RAC Breakdown Cover
We’re trusted by over 15 million members and have an ‘Excellent’ Trustpilot rating – so you know you’re in safe hands with our UK breakdown cover.
And we’ve been doing this since 1897! It's not just great service, we also make driving cheaper and easier all year round. With up to £200 of savings on fuel, tyres, and more in the myRAC app, it’s cover that pays for itself.
Get complete peace of mind® for less today!
How does breakdown cover work?
Breakdown cover protects you if your vehicle breaks down unexpectedly. If you break down, someone will come to fix your vehicle on the spot, or tow you to a safe destination.
Your vehicle breaks down
If your car breaks down, stay calm and get yourself to a safe place.
Ask for roadside assistance
Tap ‘Rescue’ in the myRAC app – we’ll send someone out to help you, and you can track their arrival. Or call us on 0333 2000 999.
If you don’t have RAC Breakdown Cover, call 0330 159 8743 instead.
We’ll repair or recover your vehicle
We can normally fix you there and then. If not, your breakdown cover includes vehicle recovery – so we’ll provide you with a local tow (or further depending on your cover).
What types of breakdown cover are there?
The main types of breakdown cover are vehicle-based, which protects a specific vehicle, and personal-based, which covers you as a driver or passenger in any eligible vehicle. You can also choose family cover for partners, children studying away from home, or housemates, as well as business cover for vehicles used for work.
What does RAC Breakdown Cover include?
Our breakdown cover includes 24/7 Roadside Assistance to get you back on the road. You can also add nationwide recovery and home cover depending on what cover level best suits your needs. See what our cover can include below.
24/7 Roadside Assistance
Our patrols will come out to you any time, day or night.
EV experts
Our patrols know electric cars inside out – and our award‑winning EV Boost vans can give you up to 10 miles to reach the nearest charge point.
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 car breakdown cover options with the RAC
Our Basic cover includes Roadside Assistance. If you need to upgrade your cover to have features such as National Recovery, you can choose either Standard, Extra or Complete.
And we don’t just offer car breakdown cover – our packages are also suitable for motorbikes, electric and hybrid vehicles, and more. Out of charge? Our award-winning EV Boost vans can give you a 10-mile boost to get you to the nearest charge point.
Basic
£5.29
/month*
Standard
£8.99
/month*
Extra
£9.49
/month*
Complete
£13.79
/month*
*At least 10% of new customers pay this for single-vehicle cover.
Rated 'Excellent' on Trustpilot
What optional extras do we offer
Customise your UK breakdown cover policy with extra add-ons to make sure you have everything you need.
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.
How do we compare?
Check out how our features and optional add-ons stack up against the competition.
RAC
AA
Green Flag
24/7 rescue
Hire car
Up to 7 days
Up to 3 days
Up to 48 hours
Electric vehicle rescue
Mobile EV charge
Business cover
European cover
Battery cover
Tyre and key cover
Legal expenses
Free accident care
Free car health check
Free legal helpline
Up to £35 off mobile servicing and repairs
Exclusive member savings
What is breakdown cover?
Breakdown cover is a type of insurance that means you get help if your vehicle breaks down. It can help you get back on the road if you have a flat battery, clutch issues or engine problems.
If you break down and are unable to get your vehicle moving again, a mechanic or trained professional will be sent to help. If they can't fix your car on the spot, they'll tow you to a nearby garage.
Do I need breakdown cover?
Breakdown cover is not a legal requirement . But it can save you time, stress and protect you from unexpected costs if your car breaks down. Without cover, you may have to pay for vehicle recovery, roadside repairs and roadside assistance on the spot. These costs can be high, and you may have to wait longer for help. So if you want peace of mind, breakdown cover is a worthwhile investment.
How much is breakdown cover?
The price of your breakdown cover depends on:
- Your vehicle.
- Where you live.
- How many vehicles or people you want covered (the more you add, the more it will cost).
- Whether you want to add any extras.
For example, our Basic cover is typically the cheapest breakdown cover option, starting from £5.29 a month* (for one vehicle).
If you want more protection, our Extra cover includes National Recovery, unlimited callouts and covers you at home. Our Extra pricing starts from just £9.49 a month.*
Find more information in our complete guide to breakdown cover.
What our expert says
CEO, RAC Consumer Roadside.
Having a car can be expensive, so it might be tempting to cut back on breakdown cover. But it’s one expense that can really pay off in the long run.
If you break down without it you could end up paying through the nose for a callout or emergency towing fees. And that’s not to mention the stress and hassle of finding help in the first place.
Thankfully we’ve got lots of breakdown cover options available, so we can help you find a policy that suits your budget and needs.
Find the best cover for you with the RAC
We’ve been doing this since 1897! It's not just great service, we also make driving cheaper and easier all year round.
RAC patrols – with over 1,700 RAC patrols, we get to most breakdowns in 60 mins or less.
EV boost – out of charge? Our award-winning EV Boost vans can give you a 10-mile boost to get you to the nearest charge point.
Highly rated – named one of the Telegraph’s top 5 insurance companies in 2025.
Aftercare made easy – with over 300 mobile mechanics who can come to you for post-breakdown checks, repairs and services, there’s no need to go to a garage.
RAC repairs – on average, the RAC repairs 3 vehicles every 2 minutes.
Trusted by thousands of UK drivers – we’re rated 'Excellent' on Trustpilot and 5 stars on Defaqto.
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How do I get a breakdown cover quote?
One of the easiest ways to get a quote is online – it only takes a few minutes. Once you're ready, just follow these steps.
Choose the type of cover you need
Pick between vehicle-based, personal-based or family cover. The right choice depends on how you drive:
- Do multiple people share a single family vehicle?
- Do you regularly drive more than one vehicle?
- Do you want cover that protects you, your partner or family members in any vehicle?
If you've already broken down without cover, skips these steps and get instant breakdown cover.
Enter your vehicle and personal details
To make sure your quote is as accurate as possible, we'll need some basic details from you, including your name, address and registration number.
Add optional extras
We offer optional extras that cover you for the cost of replacing items like your tyres, batteries, and keys – handy, considering these account for 1 in 3 breakdowns!
Pay and get covered
You can pay monthly on a 12 month contract or pay upfront.
If you haven't broken down, Roadside Assistance and At Home Cover start on your chosen date. National Recovery and Onward Travel start after 24 hours. Key Replace, Battery Replace and Tyre Replace begin 7 days after your cover start date.
Car broken down?
Have you broken down? Whether you’re an existing RAC member or not, we’re here to help you. Find out what to do below.
I'm already a member
The quickest way to report a breakdown is online.
Prefer to speak to us? Call 0333 2000 999. Lines are open 24/7.
I'm not a member
Call us on 0330 159 8743 to arrange instant breakdown cover.
If you buy cover online after breaking down, we won’t be able to attend.
Why 15 million members choose the RAC for breakdown cover
Big fleet. Fast rescue
With over 1,700 RAC patrols, we get to most breakdowns in 60 mins or less.
RAC trained patrols
We fix 4 out of 5 breakdowns, saving you the cost and hassle of a garage.
Price Promise
If you find cover cheaper with the AA, we'll beat it by 20%.^
More for your money
Award-winning cover, with a free car health check and savings on fuel, tyres and more.
Breakdown cover to suit you
At the RAC, we provide breakdown cover tailored to your needs
Answers to your questions
Our cheapest breakdown cover is our Basic cover for 1 vehicle. But our breakdown cover prices are tailored to you, so you might get a cheaper price based on your personal details.
Plus, if we’re running an offer, you might find an even better price. How much your breakdown cover costs depends on:
- The level of cover you choose – Basic, Standard, Extra or Complete
- The type of car you own and where you live
- How many vehicles or people you cover – the more you add, the more it will cost
- Whether you need add-ons – like Onward Travel, Key Replace, Battery Replace or Tyre Replace
Yes, if you get a flat tyre you can use your breakdown cover to get help. We’ll try to temporarily fix your tyre, fit your spare tyre for you, or help you find a replacement tyre.
You can also buy ‘Tyre Replace cover’. This covers you for up to 5 new tyres a year, worth up to £150 each, if yours are punctured or damaged.
Yes, you can. Some car insurance providers allow you to buy breakdown cover as an added extra. You may find that they only offer basic breakdown cover, and you need to pay extra to upgrade. Before you buy breakdown cover, you should check that it’s not already included with your car insurance. RAC Car Insurance and RAC Temporary Car Insurance both include the option to add breakdown cover.
Roadside Assistance is a type of breakdown cover. You might also see it referred to as ‘roadside breakdown cover’. It means that we’ll rescue you if you break down at the roadside, and tow you up to 10 miles if we can’t fix you on the spot.
Other types (or ‘levels’) of cover are also available. These include At Home, which covers you on your driveway (or if you breakdown within a ¼ mile from home). And National Recovery, which covers you for a long-distance tow (instead of just 10 miles).
If you have vehicle breakdown cover (which covers a particular vehicle), you can transfer your cover to another vehicle. You can do this on your myRAC online account, or by calling us on 03301 591 466. There’s no charge for this.
If you have personal breakdown cover (which covers you personally in any car), you can’t transfer your policy to another person.
Breakdown cover is separate from car insurance, so it won’t affect your no claims bonus.
Car insurance doesn’t include breakdown cover as standard. Unless your car insurance offers it as an extra, it’s worth buying a separate breakdown cover policy to make sure you can get help if you break down.
The short answer is yes. Breakdown cover can save you money, time and stress if your car breaks down. You’ll have 24/7 Roadside Assistance if you're stranded on the side of the road and need help.
If you don't have breakdown cover and something goes wrong with your car, getting help can quickly become expensive. You may have to call out an expensive recovery firm who could charge by the hour for their services.
Breakdown cover includes the cost of fixing your car at the roadside (which our patrols can do for 4 out of 5 vehicles). We just have to charge for any replacement parts, fuel and batteries. But if your car needs further repairs at a garage, your breakdown cover won’t include the cost of those.
Unlike insurance, you don’t have to pay excess on most breakdown cover. Your membership covers you for 24/7 access to Roadside Assistance and includes free fitting and labour if you need repairs at the roadside.
If we need to use any replacement parts to fix your car at the roadside, you’ll have to pay for these. But you can help avoid unexpected bills by choosing one of our breakdown cover extras, such as Tyre, Battery or Key Replace.
Onward Travel is available with Complete cover or as an add-on with other cover levels. It helps you stay on the move if your vehicle needs a repair in a garage after a breakdown.
Onward Travel means you can get a hire car for up to 3 days if your car’s in the garage overnight. With Onward Travel Premium, you can also upgrade to a like-for-like car for up to 7 days. With Onward Travel Premium, you can also upgrade to a like-for-like car for up to 7 days. Alternatively, we’ll cover the cost of public transport up to £150 per person, or £500 in total, or pay for a nearby hotel.
RAC Business Breakdown Cover is the best cover if you want to cover more than 3 vehicles. You can cover 1-99 vehicles.
Yes, if the vehicle fits the specifications outlined in the RAC Terms and Conditions.
All RAC Breakdown Cover packages give the same level of Motorbike Breakdown cover as standard.
The motorbike must have an engine capacity of 49cc or above and be within our standard vehicle specifications.
We’ll come with a bike trailer or low loader for recovery if needed. We may need to send a second recovery vehicle for this.
We also cover licenced, taxed and tested quad bikes and trikes as standard.
RAC Breakdown Cover explained
We provide car breakdown cover for vehicles of any age. We also cover hybrids, electric vehicles, classic cars, motorbikes and vans. Your vehicle must be:
- UK registered
- a maximum of 3.5 tonnes, 6.4 m long (and 2.5 m wide – that’s roughly the weight and size of a Ford Transit long wheelbase van)
- a motorcycle over 49cc (or 121cc in Europe)
For caravans, campervans and motorhomes, we can offer roadside assistance and recovery with our RAC Arrival product.
Unless you’ve taken out business breakdown cover, we don’t cover vehicles used for business. If you do have a vehicle that is occasionally used for business, you can add ‘occasional business use’ to your personal policy.
Excluded vehicles include:
- Mobility scooters.
- Vehicles with trade plates.
- Caravans/trailers where the towing vehicle hasn’t broken down. Otherwise, please see our Arrival Product to cover your caravan/trailer.
- Vehicles used on a ‘hire or reward’ basis eg. taxis and private hire cars. Please see our business breakdown cover.
- Vehicles broken down in areas that don’t have public right of access.
- Unroadworthy vehicles at point of joining, upgrading membership, or in a break down situation.
- Vehicles or trailers containing horses or livestock.
- Sign posted vehicles. For example, vehicles that are advertising a company or service with a logo, web address or telephone number. This would need to be covered by business breakdown cover.
Your RAC membership also comes with exclusive discounts on car maintenance, travel and leisure. This includes 25% off airport parking, up to 51% off theme park tickets and more. See all your RAC Rewards.
We offer different types of cover for business.
You’ll need Commercial Cover if your vehicle is branded, registered to your home address and is used for business. Such as, you’re a taxi driver or driving instructor. If you use a non-branded vehicle, registered to your home address to travel to multiple locations of work, you’ll need Business Use. This is ideal for roles like a mobile hairdresser, a dog groomer or district nurse/carer.
If your vehicle is registered to a business address or you need to cover multiple commercial vehicles, you’ll need RAC Business Breakdown Cover. You can choose a 12 or 24 month contract for commercial cars, vans, taxis, minibuses and more.
European cover doesn’t come as standard with your UK breakdown cover. Luckily, we also offer the best European breakdown cover on the market2. To make sure you’re covered if you travel to Europe, you can:
- add European Rescue to your existing policy
- buy European breakdown cover as a standalone policy
You’re covered in Ireland, France, Spain, Italy and many other countries in Europe. If you buy European breakdown cover as a standalone policy, you can choose between single-trip cover for a one-off journey – or annual cover for multiple trips during the year.
If you break down and have pets in the car, we’ll come out to help you. If we can’t fix you there and then, you may need a recovery. In this case, assistance animals are allowed in the recovery vehicle.
Other animals will be able to stay in the vehicle that is being recovered. Please bear in mind that this is solely at the owners’ risk.
We recommend that you let us know if you have pets in the vehicle when you call us.
Yes. There isn’t an age limit on the cars we cover.
You can set your roadside and at home cover to start immediately. But you can’t buy breakdown cover if you’ve already broken down. If you’ve broken down without cover, call 0330 159 8743 and we’ll arrange emergency cover for you.
For full information please visit www.rac.co.uk/priceguaranteeterms
Page reviewed by Andy Baker.