Onward Travel breakdown cover

Stay on the move with a courtesy car or public transport

If you break down and need repairs, Onward Travel gives you more options and ways to complete your journey.

Man opening his car boot by the side of the road, smiling as he looks towards a patrol arriving on the scene

What is Onward Travel breakdown cover?

Onward Travel, also known as 'Stay Mobile', builds on our standard level of breakdown cover.

You'll get all the benefits of our Roadside Assistance, but if you need a tow to a garage for further repairs, you'll have other ways to complete your journey. Or, if your repairs won't take too long at the garage, we'll arrange for you to have an overnight stay at a nearby hotel while you wait. It's all about convenience.

After your car's been towed, Onward Travel grants you the following 3 options:

72 hours with a courtesy car (hire car) to get you where you want to go*
Money towards public transport costs to help you finish your journey
An overnight stay in a hotel while you wait for repairs to your car

Three AA Patrols stood in front of a yellow AA van

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How does Onward Travel work?

Onward Travel gives you more ways to finish your journey once Roadside Assistance has determined that your vehicle needs further repairs. It's ideal if you can't afford to delay your journey – here's how it works:

Breakdown cover with a courtesy car

If our Roadside Assistance can’t fix your car and it needs a tow, we’ll help you to get set up with a hire car for up to 72 hours. In most cases, our patrol will arrange this on your behalf at the roadside and the rental car company will then contact you directly. To get a rental car, you need to have your driving licence and a credit or debit card. The address on your driving licence needs to match your home address on your AA membership.

Accommodation while you wait for repairs

If you break down late at night or your garage repairs are going to take a while, we’ll arrange for you to stay overnight at a hotel. We’ll also cover the cost of breakfast the next morning. Our breakdown team will first need to agree to the price of your stay, then you’ll pay the hotel directly and claim back the money from us afterwards.

Money towards public transport costs

If you'd rather take public transport, we’ll cover the costs for you and up to 7 passengers. The costs need to be agreed with us before booking and we only cover trains, buses and coaches – not taxis. We also only reimburse your travel to your intended destination. Any other travel won’t be covered.

Why choose Onward Travel breakdown cover with The AA?

Our starting level of breakdown cover gives you 24/7 roadside support. Onward Travel gives you more options in the event of a breakdown – but what else can you look forward to when you join us?

Most trusted breakdown provider

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

Mobile mechanics

More dedicated mobile mechanics than any other UK breakdown service²

Electric vehicles

Electric and hybrid vehicles covered at no extra cost

How can I customise my AA breakdown cover?

Onward Travel expands your options in the event of a breakdown, but it doesn't end there. You can also choose other options, allowing you to create a personalised breakdown cover policy that makes life convenient.

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.

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.

How do I buy Onward Travel with breakdown cover?

Here's how to get Onward Travel so that you have more choices when you break down.

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

Get a quote

What should I do if I break down and want a hire car, public transport or accommodation?

The type of cover you have affects how much help we can give you when you break down. Here’s what to do.

If you have AA breakdown cover with Onward Travel

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 if you'll need a tow to a local garage. If your car needs repairs at a garage, you'll be able to choose either a rental car, onward travel with money towards public transport or an overnight stay at a nearby hotel.

If you have AA breakdown cover, but not Onward Travel

Onward Travel cannot be purchased in a breakdown situation if you don’t already have it – so make sure to add it to your policy well in advance. Onward Travel doesn’t become active on your policy until 24 hours after you purchase it. Don’t worry though – having standard breakdown cover means one of our expert patrols will come to you and attempt to repair your vehicle at the roadside. If we can’t, we'll take your vehicle to a local garage.

If you don't have any breakdown cover

We can't offer Onward Travel on the same day that you break down if you don't already have it, but we can still rescue you. Don't buy breakdown cover online. Instead, call us on 03330 046 046 for instant breakdown cover and we'll send a patrol to you.

Already with us?

Find out how to get the most from your cover

Existing members

Legal and privacy

FAQs

Accessibility

After you buy

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.

Can I get a courtesy car if my car breaks down?

Yes, with Onward Travel you’ll be able to get a rental car if your vehicle needs to be towed to a garage for further repairs. We’ll arrange for you to have the courtesy car for up to 72 hours.

Does normal breakdown cover include a courtesy car?

No, our standard level of breakdown cover does not include a courtesy or rental car.

What is the difference between Onward Travel and National Recovery?

Onward Travel gives you the option of a rental car for 72 hours, an overnight stay at a hotel or money towards public transport costs for you to finish your journey. You only get access to these if your car can’t be repaired at the roadside and needs to be towed to a garage for further repairs.

National Recovery means we’ll tow you, your car and up to 7 passengers to any UK mainland destination of your choice, whether that’s back home or to your intended destination.

Compare breakdown cover

Learn more about choosing the right cover for you in our guide on how to compare breakdown cover. Plus, find out what’s included in breakdown cover from The AA vs RAC.

You can also discover how Green Flag breakdown cover compares to The AA.

Does Onward Travel cover start straight away?

No, Onward Travel activates 24 hours after purchase.

How long do I get a courtesy car for?

With Onward Travel, you can get a courtesy car for up to 72 hours if your car breaks down and needs to be towed to a garage for repairs.

How many passengers does Onward Travel cover?

We cover you and up to 7 passengers for alternative transport and overnight accommodation as part of Onward Travel. If you choose the rental car option, we’ll cover the cost of the car for up to 72 hours – you can choose either a mid-range saloon or hatchback.

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.

^* If you're covering a commercial vehicle with Commercial Use, you can use Onward Travel but won't be able to use a rental car for commercial purposes.

¹ Source: AA Annual Report & Accounts 2024 (3.3 million paid personal members) and RAC Annual Report & Financial Statements 2023 (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

Broken down now?

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

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0330 053 1100

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

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0343 316 4444

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