European breakdown cover

Millions of Brits drive on holiday to Europe every year. So unfortunately, by law of odds, a few of us are going to end up at the roadside standing next to our broken vehicle. We explain what you’ll be covered for when you take out European breakdown cover, from roadside assistance to courtesy cars. More importantly, we tell you what insurance companies won’t pay out for. Which could help you stay cool, calm and collected on your big trip away.

What is European breakdown cover?

European cover offers the same protection when you’re driving on the other side of the Channel as you would get with equivalent UK breakdown cover. This could mean roadside assistance to get you back up and running, or a tow to the nearest garage if your car needs a more serious looking over.

Some insurers might even pay to get you and your car sent home if it’s beyond repair, which could be vital if you’re pulled over in a ditch in rural Europe, unable to even come up with the word for “help”. Plus, without breakdown cover, you might end up blowing the whole holiday budget on getting the car fixed.

European breakdown cover isn’t included as standard with UK breakdown policies, or as part of car or travel insurance, so you’ll need to pay extra for this cover.

What types of European breakdown cover are there?

There are different types of cover depending on whether you want to take a car, van or motorbike. You’ll also have to decide whether you want one-off cover for a single holiday, or whether you want to be covered all year round.

• Single-trip cover. If you plan to drive to Europe once or twice a year then this could be your best bet.
• Multi-trip cover. If you have a second home or make frequent journeys to Europe, opt for this. It covers all your trips in a year.

Be wary of time limits on multi-trip policies. You might not be allowed to be abroad for more than 90 days in the year, or more than 31 days at a time. If you think you might break these caps then call the insurer and ask if it can extend cover. Bear in mind too that some UK breakdown providers won’t offer cover if your trip is to a second home, so watch out for this exclusion.

What features does European breakdown cover include?

What’s covered varies between insurers, and some insurers offer more than one level of cover. Here’s a list of some of the most common features you might get, depending on the policy you opt for.

• Problems before you head off. This provides coverage should your car break down before you even set off on your trip.
• Roadside assistance. A recovery vehicle will come and try to get you going at the roadside.
• Towing service. If roadside repairs don’t work, the recovery vehicle will take your vehicle to the nearest garage.
• Garage work. Your policy should pay out for some if not all the labour costs of repairing your car at the garage. It often won’t cover the cost of any parts that are needed, though.
• Courtesy car. Some insurers might offer this but only give you a certain type of car. If you’re lugging a caravan around you don’t want to be given a tiny 4-seat car – that could cause some major problems.
• Onward travel. Depending on your policy, you may be covered for the cost of getting where you need to go – for example, public transport costs you rack up. You may even get cover for accommodation you need to book while you wait.
• Repatriation. Some insurers will cover all or some of the costs for getting your car back to the UK should it prove beyond repair at the European garage.
• 24/7 assistance. Some, but not all, providers offer this. So if you’re planning on doing a big night journey, check that you’ll get round-the-clock cover.
• Misfuelling. This covers for problems if you put diesel in a petrol car, or vice versa. Not many providers cover this, and there may be an additional charge if they do.
• Key cover. This reimburses you for the cost of replacing your keys if you lose them while travelling.

European breakdown cover restrictions to look out for

• Pay and claim. Many European breakdown policies will make you pay the breakdown company out of your own pocket then claim back the cost from your breakdown provider.
• Countries. Different providers cover you to drive in different countries, and with some it varies by the specific policy. Double check before you go, especially if there’s a chance you might cross a few borders.
• Pay out limits. Some insurers will put a cap on how much they will compensate you for a single trip. Given onward travel and vehicle repatriation could spiral into thousands of pounds in costs for you and your family, check the pay-out limit is high enough for your travelling needs.
• Trip time limits. Many breakdown providers cap the number of days you are covered for abroad. You don’t want to break down and suddenly discover your policy finished yesterday. So check with your insurer.
• Callout limits. Some providers will limit how many times you can call them out in a period of cover. If you have a fault-prone car, make sure this limit isn’t too low.
• Caravans. If you’re off on a caravan holiday, make sure you’ll get help towing this away. Some insurers exclude caravans from cover.

What countries are covered under European breakdown cover?

The specific countries each provider includes will vary. Most providers are happy to cover at least all EU and European Economic Area (EEA) countries. Many will go beyond this to cover some non EEA countries such as Norway and the parts of Turkey that fall within Europe. Watch out for any exclusions though – for example, not all companies cover Russia.

Some providers offer tiers of cover – so you might pay less for driving in Western European countries than those further afield, for example.

Is my European breakdown cover still valid now that the UK has left the EU?

It should be. Unless your provider has contacted you to say differently, any existing policies should continue on the same basis as before the UK left the EU.

How much does European breakdown cover cost?

If you’re buying standalone European breakdown cover from one of the UK’s leading providers, expect to pay from £7 a day for single-trip cover, depending on the country or countries you’ll be driving in. Annual cover is likely to set you back at least £100ish and could be much more, depending on the provider, but could work out cheaper than lots of single trips if you drive in Europe regularly.

If you already have UK breakdown cover, it may be more cost-effective to add European cover to your existing policy.

What affects the cost of European breakdown cover?

Factors affecting the cost of European breakdown cover include:

• How long you’ll be away for
• Which countries you’ll be driving in
• The vehicle you’ll be driving
• The level of cover; the more comprehensive the cover, the higher the likely cost

How can I reduce the cost of European breakdown cover?

• Do you already have cover? Before buying a separate European breakdown policy, double check whether you’re already covered as part of existing breakdown cover, a car insurance policy add-on, or even a packaged bank account.
• Choose the right type of cover: single-trip or annual. Single-trip cover may seem cheaper, but could be a false economy if you make several trips per year.
• Add on cover to an existing breakdown policy. Your existing breakdown provider may well offer European breakdown cover; it might even give you a discount for getting its European breakdown policy.
• Consider a car insurance add-on. Some car insurance providers offer breakdown cover as an optional add-on, and this might include European cover. Buying breakdown cover as a car insurance add-on to an existing policy can work out cheaper than buying standalone cover, but make sure the level and quality of cover meets your needs.
• Shop around. The cost of European breakdown cover can vary dramatically between providers. Compare prices and quality of cover carefully to get the right policy at the right price.

What do I need to get a European breakdown quote?

To get a quote for European breakdown cover, you’ll need to supply:

• Your vehicle’s registration number (number plate)
• Usually, the countries you’ll be travelling to (this may not always be needed for annual policies in particular)
• For single trips, the dates of travel
• Whether you’ll be towing a caravan or trailer
• Your personal details (name, address, contact details, date of birth)

How can I add European breakdown cover to my existing policy?

Ask your provider for a quote and see what cover you’ll actually get for the countries you’re heading to. Is it just roadside assistance, or will it tow your vehicle and offer you a courtesy car too? Use comparison sites or get quotes directly from other companies too. See if any offer a better deal; you can use this to haggle with your existing provider.

What else do I need to do to prepare for driving in Europe?

Buying good-quality European breakdown cover is only one of the things to sort out before you drive in Europe. Here’s a checklist of some of the main things to tick off your checklist.

1. Get the right car insurance

Most UK car insurance policies cover you to drive the insured car in Europe, but this is usually only on a third-party basis. And check that your policy covers you for the countries you plan to drive in. For full insurance cover in Europe, you may wish to extend your existing policy or buy a short-term European car insurance policy.

2. Check the rules of the road in the countries you’ll be driving in

Some European countries have specific laws to follow, so check before you go. For example, some require you to keep your lights on at all times, or that all kids under 12 must sit in the back. Check what safety equipment the countries you’re driving in expect you to carry too. Many require you to carry a reflective safety vest and red safety triangles. In France, you’re also expected to carry a breathalyser.

You’ll also need to make sure your tax and MOT are up to date (a legal requirement for driving in the UK too), and that you have hard copies of all relevant documents, including:

• Your full, valid driving licence
• Your passport
• Your vehicle’s registration document (V5C; this should be the original document, not a copy)
• Relevant insurance documents (car insurance and travel insurance) – you’ll need these as proof that you have at least third-party insurance
• In some non-EU countries, an insurance Green Card

In some cases, you may need to attach a GB sticker to your car. You won’t need this if your number plate already includes the GB identifier, unless you’re travelling to Cyprus, Malta or Spain. These countries always require a GB sticker, no matter what’s on your number plate.

3. Tell your breakdown provider when you’re off

This may be needed to trigger cover if you have an annual policy.

Bottom line

Dealing with different rules and languages can make driving in Europe stressful enough in the first place. Breaking down part way between Paris and Provence could send those stress levels through the roof. Buying good European cover can give you peace of mind that if your car lets you down, you won’t be left stranded and struggling. Shopping around and comparing quotes can help keep costs down – but check the small print to make sure you strike the right balance between price and quality of cover.

Frequently asked questions

• Why do I need European breakdown cover?

  Breaking down in Europe without the right cover can be a stressful experience. Not only do you have to deal with getting things sorted yourself, in a country with different rules, and possibly in a language you’re not familiar with, you’ll be faced with the potentially high cost of call-outs and repairs. Buying breakdown cover before you go offers the reassurance that things will go as smoothly as possible if the worst happens.

• What should I do if I break down in Europe?

  The same basic principles apply if you break down in Europe as in the UK. If possible, pull off the road into a safe place or onto the hard shoulder if you break down on the motorway. If it’s safe to do so, you and your passengers should get out of the car and as far away from traffic as possible. Call your breakdown provider if you have one, or identify and contact a local assistance company if not.

• How do I know if European breakdown cover is already included in my policy?

  If you bought your policy a while ago and have been auto-renewing ever since, you could be forgiven for being unsure about what is and isn’t covered. Check your policy documents or, if in doubt, call your provider to find out whether you’re covered to drive in Europe and whether the cover meets your needs.

• Can I get European breakdown cover for a single holiday?

  Yes. If you only plan to drive in Europe once or twice a year, you buy a breakdown policy that covers you for the specific length of your trip.

• What happens if I have to return home before my car is fixed?

  This depends on whether your policy includes repatriation costs, to get your car home if it can’t be fixed (or can’t be fixed before you plan to return). If not, you may have to arrange (and pay) for your car to be returned to the UK yourself. If you do have repatriation cover, check the details carefully as limits and restrictions vary by provider. Check too if your policy covers any additional costs you incur to get yourselves home as well as your car.

• Will European breakdown cover get my car back to the UK?

  It depends on the policy; check the details before you buy to see if it covers recovery to the UK or “repatriation”. Check the limits of cover, too, as some policies may cap how much they’ll pay towards repatriation. The cost of getting your car back to the UK can be eye-wateringly expensive if you don’t have cover. Unless you’re certain you’ll have the time and flexibility to extend your trip until your car is fixed in the country it breaks down in, this feature is well worth having.

• What's the difference between personal cover and vehicle cover?

  Vehicle cover only covers you for the specific vehicle named on the breakdown policy. Personal cover allows you to call the breakdown service for any car you’re in, as a driver or a passenger. Some providers only offer one type of cover; others offer a choice. Personal cover is usually more expensive.

• How did the coronavirus pandemic affect European breakdown cover policies?

  COVID-19 didn’t directly affect breakdown policies themselves. However, you should check the rules on travel before you go, both those set in the UK and any rules in the countries you’re travelling to. Check the general rules (for example, on testing and isolation) on the FCO website, plus anything specifically related to driving. Breakdown services’ speed of response and ability to help may be affected by local restrictions.

• Can I get a refund if I can't travel due to coronavirus restrictions?

  Possibly. Refund terms vary between providers, so check the T&Cs. If in doubt, contact the breakdown provider directly.

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Written by

Ceri Stanaway

Writer

Ceri Stanaway is a researcher, writer and editor with more than 15 years’ experience, including a long stint at independent publisher Which?. She’s helped people find the best products and services, and avoid the pitfalls, across topics ranging from broadband to insurance. Outside of work, you can often find her sampling the fares in local cafes. See full bio