Find the best breakdown cover policy for you by comparing deals from leading UK insurers
Breaking down on the side of the road is stressful enough, but it can be even more overwhelming if it happens abroad, especially if you don't speak the language and you're travelling with family and lots of luggage.
Single-trip European breakdown cover offers peace of mind by ensuring you'll receive mechanical help on the side of the road, even while driving abroad, without the worry of high costs, and you can buy it up to three months ahead of your trip.
Many standard breakdown policies don’t cover international travel, including throughout Europe, so it's important to carefully review the details of your policy to understand what's covered before you hit foreign roads.
A European single-trip policy will protect you for one driving holiday to Europe and will usually cover the following:
Roadside Assistance: If your vehicle breaks down, a mechanic will come to your car or motorcycle to provide help.
Repairs: If immediate repairs aren't possible, your vehicle will be towed to a nearby garage for fixes.
Courtesy Cars: Some policies offer a replacement hire car if your vehicle can't be repaired right away, allowing you to continue your onward journey.
Repatriation of Your Vehicle: If the repairs can't be carried out in Europe, most policies ensure your vehicle will be returned to the UK.
Lost or Stolen Keys: Covers the cost of replacing lost or stolen keys.
Travel in the UK: If you break down in the UK, either on the way to or returning from Europe, you're typically covered (but you should always check your policy just to be sure).
24/7 Breakdown Assistance: You will need to double check if your policy provides rescue services at all hours or whether there are specific time restrictions.
Driving Outside Europe: A European breakdown policy typically covers you only within Europe, so if you're driving elsewhere, you may not be covered.
Different Zones: For European breakdown cover, insurers often divide countries into different zones based on their geographical location. When purchasing breakdown cover, it’s important to check the zones included in your policy and make sure they match the countries you'll be visiting. If you're travelling to multiple zones, ensure your cover extends across them or upgrade your policy if necessary.
Multiple Trips: A single-trip policy is for one journey only. If you need coverage for multiple trips, consider a multi-trip or an annual European breakdown policy.
Extreme Sports: Most policies do not cover breakdowns caused by motor racing, rallies, or speed tests.
Repair Costs: Breakdown cover usually doesn’t pay for the actual repair costs but covers the cost of rescue services and towing to a garage if necessary.
The cost of your single-trip breakdown cover will depend on a few factors, including your vehicle and whether you purchase any add-ons.
The age, make, and model of your vehicle can influence the cost of your premium, as certain cars may have higher repair costs or be more prone to breakdowns than others. Insurers price different types of vehicles – cars, vans, motorbikes – differently, meaning what you drive will affect how much you pay.
You can typically choose from different coverage levels or additional options. While selecting a higher level of protection can make things easier if you break down, it will also increase the cost of your premium.
Single-trip policies are designed for short holidays and will usually cover you for up to one month (although some will go longer up to 90 days.)
It’s important to ensure your policy covers the specific countries or regions you plan to visit.
Find the right balance between the amount you might have to pay if you make a claim, and are required to pay an excess with the cost of the policy.
Keep in mind that a higher excess will reduce the policy cost but inevitably will increase the amount you’ll pay if you need to make a claim.
Comparing quotes with us is a great way to see what breakdown cover providers have to offer. Take the time to compare quotes and understand the policy costs and term and conditions.
Many providers include a range of free add-ons, so it's important to check the policy details. A slightly higher-priced policy may offer significantly better cover.
Holidays are supposed to be a stress-free way to relax, so the last thing you want to be worrying about is breaking down in an unfamiliar country. Breakdown insurance is a good way to make sure you are covered and would be rescued if your engine failed you and comparing quotes online is the best way to make sure you don’t pay over the odds.
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No, you can also get cover for vans, motorbikes and motorhomes but these may not be covered with a standard policy so you may need to take out a specialist policy for peace of mind. Again, check the terms and conditions of any breakdown policy you buy carefully.
Insurers often divide countries into different zones based on their geographical locations. The idea is to categorise countries that are close to each other, so the coverage applies differently depending on the zone you're travelling to.
For example:
Zone 1 may include countries like France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, which are geographically closer to the UK.
Zone 2 might cover countries further away, like Spain, Italy, and Germany.
Zone 3 could include more distant countries such as Greece or parts of Eastern Europe.
Single-trip breakdown cover is designed to cover one overseas journey, such as a short holiday. It’s not meant for individuals who drive abroad and take multiple trips every year.
This will differ between policies, with some providers covering you for up to a month. However, others will cover you for up to 90 or even 180 days.
Onward travel with breakdown cover ensures that if your car breaks down, you and your passengers can still reach your destination. While most policies will tow your vehicle, some don’t cover transportation for you. Adding onward travel means you’ll be provided with a taxi or hire car to continue your journey.
Most policies will cover you if you breakdown in the UK, but only if you are on your way to your European trip or returning home from it. You may also be covered at home if you are unable to start your car to make the journey. You would need to double check your policy.
Yes. Most policies include a 24/7 English-speaking helpline and will organise the help you need from any local garages, so there shouldn’t be any language barriers.
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One of the best ways to get the lowest prices and best deals is to compare quotes from different companies. We do the work for you, comparing quotes side-by-side and giving you all the information you need so you can choose the right deal for your needs and your wallet.
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No, at this time breakdown insurance is not an eligible product for unlocking our SuperSaveClub rewards. It is also not included in our Price Promise.
Reviewed on 17 Dec 2025
YouGov Survey 1st July 2024 to 30th June 2025. Net Recommend score derived from “Which of the following online service websites would you recommend to a friend or colleague, or tell them to avoid?” Base: Current Customers of (MoneySuperMarket n=18,382, Compare the Market n=16,802, Go.Compare n=10,162, Confused.com n=8,229, Uswitch n=528).
From 01.06.23 to 31.05.24 MoneySuperMarket customers received £1.59bn estimated savings based on (i) SuperSaveClub reward redemptions, and (ii) savings claims per product multiplied by the number of sales. Products included - Car, Home, Pet and Travel insurance, Broadband, Credit Cards, Loans and Mortgages.
Accurate as of September 2025
