What is European Breakdown Cover?
If you’re planning to drive in Europe, you’ll need the reassurance of breakdown cover. Although you might have breakdown cover at home, in the UK, when you’re driving abroad you won’t be covered under the same policy so you must get specialist European breakdown cover. Whether you’re driving short distances in one country or planning a longer road trip in Europe, it can prove invaluable.
It’s another cost, in addition to all the other costs you’ll incur, during a visit to Europe - such as fuel, and of course, the price of your holiday to start off with. But, it’s a price almost certainly worth paying. It can be distressing enough breaking down a couple of miles from your home, in an area you know, but doing so in a foreign country on unfamiliar roads is a worrying experience. It might even spoil your holiday.
Knowing you can call on roadside assistance and recovery if you need it gives you peace of mind when you’re on your travels. Without European Breakdown Cover, you could potentially face significant costs to get your vehicle repaired or recovered, being towed to a nearby garage for further work.
If you’re in a European country without the means to continue your journey, breakdown cover can cover you for onward travel whilst your vehicle is being repaired. You might be able to get a replacement hire car or secure hotel accommodation for the duration of repairs. Depending on how serious the problem is, your vehicle might have to be transported back to the UK for extensive repairs. Not all breakdown providers will cover all the costs to get your vehicle back home. You'll also need to think about how you'll get home, whether you'll need a hire car or flights. With European Breakdown Cover you'll have a range of options.
The level of cover depends on the breakdown policy you take out, so do check the terms and conditions before buying.
European Breakdown Cover need not be as expensive as you might think. You can tailor your cover specifically to your holiday if you prefer - the RAC has single trip European Breakdown Cover available, starting from just a single day - as well as annual policies.
You should be certain that your European Breakdown Cover is valid in the country you’re driving in. With the RAC, cover is available in 49 different countries but these are rated in a range of zones. If you need breakdown cover in France, Germany and Spain, for example, you’ll need to make sure you’re covered in Zone 1 and Zone 2. France and Germany are in Zone 1, while Spain are in Zone 2.
For more information on European Breakdown Cover and advice on driving when abroad, read our guides.
Countries Covered
Our policies can be extended to cover up to 49 countries, you’ll struggle to find European Breakdown Cover as comprehensive as ours. The covered countries are separated into Zones, allowing you to easily select the best cover for you and your trip.
If you’d like to learn more about driving in these countries, click the country name to read our extensive guides which include local driving laws, travel advice, parking regulations and fuel availability.