Our breakdown cover claims explained
From dedicated patrols to independent ratings and customer research, there are lots of reasons drivers choose The AA. This page explains how we back up the key claims we make about our breakdown cover.
Our “number 1” breakdown service claim is based solely on directly employed dedicated patrol numbers compared with other major UK breakdown providers.
Other claims on this page are separate and should not be interpreted as a single overall ranking of breakdown providers.
More dedicated patrols – the basis of our number 1 breakdown service claim
We directly employ more dedicated patrols than any other major UK breakdown provider.
We’ve confirmed this by looking at the number of patrols directly employed by The AA published in The AA Annual Report & Accounts 2026 and competitor annual reports.1
More breakdowns attended
We attend more breakdowns than any other major UK breakdown provider.
We’ve confirmed this by looking at attended breakdown volumes published in The AA Annual Report & Accounts 2026 and competitor annual reports.2
More roadside repairs
We get more people back on the road than any other major UK breakdown provider, based on estimated roadside repairs completed.
This estimate is calculated by applying published roadside repair rates to published attended breakdown volumes, where directly comparable figures are available.3
More personal members
We have more personal members than any other major UK breakdown provider. These are customers who have chosen to take out breakdown cover directly with The AA, rather than receiving cover through a business, fleet or third-party product.
This includes customers who have joined The AA online, by calling us to become members, or by speaking to one of our team.
This is based on published personal membership numbers in The AA Annual Report & Accounts 2026 and competitor annual reports.4
The number 1 choice for EV breakdown cover among UK drivers
In the Brand and Market Tracker Study, UK drivers consistently rated us as their first choice for electric vehicle breakdown cover compared with other major UK breakdown providers, based on responses to equivalent brand-perception questions, from January 2024 to March 2026.5
Survey responses reflect customer perception and self-reported usage, and should not be interpreted as market share or total customer numbers.
UK drivers rated us as the best breakdown service
In the Brand and Market Tracker study, UK drivers consistently rated us as the best breakdown service compared with other major UK breakdown providers, based on responses to equivalent brand-perception questions, from January 2024 to March 2026.5
Survey responses reflect customer perception and self-reported usage, and should not be interpreted as market share or total customer numbers.
Independent ratings and reviews
Defaqto has awarded 5 stars to Roadside Assistance cover when combined with National Recovery, At Home and Onward Travel.6 Defaqto ratings are independently awarded based on Defaqto’s assessment criteria.
The AA's breakdown cover is also rated excellent on Trustpilot (score of 4.8 from over 206,000 reviews, as of 14 May 2026).7
Speed and reliability
With our breakdown cover, unlimited call-outs are included as standard, subject to policy terms. Repeat call-outs for the same fault within 28 days are not covered.8
Our patrols aim to get to you within an hour and get you back on the road in around 30 minutes of arrival. This is based on AA operational data between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026.
In an independent reliability survey from What Car? in December 2025, we scored higher for arriving within an hour than the other major UK breakdown providers, RAC and Green Flag.
We fix 4 out of 5 cars at the roadside. This is based on AA operational performance data between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026.
Based on our operational data between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026, reporting a breakdown using our app was faster on average than reporting by telephone. Our patrols can locate you accurately while you can track us in real-time. App features are subject to mobile signal, location permissions and patrol attendance availability.
Patrol training and expertise
Our patrols operate across the UK and are recruited based on extensive experience working in the car repair and wider automotive industries.
All new patrols complete a comprehensive induction programme focused on customer service, technical skill development and our approach to breakdown service delivery.
All AA patrols receive ‘Level 1 – Electric Vehicle Awareness’ training, and over 98% are trained to ‘Level 2 – Electric Vehicle Prepared’ standard:
- Level 1 – EV Awareness. Patrols can safely work on EVs and understand high-voltage systems.
- Level 2 – EV Prepared. Patrols can isolate and reinstate high-voltage systems where required for safety reasons.
We also provide ongoing technical training and regular competence assessments to help patrols keep up with the latest developments in vehicle technology.
Finally, we run an internal mentorship programme to support knowledge sharing, coaching and technical development across our patrol teams.
Which providers we compare against
When we compare breakdown providers, we focus on major national UK breakdown providers that offer nationwide roadside assistance. These include The AA, RAC and Green Flag, based on publicly available company reporting and industry data.
Where a provider does not publish directly comparable figures for a specific measure, we explain this in the relevant footnote.
The Brand and Market Tracker survey research also shows that The AA, RAC and Green Flag are among the most commonly reported breakdown providers used by UK drivers.5
Survey responses reflect customer perception and self-reported usage, and should not be interpreted as market share or total customer numbers.
References
- 1. More dedicated patrols than any other major UK breakdown provider. This comparison is based on directly employed dedicated patrol numbers. Sources: AA Annual Report & Accounts 2026 – c. 2,700 patrols; RAC Group (Holdings) Limited Annual Report & Financial Statements 2025 – 1,700 patrols. Green Flag operates a combination of its own patrols and third-party garage and recovery networks, but does not publish directly comparable directly employed patrol figures in its latest available annual reporting.
- 2. More breakdowns attended than any other major UK breakdown provider. Sources: AA Annual Report & Accounts 2026 – 3.5 million annual breakdowns attended; RAC Group (Holdings) Limited Annual Report & Financial Statements 2025 – 2.4 million annual breakdowns attended. Green Flag does not publish directly comparable breakdown attendance figures in its latest available annual reporting.
- 3. More people back on the road. This refers to the number of estimated roadside repairs completed, calculated using published attended breakdown volumes and roadside repair rates. Sources: AA Annual Report & Accounts 2026 – 3.5 million annual breakdowns attended and overall fix rate of 8 in 10 cars at the roadside, giving an estimated 2.8 million roadside repairs; RAC Group (Holdings) Limited Annual Report & Financial Statements 2025 – 2.4 million annual breakdowns attended with around 80% fixed at the roadside, giving an estimated 1.9 million roadside repairs. Green Flag does not publish directly comparable breakdown attendance and repair-rate figures in its latest available annual reporting.
- 4. More personal members than any other major UK breakdown provider. Sources: AA Annual Report & Accounts 2026 – 3.3 million roadside paid personal members. RAC Group (Holdings) Limited Annual Report & Financial Statements 2025 – 2.8 million consumer breakdown memberships. Green Flag does not publish directly comparable personal membership figures in its latest available annual reporting.
- 5. The Brand and Market Tracker is a study conducted with Dynata, the world’s largest first-party data company. The survey is designed to be representative of the UK driving market, and at least 1,500 UK drivers are surveyed each quarter. Gender quotas are applied and age quotas are applied across five age brackets. No quotas are applied by breakdown provider; respondents identify their provider themselves. Brand perception questions are asked on an equivalent basis for each provider and are randomised to reduce order bias. Results are based on self-reported responses from participants identifying which provider they use and should not be interpreted as total market share by customers or policies.
- 6. Defaqto is an independent provider of financial product ratings based on its own research methodology. The 5-Star rating referred to above applies to Roadside Assistance when combined with National Recovery, At Home and Onward Travel. Other AA breakdown cover options may have different Defaqto ratings.
- 7.Trustpilot ratings are based on customer reviews submitted to the Trustpilot platform and aggregated into an overall TrustScore. The score and review volume stated were checked on the date stated and may change over time.
- 8. Unlimited call-outs are subject to policy terms, conditions and exclusions. Repeat call-outs for the same fault within 28 days are not covered. Call-out levels may affect future premiums, cover depends on the level of breakdown cover purchased, and additional charges may apply in some circumstances. Full details are available in the AA breakdown membership terms and conditions.
