The RAC (Royal Automobile Club) is the UK's second-largest breakdown service, with around 12 million members and over 1,500 patrol vehicles. It offers a similar range of cover to the AA but typically at slightly lower prices. Here is a detailed review.

RAC Breakdown Cover Tiers

FeatureStandardCompleteUltimate
Roadside AssistanceYesYesYes
Home Start (At Home)NoYesYes
National Recovery (Onward)NoYesYes
Onward TravelNoNoYes
European CoverNoNoAdd-on
Misfuelling CoverNoNoYes
Typical Price~£40/year~£100/year~£170/year

What Each Tier Includes

Standard (Roadside): Covers breakdowns more than a quarter mile from home. An RAC patrol will attempt a roadside fix or tow you to a nearby garage.

Complete (Roadside + At Home + Recovery): Adds Home Start cover for breakdowns at or near your home, plus National Recovery to transport you and your car to any UK destination if it cannot be fixed at the roadside.

Ultimate: Adds Onward Travel (hire car, hotel, or public transport if your car cannot be fixed), misfuelling cover, and additional benefits.

Response Times

The RAC aims for an average response time of under 60 minutes. In practice, response times are broadly comparable to the AA, though the smaller patrol fleet can mean slightly longer waits in remote areas.

RAC App Features

  • Request breakdown assistance via the app
  • Live patrol tracking with ETA
  • Breakdown history
  • Vehicle health check reminders (MOT, service, tax)
  • Fuel price finder

Pros and Cons

ProsCons
Generally cheaper than the AASmaller patrol fleet than AA
Good app with vehicle remindersStandard tier lacks Home Start
Misfuelling cover on UltimateRenewal price increases
Competitive new member dealsResponse times can be longer in rural areas
24/7 serviceUses more contracted agents than AA
Pro Tip: Like the AA, the RAC offers aggressive new member discounts. If you are an existing member whose renewal price has increased, call and ask for a retention deal. You can often get 30–40% off the quoted renewal price.

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RAC vs AA

The RAC typically offers similar coverage to the AA at 10–20% lower prices. The AA has a larger patrol fleet and slightly faster average response times. For most drivers, the difference in service quality is marginal, and the RAC represents better value.

Final Thoughts

The RAC offers solid, reliable breakdown cover at competitive prices. The Complete tier (Roadside + At Home + National Recovery) at around £100 per year is the sweet spot for most drivers. If you want the cheapest possible cover from a well-known brand, the RAC is a strong choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Generally yes. The RAC typically offers comparable cover at 10–20% lower prices than the AA. However, both offer promotional pricing for new members, so compare current offers from both before committing.
Yes, but only on the Complete and Ultimate tiers. The Standard tier only covers roadside breakdowns more than a quarter mile from home. Given that flat batteries at home are the most common breakdown, Complete tier is recommended.
Misfuelling cover (included in the RAC Ultimate tier) covers the cost of draining and cleaning your fuel system if you put the wrong fuel in your car. This can cost £200–£300 to fix, so it is a valuable inclusion if you are worried about this risk.
The RAC is more expensive than Green Flag but has a larger patrol network and higher average customer satisfaction scores. Green Flag is the better choice if price is your priority; the RAC if you want better coverage and service.
RAC personal cover is attached to you, not your car, so you are covered in any vehicle. If you want to cover a specific car regardless of driver, vehicle-based cover is available. Multi-car policies are also available at a discount.

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