What is family breakdown cover?
At the RAC, we know family means everything. That’s why we’ve created our family breakdown cover, for complete peace of mind™ that the whole family is protected if they break down.
Family breakdown cover is a type of policy that allows you to cover several people who live at the same address. It can include housemates, partners and family members. And if you’ve got children studying away from home, they’ll be covered too.
This is different to multi-car cover, which only covers vehicles. Family breakdown cover is a type of personal cover, which means anyone covered will be able to get help as a driver or passenger in any eligible vehicle.
When you choose us, you’ll also get FREE rewards worth up to £200, including a year of FREE Key Replace for everyone on your policy1. So you can look after your loved ones for less.
FREE Key Replace for all – worth £421
FREE rewards worth up to £200
2 x FREE MOTs with Complete cover – worth up to £55 each
Levels of family breakdown cover
Compare our levels of family cover below. You can also add cover 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
From £14.88 a month*
Standard
From £18.03 a month*
Extra
From £21.74 a month*
^Find the same cover cheaper on theaa.com within 7 days & we’ll beat it by 20%. T&Cs here. *At least 10% of customers buying this cover level, pay this for family based cover.
What vehicles are covered with family breakdown cover?
With family cover, you and your family will have breakdown cover in any eligible vehicle – including cars, motorbikes (49cc and over), minibuses and vans. And you’re not just covered as a driver, you’re covered as a passenger too.
This doesn’t cover you for business use. If you use your vehicle for your business, check out our business breakdown cover.
This is different to multi-car breakdown cover, which covers multiple vehicles under one policy, rather than someone as a passenger or driver.
We cover the following, but not limited to:
Cars of all ages
Motorbikes with an 49cc engine or over
Vans that meet certain requirements
Motorhome cover
Can I save money with Family Breakdown Cover?
Yes, Family Breakdown Cover is the most cost-effective way to make sure your loved ones are protected.
And with exclusive benefits and discounts for everyone on the policy, it can help you save money beyond breakdown cover.
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Can I save money with Family Breakdown Cover?
Yes, Family Breakdown Cover is the most cost-effective way to make sure your loved ones are protected.
And with exclusive benefits and discounts for everyone on the policy, it can help you save money beyond breakdown cover.
How Family Breakdown Cover works
- You can cover up to 5 people who live at the same address. Simply select 'personal cover' then add up to 5 people to your policy.
- If you want to cover children studying away from home, simply add them to your policy when you check out. You don’t need to let us know their university address.
- Each membership will have one key policy holder, usually the person who set up the cover.
- If you need to make changes to your membership, for example if someone covered moves out, you can call us on 0330 159 0740.
- Everyone on the policy will have the same level of cover.
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How Family Breakdown Cover works
- You can cover up to 5 people who live at the same address. Simply select 'personal cover' then add up to 5 people to your policy.
- If you want to cover children studying away from home, simply add them to your policy when you check out. You don’t need to let us know their university address.
- Each membership will have one key policy holder, usually the person who set up the cover.
- If you need to make changes to your membership, for example if someone covered moves out, you can call us on 0330 159 0740.
- Everyone on the policy will have the same level of cover.
What is the difference between family cover and multi-car breakdown cover?
There are some key differences between family and multi-car breakdown cover. Which one you choose depends on a few factors, like how many people you want to cover and how many vehicles you drive.
Family breakdown cover
Add up to 5 people on one policy
Covers multiple people living at the same address (including people 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
Multi-car breakdown cover
Cover up to 3 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
All vehicles on the policy will have the same level of cover.
Family Breakdown Cover add-ons
For even more peace of mind you can add extra cover to your Family Breakdown Cover. We offer the add-ons shown below — just remember that some of these can only be added for 1 vehicle.
Extend your cover
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.
Avoid big bills
Tyre Replace
Puncture? No problem — you're covered for the cost of 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 replace them, saving you £315 on average.
Enjoy exclusive perks for free
When you buy family breakdown cover from us, everyone on your policy will get access to exclusive discounts and perks. Enjoy more for less with the RAC.
FREE legal helpline
Expert legal advice on driving, property, employment and more.
FREE accident care
Expert advice to help you back on the road quickly if you have an accident^^.
Everyday discounts
20% off airport parking, 25% off RAC Travel Insurance plus savings on fuel and more!
FAQs
Yes, the RAC offers joint breakdown cover, too. It works just like our family cover, so you and your partner can be covered under the same policy (as long as you both live at the same address). Just choose ‘Two of you’ when you buy your cover.
Yes, we only offer family breakdown cover to people living in the same household. You don’t need to be related, but you do need to live at the same address.
However, if you live with someone who studies away from home, we’ll cover them too.
Yes, as long as you choose personal breakdown cover. Everyone named on your policy will be covered on a personal basis, so they’ll be covered in eligible vehicles as a driver or passenger.
With 'Basic' and 'Standard' cover levels, you'll have 7 callouts per year; with 1 additional callout for every person added. With 'Extra' and ‘Complete’, you have unlimited callouts – so you can call us out as many times as you like, as long as it’s not for a recurring problem.
Yes, you can pay for your family breakdown cover on a monthly basis rather than one upfront payment. Just select the option that’s right for you when you get to the payment stage.
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.
Yes, as long as you choose ‘personal cover’. Everyone on your family policy will be covered if they break down in any eligible vehicle – as a driver or as a passenger.
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