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Vehicle breakdown cover

Cover your car, whoever’s driving

Get vehicle breakdown cover for anyone driving your car.

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Our vehicle breakdown cover

Our starting level of vehicle breakdown cover, Roadside Assistance, gives you 24/7 support for breakdowns more than 1/4 mile away from your home, no matter who’s driving your vehicle. Here’s what you can look forward to when you join us.

Most trusted breakdown provider

More drivers choose The AA than any other major UK breakdown cover service1

More expert patrols

More dedicated patrols than any other UK breakdown service2

Unlimited call-outs

Get unlimited call-outs, as long as it's not for a recurring problem with your vehicle3

What is vehicle breakdown cover?

Vehicle breakdown cover protects a specific car, van or motorbike, whoever is driving it. If that vehicle breaks down, AA patrols can come out and help, even if you are not the driver at the time.

It doesn’t matter who’s driving the vehicle when it breaks down, as the vehicle is covered rather than the driver. We cover vehicles of any age, including cars, vans, motorcycles, campervans and caravans.


Having vehicle cover means:

  • You don’t have to be in the vehicle when it breaks down to get Roadside Assistance
  • You can still call us out if you’re a passenger in the vehicle and someone else is driving
  • Call us out as many times as you need to, as long as it’s not for a recurring problem with your vehicle
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Three AA Patrols stood in front of a yellow AA van

How does vehicle breakdown cover work?

Once you have vehicle breakdown cover with us you can use it to call us out for Roadside Assistance if you’re more than 1/4 mile from home. We’ll come to your rescue, whoever’s driving. Here’s how it works:

Report your breakdown

The first step for using your vehicle breakdown cover involves making us aware of your breakdown. You can report a breakdown online or seamlessly via the AA App. If you’re not the one driving the car, the person driving it should report the breakdown.

Help at the roadside

One of our expert patrols will come to you and attempt to fix the problem then and there. We fix 4 out of 5 vehicles at the roadside.*

Get recovery to a local garage

If we can’t fix the problem, we’ll take your vehicle to a local garage for further assistance.

Use your options

If you’ve added any options to your policy, like At Home or National Recovery, you or the person driving the car can make the most of them after a breakdown.

*Verify at theaa.com/best.

How can I customise my AA vehicle breakdown cover policy

You'll get Roadside Assistance as standard with vehicle breakdown cover, but you can customise your cover to fit your needs – giving you more choices in the event of a breakdown. Whether it's a quick fix at the roadside or recovery to a garage, we've got you covered.

At Home

If your vehicle won't start or breaks down within 1/4 mile of your home, you'll get a recovery tow to a nearby garage.

National Recovery

If you break down and we can't fix your vehicle at the roadside, we'll take you, your vehicle and up to 7 passengers to any single UK destination.

Onward Travel

If you break down and need repairs that stop your journey, we'll help with alternative transport or an overnight hotel stay.

Parts and Garage Cover

If you break down and need parts at the roadside or repairs at a garage, we’ll help cover costs up to £535.

Commercial Use

If you have a vehicle being used to carry equipment, people or goods in return for payment, we’ll cover you.

Key Cover

If your car keys or house keys are lost, stolen or broken, or you’re locked out, we’ll arrange a replacement key or locksmith.

How do I select vehicle cover when buying breakdown cover?

Buying breakdown cover with us is easy. Here’s how to do it:

  • Hit the ‘Get a quote’ button
  • Enter your home postcode and date of birth, then choose what sort of cover you need
  • Choose between vehicle cover and personal breakdown cover
  • See your personalised quote, then select ‘Continue’ to go to the Options step
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Already with us?

Find out how to get the most from your cover

Existing members

Policy documents

AA Breakdown Membership

Breakdown Membership terms and conditions – April 2025


Parts and Garage Cover (Breakdown Repair Cover)

Parts and Garage Cover terms and conditions – November 2021


Tyre Cover

Tyre Cover terms and conditions – October 2025


Key Cover

Key Cover terms and conditions – September 2025


Member Extras

Member Extras terms and conditions – November 2021

Good to know

About the price


10% of new AA customers paid £5.49 for monthly vehicle breakdown cover. Source: survey of new business sales from theAA.com, 1 September 2025 to 30 November 2025.


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 breakdown cover terms and conditions for more information.


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: The AA, Level 3, Plant, Basing View, Basingstoke, Hampshire, England, RG21 4HG. Registered in England and Wales number 2414212.


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.

Do I need to add people to my vehicle breakdown cover policy?

No, a vehicle breakdown cover applies to the vehicle, rather than people. If you want cover in other vehicles, or to add family members to your policy for cover in other vehicles, then you need a personal breakdown cover policy.

Are all vehicle types covered with vehicle breakdown cover?

You can cover the following types of vehicles with vehicle breakdown cover:


  • cars
  • motorbikes
  • vans
  • caravans
  • motorhomes
  • campervans
  • trailers
  • scooters
  • trucks
  • supercars
  • classic cars

Would I be covered on a motorbike too?

You can select vehicle breakdown cover for 1 motorbike.

Can I get vehicle breakdown cover for any age vehicle?

Yes, our vehicle breakdown cover can be used on vehicles of any age, including classic cars.

Is vehicle breakdown cover cheaper than personal breakdown cover?

Yes, vehicle breakdown cover is cheaper than personal breakdown cover in most circumstances.

I'm a Blue Badge holder – how can I register my needs and get more information?

Call our free helpline on 0330 053 0460


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.

I’m experiencing money worries – what should I do?

If your current situation is affecting how you manage your finances and you require additional help or support, call us on 0330 053 0460

I have a disability – what additional help and support does The AA provide?

If you require any additional adjustments (e.g. documents in large print, audio or Braille) or you need us to tailor our service to your specific requirements in the event of a breakdown, call us on 0330 053 0460


Textphone users can prefix this number with 18001

What do I do if my car breaks down?

Follow these four steps if you break down:


1 – 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.


2 – 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.


3 – Put your hazard warning lights on and wear a reflective jacket, if you have one.


4 – Once you’re safe, give us a call. 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

What should I do if I buy a new vehicle?

If you’ve got vehicle cover, change your vehicle details as soon as you can.

With single, joint or family personal cover, you'll only need to change your vehicle details if you have Commercial Use or Parts and Garage Cover added to your policy.

It's simple to change your vehicle details online, and we’ll check that your new vehicle is eligible (terms and conditions apply).

We'll help with breakdowns that happen from 24 hours after you’ve updated us.

If you have Tyre Cover, you’ll only be able to claim for tyre repairs or replacements after the first 7 days. 

If you have Parts and Garage Cover, you’ll only be able to claim for new faults that occur after the first 14 days.

  1. Source: AA Annual Report & Accounts 2025 (3.3 million paid personal members) and RAC Bidco Limited Annual Results 2024 (2.7 million consumer members). Verify at theAA.com/Best
  2. Source: AA Annual Report & Accounts 2025 (c. 2,700 patrols) and RAC Bidco Limited Annual Results 2024 (1,700 patrols).
  3. Repeat call-outs for the same fault within 28 days will not be covered. Your call-out levels may affect future premiums.

Broken down now?

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03330 046 046

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0330 053 1100

We're open 8am to 7pm, Monday to Friday; 9am to 5pm, Saturday.

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0343 316 4444

We're open 8am to 7pm, Monday to Friday; 9am to 5pm, Saturday.

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