Cars can often be a lifeline to get you to your shift on time, taking the kids to football practice on a Saturday morning or doing the weekly supermarket run. Most of the time, they’re reliable. Until, of course, something goes wrong.
One minute you're cruising along the motorway, playing back-to-back bangers on the radio. The next, you're sitting at the side of the road wondering how you're going to make it to your shift on time. Most of us have heard of breakdown cover. And maybe some of us have wished we’d taken it out at least once (usually while Googling what a warning light means from the hard shoulder).
But what does breakdown cover actually include? And did you know annual cover isn't the only option out there? Some providers offer short-term cover for individual UK trips – perfect for staycations – alongside dedicated policies for European travel.
Let's take a look at the different ways breakdown cover can help, whether you're commuting to work or venturing over the Channel in search of sunshine.
In simple terms, breakdown cover is there to help if your vehicle stops working and can't continue its journey.
Exactly what happens next depends on the exact policy you have. Some focus on roadside repairs, while others have a broader scope and can arrange breakdown recovery, replacement vehicles, overnight accommodation or onward travel if your vehicle – worst-case scenario – can't be fixed immediately.
As with most types of insurance, the devil is in the detail. Not all policies offer the same support, and what's included will depend on the provider and level of cover you choose.
Car trouble is never planned. If you’re a Blue Light Card member, you can try and be prepared by getting a discount on RAC Breakdown Cover.*
Roadside assistance is the most basic level of cover — and the one most people picture when they hear the word. We’re all imagining the same thing: a van, the side of the road, and someone peering under a bonnet.
When you have breakdown cover, if your car decides to bite the dust while you're away from home, a mechanic will usually be sent to assess the problem and attempt a repair at the roadside. If the issue can be fixed there and then, you'll often be back on your way surprisingly quickly.
It's 8am, coffee in hand, and you're about to set off for the morning shift. The only problem? The car's gone kaput on the driveway.
Flat batteries, electrical faults and vehicles that simply refuse to start on a cold morning can leave you stranded on your own doorstep. Thankfully, some home start cover provides assistance in these situations, helping you get moving without having to arrange a recovery service.
If your car spends long periods parked and unused, this type of cover can be particularly useful. It’s worth noting that home start cover isn’t included in every policy – it typically only applies when you’re more than 0.25 miles from home – so make sure you double-check what you’re choosing.
Sometimes, a roadside repair just won't cut it. Your car's problems might run a little deeper than a flat battery and a quick roadside fix.
Recovery cover can arrange for your vehicle to be transported to a garage or, depending on your policy, to a destination of your choice elsewhere in the UK.
This can make a big difference, especially if you're a long way from home. Breaking down a couple of miles from your front door is one thing. But breaking down halfway through a journey to the other end of the country is quite another.
With a busy working life and maybe a couple of kids in the mix, a breakdown rarely affects just the car. It can really mess with your plans for the day.
Some policies include onward travel benefits, which may help with alternative transport, overnight accommodation or a replacement vehicle if your car can't be repaired quickly.
It's not the part of breakdown cover people tend to think about first, but it can be a real lifesaver when you're a long way from home and still have plans you want to keep.
Most everyday journeys happen fairly close to home, but holidays are a different story.
Whether you're driving from Newcastle to Devon or Glasgow to the Lake District, your car breaking down can put a serious dent in the holiday mood. Recovery and onward-travel benefits can help get a holiday back on the right track when the engine decides to give up on the M1.
If you're planning a staycation and don't currently have breakdown cover, it's worth checking whether a short-term or single-trip policy could provide a little extra reassurance for the journey. These policies typically cover a single trip or a set number of days rather than a full year, which can make them more cost-effective if you only drive long distances occasionally.
If you're taking your car abroad, then it’s likely that your standard UK breakdown cover won’t be enough. Nobody wants to be stranded in France, croissant in hand, watching their holiday unravel at the roadside.
European breakdown cover provides you with assistance if your vehicle plays up overseas. Depending on the policy, this can include roadside assistance, recovery, help arranging repairs and, in some cases, transporting your vehicle back to the UK if it can't be fixed abroad.
Many policies also provide access to English-speaking support teams who can help coordinate assistance and recovery.
Check out RAC European Breakdown Cover.* Blue Light Card members can grab a discount, so that extra reassurance is a little easier on the wallet.
At the end of the day, the best policy for you will depend on how you use your vehicle. If most of your driving happens fairly close to home, roadside assistance and home start cover may be all you need.
But if you're regularly heading off on long UK road trips with the family in tow, recovery and onward-travel benefits might start to look a lot more appealing.
And if you're planning to take your car overseas, it's well worth exploring European breakdown cover before you set off. Sorting it out in advance will hopefully make it less stressful than frantically looking for help at the side of the road.
Before buying a policy, check whether you already have some level of breakdown cover through your bank account, car insurance or vehicle warranty.
As with most insurance products, shopping around can make a real difference. Compare the levels of cover available, check what's included as standard and pay particular attention to features you're most likely to use. Some drivers benefit from comprehensive cover, while others could save money by opting for a simpler policy.
The goal isn't necessarily to buy the cheapest policy available. It's to find the level of protection that makes sense for the journeys you actually make.
Top tip: when you do break down, your first step should be to call your provider's dedicated helpline. Keep the number saved in your phone before you travel to make it even easier.
Blue Light Card members can currently save on breakdown cover with RAC. So, before you commit to a policy, it's worth checking the latest motoring discounts to see what member offers are available.
The answer depends on the policy. Breakdown cover can include roadside assistance, home start cover, vehicle recovery, onward travel benefits and, in some cases, overnight accommodation or replacement vehicles. More comprehensive policies generally include a wider range of services.
Home start cover can be useful if your vehicle won't start at home due to a flat battery, electrical fault or other issue. Without it, standard roadside assistance may not apply until you're a certain distance from your home address.
This varies by provider, but common exclusions include breakdowns caused by lack of fuel or oil, pre-existing faults known before the policy started, and some older or higher-mileage vehicles. Always check the policy wording before you buy.
Depending on the policy, European breakdown cover may include roadside assistance, recovery, help arranging repairs, English-speaking support and, in some cases, transport for your vehicle back to the UK if it can't be repaired overseas.
*Blue Light Card Limited T/A Blue Light Card is an introducer appointed representative of RAC Financial Services Limited FRN: 313989. RAC European Breakdown Cover arranged and administered by RAC Financial Services Ltd (Registered No 05171817) and provided by RAC Motoring Services (Registered No 01424399) and/or RAC Insurance Ltd (Registered No 2355834). Registered in England and Wales at RAC House, Brockhurst Crescent, Walsall WS5 4AW. RAC Motoring Services and RAC Financial Services Limited are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. RAC Insurance Ltd is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.
