Who is the RAC?
RAC was founded in 1897 and has been at the forefront of providing motor services ever since. RAC now offers a range of motoring services to over 12.7 million personal and business members principally offering breakdown assistance and insurance products. In 2020, the RAC breakdown service attended around 2.2m million breakdowns.
What types of breakdown cover do RAC offer?
Standard
- Roadside Assistance
- Home Rescue
- Maximum 5 callouts per year
- Onward travel - 10 mile tow + 20 mile taxi ride
- Fault report only
Advanced
- Roadside Assistance
- Home Rescue
- Unlimited callouts
- Onward travel - 2 day car hire
- Fault report plus cost estimate
Ultimate
- Roadside Assistance
- Home Rescue
- Unlimited callouts
- 7 day car hire
- Garage support - car taken to repair garage
- Dedicated rescue line
RAC breakdown cover comparison table
| Standard | Advanced | Ultimate | |
| Roadside Assistance |  |
|
|
| Home Rescue | |
|
|
| Unlimited callouts | Maximum 5 callouts | |
|
| Onward travel | 10 mile tow + 20 mile taxi only | 2 day car hire | 7 day car hire |
| Garage support | Fault report only | Fault report plus cost estimate | Car taken to repair garage |
| Dedicated rescue line |  |
|
|
| Cost per month | £9.50 | £15 | £19.50 |
What additional benefits does RAC breakdown cover offer?
European breakdown cover comparison table
RAC offers two types of European breakdown cover as shown in this table and cover can be purchased for single trips or on an annual basis.
| Comprehensive | Comprehensive Plus | |
| 24/7 English speaking helpline | |
|
| Unlimited European roadside assistance | |
|
| Accommodation expenses | Up to £500 | Up to £1,200 |
| Onward journey | Up to £1,500 | Up to £3,000 |
| Vehicle repatriation | Cost up to the market value of vehicle | Total vehicle repatriation costs providing vehicle is not beyond economical repair |
| UK roadside assistance | Up to the value of £300, 48 hours prior to departure | Unlimited roadside assistance, 7 days before your departure |
| Replacement tickets for pre-booked train or ferry | |
|
| Garage labour costs up £1,000 | |
|
Electric car breakdown cover
- Breakdown cover for electric and hybrid vehicles at no extra cost
- Expert mechanics specifically trained for electric and hybrid vehicles
- If you are out of charge RAC breakdown can give you a 10-mile boost to get you to the nearest charge point
- Recovery is provided by high-tech vans that lift all four wheels off the ground, saving you time and protecting your vehicle
Business breakdown cover
- Business breakdown cover is provided for each vehicle regardless of who is driving at the time
- Latest diagnostics technology
- Over 500 vehicle parts kept on board to provide improved roadside repairs
- 4 out of 5 breakdowns are fixed at the roadside
Garage & parts
For an additional charge, cover can be provided for garage repair bills after a breakdown, up to £500 per claim.
Tyre replacement
For an additional charge, cover can be provided to repair or replace a damaged or punctured tyre up to £150 per tyre.
Battery replacement
For an additional charge, a new replacement battery will be provided if your battery cannot be recharged.
Key Replacement
RAC breakdown cover pros and cons
Pros
- Provides breakdown cover through knowledgable employed mechanics
- Roadside Assistance and Home Rescue provided as standard on all cover levels
- Unlimited callouts on Advance and Ultimate cover
Cons
- One of the more expensive breakdown providers
- Not as prompt as some other breakdown providers
- Customers ranked RAC 7th out of 12 in a recent survey of best car breakdown providers by consumer website Which?
Summary
RAC breakdown cover is often considered more expensive than other car breakdown providers but they do provide a quality service through their expertly trained mechanics. The additional benefits offered, albeit at an extra cost, are well worth researching. If cost is not your primary concern in your search for car breakdown cover then RAC is a strong option.
