Compare European breakdown cover

Instant cover available

Buy now   

Compare European breakdown cover

If you’re unlucky enough to break down while abroad, you need to know help is available. European breakdown cover is there to make sure everything runs as smoothly as possible. But before you buy, take the time to compare European breakdown cover and find out what features you need, and which cover is going to be best for you.

Exactly what’s included in European breakdown cover depends on your provider and the level of protection you choose.

Get complete peace of mind whilst driving in Europe. And if you choose our Extra cover, you'll have best cover on the market*.

Unlimited roadside assistance in Europe
Only the RAC covers all costs to get you to a garage – so you won’t have to shell out extra.

Hire Car
If your vehicle needs repairs, we’ll give you more for a hire car than our competitors.~

24/7 English-speaking helpline
Speak to experienced case handlers to manage your breakdown.

What should I look for when comparing European breakdown cover?

You'll want to look at some of the features that are traditionally offered as part of European breakdown cover policies. These are:

  • 24/7 English-speaking helpline – so you won’t have to worry about a language barrier if you call for help.
  • Accommodation and Onward Travel – if your vehicle can’t be fixed right away, we can organise a hire car to keep moving, or a hotel while your car's being repaired.
  • Repatriation of vehicles – this means that, if your vehicle can’t be fixed before you’re due to travel home, your vehicle will be transported by to the UK. Whether this is available to you depends on the value of your vehicle and the level of cover that you've chosen.
  • Garage labour costs – some policies cover all garage labour costs if your vehicle needs to be fixed. Others might not cover this expense, or will only cover it to a certain limit, so always check before purchasing.
  • Roadside assistance in the UK – if your vehicle breaks down in the UK before you're due to leave, you can get a hire car to continue your trip to Europe. This is included in both our Standard and Extra levels of cover.

What does the RAC offer that other providers don’t?

Our top level of cover – Extra – is officially the best cover in the market*. Let’s compare this to what other providers are offering – see how we measure up against the AA and Green Flag.

 

RAC
Extra
European Breakdown Cover     
AA European Cover Green Flag Short-Term Cover Euro Breakdown
All costs covered for roadside assistance in Europe1    
Up to the vehicle's market value
 
£250 only
Time capped to 60 minutes for Roadside Assistance
We'll recover your vehicle back to the UK providing the vehicle isn't beyond economical repair 2     
Only up to the vehicle's market value
 
Only up to the vehicle's market value
 
Only up to the vehicle's market value
If repairs cost more than £500 you can choose to bring your vehicle home, providing it's not beyond economical repair 3        
If your vehicle is repaired in Europe we'll contribute towards repairs if it's fixed on the day 4   
£1,000

  
£500 if you buy parts and labour cover

    
£500
We'll provide both transport and accommodation whilst your vehicle is repaired5      
Transport or accommodation
 
Transport or accommodation
We'll provide a hire car whilst your vehicle is repaired6   
£3,000
  
£1,500
  
£1,000
  
£2,000
As part of overall transport limit
We'll provide accommodation whilst your vehicle is repaired7  
£1,200
 
£500
 
£1,000

 
£450

We'll provide a hire car to continue your trip to Europe, if your vehicle cannot be repaired before your planned departure8   
£3,000
or up to 23 days
  
Up to £1,500
  
Up to £1,500
  
£2,000
We'll cover any age vehicle 9      
Up to 11 years as standard (up to 16 years if extra premium paid)
 
Up to 15 years

 

Comparison Table Sources

1) We'll cover all costs for Roadside Assistance in Europe
RAC Source: Policy Schedule
AA Source: Terms and conditions page 17
Green Flag Source: Terms and conditions page 11
Euro Breakdown Source: Terms and conditions page 5

2) We'll recover your vehicle back to the UK providing the vehicle isn't beyond economical repair
RAC Source: Policy Schedule
AA Source: Terms and conditions page 19
Green Flag Source: Terms and conditions page 12
Euro Breakdown Source: Terms and conditions page 8

3) If repairs cost more than £500 you can choose to bring your vehicle home, providing it's not beyond economical repair
RAC Source: Terms and conditions page 8
AA Source: Terms and conditions page 19
Green Flag Source: Terms and conditions page 12
Euro Breakdown Source: Terms and conditions page 6

4) If your vehicle is repaired in Europe we'll contribute towards repairs
RAC Source: Policy Schedule
AA Source: Terms and conditions page 17
Green Flag Source: Terms and conditions page 11
Euro Breakdown Source: Terms and conditions page 6

5) We'll provide both transport and accommodation whilst your vehicle is repaired
RAC Source: Terms and conditions page 8
AA Source: Terms and conditions page 18
Green Flag Source: Terms and conditions page 12
Euro Breakdown Source: Terms and conditions page 5

6) We'll provide a hire car whilst your vehicle is repaired
RAC Source: Policy Schedule
AA Source: Terms and conditions page 18
Green Flag Source: Terms and conditions page 12
Euro Breakdown Source: Terms and conditions page 5

7) We'll provide accommodation whilst your vehicle is repaired
RAC Source: Policy Schedule
AA Source: Terms and conditions page 18
Green Flag Source: Terms and conditions page 12
Euro Breakdown Source: Terms and conditions page 5

8) We'll provide a hire car to continue your trip to Europe, if your vehicle cannot be repaired before your planned departure
RAC Source: Policy Schedule
AA Source: Terms and conditions page 17
Green Flag Source: Terms and conditions page 11
Euro Breakdown Source: Terms and conditions page 5

9) We'll cover any age vehicle
RAC Source: Not excluded in terms and conditions
AA Source: Terms and conditions page 14
Green Flag Source: Terms and conditions page 10
Euro Breakdown Source: Terms and conditions page 5

RAC terms and conditions here
AA terms and conditions here
Green Flag terms and conditions here
Euro Breakdown terms and conditions here

 
defaqto five star rating

Standard

For £4.17 a day

Get a quote  
  • Cover level – Comprehensive
  • Roadside Assistance in Europe
  • We’ll pay up to £150 towards garage labour costs. Provided repairs are completed on the same working day
  • Get up to £500 accommodation expenses or up to £1,500 to continue your journey
  • We’ll pay up to the market value of your vehicle to get it back to the UK, providing it’s not beyond economical repair
  • If your vehicle can’t be fixed before you’re due to return, we’ll help get you and any passenger's home up to £1,500
  • Get 2 days’ UK Roadside Assistance before you depart, for all breakdowns over a ¼ of a mile from home
  • 24/7 English-speaking helpline
  • FREE European Legal Care
  • Replacement train/ferry ticket for up to 1 missed connection, if the delay is caused by a breakdown
Get a quote  
defaqto five star rating

Best cover you can get*

Extra

For £6.67 a day

Get a quote  
  • Cover level – Comprehensive Plus
  • Roadside Assistance in Europe
  • We'll pay up to £1,000 towards garage labour costs. Provided repairs are completed within 7 working hours
  • Up to £1,200 accommodation expenses and/or up to £3,000 to continue your journey
  • We’ll cover all costs to get your vehicle to get it back to the UK, providing it’s not beyond economical repair
  • If your vehicle can’t be fixed before you’re due to return, we’ll help get you and any passenger's home up to £3,000
  • Get 7 days’ UK Roadside Assistance before you depart, for all breakdowns over a ¼ of a mile from home
  • 24/7 English-speaking helpline
  • FREE European Legal Care
  • Replacement train/ferry tickets for up to 3 missed connections, if the delay is caused by a breakdown
Get a quote  
Above prices are for a 1 year old vehicle travelling in Zone 1 for 14 days' cover.

What countries are covered by RAC European Breakdown Cover?

Whether you’re comparing short term European breakdown cover or looking for a longer-term policy, it’s important to know where you can use your cover.

You can get RAC European Breakdown Cover in up to 48 countries across mainland Europe, including France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Portugal and Belgium, as well as the Republic of Ireland. This also includes a range of other countries, including Albania, Armenia, Gibraltar, Moldova, Macedonia, Serbia and many more.

These countries are split into Zone 1, Zone 2 and Zone 3, so you can easily pick the right cover for you and your trip.

We also cover the offshore islands of all the countries within this zone.

Zone 2 (includes Spain & Italy)
  Gibraltar
  Italy
  Norway
  Spain
  Sweden
  Vatican City

We also cover the offshore islands of the countries within this zone, with the exception of Ceuta, Melilla or the Canary Islands (Spanish off-shore Islands).

Zone 3 (includes Poland & Greece)
  Greece
Kosovo
  Latvia
  Malta
  Moldova
  Montenegro
  Poland
  Serbia
  Turkey (in Europe) plus Uskudar

We also cover the offshore islands of all the countries within this zone.


Compare our single trip and annual breakdown cover

The type of cover you need depends on the length of your trip and how often you travel to Europe. Compare our single trip and annual policies below.


Single Trip European Breakdown Cover

 

Single Trip European Breakdown Cover protects you during a single return trip to Europe.

You can buy cover for a trip lasting from one day up to 90 days.

It’s ideal if you only plan to drive to Europe once or twice a year – as it’s likely to work out cheaper than an annual policy.

Cover for cars, motorcycles, motorhomes, and caravans.

Annual European Breakdown Cover

 
Annual European Breakdown Cover protects you for unlimited trips to Europe during the year.

For each trip, you’re covered for up to 90 days.


This type of cover is ideal if you regularly drive to Europe. If you travel more than twice a year to Europe, it’s likely to work out cheaper than buying single trip cover each time.


Cover for cars, motorcycles, motorhomes, and caravans.


Buy now 

Frequently Asked Questions

European breakdown cover isn’t a legal requirement. But it’s important to have cover if you’re driving abroad. If you break down without cover, getting help can be expensive. And if you don’t know the language, it can be even more stressful.

Read more about driving abroad and why it’s important to take out European breakdown cover before travelling.
Is roadside assistance in the UK included in European breakdown cover?
Yes, our European breakdown cover includes roadside assistance in the UK for 48 hours before you leave for Europe – or up to 7 days if you get our Extra cover. Or for longer-term breakdown cover in Britain and Northern Ireland, explore our UK cover here.
Which European breakdown cover is best?
Our RAC Extra is the best European breakdown cover in the market.* And both our cover levels have a 5 Star Defaqto rating. 
What is national recovery breakdown cover?
National recovery means that if we can’t fix your car at the roadside, we’ll tow it to a destination of your choice anywhere in the country. If you’re driving in Europe with RAC European Breakdown Cover, we’ll take you and your car back to the UK if it can’t be fixed while you’re away, as long as it’s not beyond economical repair.
Is it worth getting European breakdown cover?
Having European breakdown cover means you won’t be left stranded if your car breaks down abroad. We can repair your vehicle at the side of the road, or help you find a local garage if needed. If you don't have cover, you may find it more difficult to get help if you have car trouble while you're away.

The RAC is a leading provider of European breakdown cover. But, how does it compare to The AA? Find out here.

  

The RAC is a leading provider of European breakdown cover. But, how does it compare to Green Flag? Find out here.

  
European breakdown cover by country

If you’re planning on driving in France, then you need to be prepared – here’s the RAC guide to European breakdown cover and rules of the road.

  

If you’re driving in Germany, it’s important that you have European breakdown cover in place to provide roadside recovery and assistance should you need it.

  

Before driving in Spain, prepare properly by understanding the road rules, checking your vehicle and arranging the right level of breakdown cover.

  

If you’re planning on driving in Italy, then you need to be prepared – here’s the RAC guide to European breakdown cover and rules of the road.

  

If you’re planning on driving in the Republic of Ireland, then you need to be prepared – here’s our guide to European breakdown cover.

  
More about European breakdown cover

RAC European Breakdown Cover provides you with peace of mind and single-trip or annual cover you can rely on during your holidays.

  

Get 14 days’ European breakdown cover for £4.17 a day^

  

Drive to Europe on a regular basis? Then annual European cover will give you complete peace of mind all year round.

  

Whether you're popping to Paris or setting off for a two-week stay in Spain, we have flexible cover options to suit you.

  

For more information about our European breakdown cover please refer to our Insurance Product Information Document or our terms & conditions.

  

PDF

Download and complete a claim form within 90 days of your planned return date.

  

5 Star Defaqto rated European breakdown cover

Don’t let a breakdown ruin your holiday

  • No overall claims limit for complete peace of mind
  • Reassurance of a 24/7 English-speaking helpline
  • We'll fix you at the roadside or tow you to the nearest garage