What is family breakdown cover?
Family breakdown cover is a type of policy that lets you cover people who live at the same address. That could mean housemates, partners or family. And if you’ve got children away from home at university, with the RAC, they’ll be covered too. With our family breakdown cover you get complete peace of mind® that all your loved ones are protected if they break down.
This is different from multi-car cover, which protects specific vehicles. Family breakdown cover protects people, so each person on the policy can get Roadside Assistance in any eligible vehicle they're in. And that's either as a driver or a passenger.
What does RAC Family Breakdown Cover include?
24/7 Roadside Assistance
Our patrols will come out to you any time, day or night.
Cover for up to five people
For families of different sizes! Our inclusive family policy covers up to five people.
National recovery
With our Standard, Extra and Complete cover levels, we’ll take your vehicle and up to 8 passengers anywhere in the UK.
Home cover
1/3 breakdowns happen at home. With our Extra and Complete cover levels, we’ll rescue you if you break down at your home address too.
Unlimited callouts
Our Extra and Complete cover levels include unlimited callouts for help whenever you need it.
Free vehicle check
Make the most of your free vehicle check and catch small issues that could lead to expensive repair bills.
Compare RAC Family Breakdown Cover
Compare our levels of family cover below. You can also add extras to our Basic, Standard, Extra and Complete cover levels, including Onward Travel and Key Replace.
The prices below are for family-based cover for 3-5 people. Find the right family breakdown cover quote for you and your family.
Basic
£8.78
/month*
Standard
£15.99
/month*
Extra
£15.99
/month*
Complete
£17.93
/month*
*At least 10% of customers buying this cover level, pay this for family based cover.
Rated 'Excellent' on Trustpilot
What our expert says
CEO, Consumer Roadside
“Family breakdown cover is a great way of keeping everything together. If you’re under one roof, you can be under one policy. That means less admin and, importantly, it’s really cost-effective. There are nearly 29 million households in the UK, and they could be benefiting from the comfort that comes with knowing your loved ones can call on the RAC, whether they’re a driver, or a passenger. And if you’ve got kids away studying, it’s brilliant to make sure they’re protected too.”
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What's the difference between family & multi-car breakdown cover?
Choosing the right cover depends on your needs. Family cover protects people, while multi-car cover protects vehicles.
Family breakdown cover keeps the people in your household protected. And that’s if they’re driving, or a passenger, in any eligible vehicle.
If you’re not sure how this differs from multi-car breakdown cover, check out the table below. It’ll show you the key differences, so you can choose which type of cover fits your needs.
Family cover
- Add up to five people on one policy.
- Covers up to five people who live at the same address – this could be a couple, a family, or friends sharing a home. It can even include kids who are studying away.
- You'll be covered if you break down as a passenger or driver in any eligible vehicle.
- Everyone on the policy has the same level of cover. Excluding vehicle specific add-ons.
Multi-car breakdown cover
- Cover up to three vehicles on one policy.
- Covers multiple vehicles registered at the same address, but doesn't have to be the same owners.
- Only covers the specific vehicles, regardless of who's driving.
How does family breakdown cover work?
Choose who you want to cover in your household
You can cover up to five people who all live at the same address. Select ‘personal cover’ and add each person to the policy. When buying breakdown cover with RAC you can also add children who are studying away from home, without needing a university address.
See what vehicles are covered with family breakdown cover
Everyone on the policy is covered in any eligible vehicle they’re driving or travelling in, including:
- Cars of all ages
- Motorbikes with a 49cc engine or over (including scooters and mopeds)
- Vans that meet certain requirements
- Motorhome cover
Review your family cover and choose how to pay
Check your details, select your level of breakdown cover, and decide whether to pay monthly on a 12-month contract or upfront.
If someone moves out or you need to change who’s covered, you can call 0330 159 0740 and update your membership. You and your household can also check your cover in the myRAC app.
What optional extras do we offer
Tailor your family breakdown cover and get extra peace of mind for your whole household. Please keep in mind some of these can only be added to one vehicle.
Onward Travel
Can’t do without your car? Get a hire car while yours is in the garage with Onward Travel.
European Rescue
With RAC European Rescue, you’re covered in 48 countries across Europe. So you can have complete peace of mind® when driving abroad.
Business Cover
Use your vehicle for your job? Get cover for work and leisure with Commercial Cover or Business Use.
Tyre Replace
Puncture? No problem – get Tyre Replace and you're covered for the cost of up to 5 new tyres a year.
Battery Replace
Get a new battery if we can't recharge yours – saving you £200 on average.
Key Replace
Lost your car keys? We'll pay for the replacement, and a locksmith if needed, saving you £315 on average.
Additional benefits with RAC Family Breakdown Cover
Family Legal Protection
Up to £50,000 for legal expenses in disputes. Access to a 24/7 legal helpline.
FREE Accident Care
Expert advice to help you back on the road quickly if you have an accident.
Everyday discounts
25% off RAC Travel Insurance plus savings on fuel and more!
2 x FREE MOTs
Buy Complete Family cover and you get 2 free MOTs – worth up to £55 each.
Breakdown cover to suit you
At the RAC, we provide breakdown cover tailored to your needs.
FAQs
Our breakdown patrol vans do not carry child seats. If you break down with children in the car, the RAC would use child seats from your own vehicle.
Yes. Learner drivers are covered if the child or children are covered under personal breakdown membership or vehicle-based membership.
RAC Learner Driver Insurance offers flexible short term cover for provisional licence holders. Cover is available from 2 hours to 5 months, so you only pay for what you need.
Accident Care is included as a benefit at no additional charge. If you’re in a road traffic accident or collision, we may be able to help with post-accident assistance.
Just call us on 0333 2000 999 and we can help with recovery advice.
We can also seek to recoup the cost of recovery from your insurer/3rd party insurer. You may be asked to pay if this isn’t possible.
If you only have one personal breakdown policy for yourself, your family won’t be covered when you’re not in the car with them. But it’s easy to get personal cover for members of your family too, as long as they live with you. Just add them as extra people to your personal breakdown cover.
Page reviewed by: Andy Baker. Last updated 02/04/26
