24/7 English-speaking helpline
5-star rated by Defaqto
On average customers save around £650 in repair and recovery
Where are you going?
Whether you need European breakdown cover for France, Spain, Germany or another country in Europe, we’re never far away.
Check your destination is one of the 44 countries we cover – and find the right level of cover for your trip.
About our European breakdown cover
Our European cover ensures driving in Europe is never a worry – if your vehicle breaks down, our network of over 60,000 third-party local repairers and recovery operators are ready to help. And working in 44 countries across Europe, you can be assured that you’ll get help from someone who knows the region you’re in best.
- We'll cover you from the moment you leave home, to the moment you get back – whether you're driving in France, Ireland or up to 44 countries across the continent.
- We cover vehicles of any age including cars, vans, motorcycles, campervans and caravans. We even cover towing behind.
- We offer alternative accommodation and travel arrangements, recovery of your vehicle back to the UK, and up to £50,000 in legal costs.
- Don’t forget to purchase your cover before you travel abroad. Otherwise, it won’t be valid.
- You’ll get a confirmation email with your policy number after you buy – so you can travel worry free. We’ll send your full policy details by post.
What we offer
We offer up to £50,000 in legal costs, £1,500 for alternative travel and £500 for emergency hotel costs. Optional Parts and Labour Cover for up to £500 helps with garage and repair bills.
Our European essentials
Travel insurance
We’ll tailor your cover to suit your needs – so all you need to do is enjoy your trip.
Need UK breakdown cover?
If you’re not going abroad, explore our UK breakdown cover instead.
Related advice and links
Which European countries am I covered in?
We cover 44 European countries and give you the option to choose from 3 geographical zones. So you only pay for the cover you need – whether you’re making a quick hop across the Channel or planning a pan-European adventure.
Zone 1: Includes France and Germany
Andorra, Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Republic of Ireland.
Zone 2: Includes Spain and Italy
Andorra, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, San Marino, Spain (excluding Ceuta & Melilla), Switzerland, Vatican City.
Zone 3: Includes Switzerland and Romania
Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belarus†, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina†, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Mediterranean islands (European. exc. Canary Islands), Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Republic of Ireland, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey in Europe (plus Üsküdar), Ukraine†, Vatican City.
All Zones
If you purchase "All Zones" you'll be covered in all countries in Zones 1, 2 and 3.
Motorways in France and Belgium are privately managed, so you’ll need to call authorities who will need to move you to an agreed location before we can attend. Once you’ve been towed to a place of safety, a third-party repairer will provide the best service for your needs.
†If you break down in Belarus, Ukraine or Bosnia-Herzegovina we won’t be able to help in the usual way.
You’d still need to contact us to register your claim, but you’ll need to arrange for your vehicle to be repaired at your own cost. This includes having your vehicle transported back to the UK if it can’t be fixed. Keep a copy of your receipts and provide them to us when you return to the UK. We’ll then assess your claim and provide a refund where applicable.
All other countries we cover remain unaffected.
Are the Channel Islands and Isle of Man included with European Breakdown Cover?
It depends on your final destination.
If you’re visiting the Channel Islands or Isle of Man, they are not included with our European Breakdown Cover. You’ll need our UK breakdown cover instead.
If you’re leaving from or passing through the Channel Islands or Isle of Man on your way to Europe, they are included with our European Breakdown Cover – but only when you're travelling between your home and the seaport you're departing from/returning to.
What's included?
- Defaqto 5-star rated cover
- Unlimited overall claim limit (per trip with annual cover)
- Roadside attendance by a local agent to repair your vehicle or recover it to a garage
- Up to £1,500 for alternative travel and up to £500 for emergency hotel costs
- We’ll help you reach your destination or get you and your car back home
- Hire car before, during and after your trip to keep you on the move
- Option to add Parts and Labour to your policy – get help with garage and repair bills, up to £500 (you can claim up to 3 times in your policy year with annual cover)
- European Breakdown Cover is available for Annual, Single Trip and Single Trip Group policies.
What should I do if I've changed my vehicle?
Before you travel, make sure to call 0330 053 1031 and tell us the new number plate.
Do AA patrols operate in Europe?
Our European service is provided by third-party breakdown organisations in the country you break down in. We're connected to these providers through the ARC Europe Network. This is to ensure that the repairers who help you, are local to the area and know the region best.
What happens if I break down on a French or Belgian motorway?
Motorways in France and Belgium are privately managed, so you’ll need to call authorities who will need to move you to an agreed location before we can attend. If you can get to an SOS box, press the emergency button and the police will send help to your location.
If you’re using a mobile phone dial 112.
You might need to pay the authorities for help, but don’t worry – you can claim this cost back from us. We’ll talk to you about this when you call.
Once you’ve been towed to a place of safety, call our 24-hour helpline - 0044 (0)121 336 6289.
If you’ve broken down anywhere else and have not reported your breakdown
Call us on 0044 (0)121 336 6289
And have these details handy:
- Your AA European Breakdown Cover policy number on your Statement of Insurance
- Your exact location (you can use what three words here)
- A contact telephone number
- Your vehicle’s make, model and registration number
What vehicles do you cover?
We cover cars, light vans, campervans, motor caravans, minibuses, caravans, trailers and motorcycles (over 200cc) provided they meet the following restrictions:
- Maximum vehicle weight: 3.5 tonnes (3500 kgs) gross vehicle laden weight
- Maximum vehicle length: 7m (23 ft)
- Maximum vehicle width: 2.3m (7ft 6in)
- Maximum vehicle height: 3m (9ft 10in)
Vehicles must:
- Have a current MOT certificate (if required)
- Be taxed (not SORNed)
- Have valid insurance for driving overseas
- Be used for private purposes only
What if I can’t see the cover I need online?
Only our Single Trip (without towing) and Annual policies are sold on our website right now.
Call us on 0330 053 1008 to purchase Single Trip cover with towing, a Group policy or if you want to discuss a one way trip.
Can I get help if I've broken down abroad without cover?
No – unfortunately, European Breakdown Cover can only be purchased before you leave the UK. That means we’re not able to help if you’ve broken down abroad without cover.
Instead, you’ll need to organise your rescue and cover the costs yourself. That includes finding a local recovery operator, garage and alternative transportation while your vehicle’s being repaired. If it can’t be fixed, you’ll need to arrange and pay for your vehicle to be transported back to the UK.
So remember to buy European Breakdown Cover before you travel abroad.
How do I use my Silver or Gold AA membership to get a discount on European Breakdown Cover?
If you’re a Silver or Gold UK AA member, you can benefit from either 1 or 2 free days of European Breakdown Cover or up to 10% off our Annual European Breakdown Cover. If you wish to use this benefit, you must call us on 0330 053 1008 before you travel.
Please note that free days can only be used a maximum of 3 times within the UK membership policy year and the annual discount can only be used once within the UK membership policy year.
Will it be more expensive to buy new vehicle parts in Europe?
Car parts purchased abroad may be more expensive and repairs may take longer if a new part is required.
Will staff in garages in Europe speak English?
Our 24/7 English-speaking helpline can be reached on 0044 (0)121 336 6289. However, we cannot guarantee that our repair and recovery operators in Europe will have English-speaking staff available. Opening hours may also differ to UK garages.
I need to make 2 or more trips a year – what kind of cover can I get?
Planning on making at least 2 trips to Europe within a 12-month period? If so, you'll probably be interested in our annual policy. This provides cover for unlimited trips abroad (up to 364 days in length) and up to 3 claims a year.
How can I make a claim after a trip?
If you already hold European Breakdown Cover with us and needed to pay and claim during your trip, we're here to help. Just download and fill out this form:
Email the form to: [email protected] along with copies of the relevant receipts.
Or post the form to: Overseas Claims, The AA, Level 3, Plant, Basing View, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 4HG
Policy documents
Terms and conditions apply:
Good to know
** Service provision in some parts of Ukraine is not possible. Where service is available, garages require cash payments to provide assistance. We can reimburse this on your return in line with the terms and conditions of the policy.
How do you use my data?
To find out how we use your data, please read our website privacy notice and our specific roadside product privacy notice.
For more information, there's also our cookie policy and website terms and conditions.
AA European 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: The AA, Level 3, Plant, Basing View, Basingstoke, Hampshire, England, RG21 4HG. Registered in England and Wales number 2414212.
Buy European Breakdown Cover
0330 053 1321
We're open 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday; 9am to 5pm, Saturday.
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