What is single trip European breakdown cover?

Single trip European breakdown cover means your vehicle is covered for a one-off trip to Europe. You can choose cover for just one day, a two-week holiday, or any trip lasting up to 180 days. And if your vehicle breaks down while you’re away, you can be fixed at the roadside or towed to the nearest garage.

Single trip European breakdown cover is also known as ‘one-off’ or ‘short-term’ European breakdown cover. And it’s there to give you peace of mind that help is at hand if you need it, without having to pay for annual cover.

Compare our single trip European breakdown cover

Is single trip cover only for cars?

Our single trip European breakdown cover isn’t just for cars. We also cover motorcycles (12cc and over), motorhomes and minibuses (with up to 17 seats, including the driver) – plus light vans, and vehicles towing caravans or trailers.

We cover any vehicle of any age, as long as it is:

• registered as a private vehicle in the UK, Jersey, Guernsey or Isle of Man
• a maximum of 3,500 kg (3.5 tonnes) when fully loaded. This weight is called the gross vehicle mass (GVM)
• a maximum of 7 m long, 3 m high and 2.5 mm wide – including any load you’re carrying.

Should I choose single trip or annual cover?

Depending on how often you drive to Europe, and how long your trips are, you can choose between single trip and annual cover. Here are the main differences to help you decide which is right for you:.

• Single trip European cover

If you drive to Europe once or twice a year, buying single trip European breakdown cover each time you go away can be the cheaper option. You can get cover for up to 180 days.

• Annual European cover

This provides cover for multiple trips during a year, which is ideal if you regularly drive to Europe. You’ll be covered up to 90 days per trip – if you’ll be away for longer than this, you’ll need single trip European cover.

With both types of cover, you’re covered in any vehicle of any age, even if you’re towing a caravan or trailer. If you’re driving across more than one European country during any of your trips, no problem – just make sure you select the right ‘zone’ or travel when buying your policy.

Get a quote online or call 0330 332 8302.

Why the RAC offers the best single trip European breakdown cover

Highlights include:

• Garage labour costs of up to £1,000**
• Unlimited cover for emergency roadside repair and towing costs to the nearest garage in the UK
• Unlimited cover for roadside assistance and towing cost to the nearest garage in Europe, as well as unlimited costs if you need to collect your vehicle from Europe once it's been repaired
• If the cost of repairs is more than £500, and the cost of repairs don't exceed the market value of your vehicle, we'll cover all costs to get your vehicle back to the UK
• We also provide cover for up to 17 people, so if there is a large group of you travelling - a sports team perhaps - you can also benefit from European single trip breakdown cover³

With Comprehensive policies you're covered for either hire car or accommodation whilst your vehicle is being repaired, that way you can choose to either continue your trip uninterrupted while your own vehicle needs repairs, or if you need to stay somewhere as a result of your vehicle breakdown, we can arrange that instead.

With Comprehensive Plus, you won’t have to choose between a hire car or accommodation, as you’ll be covered for both, with hire car expenses covered up to £3,000 and accommodation expenses are covered up to £1,200.

Which countries are covered?

RAC European Breakdown Cover is available in 49 countries – that’s more than most other providers. 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. 

Click on a country to read a guide to local driving laws, travel advice, parking regulations, fuel availability and more.

We also have resources that go into more detail about our European breakdown cover offerings in France, Spain, Germany and Ireland.