UK vehicle breakdown cover

We’re rated ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot and have a 5-star rating on Defaqto – that’s the same as, or in some cases better than, leading vehicle breakdown cover providers such as the AA, the RAC and Green Flag*.

We’ve been a vehicle breakdown cover provider since 2000, helping over 500,000 motorists get back on the road. With a network of more than 4,500 recovery operators nationwide, we aim to be by your side within 60 minutes. And 61% of breakdowns are fixed on the spot.^

* As of August 2024
^ Internal data recorded between January 2024 and July 2024

The British public has scored our vehicle breakdown cover higher on Trustpilot than the AA, the RAC and Green Flag*:

*As of August 2024

First, we put all our cover together in one bundle – except European breakdown cover, which is available separately. That’s because we don’t think vehicle breakdown cover should be a hassle to buy. And it’s in one bundle because the last thing you want is a nasty surprise when you need us most.

Second, we offer more extras as standard. Here’s a like-for-like comparison between our vehicle breakdown cover and the ‘big three’, as of August 2024:

You can choose between two types of cover:

• Person-based breakdown cover covers up to 5 named people, so that includes family cover. It doesn’t matter if they’re the driver or passenger at the time of the breakdown. So even if you’re in someone else’s vehicle, and they break down, you can call us and your cover applies.
• Vehicle-based breakdown cover means multi-car breakdown cover for up to 5 vehicles. You’ll need to give us the registration numbers of these vehicles. It doesn’t matter who’s driving, because it’s the vehicle that’s covered.

Please keep us up to date with your list of people or vehicles, and tell us immediately if there are any changes.

We cover you wherever you’ve broken down, anywhere in the UK, including at home, roadside rescue, and national recovery. All on the same breakdown policy, and all for the same cost.

Call us from wherever you’ve broken down or if your vehicle won’t start. This could include replacing a battery if it’s flat, a tyre problem, the wrong fuel (or running out of fuel or charge). We also cover you for problems caused by accidental damage, vandalism or attempted theft (in such cases, recovery is limited to within 10 miles).

There’s no limit on the number of emergency call-outs.

However, if you call us out for the same problem more than once, and you didn’t seek a permanent repair after the first instance, you’re not covered. For example, if we jump-start you so you can get on your way, and you don’t have the problem investigated and you call us out again with the same problem the next day, you won’t be covered. We can still help you, but you’ll have to ‘Pay On Use’ (from £110). If it’s a recurrent problem for which you have sought repair, we may ask you for proof.

• We don’t put any restrictions on the age of your vehicle. So whether it’s gleaming new, an old banger or a vintage treasure, we’re here to help.
• Your road tax and MOT must be up to date.
• Your vehicle/s, including any caravans and trailers, must be legal, roadworthy, properly serviced and maintained – and we may ask for proof. If our recovery operator thinks these criteria haven’t been met, you’ll have to pay for the help we provide.
• If you’ve recently had a temporary repair for a fault on your vehicle, and you haven’t taken steps to make that repair permanent, we won’t be able to cover that issue or any which might be related to it. We can still help you, but you’ll need to ‘Pay On Use’ (from £110)

Nope – just one straightforward vehicle breakdown policy covers you across the UK for up to 5 drivers or 5 vehicles. You get the same level of help whether you’re at home, by the roadside or anywhere else in the UK, and there’s no choosing an excess because there just isn’t one.

However, to ensure value, we offer the option to buy a separate, single-trip policy for European breakdown cover. Then you won’t be paying for European breakdown cover if you’re not going to be using it.

Yes. You’re covered for national recovery just the same as for conventional vehicles, even down to running out of charge.

Yes. We cover vans up to 7 metres long/3.5 tons. These can be domestic vans or commercial vans. The exception is that we don’t cover courier vans.

Yes, we offer national recovery. And this applies two ways:

• If a vehicle breaks down with a caravan or trailer attached, we’ll recover the caravan/trailer to the same place as your vehicle at no extra cost. Please note that it must be fitted with a standard towing hitch, and not exceed 7 metres in length. The towing vehicle, or the driver, must be one of those listed on your policy.
• PLUS: if it’s the caravan or trailer which develops the fault, rather than (or as well as) your vehicle, and it’s no longer safe or roadworthy, then we’ll try to fix the fault. If we can’t repair it, we’ll recover it just as we would your vehicle. You might be struggling to couple up, or the electrics may have failed (for example, if the rear lights aren’t working then you can’t take the caravan/trailer on the road). Just like with your vehicle, you’re also covered for your trailer or caravan’s tyres, and the effects of any accidental damage, vandalism or attempted theft which would stop you being on the road.

Yes, we offer national recovery. And wherever possible, we ensure that all motorcycle call-outs are attended by a network of specialist motorbike recovery operators such as SOS Motorcycle Recovery.

• We can only cover up to one hour of labour when our patrol comes to you. If it takes longer, you might need to pay for extra time, but this is at our discretion.
• You’ll need to cover the cost of any parts, components, fuel or materials used to get you going again. If your vehicle is being recovered, you may need to pay for any specialist equipment (such as recovery skates, if the wheel/s on your vehicle won’t go round).
• Your vehicle breakdown policy is for emergency situations only. It doesn’t cover you for any repairs (parts or labour) carried out after our patrol has left your vehicle.

Yes, and we don’t distinguish between running out of conventional fuels like petrol or diesel or running out of charge on an electric vehicle (EV).

• For petrol or diesel, our recovery operator may provide you with enough fuel to get you to the nearest petrol station. If they aren’t able to do that, they’ll recover you to the nearest petrol station or to a destination of your choice within 10 miles.
• For electric vehicles, our recovery operator can usually give you sufficient charge to get to the nearest charging point. If that isn’t possible, they’ll recover you to the destination of your choice within 10 miles, which can include the nearest charging point.

However, if running out of fuel or charge was due to a fault with the vehicle (for example, a leaking fuel tank), then refuelling/recharging won’t be a satisfactory solution. In such cases, we will recover your vehicle to your destination of choice anywhere in the UK.

Don’t worry – it happens. Our breakdown recovery operator can usually drain your vehicle and put in enough replacement fuel to get you to a petrol station. If that’s not possible for whatever reason, we’ll simply recover your vehicle as normal.

Yes. Unlike the AA, RAC or Green Flag, we’ll carry out replacements or repairs after a flat tyre/puncture or a blow-out – even if you don’t have a spare tyre or puncture repair kit with you – as long as your tyre was within legal limits (not bald or badly damaged before the incident). If you don’t have your locking wheel nuts/alloy wheel nuts, we can recover your vehicle.

If you’ve broken down on your commute to and from work, you’re covered. If you’re driving around in your tradesman’s van, you’re covered*. If you’re in a company car, you’re covered*. If you’re going to meetings or carrying stock in your own car, you’re covered. The only business vehicles we don’t cover are courier vehicles and vehicles for hire (such as taxis and minicabs).

*On our vehicle policy, the company vehicle/s would have to be registered with us within your 5 vehicles covered.

We do understand that your pet is a much-loved member of your family, but we also know they can be a distraction in an emergency – for you and for us. Our aim is to keep you safe and get you moving as quickly as possible. Therefore, your pet will need to stay in your vehicle, at your own risk, including during vehicle recovery. The exception is guide dogs, which can travel in recovery-vehicle cabs.

If your vehicle won’t start or can’t be driven because of damage caused accidentally by you or anyone else, or your car has been damaged as a result of vandalism or attempted theft, your cover applies.

We don’t think you should have to pay for European cover on your UK breakdown policy, because you might not end up using it. So we offer you the option to buy a single-trip European breakdown policy whenever you need it – which also means you’re not having to pay for a whole year.

• 24/7/365 telephone support in English
• If your vehicle can’t be repaired within 48 hours, we will repatriate it OR we will pay for a hire car (within limits – please see our policy document) while the vehicle is being repaired beyond that period
• 90% of our European breakdown calls are answered within 15 seconds
• You’ll have access to a network of 35,000 recovery agents across Europe.

European breakdown cover

In the event of an accident, you can call us and we’ll recover you to the destination of your choice within 10 miles.

When our recovery patrol gets to you, they’ll do their best to fix your vehicle within an hour, even if it’s a temporary repair. If they can’t fix the fault, we’ll recover your vehicle to a location of your choice within 10 miles.

We won’t insist on trying a repair if it looks like a bigger issue (such as a clutch problem) or something potentially dangerous (for example, smoke coming from the engine). In such cases, a vehicle recovery will be the best and safest option for you.

If a roadside/at home repair can’t be done, we’ll recover you to a nearby garage to see whether the vehicle can be repaired the same day (or, if it’s closed, the next working day). If it has to be the next day, you’d be responsible for the cost of any accommodation that night.

If the vehicle can’t be fixed within those timescales, you can then choose from these 3 options:

1. We’ll come back and recover you, your vehicle and up to 6 passengers to your home or your onward destination, or any other destination which is no further away than either of those. This could include a hotel or car hire centre (any hotel/car hire would be at your cost)
2. OR we’ll cover one night’s overnight stay in a hotel* while the garage continues to work on your vehicle. You’ll need to arrange and pay for this, but you’ll be able to claim it back from us later.
3. OR we’ll pay for onward travel*. You’ll need to arrange and pay for this, but you’ll be able to claim it back from us later. This onward travel could include a hire car or travel by taxi, bus, train or ferry. Please note that we can’t cover the cost of hire cars fitted with non-standard equipment, such as roof racks, tow bars and child seats.

If the problem with your vehicle is a bit complicated and we don’t think a repair will be possible the same day, or if garages will be closed the following day, we won’t ask you to go to a local garage first. We’ll simply offer you your choice of recovery, an overnight stay or onward travel.

Please be aware that your recovery operator can’t take you anywhere else once your vehicle has been dropped off somewhere, because they’re not insured to carry you without your vehicle.

* There are limitations on the amount you can spend and the number of days’ car hire you’re entitled to. Our policy document will tell you what you’re entitled to and what the limits are.

We totally understand that it can be stressful and exhausting if your vehicle breaks down in the small hours, especially if you have children or you’re vulnerable. But we won’t leave you stranded, and the good news is that our patrols are usually less busy at these times and may be able to get to you even faster than usual. When you call us, we’ll also talk you though staying safe until help arrives.

Yes, a couple of options are open to you:

• Secondary movement: We’ll come back and move your vehicle again, if needed, at a time or date after your initial breakdown. This could be necessary if the garages within 10 miles are closed, for example. We can take your vehicle somewhere else first, such as your home or another destination, and come back for your vehicle once the garages have reopened. Secondary movement is not available with the AA or RAC. It is to a maximum distance of 10 miles.
• Delayed call-out: We can delay coming out to you at your request. For example, if your vehicle has a fault but you manage to make it to your place of work, we’ll attend during your lunch hour or at the end of your working day.

Yes. If you reach the stage where you need to hire a car, or get a taxi, train, ferry or bus back home or to your destination, we’ll cover you up to a certain amount – in the case of a hire car, for up to 3 days. You’ll need to arrange and pay for this yourself, retaining your receipts so you can claim back from us afterwards. Our policy document will tell you what you’re entitled to and what the limits are. This option can’t be used alongside emergency accommodation or recovery. You can only choose one option.

Yes. If we agree that you need emergency overnight accommodation, you’ll need to arrange and pay for an overnight hotel stay yourself, but you can claim it back from us afterwards – so please hold onto your receipts. Our policy document will tell you what you’re entitled to and what the limits are. This option can’t be used alongside onward travel or recovery. You can only choose one option

We’ll be happy to call other people on your behalf and tell them what’s happened. This might include a family member, a hotel where you have a booking, or your work. Just ask us.

• We can only cover up to one hour of labour when the patrol comes to you. If it takes longer, you may need to pay for extra time.
• You’ll need to cover the cost of any parts, components, fuel or materials used to get you going again. The recovery operator will ask you to pay by card, there and then.
• Your vehicle breakdown policy is for emergency situations only. It doesn’t cover you for any repairs (parts or labour) carried out after our patrol has left your vehicle.

There are also other limitations and exclusions. Our policy document has more details.

You aren’t covered if you’ve previously had a temporary repair which wasn’t followed up with a permanent repair. We count any repairs completed at the roadside, including boost starts, as temporary repairs, so this might affect a further emergency call-out. However, you are covered if you’re travelling to a garage for a repair immediately after a temporary repair.

Yes, and we can even cover company vehicles on this vehicle-based (multi-car) membership policy, or cover people when they’re driving company vehicles. We cover your commute. We cover you if you’re using a vehicle for work, including vans up to 7 metres long/3.5 tone. The exceptions are that we can’t cover vehicles used for courier work, or vehicles for hire (such as taxis and minicabs).

Call us as quickly as possible on 01423 535 786*. Our UK call centre is open 24/7/365, and you’ll aways talk to a real person. We’ll start arranging help right away.

Please be ready to give us your membership number. It’s best to keep it on your phone and in your vehicle at all times. If you don’t have it on you, we can identify you in other ways – but it might add a slight delay.

Unlike some breakdown cover providers, we don’t make you use an app. So you won’t have to suddenly download something, or struggle to use it, if you’re out of signal or feeling stressed.

*Our Claims Team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call them on 01423 535 795.

Our aim is to get to you within 60 minutes, and we achieve this in 60% of call-outs*. Sometimes this target isn’t possible, especially in periods of very high demand – such as extreme weather.

If you’re with young children, or you’re in an unsafe situation, or you or your passengers have ill-health or a disability, or are vulnerable in any other way, please make sure you tell us when you first call us and we’ll do our very best to prioritise you.

*Internal data recorded between January 2024 and July 2024

You’ll usually be able to tell us where you are when you break down. But if you’re in an unfamiliar place or in the middle of nowhere, or if it’s dark, here’s what you can do:

• Use Google Maps on your phone to look for local landmarks or the nearest village, town or exit. Google Maps usually works even without a signal, but you can go one better by downloading it for offline use. https://blog.google/products/maps/google-maps-offline/
• On motorways, use the nearest SOS box to call a highways officer and give them our phone number (01423 535 786). They can contact us for you.

When you first call us to report your breakdown, we’ll ask about your situation and give you advice about how to keep safe, especially if you have children or vulnerable people with you.

If you’re with young children, or you’re in an unsafe situation, or you or your passengers have ill-health or a disability, or are vulnerable in any other way, please make sure you tell us when you first call and we’ll do our very best to prioritise you.

No. Your breakdown starts 24 hours after you buy it and is limited to local recovery (10 miles) for any claims made in the following 24 hours. An additional charge of £40 is payable for a claim made within this period. There’s more information here about the first 48 hours of your cover.