rated European breakdown cover

Don’t let a breakdown ruin your holiday

  • No overall claims limit for complete peace of mind
  • Reassurance of a 24/7 English-speaking helpline
  • We'll fix you at the roadside or tow you to the nearest garage

Full terms and conditions apply.

Maximum benefits payable under the policy – please read the terms and conditions policy booklet for details. Additional cover available in some areas upon payment of an additional premium.

33% off annual European breakdown cover terms and conditions:

  1. Offer applies to purchases of stand-alone RAC European Breakdown Cover online before 01/12/23, 9am.
  2. Excludes all single trip policies.
  3. Excludes European breakdown cover taken out as an add-on to UK breakdown cover.
  4. Offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer and can be withdrawn at any time.

*Comparison based on RAC Extra European Breakdown Cover against the top level of cover from other major providers as of 16/05/23. For full details visit rac.co.uk/eurocompare.

~Based on comparison of RAC Extra cover vs Green Flag and AA’s top level of cover as at 24/02/23.

^Price for 14 days Standard cover, travelling in Zone 1. For a vehicle up to 1 year old.

RAC European Breakdown Cover arranged and administered by RAC Financial Services Limited (Registered No 05171817) and provided by RAC Insurance Ltd (Registered No 2355834). Registered in England and Wales; Registered Offices: RAC House, Brockhurst Crescent, Walsall WS5 4AW. RAC Financial Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. RAC Insurance Ltd is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

© 2023 RAC Motoring Services. All rights reserved.