Breaking down can be expensive, particularly if you’re stranded and aren't covered. That's why having breakdown cover – or roadside assistance, as it's also known – can save you money.

Did you know?

• Breaking down on a motorway could cost a non-covered driver £150 or more.¹

How to compare breakdown cover

For peace of mind, figure out what you need before you buy. The cheapest deal might not have the features and services to suit you, so an experienced company might be best. We have more highly skilled mechanics than anyone else.²

Here's what to look for when you compare breakdown cover:

1. Reputation – do they have good customer reviews?

2. Options – can you find cover to suit your lifestyle?

3. Add ons – are you able to add handy extras to your policy?

4. Other services – can they package up other useful services?

We've put together our top recommendations of things to look out for when comparing breakdown cover.

1. Reputation and customer feedback

Customer reviews are an excellent way of discovering the truth about a service.

It’s also worth taking a look at awards and independent industry recommendations. For example, we’re very proud that Which? has awarded us with recommended provider status.

2. Breakdown cover options

To choose the right level of cover, you'll need to think about how you use your car and your personal circumstances. Asking yourself the following questions can help.

1. Do you use your car mainly for long journeys or short journeys?
If you make a lot of long journeys, you might need National Recovery which can recover your car from anywhere in the UK and take it back to your home.


2. Do you drive overseas or only in the UK?
If you take the car to France on holiday each year, you'll need European breakdown cover to keep you protected abroad.


3. Is it your only vehicle?
If you have more than one car, a multi-car breakdown policy may save you money. Our personal policies cover you in any vehicle you drive or travel in and we also insure vans, caravans, campervans and motorbikes if you own other vehicles.


4. Are you the only driver?
Check that the policy offers you single, joint or family breakdown cover. Or, if you’d prefer, can you cover the car and anyone that’s in it?


5. Would you know what to do if your car didn’t start at home?
If you'd like help with a problem like a flat battery at home, make sure you choose a policy which covers you at your house.


6. Could you manage if your car was out of action?
Do you rely on your car for the school run, to get to work or anything else? Then choose a service which will keep you on your journey if your car can't be fixed there and then. We offer 72 hours' car hire, an overnight hotel or money towards public transport.


7. Do you have money put aside for unexpected garage repair bills?
If you're concerned about paying out a lump sum to a garage, pick cover with that includes parts and garage cover to help with garage repair bills after a breakdown.

This should help you work out what sort of cover you’re looking for, allowing you to compare different companies and their products.

3. Add-ons for your policy:

Check if the policies you're comparing let you choose between basic cover or give you the option to add-on extras.

Our starting level of cover gives you 24/7 roadside assistance for breakdowns over 1/4 mile from home. We've got more options you can add on if you need more cover:

• Onward Travel – we’ll help you finish your journey if you break down and we can’t get you going again by the roadside, or get you quickly to a garage. You can choose car hire, an overnight stay in a hotel or money towards public transport.
• National Recovery – we’ll take you, your vehicle and up to 7 passengers to wherever you want to go, if we can’t fix your vehicle at the roadside, or arrange a prompt local repair.
• At Home – we’ll come to you at home, or within 1/4 mile of your home, if your vehicle gives up before it’s even got going.
• Parts and Garage Cover – for times when you need more than a fix at the roadside. We’ll help reduce your garage repair bill after a breakdown.

 

4. Other services

When comparing companies, find out what additional services they offer on top of the usual roadside assistance.

For example, we can help if you lose your keys, fill up with the wrong fuel or get a flat battery.

 

We've got the people and the parts you need

• The bigger the fleet, the better. After all, you want someone that can get to you quickly, wherever you are. We have the largest patrol force in the UK with over 2,500 brilliant mobile mechanics, compared to around 1,600 for the UK’s second largest provider.²
• Unlike some breakdown providers, we own and manage our fleet of dedicated vehicles and they’re all staffed by our own fully trained experts.
• Our fleet includes breakdown vans, recovery trucks and other specialist vehicles to help out in a wide range of breakdown situations – whether you’re in a car, van or minibus, or on a motorbike.
• When comparing companies, ask about their average response times and success rates. As a guide, we’ll usually get to you in under an hour, fix 8 out of 10 vehicles by the roadside, and get more people back on the road than anyone else.³

 

AA rewards and incentives

There are plenty of rewards and incentives on offer from different companies beyond cheap breakdown cover, so it’s worth comparing these. Are they purely linked to your initial sign-up or do they continue to benefit you once you’ve joined?

We reward our Members with ongoing savings and offer lots of exclusive benefits. With us, you get great deals on car hire and up to 20% off food and drinks at selected pubs and restaurants. To thank our Members for their loyalty, the longer they stay with us, the more benefits they get.