Breakdown recovery

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 understand that breaking down can be stressful and so we aim to get to all members as quickly as possible. If a vulnerability is disclosed or suspected, our call centre team are trained to ease anxiety and prioritise the patrol attendance.

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

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.

Please call us on 0330 159 8743 and we’ll be happy talk you through your options. You’ll get access to immediate emergency breakdown and we’ll also help arrange an annual or monthly membership for the next 12 months if you would like ongoing cover.

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.