We fix 8/10 cars at the roadside
More mobile mechanics than any other UK breakdown service1
Members rate us 4.6/5
Read our reviews
About our UK breakdown cover
What is breakdown cover?
24/7 roadside assistance – we’ll help you if your car breaks down.
We'll try to fix it at the roadside, but if we can't we'll take you and your car to the nearest garage.
Just tap the app to call us out – you can even track your mechanic right to your side.
Add options
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At Home – we'll come straight to your doorstep
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National Recovery – we’ll take you and your vehicle wherever you need to be
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Onward Travel –we’ll help out with alternative travel arrangements
We offer:
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Personal cover – for you in any vehicle
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Vehicle cover – for your car, whoever is driving
Call us out as many times as you need to2
Vehicles we cover3
Cars
Camper vans
Caravans
Motorcycles
Towing
Vans
What our Members say
Good serviceRead reviews"The AA guy came promptly; he didn't have a battery that fitted my car so he charged my old battery up enough for me to get to the local Halfords. It really solved the problem."
KayL
Broken down now?
Don't buy online – call us 24/7 for instant cover: 0800 88 77 66
Don't buy online – call us 24/7 for instant cover: 0800 88 77 66
Good to know
1 More mobile mechanics
The AA uses a fleet of dedicated vehicles – which means we own them and manage all their dispatches, and they are staffed by our own patrols. These include breakdown vans, recovery trucks and other specialist vehicles to support a wide range of breakdown situations our members find themselves in.
We have more highly skilled mobile mechanics than anyone else. And they’re all absolutely lovely. The AA is the largest UK breakdown provider, with almost 3,000 patrols compared to around 1,800 patrols for the second largest provider in the UK.
Source: The AA staff list January 2019 (the actual figure is 2,974). The website of the second largest provider stated that they had ‘around 1800 patrols’ on their website in February 2019.
2 Unlimited call-outs
Repeat call-outs for the same fault, within 28 days, will not be covered.
3 What vehicles do we cover?
Our breakdown cover includes most cars of any age (including classic cars), vans, motorbikes, caravans, and campervans. Your vehicle must be under 3.5 tonnes and 8ft 3in (2.55m) wide.
About the price
Prices shown include insurance premiums payable to the insurer(s) and a fee payable under a separate contract between you and Automobile Association Insurance Services Limited (AAIS) for arranging and administering your cover. Please see the terms and conditions for more information.
4 The price shown is the average quoted renewal price, which reflects the average price all existing Members are invited to renew at for the equivalent level of cover you have selected to purchase today, and has been calculated for the period 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018. Your new Member discount is an introductory offer and is only available for new Members. The average quoted renewal price is not an indication of what your renewal price will be next year and excludes any promotional offers.
* Free Onward Travel
New Members buying AA Breakdown Cover with National Recovery can add Onward Travel at no extra cost.
This introductory offer applies to our online prices and is available for the first year of your AA Breakdown Membership only. You can cancel the Onward Travel cover after the first year.
We’ll contact you before the end of your first year to let you know that your free Onward Travel cover is coming to an end. We’ll also give you details of renewal costs for the following year if you’d like to continue with your cover. You can cancel your Onward Travel cover before it’s due for renewal.
If you don’t let us know of any cancellation, we’ll assume you wish to continue with your cover and we'll auto-renew it as follows:
- If you opted to pay for your AA Breakdown Cover annually, we’ll use the payment details we hold for you to automatically renew your annual Onward Travel cover after the expiry of the initial free term of 12 months.
- If you opted for the continuous monthly cover, in the 13th month of your membership with us, unless instructed otherwise, we’ll use the payment details we hold for you to take monthly payments for your Onward Travel cover on a continuous monthly basis.
There is no cash alternative to this offer and we reserve the right to withdraw or alter this promotion without prior notice at any time.
AA Breakdown Cover is arranged by Automobile Association Insurance Services Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). You can check their register online. Registered office: Fanum House, Basing View, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 4EA. Registered in England and Wales number 2414212.
Policy documents
Our breakdown cover policy documents give you the terms and conditions of the contracts that make up AA Breakdown Membership and AA Breakdown Repair Cover (Parts and Garage Cover).
They are split into two parts:
- the policy
- the membership arrangement and administration contract
AA Breakdown Membership
The current version below applies to cover bought or renewed on or after 25 September 2018:
AA Breakdown Membership Terms and Conditions Booklet – September 2018
AA Breakdown Repair Cover (Parts and Garage Cover)
The current version below applies to cover bought or renewed on or after 25 September 2018:
AA Breakdown Repair Cover Terms and Conditions Booklet – September 2018
Member Extras
This applies to cover bought on or after 20 April 2018:
Member Extras Terms and Conditions Booklet – April 2018
What is car breakdown cover?
A breakdown cover policy covers you for roadside repairs if your vehicle breaks down while you’re out and about.
Most breakdown cover companies will offer roadside assistance as a minimum. This means a trained mechanic will come to fix your car if it breaks down on the road. If it can’t be fixed, it’ll be towed to a nearby garage.
Larger breakdown companies manage a fleet of vans and recovery trucks, with their own staff of expert mechanics. Smaller providers tend to use third-party garages and recovery operators to provide a breakdown service.
Some policies offer unlimited callouts a year, while others might limit the number of times you can call for help at the roadside.
You can often opt to add extras to your cover such as recovery to a location of your choice, alternative transport and help with garage repair bills.
Breakdown cover isn’t a legal requirement, but it can make your life easier and take away the hassle of car trouble when you’re out and about.
And breaking down without cover can be an expensive business, particularly if you’re far from home – so buying cover normally works out cheaper than joining at the roadside.
Find out more on what to do if you break downWhy choose our breakdown cover?
We’re all dependent on our car to take the kids to school, get us to work, run errands or visit friends and family. So when it goes wrong, it can derail your whole day.
As the UK's largest breakdown company, we rescue someone every 9 seconds.
We've got the latest satellite technology to help find the shortest route to you – we get to most of our customers in under an hour – and we give priority to people in vulnerable situations.
We’ve got you covered if your car, motorbike or caravan breaks down and needs repairing by the roadside. Our brilliant mobile mechanics get 8 out of 10 cars back on the road (that's 84% of breakdowns attended by one of our mechanics in 2018). And if your vehicle needs extra work done, they’ll tow it to a nearby garage, as standard.
That’s why more than 95% of our breakdown cover reviews recommend us. And we've been awarded 5 stars by independent research company Defaqto, for our features and benefits.
Find out more on how our cover works
What are the different types of breakdown cover?
Our standard, starting level of cover is available once you're more than ¼ mile away from home. We’ll help you any time of day or night in the UK, and if we can’t fix your vehicle by the roadside, we’ll tow you to a local garage for repair.
You can cover just your vehicle, or you can choose to cover yourself and up to 3 other people in any vehicle you’re travelling in:
Vehicle cover – cover for one single vehicle in your household, no matter who’s driving it. Great if you’re sharing a car with friends or family.
Personal cover – cover for you as a passenger or driver in any vehicle. Perfect if you own, borrow or regularly travel in more than one vehicle.
If you live with others who also need cover as a driver or passenger in any car, you can opt for a policy the covers them too. Choose cover for 2 people (joint policy for you and one other person), or family cover (you and up to 3 other people in your household).
And, if you add any of our optional extras to your cover, we’ll also help you carry on your journey (Onward Travel), take you, your passengers and vehicle to any UK destination (National Recovery) or come to your doorstep (cover At Home), if you have trouble starting the car at home.
We also offer European breakdown cover.
FAQs
How does breakdown cover work?
Our breakdown cover will activate 24 hours after purchase. You can also to choose to buy cover that starts up to 2 months later.
If your car breaks down, we’ll come to your rescue anywhere in the UK. Call us right away, or use our app to report your breakdown, pinpoint your location and track our arrival.
And there are several extras you can add on to make sure your cover suits your needs and budget:
National Recovery – if you and your passengers need to be taken home
At Home – we come to you if your car breaks down within 1/4 of a mile of home. And we’ll arrange a time that’s best for you.
Onward Travel – we’ll get you and up to 7 passengers where you need to be, up to 3 times a year, with:
- 72 hours' car hire to get you where you want to go
- Or, an overnight stay in a hotel
- Or, money towards public transport costs to help you finish your journey
Parts and Garage Cover – if your vehicle needs parts or garage work, we’ll be there to help out with your repair bills, so you can:
- Claim up to £535, including VAT (with a £35 excess) towards expenses if your vehicle needs parts or garage work after we’ve tried to fix it at the roadside
- Make up to 5 claims a year (6, if you cover more than 1 vehicle on a joint or family policy)
- Cover up to 4 vehicles on 1 policy
If you opt for National Recovery, At Home or Onward Travel, you’ll be able to use them 24 hours after you buy. And, if you add Parts and Garage Cover, you can only get help with bills for breakdowns that happen after the first 14 days of your cover.
Just so you know, you can’t buy cover online if you’ve already broken down. If you need to buy cover at the roadside, call us on 0800 88 77 66. Repeat call-outs for the same fault will not be covered, your call-out levels may affect future renewals, and Parts and Garage Cover cannot be used to claim for pre-existing faults.
Does breakdown cover include repairs?
Our mechanics will do everything they can to get you back on the road. And our cover includes up to £5 worth of parts for roadside repairs.
If we can’t get you going again, we’ll tow you to a nearby garage, where you'll need to cover the cost of any repair work.
If you add Parts and Garage Cover, we’ll help cover the costs of garage repairs, which might work out cheaper.
We can’t be called out for routine maintenance or running repairs.
Does breakdown cover include accidents?
If you’re a Member with us, we can help you at the scene of a road traffic accident.
Once we’ve had the all-clear from any emergency services, we’ll do our best to make repairs to your vehicle so it’s safe to drive away from the scene. If that’s not possible, we’ll tow it to a nearby garage.
If you’re not at fault, we can also refer you to our partner Claimfast for vehicle repair and car hire, and introduce you to our personal injury solicitors. We’ll also be on hand for post-accident support and advice.
Our Accident Response services aren’t available to anyone who’s not a Member with us. If you’re not a Member, you’ll need to call your insurer for help.
Find out more on what to do if you’ve been in an accident.
What do I do if my car breaks down?
First of all, make sure you’re in a safe place. Move your vehicle off the road if possible, or pull up onto the hard shoulder if you’re on the motorway.
Stay well away from moving traffic – it’s usually safest to get out of your car (using the doors facing away from passing traffic) and wait behind a barrier.
Put your hazard warning lights on and wear a reflective jacket, if you have one.
Once you’re safe, give us a call on 0800 88 77 66. We’ll come and rescue you, even if you’re not a Member yet.
If you’re already with us, you can also report a breakdown and pinpoint your location using our app. It's the fastest way to ask us for help and track our arrival.
Find out more on what to do if your car breaks down.
Do I have breakdown cover?
You may already have courtesy cover through your bank account or car manufacturer – if you’re not sure, it’s always best to check before buying cover.
What's AA membership?
Membership gives you extra perks, such as restaurant deals and offers on car hire, added incentives the longer you're with us, and discounts on our other services.
Are there any restrictions on the vehicles you cover?
We’ll cover anything, as long as it's less than 3.5 tonnes (3,500kg) and no wider than 8ft 3in (2.55m). That’s including any caravans and trailers you’re towing.
This is to make sure our vehicles and equipment can recover your vehicle, if necessary.
It doesn’t matter how old it is or mileage. However, if they're used for work – such as taxis, limos or delivery vehicles – we can't offer the optional Parts and Garage Cover.
Is my pet covered if my car breaks down?
We do our best to welcome pets wherever possible. If we can't take your pet, we'll do what we can to help get them home.
We recommend you use suitable travel carriers for your pet or restraints that you can use on any vehicle – so we can take your pet where they need to go safely.
Will family cover still apply to students away from home?
Yes – if you have drivers in your household living away from home at university or a temporary address in the UK, they're still covered.
Will my UK cover work in the Republic of Ireland?
No, not under UK membership. However, our partners at AA Ireland will help you with the same level of service (apart from Parts and Garage Cover), if your car breaks down there.
If you'd like additional cover while travelling to the Republic of Ireland, our European breakdown cover offers emergency travel and accommodation costs, legal protection and more.
What should I do if I buy a new vehicle?
You only need to let us know if you have vehicle cover. Tell us as soon as you can, so we can update your membership details – and check your new vehicle is eligible (Ts&Cs apply). Once you've updated us, you’ll be covered in 24 hours.
I'm a Blue Badge holder – how can I register my needs and get more information?
Our Disability Helpline is free to Members and provides information about helping you drive in the UK and overseas. You can register your special requirements, which will help us tailor our breakdown services to you.
For instance, if you're a wheelchair user and hold breakdown cover with National Recovery, you might need our Onward Mobility Network of accessible vehicles, so you'll be able to travel in comfort and safety if we're taking your vehicle home.
Call our free helpline on 0800 26 20 50.
If you need information in large print, audio or Braille, just ask – you can email our customer services team at [email protected], or let us know when you call our helpline.
If you’ve broken down, you can text us on:
07860 027 999
To use the Next Generation Texting Service (NGTS – formerly known as Text Relay), just add 18001 at the start of any of our numbers.
Paying for your cover
How can I pay?
There are 3 ways to do this – annually by card or direct debit, or monthly by direct debit.
If you pay annually, you’ll pay up front for a fixed 12-month policy and the overall price for a year will be lower than 12 monthly payments. There’s no refund if you cancel after your 14-day cooling-off period though. Your policy will automatically renew each year unless it's cancelled.
If you pay monthly, your account will be debited every month until your policy is cancelled. This gives you the convenience of paying per month, together with the flexibility of being able to cancel your cover at any time. After the 14-day cooling-off period, you'll just need to give us 30 days' notice.
We only offer continuous payment options online. However, if you want to make a one-off payment for a year of cover, call us on 0800 085 2721.
Is my online payment secure?
Yes – we use the highest form of encryption available, to make sure your payment is safe.
Our secure-server software scrambles all the details you enter before they’re sent, so that only we can understand them.
Can I change my level of cover after I've bought it?
We'll write to you well in advance of your renewal, but if you'd like to talk to someone about renewing or changing your cover now, call us on 0343 316 4444.
Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm, Saturday 9am to 5pm.
Can I buy breakdown cover for someone else?
If you want to arrange personal cover for someone else, call us on 0800 085 2721. However, if you want to cover a specific vehicle you can buy vehicle cover online.
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