What to do if your car breaks down in Europe

Breaking down abroad is a daunting and stressful experience, but it can be much more manageable if you know what to do.

To help you cope with a car breakdown in Europe, we have put together this guide to support you through the different languages and unfamiliar rules of the road.  

Don’t forget, with RAC European Breakdown Cover, we can support you every step of the way.

Make sure you’re covered for the full length of your trip; from the time you leave home in the UK, to when you get back. Not fully covered? Give us a call on 0330 159 0360.

Before you leave, make sure your phone is set up for European travel. This could be as simple as making sure you’ve got roaming turned on. But if you’re planning to use a local SIM, double-check that your phone is unlocked before you leave.

Read on to find out what you should do if you experience a car breakdown aboard.

Is it your first time driving abroad? Get the latest travel advice and find out everything you need to drive in Europe with our ultimate checklist.

I’ve broken down in Europe, what should I do?

Stay safe

If your vehicle breaks down in Europe, make safety your priority for yourself and your passengers.

• Remain calm: try and leave the road at the next possible exit
• Pull over, switch on your hazard lights and leave the car via the right-hand door: do not exit the vehicle on the left as this will put you in the path of traffic
• Put on a high-visibility vest: ensure your passengers also wear hi-vis clothing so everyone can be seen by other road users
• Use a warning triangle if safe to do so: place it 45 metres (60 paces) behind your car, but do not do this if you are on the motorway as the fast-moving traffic makes this too dangerous.
• Take essential items: If you need to leave your vehicle at any point, remember to take essential items – like medication, passports and travel documentation – with you

Contact your breakdown service

Unless you’re on a motorway, contact your breakdown service as soon as possible.

If you are already a member, contact us before arranging any recovery or repairs, otherwise your cover may not be valid.

For breakdowns in Europe, call +33 472 43 52 44, and for a breakdown in the Republic of Ireland ring +44 191 911 6112.

I’ve broken down on a motorway in Europe, what happens now?

Some motorways in European countries are privately managed, meaning you must use their emergency services first.

In this situation, you must:

• Use an emergency roadside phone: these are linked to an SOS telephone network and found at 2km intervals along motorways and main roads

or

• Call 112 for local emergency services: you can dial 112 from anywhere in Europe. The operator will answer your call in their native language or English and connect you to an emergency service in the country you're visiting

Once you have done this, the local motorway authority may send their own recovery vehicle, and you will likely need to pay a standard recovery tariff.

If you are a member, make sure that you keep the receipt and we’ll reimburse you.

Contact your breakdown service after you’ve been towed off the motorway.

What to expect after you’ve contacted your breakdown service

It is common for your vehicle to be taken straight to a garage, even for simple issues or repairs.

We only provide cover for services arranged or authorised by us. So, if you delay reporting your breakdown or take your vehicle to a garage or repair place first, your cover won’t be valid.

If you don’t speak the local language, the RAC will liaise with garages and recovery services and help with translation.

Our help may be limited in certain situations, depending on your level of cover, so it’s important to check your policy for full details.

We will take you and your vehicle to a nearby garage when appropriate, but issues such as tyre damage or punctures are only covered if you have a usable spare, if new tyres are required, you may not be covered while you wait.

It is important to remember that we don’t provide accident care, so you’ll need to rely on your own car insurance.

Mis-fuelling, running out of fuel or charge, and glass damage may also fall outside your cover.

We also can’t cover any additional costs for transporting or accommodating pets, so make sure their passports or visas are up to date before you travel.

I’ve broken down in Europe, can I reclaim my costs?  

If you are a member, before you pay for anything, call us on +33 472 43 52 44.

We will need to approve the payment first, or you may not be reimbursed. Make sure you get receipts and invoices for every cost you plan to claim back. Itemised receipts will help us speed up the process of reimbursement.

Find our claim form here: https://www.rac.co.uk/reimbursementclaimform

• Top 10 reasons for vehicle breakdowns on a European road trip
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• Driving in Europe checklist

Can I take my car to a local garage if I have broken down in Europe?

At the RAC, we will do our best to get you back on the road as quickly as possible.

Depending on your policy limits, we may not agree to bring your vehicle back to the UK if it can be repaired in Europe before you’re due to return home, or if the repair costs are higher than the vehicle’s market value.

We’ll base this decision on the estimate we’re given by the repairer in Europe.

The first thing we will do is arrange everything with local garages and recovery services. If you don’t speak the local language, you can call us on +33 472 43 52 44 and we will help with translation.

Importantly, if you need to leave your vehicle, make sure you take essential items such as medication, passports, and travel documents with you.

The contract for any repairs is between you and the garage, but we will support you throughout the process.

Some garages may need to see your passport before starting work, and that parts and workshop availability can vary, meaning repairs may take longer and cost more than in the UK.

In some countries, only OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts can be fitted, which can increase repair costs, so please ensure you have funds available.

Continuing your European holiday after your car breaks down

If you decide to continue your holiday, there are some things you will need to remember.

While your vehicle is being repaired, you may need to look at hotels, hire cars, and transport options in the local area.

If you need somewhere to stay, the RAC will cover the cost of your hotel room up to your policy limits. However, you will need to pay for meals and any other expenses yourself.

Regarding hire cars, we will cover the daily rental charge and basic Collision Damage Waiver insurance within your policy limits.

Depending on your policy, you might not get a hire car at the same size and type as your own. This may mean you need to leave some luggage in your broken-down vehicle.

Importantly, any additional insurance or fuel won’t be included and rentals or cars that can cross borders can be harder to source.  If we can’t secure a suitable hire car, we’ll help arrange alternative transport.

Public transport may be the better option, and if that is the case, then we can assist with arranging trains or flights.

The claim form can be found here: https://www.rac.co.uk/reimbursementclaimform