Compare breakdown cover

Find and compare the right breakdown cover for you and protect your adventures from the unexpected.

Promoted
The AA Roadside & Home logo
Breakdown cover from just £7
Instant cover
Cancel at any time
24/7 roadside assistance
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Breakdown cover could help you save in the long run if you ever find yourself stranded on the open road. Use the table filters below to compare the different types of breakdown cover, policy providers and prices that would suit you. Table sorted by: promoted deals.

1 - 15 of 30
Name Product UKFCI-RSA Personal Price (from) Vehicle Price (from) Roadside Assistance National Recovery Home Start Onward Travel Key Benefits
The AA logo
£90
£78
RAC logo
£80.51
£99.50
Start Rescue logo
£53.12
£27.22
Rescuemycar.com logo
Quote based
£16
RAC logo
£98.45
£76.45
The AA logo
£129
£108
The AA logo
£154.80
£135
Motor Easy Local Recovery
Motor Easy logo
Vehicle only
£36.30
Cover My Breakdown
Cover My Breakdown logo
Quote dependent
Quote dependent
RAC logo
£148.50
£126.50
RAC logo
£203.50
£181.50
Start Rescue logo
£74.06
£28.57
Start Rescue logo
£86.77
£38.77
Start Rescue logo
Vehicle only
£70.51
ASDA logo
£55
£24
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What is breakdown cover?

Breakdown cover is a type of insurance that protects you from getting stuck on the roadside if something were to happen with your car, like a flat tyre or a mechanical fault. Breakdown cover typically includes roadside repairs and, in cases where your car can’t be fixed, the option to have it towed to a nearby garage.

Breakdown cover jargon explained

Home start. Also known as home rescue or at home breakdown, home start is a type of cover that only applies if you breakdown within a limited radius of your home.
Onward travel. Where your car can’t be fixed, onward travel covers you to continue your journey by alternative means or compensation for additional expenses.

How to compare breakdown cover

There’s no such thing as a one size fits all breakdown cover policy as your personal circumstances will dictate the cover you need. Follow the steps below to help find the right policy for you:

  1. Start by researching regular car insurance. Some car insurance policies automatically include breakdown cover and you might find a great deal at this stage. Otherwise you’ll need to buy breakdown cover as a separate policy or optional extra.
  2. Shop around. The best way to get the best deal on breakdown cover is to compare as many policies and providers as possible. Some providers will offer price matches on lower premiums you find online. When your policy is up for renewal, it’s worth shopping around again as you might find an even better deal and switching could get you big savings.
  3. Use autofill to save time. Simply switch this feature on in your chosen web browser. If you want to review your quotes, or make small changes to your form, you can also do so by accessing the Finder quote email and clicking “Edit quote details”.
  4. Make sure your details are correct. Seemingly minor details like your age, location, occupation and marital status can have a major impact on the cost of your cover, so make sure you input the correct information to ensure you get an accurate quote.
  5. Balance your cover needs with a reasonable price. There’s no such thing as the perfect policy, the key is to find a happy medium between the price and the level of cover that suits your personal circumstances.

How can I save money on my breakdown cover?

There are a couple of ways you can save on your breakdown cover before you sign on the dotted line. To get the best deal, heck out our three handy tips:

  • Age of your car. If your car is brand new, it might be worth opting for a more basic form of cover for the first couple of years. With a new car you’re less likely to need the full works. If your car is relatively old, then it might be time to think about increasing your breakdown cover. Unfortunately, many insurers don’t offer breakdown cover for cars older then 15 years old, but make sure to shop around if this is what you require, as some companies might offer it.
  • Check your car insurance policy. You might find that your car insurance policy already includes breakdown cover so you don’t need to spend the extra cash. But it is important to check what is included within this cover, as you may find it only covers the basics.
  • Joint policy. Often it can be cheaper to buy a joint or family policy if you have more than one driver in your household, rather than individual policies for each person.

Image of a red car alongside the stat: RAC patrols helped 10,067 drivers who suffered pothole-related breakdowns in the first 3 months of 2023 - up 39% year on year

What types of breakdown cover are there?

There is nothing worse than needing a tow and realising your breakdown policy doesn’t cover you for it. There are different types of breakdown cover out there so make sure you understand what you’re signing up to.

There are typically five types of breakdown cover available:

  • Roadside assistance. This is the most basic form of breakdown cover and should be included within all breakdown policies. Roadside assistance ensures that if your car breaks down further than a quarter of a mile from your home, someone will be sent to assist you on the road. If your car cannot be fixed on on the roadside, it will typically be towed to a nearby garage.
  • National recovery. Also known as vehicle recovery, this type of cover is the level up from roadside assistance. National recovery means that, if your car can’t be fixed on the roadside, it can be towed to any location of your choice within the UK.
  • Home start. This provides you with cover should your vehicle break down at home or very near to it (usually within a quarter of a mile to a mile radius of your home). Home start cover is sometimes called at home recovery or at home breakdown.
  • European cover. As the name suggests, this type of cover protects you on the roads when you’re driving in Europe.
  • Onward travel. If your car can’t be fixed on the side of the road, then having onward travel cover means that you will be offered a way to continue your journey. Some companies offer to reimbursed you for public transport costs, pay for an overnight hotel stay or offer a replacement car hire while yours is being repaired.

Carry out a few basic checks to make sure your car is ready for when you need it. Don’t leave it until your next MOT or service if you know or feel there is something wrong with your car.

Mark Newberry, Green Flag commercial director

What are my breakdown cover options?

You can either take out breakdown cover for a vehicle or a person. Prices for personal breakdown cover tend to be higher, but if you’re someone who drives more than one car, then it may suit your needs.

  • Vehicle breakdown cover. This is the most common type of breakdown cover and is attached to a specific vehicle only. Some insurers include this as standard in their car insurance cover, but in many cases this is either an optional extra that can be added to your policy for an extra premium, or a stand alone policy you can take out separately.
  • Personal breakdown cover. This is breakdown cover that is attached to an individual, so you’ll be protected no matter which vehicle you drive. This tends to be more expensive, as the insurance company doesn’t have details about the car to quantify risk with, but is worth it if you regularly need to drive different vehicles.

Some companies also offer family breakdown policies, which can cover your entire family in case any of them break down on a journey.

Vehicle cover (national recovery and home start) for 2018 Vauxhall Corsa

  • Annual payment = £19.99

Same policy, for personal cover

  • £40.99
  • Difference = £21

Is breakdown cover worth it?

In a nutshell, yes. You never know what could happen out on the roads, and if your car suddenly packs it in, you don’t want to be stuck on the roadside. It’s also particularly relevant for you if you’re driving an older vehicle, as those are more likely to have mechanical faults (but note that cover is rarely offered to cars older than 15).

Having breakdown cover means that you have someone you can call for help, either by fixing your car, helping you get to a garage or helping you back home.

You may find that breakdown cover is already written into your car insurance policy, so first check your policy documents to make sure you’re not spending unnecessarily.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Could save in the long run if your car breaks down
  • Personal breakdown cover insures you across multiple vehicles
  • Peace of mind

Cons

  • Newer cars are less likely to break down
  • Personal breakdown cover would not cover another person driving your car

Start comparing breakdown cover

Frequently asked questions

We show offers we can track - that's not every product on the market...yet. Unless we've said otherwise, products are in no particular order. The terms "best", "top", "cheap" (and variations of these) aren't ratings, though we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it. This is subject to our terms of use. When you make major financial decisions, consider getting independent financial advice. Always consider your own circumstances when you compare products so you get what's right for you. Most of the data in Finder's comparison tables has the source: Moneyfacts Group PLC. In other cases, Finder has sourced data directly from providers.
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Louise is an editor at Finder, specialising in a broad range of financial topics from energy to first-time buyers and financial wellness. As Finder’s video manager she is also responsible for presenting and producing the UK’s video content across multiple channels including YouTube, TikTok and Instagram. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature from King’s College London. In her free time, Louise can be found performing in comedy clubs across the UK or figuring out how to justify having a hot tub in her garden. See full bio

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