Breakdown cover

You can make up to 5 call outs a year with the RAC’s Basic or Standard cover, while Extra cover gives you unlimited call outs. The total number of call outs you’re allowed may also increase depending on how many people or vehicles your policy covers.

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.

Breakdown cover is separate from car insurance, so it won’t affect your no claims bonus.

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.

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.

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.

You can check if you already have cover with us by logging into myRAC. There you’ll be able to view your policy documents and cover dates. If you don’t have a myRAC login, you can search for emails from the RAC or bank payments to the RAC.

It’s also worth checking your car insurance policy, as some insurers include breakdown cover as part of your package. You might also get it through other places, like your bank.

Breakdown cover usually won’t help if your vehicle isn’t roadworthy. For example, if you don’t have tax, MOT, or insurance), or if it’s too large or heavy for the provider’s limits.

It also normally won’t cover repeat callouts for the same problem or reimburse you if you arrange your own recovery without going through them first.

European cover is also not usually included unless bought as an add on.

A breakdown happens when a car, van, or motorbike develops a mechanical or electrical fault that stops it from being driven safely or at all. This can be caused by things like a dead battery, or a punctured tyre, and usually means you’ll need help from a mechanic or a recovery service.