What is National Recovery?
National Recovery (also known as ‘unlimited tow’ or 'relay') means we’ll tow your vehicle anywhere in the UK if you break down, covering you nationwide. That means you can always get to any garage, back home or to your destination, no matter how far away you are. We’ll also take you and up to 8 passengers with us.
The ‘National Recovery’ option is available with our ‘Extra’ and 'Complete' cover levels. With our ‘Basic’ level of cover, you’re limited to a 10-mile tow.
What are the benefits of National Recovery?
- We’ll tow your vehicle to any destination in the UK, rather than just 10 miles
- We’ll take you and up to 8 passengers there too
Do I need National Recovery?
Having breakdown cover that includes National Recovery (or an ‘unlimited tow’) can be handy if you break down further away from home and your vehicle can’t be fixed on the spot.
For example: Imagine breaking down late at night, 50 miles from home, with your family in the car. With National Recovery, we can tow your car right back to your home address. Otherwise, you’ll be limited to a 10-mile tow only.
If you only use your vehicle for local journeys, you may not need the option of National Recovery.
How can I get National Recovery with my breakdown cover?
- New members: Choose either ‘Extra’ or ‘Complete’ cover level to get National Recovery. Get a quote here
- Existing members: You can add National Recovery to your breakdown cover any time. Just give us a call 0330 159 8454
Does National Recovery apply if I break down at home?
With the RAC, as long as you have ‘Extra’ or 'Complete’ cover, we’ll tow you and your car anywhere in the UK if we can’t fix you at the roadside and you’re over a ¼ mile from home. If you have ‘Basic’ cover, we’ll tow you up to 10 miles only.
Will I still be able to get roadside assistance?
Yes, roadside assistance comes as standard with all levels of RAC Breakdown Cover. We’ll come out to you 24/7. And we’ll always try to fix you on the spot before we tow you.
Can I continue my journey if my vehicle can't be fixed?
If your vehicle needs repairs at a garage, our ‘Onward Travel’ add-on can help you stay mobile. We’ll sort out a hire car for up to 3 days (age and licence restrictions apply). Or if you prefer, we can arrange overnight accommodation or costs towards public transport instead.
You can add Onward Travel to our Complete cover.
Cheaper than AA*
Basic
From £5.49 a month*
FREE car health check
24/7 Roadside Assistance
5 callouts a year
Recovery up to 10 miles
Cheaper than AA*
Extra
From £8.99 a month*
FREE car health check
24/7 Roadside Assistance
5 callouts a year
If we can’t fix you, we'll take you anywhere in the UK. Starts after 24 hours.
Cheaper than AA*
Complete
From £10.53 a month*
FREE car health check
24/7 Roadside Assistance
Unlimited Callouts
If we can’t fix you, we'll take you anywhere in the UK. Starts after 24 hours.
We fix you at home.
Worth up to £55, at selected RAC garages
*Prices above are for single vehicle-based cover. At least 10% of new customers paid this or less since 12/08. Comparison based on theaa.com closest equivalent cover at 10/12.
Answers to your questions
National Recovery is included with our ‘Extra’ and ‘Complete’ cover levels. With ‘Extra’ you’ll get 5 callouts, with 1 additional callout for every person or vehicle added. ‘Complete’ includes unlimited callouts, so you can use this as often as you need.
Yes. Just select Business Roadside, At Home and Recovery when you arrange your cover. We’ll tow you to your chosen destination anywhere in the UK.
If you often take long trips, National Recovery or Onward Travel could get you out of a tight spot. If you break down out on the road and can’t be fixed that day, Onward Travel can keep you moving with a hire car for up to 3 days. And with National Recovery, we’ll tow you anywhere you want to go. So, for example, you can have your car fixed in a garage near your destination, rather than putting your travel plans on hold.
Roadside Assistance means that if you break down at the roadside, we’ll come out to you and try to fix your car on the spot. If we can’t, we’ll tow you up to 10 miles. National Recovery means that if we can’t fix you at the roadside, we’ll tow you to a destination of your choice, anywhere in the UK (instead of just 10 miles).
Local recovery means if your car can’t be fixed on the roadside, you’ll be taken to a garage or other destination within 10 miles of where your car has broken down. So if you break down far from your address, you won’t be able to get your car back home if you’re only covered for local recovery.
Page reviewed by: Andy Baker