What is personal breakdown cover?
Personal breakdown cover is a type of breakdown cover that applies to a named person, rather than a specific vehicle. With the RAC, you can buy personal cover for up to 5 people living at the same address.
With personal cover, you’ll have breakdown cover in any 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 is different to vehicle breakdown cover, which covers a particular vehicle no matter who is driving when it breaks down.
For example:
If you borrow your partner’s car and you break down, personal breakdown cover will cover you. Or if you’re riding pillion on a friend’s motorbike and they don’t have cover, you can still call for help.
Key points
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Personal breakdown cover applies to you, rather than a specific vehicle
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It usually costs more than vehicle cover – but it can work out cheaper if you drive more than one vehicle regularly
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You can buy personal cover for up to 5 people in your household
Looking for caravan or motorhome breakdown cover?
See our RAC Arrival caravan breakdown cover offers.
Do I need personal or vehicle breakdown cover?
You can choose breakdown cover that applies to you in any vehicle* (personal breakdown cover) or a specific vehicle (vehicle breakdown cover). The right type of cover for you depends on your needs.
Personal breakdown cover is ideal if:
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You regularly drive more than 1 vehicle, as you’ll be covered in any vehicle
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You want to know that you, and anyone you buy cover for, is covered in any vehicle as a driver or passenger
Vehicle breakdown cover is ideal if:
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You only drive 1 vehicle
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You share a vehicle with other people in your household –anyone can drive it and it will still be covered if it breaks down.
Pros and cons of personal breakdown cover
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You’re covered in any vehicle* – including cars, motorbikes and vans
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There’s no need to buy breakdown cover for every vehicle you drive
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If you break down in someone else’s car and they don’t have breakdown cover, you can still call for help
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It usually costs more than vehicle breakdown cover (although it can work out cheaper if you drive more than one vehicle regularly)
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If you’re not in a car when it breaks down, it won’t be covered – so if your
family are in a car but you’re not, the vehicle won’t be covered
Can I add additional people to my policy?
Yes, you can buy personal breakdown cover for up to 5 people living at the same address. It costs at least £3 a month to add an extra person to your breakdown policy, depending on the level of cover you have. Each person on your policy will have the same level of cover.
How to add more people to your policy:
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If you’re already a member: Call 0333 2000 999 and let us know how many people you’d like to add to your policy.
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If you’re buying breakdown cover for the first time: Just choose ‘personal breakdown cover’ and select the number of people you’d like to cover.
You can buy
breakdown cover here.