The best deals on car breakdown cover - the AA, RAC & Green Flag

UK Motoring Breakdown cover

If you are a car owner you will want the reassurance of motoring breakdown cover. Don’t leave it until you are stuck at the roadside or at home late for work with a car that will not start. Buying a motor breakdown recovery policy can be confusing with so many options to choose from. Check out the best motor breakdown suppliers we have researched to rescue you in a roadside emergency.

Halfords

Halfords.com autocentres sell car parts and accessories for keeping your car in good condition mechanically and visually. They are expert for touring equipment like bike and roof racks.

Car Hire

If you have to get car hire because your car as broken down and cannot be repaired. Try these specially selected car hire companies offering super deals up and down the UK.

Car Parts

If you’re a DIY nut and fancy repairing your vehicle your self this is where you can buy all the car parts you need at fantastic prices with home delivery or in most cases immediate collection.

UK Car Breakdown Recovery Providers

The big guns of breakdown AA - RAC - Green Flag

Find out what the difference is between all the breakdown cover options out there from basic roadside assistance to full European breakdown recovery.

The top car breakdown providers and car care sites

The best UK car breakdown companies

AA The Automobile Association - RAC Royal Automobile Club - Green flag - European - UK Car Breakdown Cover

theaa.com reliable cover

1: The AA

Best Buys: Onward Travel Policy Strong Points: Not the cheapest but a name you can trust – European car kit for driving in France – Route planner for the quickest and easiest route.

About The AA

The AA has everything the motorist and road traveller could need in an emergency. They can assist when planning routes for a road trip in the UK or even in Europe. UK cover option can be from your driveway with home start to the furthest point from your home with car recovery. If you opt for Euro cover you get the peace of mind you need when traveling in Europe with 24 hour 7 days help from English speaking assistants. Besides the obvious breakdown policies, the AA is a reliable source for other motoring services.

Buying a used car is always a worry so the AA offer vehicle inspections from approved motor vehicle engineers. Theaa.com is packed full of all types of useful information for the car owner and motoring services. The diverse type of shopping features on the website have spread from motor insurance to mortgages, holidays and credit cards. It’s always a disappointment when a good old company name with integrity like the AA go down these money-making lines.

History Summary

The Automobile Association created by British car travel enthusiasts in 1905. Originally found to help drivers avoid speeding traps even in them days. They established the club in response to new driving laws for speeding and reckless driving. In fact, they were the first to erect road signs and warning signs for drivers before the local authority took over in the 1930s. In 1999 they stopped being a non-profit organisation and became a private company. Centrica who own British Gas bought the AA in the same year. It was later sold in 2007 to a private equity firm who merged with Saga.

rac.co.uk

2: RAC

Best Buys: Blue Badge Breakdown Cover Strong Points: Vehicle history check by RAC – Cheap breakdown cover for all budgets – Car battery supplied and fitted.

About The RAC

Keep your car moving on the road with cheap breakdown policy from the RAC. The RAC is one of the most trusted names in vehicle recovery and roadside assistance in the United Kingdom. The benefits of joining the RAC include RAC membership fob for your car keyring never forgetting their contact details or your membership number. Patrol vehicles fix 4/5th of roadside breakdowns they attend. All the RAC vans are fully equipped with more than 500 tools and parts bringing the garage to your car. RAC is a motoring organisation known mainly for prioritising car breakdown rescue and recovery but they also have many other motoring related services on offer.

The website is a treasure trove of extensive motoring information. Never get lost and be ahead of the game with route planner maps and directions for the UK and Europe. There is also a section on car care and maintenance with recommended garages and approved MOT stations.

History Summary

The Royal Automobile Club was formed in 1897 by Frederick Richard Simms. The associate section was set up to offer motoring services and give roadside assistance. They introduced uniformed staff patrols in 1901 and later in 1912 installing roadside telephone boxes for emergency some which can still be seen today. In recent years the company as changed hands many times from the Lex Group, Aviva and Carlyle Group to present owners CVC Capital Partners.

greenflag.com

3: Green Flag

Best Buys: Personal cover any car Strong Points: Green Flag multi car breakdown policy – Personal cover for whatever car your in – Business and fleet breakdown cover.

About Green Flag

Buy Green Flag UK breakdown cover and roadside car assistance online with big discounts. In recent surveys Green Flag got lots of praise for the friendliest staff and the fact their technicians were well presented. You know not wearing dirty overalls and kicking the car tyres when they turned up. Like all UK roadside assistance and recovery businesses GreenFlag.com have moved into other areas like route planning and help when you are buying a car. They also have an app for your phone that eases the process in the case of a breakdown. Not sure when you are supposed to download it before or after you need it. The features are pretty cool like your live location is sent to the base you can also track the motor technician when they are going to get to you.

History Summary

Green Flag is a British vehicle recovery provider and also roadside assistance by local mechanics. It was the concept of two friends talking in a Yorkshire pub in Bradford. Jeffery Pittock and Bob Slicer started the National Breakdown Recovery Club in 1971 with Ernest Smith. It created another option for customers who wanted something different from the two big suppliers AA and RAC breakdown cover. They came up with the idea of using a network of local mechanics and garages to fix and recover broken down cars and vans. Their headquarters is based in Pudsey near Leeds Yorkshire and they have a base in Glasgow Scotland. The aim of Green Flag is to challenge the big two with the AA having over 50 per cent of the market and RAC taking over 24%. Green Flag is part of the Direct Line Group plc insurance company based in the UK.

Best Buys: Personal cover any car Strong Points: Green Flag multi car breakdown policy – Personal cover for whatever car your in – Business and fleet breakdown cover.

qdosbreakdown.co.uk

Cheap QDOS Breakdown Cover for Cars Vans and Motorcycles.

4: QDOS Breakdown Cover UK

Voted 5 stars by customers with the fastest response time in the business. If your looking for cheap breakdown insurance with the peace of mind you will get a premium service, Try QDOS Rescue Services.

With 75% of vehicles repaired at the roadside.
Breakdown cover polices offered for UK and Europe.
Best rated breakdown service by independent reviews.

tomtom.com Navigation

TOMTOM Satellite Navigation Technology

5: TOMTOM

About TOM TOM

TomTom the world’s leader in car and personal navigation. The TomTom name is synonymous with in car navigation. Back in 2004 they came out with the TomTom GO which was the first all in one device, this sent many people over cliffs and down dead-end country lanes, only joking. It was ground breaking and set the pace for all other satellite navigation devices. In 2008 they released the much-anticipated GO x30 range with new features like estimated journey times and which lanes to take for correct course. This all sounds typical and is taken for granted but TOMTOM was the leader on the technological path to where we are today with smart mobile phone navigation. In addition, TomTom sells related innovative navigation products services like motorbike and camper navigation, safety cams and maps. Don’t get lost as well as breakdown. Never go without power and buy a Jackery Explorer Power Station these will power all electrical devices.

Best Buys

Drive smarter GO Essential Strong Points: TomTom travel maps shop – Campervan and motorhome sat nav – Motorcycle Rider GPS Sat Nav.

Can you haggle with the AA and RAC? the answer yes you can.

If you are worried about the cost or on a tight budget breakdown companies are flexible with the costs and you can negotiate prices on breakdown cover. The vehicle recovery market is very competitive with the three big companies competing for your money. Don’t be shy in asking for a discount or some kind of deal when buying breakdown recovery insurance.

A deeper look at UK shops

Our reviewed shops provide a brief history and breakdown of what they sell. If you would like a shop added to our review section please contact us with suggestions UK Shopping Guide.