It’s likely you’ve heard of breakdown cover, but you may be wondering what exactly it is, what’s included in the different policies and whether you need it.
Breakdown cover is a paid service that helps you get assistance if your vehicle breaks down. You can get cover for most vehicles, including cars, EVs, vans, motorbikes, as well as fleets and company cars.
Whether you have a flat battery, a flat tyre or another problem, a mechanic can repair your vehicle at the roadside or tow it to a garage if it can’t be fixed.
When you vehicle breaks down in the UK:
Just call your breakdown cover provider or use their app to give your location and explain what’s happened.
A patrol will be sent to you and the mechanic will try to do on-the-spot repairs at the roadside to get you up and running again.
If the patrol can’t fix the problem, your vehicle and all passengers will be towed to the nearest garage, your home or another destination, depending on your cover.
Breakdown cover gives you peace of mind that you can get roadside assistance if you break down. Cover ensures you’re not left stranded at the roadside in a dangerous place, like a motorway.
Plus, having a breakdown policy in place could save you money. Without cover, a breakdown on the motorway could cost £150 or more.1
Standard car insurance helps with the cost of accidents, but it usually doesn’t cover repairs and recovery if your vehicle breaks down. That’s where breakdown cover helps.
Some breakdown providers offer extra support after an accident. With AA breakdown cover, members get Accident Assist, which helps with repairs, vehicle hire and personal injury support after an accident.
We have more mobile mechanics than anyone else2
Breakdown cover gives you support if your vehicle stops working while you’re out and about.
Cover varies by policy, but here’s a simple summary of what it typically includes:
A patrol comes to you if you break down at the side of the road.
Common issues, such as flat batteries, tyre punctures or electrical faults, may be fixed at the roadside.
If the mechanic can’t fix your vehicle at the roadside, they’ll tow you to a safe place, such as a local garage.
Fuel or charge may be given or your vehicle towed to a petrol station or charging point.
Now you know what cover to look for, you can decide whether personal or vehicle cover is right for you, the level of cover you need and any extras.
Personal breakdown cover and vehicle breakdown cover offer different levels of protection, depending on how many vehicles you use and who needs to be covered.
Personal breakdown cover looks after you rather than a specific vehicle, whether you’re a driver or a passenger. This option can be a good choice if you want cover for multiple cars. It usually costs more than vehicle cover and only applies when you’re in the car, unless other people are added to the policy.
Vehicle breakdown cover applies to one named vehicle, not matter who's driving. It’s usually cheaper than personal cover and suits drivers who only drive one car or share a household car.
With personal membership, we’ll rescue you in any car
Breakdown cover isn’t one size fits all. You can choose from different levels of cover to suit your vehicle, driving habits and needs.
Most breakdown cover providers will give you the choice of these cover levels, which can also be combined:
Roadside Assistance is the standard and usually cheapest level of breakdown cover. All breakdown providers offer at least this level of service.
If your vehicle breaks down at the roadside, help is available 24/7. A mechanic will come out and try to fix the problem there and then. If it can’t be fixed, your vehicle is towed to the nearest garage.
The level of cover with Roadside Assistance has some limitations. It doesn’t apply if you break down at home, as you usually need to be a minimum distance away, for example 1/4 of a mile. If your vehicle can’t be fixed at the roadside, you’re towed to the nearest garage rather than a destination of your choice. You’ll also need to organise alternative travel arrangements yourself.
National Recovery, previously called Relay, builds on Roadside Assistance and gives you more flexibility.
If repairs aren’t possible at the roadside, your vehicle can be recovered to a location of your choice anywhere in the UK. Passengers can usually be recovered too, although limits may apply depending on your policy.
This cover can be useful if you break down far from home, as you to choose recovery to your home or garage near there.
National Recovery is an optional extra and usually costs more than basic roadside cover.
At Home, formerly known as Home Start, gives you the same services as Roadside Assistance, plus cover if your vehicle breaks down at home or within 1/4 of a mile of your home address.
Many breakdowns happen on driveways. A flat battery overnight or a slow puncture can stop you setting off.
With At Home, a mechanic can come to your home to try to fix the problem there and then. This level of cover usually costs more than standard Roadside Assistance.
Onward Travel, also called Stay Mobile, is a paid upgrade to Roadside Assistance that helps you continue your journey so a breakdown doesn’t leave you stranded.
For example, your car could break down on the way to an event, such as a wedding. With standard Roadside Assistance, recovery is usually to the nearest garage, leaving you to figure out how to get to the wedding yourself.
This level of cover offers extra support in these situations, which may include a hire car, help with public transport costs or overnight accommodation.
We fix 4 out of 5 cars at the roadside3
Many providers offer optional extras, so you can build your breakdown cover based on your unique needs. Here are some of the most common:
Roadside Assistance can fix your car at the roadside, but it doesn’t usually cover new parts or garage repairs. Parts and Garage Cover can help with these extra costs.
You usually pay a small excess towards each repair. With our Parts and Garage Cover, you can claim up to £535 per repair, up to 5 times a year, with a £35 excess each time.
Get up to £535 towards repair costs
Some breakdown policies let you add extra cover for everyday issues that can stop your journey.
Covers the cost of replacing vehicle keys or electronic fobs if they’re lost, stolen or damaged.
Helps towards the cost of repairing or replacing a tyre after a puncture or blowout.
Typically includes the supply, delivery and fitting of a replacement battery if yours fails.
Standard breakdown cover usually only applies in the UK. If you’re taking your own vehicle to Europe, you may need European breakdown cover.
It covers you while driving abroad and may include roadside repairs, help to continue your journey, or recovery back to the UK. What’s included depends on your policy.
The cost can vary depending on where you’re going, how long you’re away, and the level of cover you choose.
European breakdown cover can differ from standard Roadside Assistance. Before you buy, make sure you check:
We’re linked to breakdown services across Europe
There are lots of different ways to get breakdown cover:
Before you buy a policy, check if you already have cover and decide the level of cover you need.
While breakdown cover isn’t a legal requirement, it can give you much-needed peace of mind –
Without cover, you’ll need to find and pay for a recovery service to rescue you, which can be expensive, thanks to emergency callout fees and pricey repairs.
Breakdown cover protects your vehicle – and passengers – should you find yourself stuck. And with different types and levels of cover and optional add-ons, it’s easy to find and build the right breakdown cover policy for you and your needs.
Breakdown cover mechanics will try and get your car moving again if it breaks down. It’s not for routine maintenance or running repairs.
If the problem can’t be fixed at the roadside, your provider will tow your car to a garage. The cost of garage repairs isn’t included in standard cover, but optional add-ons like Parts and Garage Cover can help with some of the costs.
Common breakdowns your cover can help with:
Yes, if you get a flat, a mechanic will come to your location and fit your spare tyre. If you don’t have a spare tyre, they may offer a temporary repair, arrange for local recovery or refer you to a tyre fitter.
No, breakdown cover doesn’t cover windscreens. Repairs for chips and cracks are typically included with car insurance or as an optional extra.
Yes, if you run out of fuel or battery charge while driving, your breakdown cover provider can send a mechanic to your location to get you moving again.
Losing your car keys or fob can be stressful, but there are several ways to get back on the road:
Most breakdown cover policies have no excess, so roadside assistance and vehicle recovery come at no extra cost.
The AA doesn’t charge an excess for standard breakdown cover. For Parts and Garage Cover, a small excess of £35 applies on claims up to £535.
The cost depends on the level of cover and any extras you choose. Personal cover is usually more expensive than vehicle-only cover. Extras like National Recovery (towing your car anywhere in the UK), Onward Travel (help with alternative transport), and At-Home Cover (assistance if you break down at home) can increase the price. Compare policies to find the cover that suits your needs.
Yes, some providers offer temporary or short-term breakdown cover, lasting from a single day up to a month. This is ideal if you’re borrowing a car or going on a short trip.
Temporary cover can include short-term insurance to keep you fully protected.
Yes, many providers, including The AA, run special offers for NHS staff. Contact you provider to check current offers and see how much you could save.
Yes, many providers offer breakdown cover for older vehicles, but it’s best to check if there’s an age limit on standard policies or if a classic car policy is more suitable.
Our standard breakdown cover policy covers vehicles for domestic use. You’ll need to add our Commercial Use product to be covered for the following:
If you call The AA out for a commercial vehicle and only have standard breakdown cover, we may not be able to help or may have to charge a service fee.
Comparing breakdown cover helps you choose the right level for your needs. Our guide explains how to compare breakdown cover and shows what’s included in breakdown cover from the AA vs RAC.
The best way to avoid a breakdown is regular servicing and basic maintenance checks. Most cars need a service once a year or every 12,000 miles, but check your handbook for specifics.
You can follow these F-L-O-W-E-R checks at home:
These simple steps help prevent common breakdowns like flat batteries, tyre punctures or an overheated engine.
European breakdown cover isn’t a legal requirement, but it’s recommended if you plan to drive abroad. Most UK policies don’t automatically cover Europe (some may cover the Republic of Ireland), so having European cover ensures you get roadside assistance and vehicle recovery in a foreign country.
Breaking down abroad can be stressful and costly, so European cover provides peace of mind and support when you need it most.
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Facts and figure sources: