What is car breakdown cover?

Breakdown cover is there to help if your vehicle breaks down in the UK. For example, if you get a puncture or a flat battery. It means you can call for help and an expert will arrive to fix you on the spot or recover you to a garage.

It’s available for most vehicles, including cars, vans and motorbikes. And there are different levels of cover to choose from. Most providers only offer roadside assistance as standard. But at the AA, we include roadside and home rescue, garage support and alternative transport with every cover level.

Most breakdown cover providers will offer 2 types of policy:

Both personal and vehicle cover can apply to a range of vehicles like vans and motorbikes, as well as cars. But there are a few differences between them.

Personal breakdown cover

This covers you whether you're in your own car or someone else's, like a friend or family member's. Whether you're a driver or a passenger, you'll be able to call out a breakdown service if the car you're in breaks down. It can be a good choice if you want cover in multiple cars.

This cover might suit you if:

You sometimes drive different cars.
Your household has more than 1 car.
You want to cover your children as passengers in other cars.

Personal breakdown cover usually costs more than vehicle cover. If you're the sole policy holder, you'll need to be in the car for the cover to apply. It won't cover other people driving the car without you.

But you can add other people to your policy if you take out joint or family cover.

Vehicle breakdown cover

This covers a particular car if it breaks down, no matter who's driving it. The breakdown service provider will come out to fix the car even if the person who owns it isn't there.

This cover might suit you if:

You only drive 1 car
Your household shares 1 car

Vehicle breakdown cover is a more cost-effective option as it's usually cheaper than personal cover. But you won't be covered if you break down in someone else's car, either as a driver or a passenger.

AA Breakdown Cover is arranged by Automobile Association Insurance Services Limited. Registered office: Fanum House, Basing View, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 4EA. Registered in England and Wales number 2414212.

Automobile Association Insurance Services Limited is an insurance intermediary authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Financial Services Register number 310562. You can check their register or call the FCA on 0800 111 6768.