RAC Van and Patrol attending a breakdown

Broken down? Get instant breakdown cover

Not a member? Call 0300 159 8743.

Get RAC emergency breakdown cover today

Stuck with a broken down car? Whether you’re an existing RAC member or not, we’re here to help you.

Find out what to do if you’re already a member below. Or if you’re not covered with us, see how to get instant breakdown cover now.

I'm already a member

The quickest way to get help is online. You'll get immediate confirmation and be able to track your patrol's arrival.

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. Do not buy RAC Breakdown Cover online.

If you buy cover online after breaking down, we won’t be able to come out to you.

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.

Why choose the RAC?

Whether you’re looking for instant breakdown cover or emergency breakdown support, the RAC is here to help. Here’s why you should choose us:

Help in 60 minutes

We get to most breakdowns in 60 minutes or less

Our patrols fix 4/5 on the spot

RAC patrol drivers can fix many issues on arrival, helping get you back on the road

Repairs done in just 30 minutes on average

Once our patrols arrive, you could be back on the road in just 30 minutes

Save up to £150

Up to £150 of savings on fuel, tyres, servicing and more

RAC instant breakdown cover can help in almost any situation

Not sure if the RAC can help? See below for some common issues that we can fix to get you back on the road. If you don’t see your issue here, give us a call on 0330 159 8743 and our team will do their best to get help to you.

  • Car not starting: if your car won’t start, we can help. We’ll try to get your car going again and get you moving. If there’s a fault with your car’s starter battery and we can’t recharge it, we can fit a new battery.
    If you’ve broken down at home, the RAC can help1. Either report your breakdown online, or contact us if you’re not a member.
    1At home breakdown cover only available when purchasing Complete cover.
  • Running out of fuel: we can still help if you’ve run out of fuel. If you’re already an RAC member, you’re covered if you run out of fuel as part of your breakdown cover. We'll just charge you for any fuel you need to get going again.
    If you’re not an RAC member, we can still help. Call our team on 0330 159 8743.
  • Tyre punctures: if you break down due to a puncture, we’ll come out to replace your tyre. The cost of new tyres isn’t covered by RAC Breakdown Cover.
    You can also add Tyre Replace to your cover. This means you’ll be covered for the cost of up to 5 new tyres a year.
    You need to have Tyre Replace as an add on to your existing policy prior to breaking down to use this benefit. This is because you can’t use Tyre Replace immediately. You’ll have to wait 7 days after adding it to your cover.
    If you’re not a member and have a tyre puncture, call our team on 0330 159 8743 to see if we can still help.
    If your tyres don’t feel right, it might be time to check your tyre tread.
  • Electric and hybrid car breakdowns: the RAC are number 1 provider for electric car breakdown cover2. All RAC breakdown cover policies include hybrid and electric vehicles. If your EV has broken down, simply report your breakdown online.
    If your electric car has run out of charge, our award-winning EV Boost Vans can also give you a 10-mile boost to get you to the nearest charging point.
    If your electric vehicle has broken down without cover, call our team on 0330 159 8743.
    2Comparison to AA and Green Flag based on number of RAC rescue vans equipped with 3.5kw+ Electric car charging capability as at February 2023.
  • Accidents and road traffic collisions: our free accident care3 is included as a member benefit at no additional charge. If you’ve been involved in a road traffic collision, in the UK, the RAC may be able to help with post-accident assistance.
    Call us on 0333 2000 999 from the scene. We can offer advice on whether you can drive the vehicle, and if not, we'll arrange recovery for you and your family. We'll also help you make a claim on your car insurance if necessary, and get you a replacement vehicle, if you need one.
    3The RAC will seek to recoup the cost of recovery from your insurer/3rd party insurer. You may be asked to pay if this isn’t possible.

My car is broken down at home, what do I do?

If your car’s broken down at home with no breakdown cover, please call the RAC non-member number on 0330 159 8743. We’ll talk you through your options and help you find the right cover. If you already have cover with us, you can report your breakdown online.

What to do if you're not an RAC member

The RAC can still help – all you need to do is call us on 0330 159 8743 for emergency breakdown cover. Don’t buy online if you already have a broken down car or vehicle, as we won’t be able to come out to you.

Person looking at their mobile phone

Do you offer emergency breakdown cover for non-members?

If you break down, but aren’t an RAC member, we can offer you emergency breakdown cover. Your vehicle must have a valid MOT and road tax for us to help. However, if you’re stuck in the live lane of a motorway or dual carriageway and feel you’re in immediate danger, please call 999 first.

Patrol shaking hands with a member

Broken down with no cover?

Here’s what the RAC can do: we’ll send help to you today, whether you’ve broken down on the road or at home. We’ll try to fix your vehicle there and then. If we can’t, we’ll tow you up to 10 miles. Any further and you’ll need to pay an additional fee.

Patrol attending a home break down

Frequently Asked Questions

If there is nowhere secure for you and any passengers to wait, or you feel unsafe at all, then you should call the police to inform them that you have broken down.

Yes, the emergency services telephones positioned along motorways are free to call. They connect directly to the police, or the Highways Agency.

If you break down without cover, there is a fixed fee for the RAC to attend and support you. And we offer a range of cover types to meet your needs — most without a callout charge.

Some basic faults can be fixed. You may have changed a flat tyre before and, with a spare wheel on board, can do this again yourself. If you feel confident in fixing the problem then you can try – but you must be in a safe position first. If you're in any doubt or don’t feel safe, call the RAC for help.

We aim to get to all members as quickly as possible. But when responding to a breakdown, we consider each person's individual circumstances.

To speak to our RAC Customer Services team, please call us on 0330 159 0740.

You can get breakdown cover from lots of different places, including:

  • directly from a breakdown provider, such as the RAC
  • with a vehicle purchase
  • with car insurance, travel insurance or bank account.

If you’re not sure whether you have breakdown cover, it’s worth checking your records before you buy. This includes your emails and hard-copy documents. You can also call a provider to see if you’re covered.

We can help you at the roadside if your vehicle breaks down in Europe, as long as you’ve bought RAC European Breakdown Cover before your trip. We can help you in up to 48 countries across mainland Europe. These countries are split into zones, so you can easily select the right cover for you and your trip.

The cost of instant breakdown cover depends on what kind of cover you need. Please call us on 0330 159 8743 – we’ll be happy talk you through your options.

This depends on the level of cover you have. We can tow you up to 10 miles, or we can tow you an unlimited distance with National Recovery.

If we can’t fix you on the spot, you can choose which garage you go to. Just keep in mind that if you don’t have National Recovery as part of your cover, you’ll be limited to a 10-mile tow. 

We'll take you to an RAC approved garages or garage of your choice. Please talk to your patrol when they arrive.

Having breakdown cover isn’t a legal requirement – you won’t be breaking the law if you don’t have it. But if you drive without breakdown cover and you break down far from home, it may be difficult (and expensive) to get help.

You can set your breakdown cover to start on the same day you buy it. This means if you buy cover and then break down out on the road later that day, we’ll come rescue you. But if you’ve already broken down, you can’t buy breakdown cover online. Instead, please call 0330 159 8743

Some of the other extra features and add-ons won’t start until a while later. National Recovery and Onward Travel start 24 hours after your main cover starts, and Key Replace, Battery Replace and Tyre Replace start 7 days later.

Breakdown cover can be included when you buy car insurance, but it can differ depending on your provider. It’s always best to check your policy documents to see if it is included.

If you’re currently broken down without cover, call our team on 0333 2000 999. Already a member? Report your breakdown online.

If you feel like you’re in immediate danger, you should contact the emergency services. Find out more information around what to do if your car has broken down.