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The AA vs RAC

The AA or RAC? How to choose your breakdown cover provider

Learn about our breakdown cover and how it compares to RAC.

  • We've got more expert patrols in more places11
  • We’ve been rated the UK’s best breakdown service2
  • We offer unlimited call-outs*
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*Unlimited call-outs do not apply for recurring issues with your vehicle

Trustpilot
Three yellow AA patrol vans drive down a remote country road

How to compare The AA vs RAC's breakdown cover

The AA is the biggest direct breakdown cover provider in the UK.3 When comparing breakdown cover providers, we recommend focussing on customer reviews like Trustpilot, quality of service, awards and any restrictions on service. For example, we cover vehicles of any age and we provide unlimited call-outs, as long as it’s not for a recurring problem with your vehicle.

Comparing The AA to RAC's breakdown cover

If you’re wondering why you should buy breakdown cover with The AA, comparing some of the features below might help you to decide.

Customer review scores

We have a Trustpilot score of 4.6, while RAC has a score of 4.3.

We repair the most breakdowns

Our expert mechanics attend and repair more breakdowns than any other UK breakdown cover provider.4

Unlimited call-outs*

We offer unlimited call-outs with our standard Roadside Assistance, unlike RAC where there may be additional charges.

What’s included if you join The AA versus RAC's membership?

Before you join RAC, make sure to carefully compare their roadside assistance and recovery against ours. See the key features of our cover below.

Key points and features The AA RAC
Unlimited call-outs at all levels of cover* ✓ Yes ✗ No
Number of patrols c. 2,800 – Plus all  our patrols receive EV training every 5 years 1,600
Trustpilot score 4.6 4.3
Breakdown assistance at the roadside ✓ Yes ✓ Yes
Cover for any age of vehicle ✓ Yes ✓ Yes
Tow to a nearby garage ✓ Yes ✓ Yes
Free small replacement parts ✓ Yes – Up to £5 of replacement parts ✗ No
Member benefits ✓ Yes – Discounts on restaurants, car care, days out and travel ✓ Yes – Discounts on restaurants, car care, days out and travel
Accident assistance ✓ Yes – Recovery of your car, and support through the insurance claim, including a hire car ✓ Yes – Recovery of your car, and support through the insurance claim, including a hire car
Free advice on garage or repair bills ✓ Yes ✗ No

What types of breakdown cover can you get with The AA and RAC?

There are two types of breakdown cover available with The AA and RAC: personal cover and vehicle cover. Vehicle cover applies to just one vehicle, no matter who's driving it. Personal cover covers just you, but the cover applies to any vehicle you're travelling in as driver or passenger. The cover you choose will impact the price of your AA or RAC breakdown cover quote, with vehicle cover typically being the cheaper option.

Vehicle cover

Vehicle cover is the cheapest level and covers one vehicle, no matter who's driving it. It can help if you’re a one-vehicle household as it might turn out cheaper than getting multiple personal cover policies.

Personal cover

Personal cover applies to you as a driver or passenger in any vehicle (including cars, vans and bikes). It can help you save if you need cover in multiple vehicles, and often works out cheaper than buying separate vehicle cover policies. You can also add more people in your household to a personal cover policy by choosing joint cover (for you and one other person) or family cover (for you and up to 3 other people).

The AA breakdown cover options

If you want more cover, you can always upgrade with our breakdown cover options and add-ons. Adding these to your Roadside Assistance will change the price of your AA or RAC quote. Different providers might give their additional options slightly different names, but ours include:

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.

The AA vs RAC's response times

When you’re researching breakdown providers, it’s important to look at response times. The last thing you’d want is to be stranded at the side of the road waiting hours for a mechanic to arrive, with no communication from your provider.

AA patrols will usually get to you in less than an hour and get you back on the road within 30 minutes of arrival. We also fix 4 out of 5 breakdowns at the roadside.

With the AA App, it’s never been easier to report a breakdown. You can even track your mechanic as they make their way to your location.

RAC don’t specify how long it takes them to get to their members, but they also claim to repair breakdown faults in 30 minutes on average.

Three patrols

Which is best, The AA or RAC?

To see who’s the best breakdown cover provider for you, we suggest looking at things like customer reviews, the number of dedicated patrols a provider has on the road, external review providers and any accolades awarded. Our quality of service for breakdown cover is widely recognised, and we have the accreditation to prove it. The AA has:

  • More dedicated patrols than anyone else1
  • The UK’s most trusted breakdown cover service
  • Been recognised as the number 1 choice for electric breakdown cover, according to the Brand and Market Tracker survey2
  • More members than any other breakdown service provider3
  • Patrols who attend and repair more breakdowns than anyone else4
  • A better score on Trustpilot5

How much should you pay for breakdown cover?

There’s no set amount you should expect to pay for breakdown cover. With The AA, you can consider your needs and build a breakdown cover policy that suits you.

When you add extras, this will raise the price, but you’ll have cover in more scenarios. You're in control of how much you’ll pay.

For example, if you only want to cover one vehicle with Roadside Assistance, you can do that for a low price. If you'd like personal cover for yourself in any vehicle, with extra options like At Home or Parts and Garage Cover for more cover in more scenarios, then it may be worth paying a little more.

What additional benefits do I get with an AA membership?

Once you become an AA member, you can enjoy the perks of our Smart Benefits, which include:

  • Up to 15% off at over 1,000 UK pubs and restaurants
  • Discounts on days out and family activities
  • Further discounts on car hire, van hire, and vehicle checks
  • The chance to win back the cost of your car insurance
  • Member rates on MOTs, and much more
Get a quote

Find out about our different types of breakdown cover

Choose the best breakdown cover to suit you

UK breakdown cover

Get breakdown cover with Roadside Assistance included as standard

Multi-car breakdown cover

Get breakdown cover for you as a driver or a passenger in any vehicle

Motorbike breakdown cover

Get peace of mind on two wheels with our motorbike breakdown cover packages

Electric car breakdown cover

With more electric-trained breakdown patrols than anyone else, we'll get you moving again

Policy documents

AA Breakdown Membership

Breakdown Membership terms and conditions – September 2024


Parts and Garage Cover (Breakdown Repair Cover)

Parts and Garage Cover terms and conditions – November 2021


Key Cover

Key Cover terms and conditions – September 2024


Member Extras

Member Extras terms and conditions – November 2021

Good to know

About the price


10% of new AA customers paid £5.99 for monthly vehicle breakdown cover. Source: survey of new business sales from theAA.com, 1 November 2024 to 31 December 2024.


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: 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.

Can I get breakdown cover at home with The AA and RAC?

Yes, both The AA and RAC offer At Home breakdown cover as an option that can be added to your policy.

Who is more reliable, The AA or RAC?

There are a couple of key indicators that might help to answer this question. The first is Trustpilot reviews – we have a rating of 4.6, versus RAC’s rating of 4.3. These reviews come from breakdown cover members who have used our service.


The second is that we get to most breakdowns within 1 hour and get you back on the road within 30 minutes on average. We repair 4 out of 5 vehicles at the roadside. RAC don’t specify how long it takes their mechanics to get to a broken down member, but they do also claim to repair faults in 30 minutes on average.

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 on 03330 046 046. 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?

You only need to let us know if you have vehicle cover. Tell us as soon as you can, so we can update your membership details – and check your new vehicle is eligible (Ts&Cs apply). Once you've updated us, you’ll be covered in 24 hours.

1 Source: AA Annual Report & Accounts 2024 (c. 2,800 patrols) and RAC Annual Report & Financial Statements 2023 (1,600 patrols).Verify at theAA.com/Best

2Source: Rated best breakdown service against all other major breakdown providers by UK drivers. Brand & Market Tracker survey September 2024.

3Sources: AA Limited Mid-Year Update July 2024 (14.3 million Roadside members) and RAC Bidco Limited Interim Report June 2024 (14.3 million Roadside members).

4Sources: AA Annual Report & Accounts 2024 (3.5 million annual breakdowns attended) and RAC Annual Report & Financial Statements 2023 (2.6 million annual breakdowns attended).

5Rated 'Excellent' on Trustpilot – correct as at 31 January 2025.

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