National Recovery breakdown cover

National Recovery to any location in the UK 

National Recovery builds on our standard level of breakdown cover – if you break down, we’ll take you, your vehicle and your passengers where you need to go.

Yellow recovery truck carries white car through British suburb

What is National Recovery breakdown cover?

Also known as ‘Relay’, National Recovery, builds on our Roadside Assistance to give you more choice if you break down.

With National Recovery service, we’ll take you, your vehicle, and up to 7 passengers to any single UK destination of your choice. 

If you have standard breakdown cover without National Recovery, you won’t get assistance for long-distance recovery tows if your vehicle can't be repaired at the roadside. Instead, we’ll take it to a local garage.

Three AA Patrols stood in front of a yellow AA van

How does National Recovery breakdown cover work?

Breaking down far from home is challenging. National Recovery will get you and your vehicle to any UK destination, even if our patrol can't fix the problem on the spot.  

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Assistance when you need it

If you break down, our patrol will come to your aid and aim to fix the vehicle at the roadside.
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Recovery to your destination

Choose any UK destination, whether it's home, your holiday spot, or the start or end of your journey.
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Cover for different types of breakdown

Whether it’s a flat tyre, a dead battery or engine problems, we’ll do our best to get you going again.
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Rescue ready 24/7

We’re ready to rescue you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Why choose National Recovery breakdown cover with The AA? 

Our National Recovery service gives you support when you need it most. No matter where you are, our team is ready to help with our award-winning breakdown cover.

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Most trusted breakdown provider

More drivers choose The AA than any other major UK breakdown cover service1
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Mobile mechanics

More dedicated mobile mechanics than any other UK breakdown service2
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Electric vehicles

Electric and hybrid vehicles covered at no extra cost
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Unlimited call-outs

Get unlimited call-outs, as long as it's not for a recurring problem with your vehicle3

How can I customise my AA breakdown cover?

As well as National Recovery, you can also choose other products – allowing you to create a personalised breakdown cover policy and giving you more choices in the event of a breakdown.

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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.
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Onward Travel

If you break down and need repairs that stop your journey, we'll help with alternative transport or an overnight hotel stay.
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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.
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Commercial Use

If you have a vehicle being used to carry equipment, people or goods in return for payment, we’ll cover you.
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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.

How do I get National Recovery with my breakdown cover?

If you're new to The AA, you can add National Recovery to your cover when you buy online. If you already have AA cover, you can upgrade your policy to include it. 

  • Hit the ‘Get a quote’ button
  • Enter your home postcode and date of birth, then choose what sort of cover you need
  • We’ll display your personalised quote, then select ‘Continue’ to go to the Options step
  • On the Options step, select ‘National Recovery’ along with any other products you want – the price of your plan will update automatically

What should I do if I break down far away from home and want a long-distance recovery tow?  

Whether you have National Recovery cover with us or not, we can help. Here’s what you should do if you break down far from home and require our long-distance recovery tow service.  

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If you have AA National Recovery cover  

Report your breakdown online or via the app, and we’ll send a patrol to you. They’ll let you know if a repair is possible or give your vehicle a recovery tow to a chosen destination.
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If you have AA breakdown cover, but not National Recovery

Call us on 03330 046 046 and we’ll arrange for help. You’ll need to upgrade your policy to include National Recovery – we’ll charge an upgrade fee, surcharge and cost per mile for using the service immediately.
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If you don't have a breakdown cover policy

You can’t buy breakdown cover for the same day online. Instead, call us on 03330 046 046 for instant breakdown cover and we'll send a patrol to you. If it has been determined that your car needs recovery, we’ll include National Recovery on your cover. A surcharge and mileage charges will apply for using the service immediately.

Already with us?

Find out how to get the most from your cover

Policy documents

Please read the terms and conditions, which contain details of our service, before you buy.


Breakdown cover terms and conditions


Parts and Garage Cover terms and conditions


Key Cover terms and conditions

Good to know

About the price

 

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 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: Fanum House, Basing View, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 4EA. 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.

What types of vehicles are covered by National Recovery? 

National Recovery covers motorcycles, cars, small or medium vans and some campervans, used for private and domestic use. This includes vehicles and trailers up to 3.5 tonnes and 2.55 metres wide. 

Can I have my car towed anywhere in the UK?

Yes. If your car cannot be repaired and you need a tow or recovery, we’ll take you to one destination of your choosing. 

Do I need to have National Recovery on my breakdown cover policy?  

It totally depends on your needs. If you drive long distances, National Recovery gives you peace of mind that you’ll be able to get to your destination even in the event of a breakdown.

How often can I use National Recovery?

If you add National Recovery to your breakdown cover, there’s If you add National Recovery to your breakdown cover, we’ll rescue you, either with a tow or a flat-bed recovery truck. You can call us out to a breakdown as many times as you need to each year, as long as it’s not a recurring problem with your vehicle (repeat call-outs for the same fault within 28 days will not be covered).

Is National Recovery different to Onward Travel?  

Yes. National Recovery and Onward Travel are different options which you can choose when buying breakdown cover. Here’s how they differ:


  • National Recovery means we’ll recover your vehicle and its passengers to any single UK destination of your choice if you break down.
  • Onward Travel means we’ll arrange car hire, public transport or a hotel room if you break down and we can’t repair your vehicle right away. This is ideal if your vehicle needs recovery, and you want to go to a different destination. 

You can add both to your breakdown cover when you build your package. For help choosing, here's how to compare breakdown cover.


Find out more about Onward Travel

Is National Recovery different to Roadside Assistance?  

Our standard breakdown cover includes nationwide Roadside Assistance. That means we’ll help you if you break down, as long as you're more than 1/4 mile from home. But if we can’t fix your vehicle at the roadside, we’ll take it to the nearest garage for repairs. 


With National Recovery, we’ll recover you on a flat-bed truck or tow you behind a patrol truck to any single destination of your choice if we can’t fix your vehicle.

What is AA Relay?

National Recovery used to be called Relay, so the services are the same. They both mean that we’ll take you to any single UK mainland destination of your choice if you break down and your vehicle can’t be repaired.

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 Limited Mid-Year Update July 2024 (3.3 million paid personal members) and RAC Bidco Limited Interim Report June 2024 (2.7 million consumer members). Verify at theAA.com/Best

2 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

3 Repeat call-outs for the same fault within 28 days will not be covered. Your call-out levels may affect future premiums.

Broken down now?

Don't buy online – call us 24/7 for instant cover: 03330 046 046

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Call now to buy breakdown cover

0330 053 1100

We're open 8am to 7pm, Monday to Friday; 9am to 5pm, Saturday.

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Call now to change or discuss your cover

0343 316 4444

We're open 8am to 7pm, Monday to Friday; 9am to 5pm, Saturday.

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