Many of us have had the experience of our car breaking down and how this can cause frustration and wreak havoc on our travel plans. Purchasing breakdown cover before you travel will provide a service that could save you time and money as well as provide safety for your family when travelling.
In this article, we have researched 4 of the top breakdown cover providers in the UK to enable you to choose the provider and service that best suits your needs and budget.
What are the different types of breakdown cover you can buy?
The different types of breakdown cover available for UK motorists allow you to choose which most suits your needs. They are:
- Personal breakdown cover - provides assistance to you as an individual whether you are driving or a passenger
- Vehicle breakdown cover - provides cover for a specific vehicle and is not dependent on who is driving at the time assistance is needed
- Multi-vehicle cover/Family cover - covers more than one vehicle that is registered to the same address.
What are the different levels of breakdown cover you can buy?
There are four main levels of breakdown cover available for UK motorists and understanding the best option for your needs can save you money as well as keep you safe when you and your family are travelling:
Roadside assistance breakdown cover
Roadside assistance breakdown cover is the cheapest and most basic breakdown cover available. It will provide assistance at the roadside by an engineer who will attempt to repair your vehicle so you can complete your journey. If your vehicle cannot be repaired at the roadside then the engineer will take your car and passengers to a nearby garage selected by the breakdown provider. Some policies will provide for onward travel with the terms and conditions differing between providers. Most policies state you will need to be a quarter of a mile away from your home to be able to use this type of cover.
National recovery breakdown cover
National recovery breakdown cover will provide assistance at the roadside by an engineer who will attempt to repair your vehicle. If your vehicle cannot be repaired then you, your vehicle and passengers will be transported to a chosen location in the UK for repair. This means that you could either return home and use a local garage or complete your original journey and get your car repaired at this location.
Home start breakdown cover
A large number of breakdowns occur at the owner's home address as car battery problems or other problems can worsen when the car is not driven for a period of time. Home start breakdown cover extends your cover to issues arising at your home address and an engineer will visit your home and try to restart your car. If this is not possible then your vehicle will be taken to a garage local to your address.
European breakdown cover
European breakdown cover gives you peace of mind if you travel to a European destination in your car. This can be a stand-alone policy or an add-on and will normally include a 24/7 helpline in the UK, roadside assistance, local recovery, emergency accommodation, onward travel and repatriation of the vehicle (and sometimes the passengers depending on the provider).
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How much does breakdown cover cost?
The cost of breakdown cover varies greatly depending on the level of cover and the provider. In the following table we compare the annual cost of a selection of different UK breakdown policies from AA, RAC, Green Flag and Start Rescue. Later in the article we look at each of these providers and the policies they offer in more detail. The costs in this table are based on vehicle cover and where a quote had to be run we used a 2018 Ford Focus. As you can see the cover varies significantly between providers but so does the service provided. Always make sure you check the terms & conditions of each policy before paying the premium.
Price comparison - AA vs RAC vs Green Flag vs Start Rescue
| Provider | Roadside Assistance¹ | At Home² | National Recovery³ | Onward Travel4 | Annual Cost |
| AA |  |
|
 |
|
£144.00 |
| AA | |
|
|
|
£204.00 |
| AA | |
|
|
|
£270.00 |
| RAC | |
|
|
|
£95.40 |
| RAC | |
|
|
|
£150.00 |
| RAC | |
|
|
|
£210.00 |
| Green Flag | |
|
|
|
£42.31^ |
| Green Flag | |
|
|
|
£67.06^ |
| Green Flag | |
|
|
|
£78.13^ |
| Start Rescue | |
|
|
|
£19.75^ |
| Start Rescue | |
|
|
|
£29.48^ |
| Start Rescue | |
|
|
|
£35.28^ |
¹Assistance if your vehicle breaks down more than 1/4 mile from your home
²Assistance if your vehicle breaks down at your home or within 1/4 a mile from your home
³If your vehicle cannot be repaired at the roadside the driver and passengers will be taken to a destination of their choice in the UK
4If your vehicle cannot be repaired at the roadside alternative transport, accommodation or a hire car will be provided (varies depending on provider)
^2018 Ford Focus was used for the quotes
Who offers the best breakdown cover?
When searching for the best breakdown service for your needs make sure to look closely at the terms and conditions of each policy as they do vary widely. Also, check with your current car insurance provider as they may offer a discount on breakdown cover when included with your insurance policy.
We have looked in detail at four of the most well known breakdown services available in the UK to provide a guide to help you choose the best one for your needs.
What breakdown cover does the AA offer?
The AA has been helping motorists since 1905 and the breakdown/recovery service is the primary focus of its operation. It offers the following levels of breakdown cover:
Roadside Assistance
- Roadside Assistance is available if your vehicle breaks down more than a quarter of a mile from your home address and you purchased cover at least 24hrs prior to the breakdown occurring
- An AA appointed engineer will attend to try to fix your vehicle and get you on your way
- If your vehicle cannot be fixed, it, together with the driver and up to seven passengers will be taken to the AA's choice of local repairer or your choice of repairer providing it is no further than the distance to the AA repairer
- If your vehicle has run out of fuel or charge it will be taken to the nearest fueling station or charge point, whichever is applicable
- The AA will make a telephone call at your request following a breakdown.
- If your car is involved in an accident that wasn't your fault then AA specialist staff can arrange recovery, help organise repairs, vehicle hire or personal injury assistance under their Accident Assist service
At Home
- At Home also known as Home Start provides the same service as Roadside Assistance but includes any breakdown occurring at home or within a quarter of a mile from your home address
- Only available as an addition to a Roadside Assistance policy and cover must be purchased at least 24 hours before the breakdown or accident occurred
- Unlimited call outs but repeat call outs within 28 days for the same fault will not be covered
National Recovery
- National Recovery also known as Relay provides the same service as Roadside Assistance and Home Start but in addition, if your vehicle cannot be repaired, it provides for the recovery of your vehicle, driver and up to seven passengers to any single destination of your choice in the UK
- Must be purchased at least 24 hours before the breakdown or accident occurred
- Unlimited call outs as long as it is not for a recurring problem
Onward Travel
- Onward Travel also known as Stay Mobile extends Roadside Assistance, Home Start and National Recovery cover where a local prompt repair cannot be arranged
- Choice from either, a replacement vehicle, overnight accommodation or public transport costs to a single UK destination
- 3 claims each year
Parts and Garage Cover
- Parts and Garage Cover also known as Breakdown Repair Cover covers up to £535 if your vehicle needs a replacement part or repairs in a garage after a mechanical or electrical breakdown
- It covers vehicles of any age or mileage but will not cover any faults discovered at the vehicles MOT or annual service not any pre-existing faults
- 5 claims per year (6 if your cover is for more than 1 vehicle on a family or joint policy)
European Cover
- Roadside assistance in 44 countries across Europe
- 24/7 English-speaking helpline
- Up to £1,500 for alternative travel arrangements and up to £500 for emergency accommodation
- Recovery of vehicle back to UK
What breakdown cover does the RAC offer?
The RAC has been helping motorists since 1897 and currently has 12.7 million members using its breakdown services. It offers the following levels of breakdown cover:
Basic
- Offers roadside assistance if your vehicle breaks down more than a quarter of a mile from your home
- If your vehicle cannot be fixed it will be driven to a local garage within 10 miles or another destination
- Cover starts as soon as policy is purchased but does not cover you if you have already broken down
- 5 call outs per year
Extra
- RAC's Extra cover provides the same assistance as their Basic policy with the addition of National Recovery. If your vehicle cannot be repaired at the roadside it provides for the recovery of your vehicle, driver and up to eight passengers to any single destination of your choice in the UK
- Extra cover starts 24 hours after purchase
- 5 call outs per year
Complete
- Complete cover offers Home Start along with all features of Basic and Extra. With Home Start you are covered if your vehicle breaks down at home
- Unlimited call outs
- A free MOT is included up to the value of £55 at selected RAC garages
European breakdown cover
- 24/7 English-speaking helpline
- Roadside assistance in 48 European countries
- Up to £4,200 towards Onward Travel (policy dependent)
- Vehicle repatriation
What breakdown cover does Green Flag offer?
Green Flag was formed in 1971 as an alternative to the AA and RAC. It uses a network of local garages and mechanics to deliver recovery and repair services, instead of patrolling mechanics. It offers the following levels of breakdown cover.
Rescue
- Roadside assistance is available if your vehicle breaks down more than a quarter of a mile from your home address, or the place you normally keep your vehicle and you purchased cover at least 24hrs prior to the breakdown occurring
- If your car can’t be fixed at the roadside it will be towed to one of their repairers. Alternatively, you can choose for the car to be taken to a destination of your choice within 10 miles of the breakdown or within the same distance as their recommended repairer
- If their recommended garage is closed you will be taken home and picked up the next day (or whenever is suitable for you) and the car will be taken to the garage then at no extra cost
- It offers a service that sends a free message to your friends and family so they know what’s happened
- Unlimited call outs (although you may be charged for a call out for a repeat problem within 28 days)
Rescue Plus
- Provides the same cover as Rescue
- Plus:
- any breakdown occurring at home or within a quarter of a mile of your home address
- if the breakdown at at home (or within a quarter of a mile of your home address) and is due to a flat tyre, your vehicle can be taken to a destination of your choice within 10 miles so the tyre can be repaired/replaced, for anything else your vehicle can be taken to a destination of your choice within 20 miles of your home
Recovery
- provides the same cover as Rescue
- Plus - it will arrange to take you, your passengers, and your vehicle to a place of your choice in the UK
Recovery Plus
- Provides the same cover as Rescue, Rescue Plus and Recovery
- Plus - it will arrange a hire car, hotel, or pay for alternative transport if your vehicle can't be fixed at the roadside
EuroPlus
- Cover before you leave for your trip
- Roadside help
- Emergency repairs if your vehicle is broken in to
- If your vehicle can't be repaired within 24 hours, you and your passengers (and any luggage) will be provided with assistance for onward travel and accommodation while you wait for the repair
- If your vehicle can't be repaired before it is time to return home, repatriation will be provided for you, your passengers and your vehicle
What breakdown cover does Start Rescue offer?
startrescue.co.uk prides itself on offering an innovative breakdown service that is both efficient and competitively priced. It offers the following levels of breakdown cover.
1 Star
- Roadside assistance for breakdowns that occurs within the UK and is more than a quarter of a mile radius away from your home address
- Spend up to 60 minutes to attempt to repair the vehicle
- If your vehicle is involved in an accident rendering it immobile or illegal it will transport your vehicle in accordance with the terms of the policy you have purchased
- If it is unable to repair your vehicle within the same working day or other agreed period payment, up to £250 payment will be made towards the reasonable cost of alternative transport or car hire to allow you to complete your original journey
- It will pay up to £150 within the UK, towards the reasonable cost of alternative transport for one person to return and collect the repaired vehicle
- Unlimited call outs
2 Star
- Provides the same cover as 1 Star
- Plus - if your vehicle cannot be fixed at the roadside or at a local garage on the same day, it will arrange onward travel for you and the passengers to your home or to a location closer to your original destination
3 Star
- Provides the same cover as 2 Star
- Plus - your vehicle will be covered at your registered home address or within a 1 mile radius of your home address
4 Star
- Provides the same cover as 2 Star
- Plus - your vehicle will be covered in Europe (T&Cs apply)
5 Star
- Provides the same cover as 3 Star
- Plus:
- your vehicle will be covered at your registered home address or within a 1 mile radius of your home address
- your vehicle will be covered in Europe (T&Cs apply)
- your vehicle will be covered for theft and vandalism
- if the driver is unable to continue with a journey due to injury or illness and none of the drivers are able to drive, the passengers and vehicle will be taken to a nominated destination
