RAC

RAC breakdown cover review

RAC provides a wide range of breakdown services, including key cover. Here's what you get, and what customers say about the service.

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Danny Butler

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Who is the RAC?

The RAC is a UK-based company and was established in 1897 as the Royal Automobile Club to provide roadside help for its customers. Since then, it’s branched out into car, home and travel insurance.

The RAC prides itself on rewarding loyal customers and providing great service – and it generally does well in independent customer satisfaction surveys, such as Finder’s.

What are my cover options with the RAC?

Customers can choose from a range of policies to suit their circumstances. Below is a list of the different types of breakdown cover you can get with the RAC, with key features for each.

This type of breakdown cover is aimed at those with more than one car at home. It provides cover for anyone who drives the vehicle covered by the policy. Features include:
  • You can get one membership for up to 5 family members.
  • One membership can include up to 3 named vehicles.
  • Covers anyone at university and temporarily living away from the permanent address.
  • The named members will be covered in any vehicle they drive or are passengers in.
Personal breakdown cover covers you instead of a particular vehicle. Features of RAC personal breakdown cover include:
  • You are covered no matter what vehicle you are in.
  • It is still valid if you are the passenger of a vehicle.
  • You are able to add up to four other members on your policy.
  • You are covered as a pillion passenger on a motorbike.
Enjoy a worry free trip knowing you have European breakdown cover. RAC offers you security on the roads in Europe with its European roadside assistance. Features include:
  • 24/7 English-speaking helpline.
  • Cover in up to 49 countries.
  • Single-trip and annual policies for vehicles of any age.
RAC’s motorbike cover is designed to get you back on your bike as soon as possible. Features include:
  • You will receive help in the event of an accident.
  • The patrol team will use special motorcycle trailers and loaders.
  • Covered for any problem including a puncture or a battery problem.
  • You are also covered if you motorbike does not start or cuts out.
Designed to keep your business moving, RAC’s business breakdown is available at a vehicle level, so covers any driver of your specified business cars, vans, minibuses, taxis or trucks is covered.
  • You are covered no matter what vehicle you are in.
  • Fix prices for up to 2 years.
  • Van-for-van replacement.
  • Free online vehicle management.

What is covered under my policy?

There are many different types of breakdown cover available with the RAC – the right policy for you depends on your individual circumstances.

Cover options include:

  • Recovery. With this cover, RAC will take you, up to eight passengers, and your vehicle to a destination of your choice anywhere within the UK mainland.
  • At Home. Means RAC will tend to your vehicle if it breaks down within a quarter of a mile from your home address.
  • Onward Travel. With this option the RAC will provide a courtesy car for you and any passengers or the option of overnight accommodation or journey continuation.
  • Other breakdown extras. Including Battery Rescue, Key Replace, Garage Parts and Labour, and European Rescue are also available.

What is my excess?

An excess is the amount of money that you will be expected to pay if you make a claim.

Whilst you will not have to pay an excess for your breakdown cover, you will have to pay one should you receive a replacement vehicle.

For full details about the excess on your breakdown cover, please consult your breakdown cover policy.

What is the claims process for the RAC?

If you break down and need to make claim, you can call the RAC Breakdown hotline number.

If you have broken down, call 0333 2000 999.

The hotline is open 24/7, including Christmas.

RAC breakdown customer reviews

RAC’s breakdown service fared pretty well in Finder’s 2024 customer satisfaction survey, with 82% of its customers saying they’d recommend the brand to a friend. However, it wasn’t among the top providers for satisfaction.

There was mixed feedback from customers in our survey. A strong theme was that sometimes it could take a while for the mechanics to show up, but when they did, the service was excellent – speedy and professional – and problems were generally fixed on the spot.

One commented: “Came out and fixed the problem. 4 stars as it took a while to arrive.”

RAC breakdown cover has over 113,000 reviews on Trustpilot, with an average rating of 3.9 out of 5, which is classed as “great” (last updated: February 2024).

Pros and cons for RAC breakdown cover

Pros

  • Key cover available
  • 4 out of 5 cars are successfully fixed at the roadside
  • 24/7 roadside assistance all year

Cons

  • Your renewal price may increase if you make a claim
  • Policy information is not easily accessible

Our verdict

RAC has been focusing on cutting its prices recently and it says that it fixes 4 out of 5 breakdowns on the spot. Smaller competitors are giving it a run for its money, but many customers report getting good value.

Get started by visiting RAC’s website and sign up for a policy. If you have read this review and decided that RAC breakdown cover is not for you, you can also compare other breakdown cover policies on the market.

Breakdown cover ratings

★★★★★ — Excellent
★★★★★ — Good
★★★★★ — Average
★★★★★ — Subpar
★★★★★ — Poor

Finder scores, in blue, are based on our expert analysis. We also show reviews from users, where we've received more than 10, with a score in yellow. We gather more reviews from customers every year in Finder's customer satisfaction survey.

To find out more, read our full methodology.

The offers compared on this page are chosen from a range of products we can track; we don't cover every product on the market...yet. Unless we've indicated otherwise, products are shown in no particular order or ranking. The terms "best", "top", "cheap" (and variations), aren't product ratings, although we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it; this is subject to our terms of use. When making a big financial decision, it's wise to consider getting independent financial advice, and always consider your own financial circumstances when comparing 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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