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How to compare breakdown cover
Having a breakdown cover policy gives you roadside assistance if your vehicle ever breaks down. If you can’t get your vehicle going, we’ll send out one of our expert patrols to help.
Before you buy breakdown cover, it’s always a good idea to compare cover from different providers. Remember, just choosing the cheapest option may not give you the cover you need. So, do your homework to make sure you have complete peace of mind.
Here’s a quick guide of what to look for when comparing breakdown cover:
RAC Breakdown Cover vs competitors
A good place to start when comparing breakdown cover in the UK is to check what's included as standard. Some providers include more than others with their entry-level cover.
Here’s a rundown of what you get on all RAC Breakdown Cover levels, compared to our competitors.
RAC Breakdown Cover | AA Breakdown Cover | Green Flag | |
20-mile taxi from the garage** | |||
EV boost with a 10-mile battery boost | |||
£20 off services | |||
FREE legal helpline | |||
FREE upgrade at renewal | |||
FREE 20-point car health check | |||
FREE MOT | With Complete Cover | ||
Number of vehicles fixed at roadside | Our patrols fix 4/5 on the spot. With repairs done in just 30 minutes on average. | AA fix 8/10 cars at the roadside. | Unknown |
**Following a breakdown, if you’re taken to a garage, we’ll reimburse you for a taxi home up to 20 miles.
Levels of breakdown cover
Levels of breakdown cover vary from provider to provider. RAC Breakdown Cover, Green Flag and the AA all offer Roadside Assistance as standard. All providers also have the option of At Home cover (or ‘Home Start’), National Recovery, and Onward Travel.
However, RAC Breakdown Cover includes a 20 mile taxi from the garage**, £20 off mobile mechanics and a 10 mile EV boost, unlike other providers.
Roadside Assistance
On the spot repairs or towing to a local garage.
At Home Cover
Help if you break down at your home address.
National Recovery
We’ll tow you anywhere in the UK.
Onward Travel
A hire car or accommodation if we can't fix you on the spot.
Basic
From £5.49 a month*
Extra
From £8.99 a month*
Complete
From £10.53 a month*
†Applies to new Extra or Complete cover. Restrictions apply, check mobile mechanic eligibility & availability here. Ends 18/11, 4pm.
*Prices above are for single vehicle-based cover. At least 10% of new customers paid this or less since 12/08.
Avoid big bills
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.
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.
Personal vs vehicle cover
With most providers, breakdown cover can either apply to you or your vehicle. It’s up to you to decide which type of cover works best for you.
Personal breakdown cover comparison
Personal breakdown cover means you’ll be personally covered if you break down in any eligible vehicle, as a driver or passenger. This type of cover usually costs more than vehicle cover. But it can work out cheaper if you drive more than one vehicle regularly.
With the RAC, you can cover up to 5 people on a single policy (as long as you live at the same address). But with the AA and Green Flag, you can only cover up to 4 people.
Vehicle breakdown cover comparison
Vehicle breakdown cover means your vehicle is covered no matter who is driving when it breaks down. With the AA’s vehicle breakdown, you can only cover 1 vehicle.
Answers to your questions
Depending on how you use your cars, you might want to consider personal cover or vehicle cover for multiple cars.
Personal cover means you’re covered as a driver or passenger in any eligible vehicle – and you can add up to 5 people living at the same address to your policy. It’s ideal if you or your family regularly drive more than one car.
With vehicle cover, each vehicle on your policy is covered no matter who’s driving. And you can get vehicle cover for up to 3 cars registered at the same address on one policy.
RAC Breakdown Cover (Roadside Assistance and At Home) begins on the day you buy it, as long as you haven’t broken down already. You can also choose to start your policy later if you prefer.
Extras like National Recovery and Onward Travel both start 24 hours afterwards. And Key Replace, Battery Replace and Tyre Replace start 7 days after your main breakdown cover begins.Both Green Flag and AA’s standard breakdown cover starts 24 hours after you purchase.
When you're choosing a breakdown cover policy, it’s important to think about what suits your lifestyle. This will help determine what type of cover you need.
Consider how many vehicles you drive and how far you usually travel. For example, if you regularly take long trips, you might want to add National Recovery to your cover.
It’s also worth considering the reputation of your chosen provider. Look for companies with positive feedback. This includes fast response times and good service.
With the RAC, our patrols fix 4/5 vehicles on the spot and we get to most breakdowns within 60 minutes. Read more about our RAC breakdown cover reviews.
Many big breakdown cover providers offer a range of breakdown cover options, and which is best for you will depend on your needs.
It’s best to make sure to check what’s included before you buy. For example, the RAC include a 20-mile taxi from the garage with every cover level – something other providers don’t do.
Page reviewed by: Andy Baker