BREAKDOWN COVER

Breakdown cover that’s cheaper than AA – from £5.49 for Roadside!*

Early Christmas deal – FREE Battery Replace (worth up to £48†)

  • Cheaper than AA Price Guarantee^
  • We get to most breakdowns in 60 mins or less
  • Our patrols fix 4/5 breakdowns on the spot

*At least 10% of new customers paid this or less since 12/08. Comparison based on theaa.com closest equivalent cover at 04/12. ^Find the same cover cheaper on theaa.com within 7 days & we'll beat it by 10%. T&Cs here. For 1 vehicle with new Extra or Complete cover. Excludes Basic. Ends 10/12/24, 9am. At least 80% of new customers paid £48 since 02/10.

*At least 10% of new customers paid this or less since 12/08. Comparison based on theaa.com closest equivalent cover at 04/12. ^Find the same cover cheaper on theaa.com within 7 days & we'll beat it by 10%. T&Cs here. For 1 vehicle with new Extra or Complete cover. Excludes Basic. Ends 10/12/24, 9am. At least 80% of new customers paid £48 since 02/10.

Trustpilot great rating
5 Star Defaqto rated Complete cover with Onward Travel
33.8k myRAC App Store Reviews 4.7/5 stars

RAC Breakdown Cover

You know you’re getting complete peace of mind with our UK breakdown cover – we’ve been doing this since 1897. Our expert patrols get to you within 60 mins or less, and we fix 4/5 on the spot.

Plus, with our AA Price Guarantee you’ll always pay less – if you find it cheaper, we’ll beat their price by 10%^.

And if you join before 10/12/24, you'll get FREE Battery Replace – worth up to £48!


What types of breakdown cover are there?


Vehicle cover

Your vehicle’s covered, whoever is driving.
Add up to 3 vehicles.

Personal cover

You’re covered as a driver or passenger in any vehicle.
Single or joint cover available.

Family cover

Cover for your whole family.
Up to 5 people from the same household.

Compare car breakdown cover options with the RAC

Our Basic cover includes Roadside Assistance. And if you need more cover, such as National Recovery, you can choose either 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.

Cheaper than AA*

Basic

From £5.49 a month*

FREE car health check
24/7 Roadside Assistance
5 callouts a year
Recovery up to 10 miles
Cheaper than AA*

Extra

From £8.99 a month*

FREE car health check
24/7 Roadside Assistance
5 callouts a year
If we can’t fix you, we'll take you anywhere in the UK. Starts after 24 hours.
Cheaper than AA*

Complete

From £10.53 a month*

FREE car health check
24/7 Roadside Assistance
Unlimited Callouts
If we can’t fix you, we'll take you anywhere in the UK. Starts after 24 hours.
We fix you at home.
Worth up to £55, at selected RAC garages

*Prices above are for single vehicle-based cover. At least 10% of new customers paid this or less since 12/08. Comparison based on theaa.com closest equivalent cover at 04/12.

Why choose us?

With our AA Price Guarantee, if you find the same cover for less, we’ll beat their price by 10%^. Just submit your claim within 7 days and we’ll refund you the difference.

RAC members also save £20 on a service at home with RAC Mobile Mechanics. And you’ll get a FREE upgrade at renewal and FREE legal advice. That’s on top of all the savings on fuel, tyres and more in the myRAC app!

Breakdown cover explained

What is car 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.

Which level of cover is best for me?

We offer 3 levels of cover: Basic, Extra and Complete. Roadside Assistance is available with all cover levels. And if you need more cover – for example, ‘National Recovery’ – you can choose Extra or Complete. You can also add optional extras, like ‘Onward Travel’.

Here are the main differences to help you find the right cover for you.

Basic

This is our cheapest breakdown cover option. And if we’re running an offer, you might find an even better price. It includes:

  • Roadside Assistance. We’ll fix you on the spot, if you’re ¼ mile from home. Or if we can’t, you'll get breakdown recovery up to 10-miles to a garage or another destination.
  • 5 callouts. You can call us out up to 5 times a year, with 1 additional callout added for every person or vehicle added. If you need more than this, our Complete cover includes unlimited callouts.

Extra

In addition to Roadside Assistance and 5 callouts, our Extra cover also includes:

  • National Recovery. Instead of a 10-mile tow, we'll tow you and your passengers to any garage or destination the UK.

Complete

This provides you with the most breakdown cover features. In addition to everything in Extra, our Complete cover also includes:

  • Unlimited callouts. You can call us out as many times as you need, as long as it’s not for a recurring problem.
  • At Home.We’ll rescue you at home or within ¼ mile of your home.
  • FREE MOT. You'll also get a FREE MOT at selected RAC garages, worth up to £55. With Family Breakdown Cover you'll get 2 Free MOTS.

Find more information in our complete guide to breakdown cover.

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.

Report breakdown

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.

Call 0330 159 8743

Get the myRAC app today

Reporting online is the fastest way to get help if you break down. And now, with the myRAC app, it’s even easier. Manage your membership, fill up for less with Fuel Finder and set vehicle reminders. All in one handy place.


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 £160 on average.

Key Replace

Lost your car keys? We'll replace them, saving you £300 on average.

What our members are saying

RAC were quick to help in a very busy period. The assistant who arrived yesterday was cheerful, helpful and very knowledgeable. He helped greatly in starting the car and checking things out and making us aware of an error that was made when we had a new battery fitted recently.

Pat Steele

My car wouldn't start outside the house, so while I was safe and sound, I was concerned that I wasn't going to be able to get to work the next day. The RAC man listened carefully to my concerns and then did a thorough check to identify the problem (old battery on its last legs) and got a quick solution.

Jonathon Newton

Fantastic service from Ian for the RAC we broke down on the A38 plymouth and he was with us in an hour and dealt with our problem very professionally & relayed us to our garage & home excellent service considering it was busy & weather was bad thank u Ian & RAC.

Mrs Drury

We broke down on the m23 northbound just passed Gatwick at rush hour. Our tyre burst on the outside lane of the motorway. We called the RAC and they couldn’t have been faster. James was with us within 30 minutes, and we were on our way again. Thank you RAC for getting us back on the road quickly and safely.

Margarita Toumazou

Breakdown cover to suit you

At the RAC, we provide breakdown cover tailored to your needs.

How we give you more

Save on fuel with the myRAC app

Find the cheapest place to fill up. Plus get help if you break down, and never miss a date with handy reminders.

A phone with the myRAC app

A free car health check when you join

Only with the RAC. Make sure your car’s in tip-top condition with a free 20-point health check.

RAC mechanic working on a tyre

Our patrols fix 4/5 on the spot

RAC patrols fix most vehicles on the spot. And repairs are done in just 30 minutes on average.

RAC patrol waving at someone in the car

5* Defaqto Rating

Our Complete cover with Onward Travel is rated 5 stars by Defaqto.

RAC patrol van with 5 star Defaqto badge

Enjoy exclusive perks for free


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, 20% off gym memberships and savings on travel and trips.

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, 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

The easiest way to get a breakdown cover quote is online. You can get started here – and it only takes a few minutes.

Alternatively, you can call us on 0330 159 1111.

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 an add-on for breakdown cover, it helps you stay on the move if your vehicle needs a repair in a garage after a breakdown.

Our Onward Travel add-on means you can get a hire car for up to 3 days if your car’s in the garage overnight. 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.

Roadside Assistance and At Home cover begin on your start date, as long as you haven’t already broken down. You can select this when you complete your purchase.

With Extra and Complete cover you also get National Recovery and the option to add Onward Travel which both start 24 hours later.

Key Replace, Battery Replace and Tyre Replace cover start 7 days after your breakdown cover start date.

If you’ve already broken down, do not buy online. Please call 0330 159 8743.

You can choose to pay on a monthly basis or pay upfront for the full length of your plan.

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.

You’ll need RAC Business Breakdown Cover instead. You can choose a 12 or 24 month contracts 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:

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

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