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What is vehicle breakdown cover?
Vehicle breakdown cover is a type of cover that applies to a specific vehicle. It means your car, van or motorbike will be covered no matter who’s driving it when it breaks down. This is different to personal cover, which applies to a person, not the vehicle. Even if they're just a passenger.
Vehicle breakdown cover usually costs less than personal cover. And it's ideal if you or your family only drive one vehicle, or only use one vehicle.
Car breakdown cover options
Compare the different levels of breakdown cover available for your car with the RAC. Basic includes Roadside Assistance. And if you need more cover, such as National Recovery, you can choose either Extra or Complete.
And we don’t just offer car breakdown cover – our packages are also suitable for electric and hybrid vehicles. Out of charge? Our award-winning EV Boost vans can give you a 10-mile boost to get you to the nearest charge point.
Basic
From £5.49 a month*
Extra
From £8.99 a month*
Complete
From £10.53 a month*
*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.
Compare personal vs vehicle breakdown cover
Before you decide on vehicle breakdown cover, it's important to think about the pros and cons. If it isn't right for you, you can always choose personal cover instead.
Vehicle breakdown cover
Vehicle breakdown cover usually costs less than personal cover
It can be ideal if you only drive one vehicle, or you share a vehicle with someone else in your household
If you have a family vehicle, whoever is driving it will benefit from breakdown cover
Personal breakdown cover
Personal breakdown covers you as a person in any eligible vehicle
Personal cover may be a better option if you regularly drive more than one vehicle
If you’re a driver or passenger in a vehicle that isn't covered and it breaks down, you'll be able to use your breakdown cover
Vehicle breakdown cover explained
What vehicles are covered by vehicle breakdown cover?
Our vehicle breakdown cover is suitable for many types of vehicles, including standard cars, hybrids, electric cars, and even breakdown cover for older cars. We also cover motorbikes, campervans and vans. All we ask is that it’s:
- UK registered
- insured, has valid road tax and MOT
- not registered to a business or sign written
- no more than 3.5 tonnes, 6.4 m long (and 2.55 m wide – that's roughly the weight and size of a Ford Transit long wheelbase van)
- over 49cc if it's a motorbike, scooter or moped (or over 121cc in Europe)
Can I add additional vehicles to my policy?
You can buy cover for more than one vehicle with a multi-car breakdown cover policy. With the RAC, you can cover up to 3 on the same policy.
It costs at least £3 a month to add an extra vehicle to your breakdown policy, depending on the level of cover you have. And each one gets the same level of cover.
If you're already a member: give us a call on 0330 159 0740 and let us know how many you'd like to add.
If you're buying online: Just select 'vehicle breakdown cover' and select the number of vehicles you'd like to cover. Buy breakdown cover here.
Can I use my breakdown cover in someone else’s car?
If you have RAC vehicle breakdown cover, you cannot use your breakdown cover in someone else’s car. This type of cover only applies to a particular vehicle, regardless of who is driving it.
However, you can add up to 3 vehicles per policy with the RAC. This means you can extend cover to other cars you or your family own or regularly use, ensuring they are all protected under the same plan.
If you need breakdown cover that applies to additional people rather than specific vehicles, take a look at our personal breakdown cover.
What are the different types of breakdown cover?
If you don’t think vehicle breakdown cover is your best option, there are other types of breakdown policies available from the RAC. Breakdown cover levels include:
- Personal Breakdown Cover: covers you in any car, whether you are driving or a passenger.
- European Breakdown Cover: provides breakdown assistance while you are driving in Europe.
- Family Breakdown Cover: extends breakdown cover to multiple family members under one policy.
- Multi-car Breakdown Cover: covers multiple vehicles in a single household.
- Caravan Breakdown Cover: offers breakdown assistance for your caravan or trailer.
- Instant Breakdown Cover: if you’re not a member and have just broken down
Extend your cover
Onward Travel
Can’t do without your car? Get a hire car while yours is in the garage with Onward Travel.
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.
Avoid big bills
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, RAC vehicle breakdown cover can be paid monthly. We also offer the option to pay annually on all our policies.
To get a monthly or annual quote for vehicle breakdown cover, get a quote.
If you have RAC vehicle breakdown cover, you won’t be covered in someone else’s vehicle. To be covered as a passenger or driver in any eligible vehicle, visit our personal breakdown cover page.
Yes, vehicle breakdown cover includes cover for motorbikes. For more information, take a look at our motorbike breakdown cover.
Vehicle breakdown cover is usually slightly cheaper than personal cover, as it applies to one vehicle rather than a person in multiple vehicles. The car you choose will be covered no matter who’s driving. But if you often drive more than one car, or have a family who drive multiple cars, personal cover could be a better option.
No, you can’t have multiple breakdown cover policies on one vehicle.
We offer a variety of breakdown cover policies to suit you and your vehicle, so you don’t need to take out multiple policies. This includes scooter and moped breakdown, caravan breakdown cover, electric car breakdown and more.
With RAC vehicle breakdown cover, your vehicle will be covered no matter who’s driving. So if your friend or family member is driving your vehicle without you and it breaks down, we’ll be able to help.
Personal breakdown cover applies to a specific person. So if you’re driving or in someone else’s car as a passenger, you’ll be covered.
Page reviewed by: Andy Baker