Choose a policy
Make sure to customise your policy and choose the right level of coverage for what you need.
Think about whether you want it to cover just one trip or multiple trips, and if you might need any extras, like a place to stay overnight.
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What is European van breakdown cover?
No matter if you’re using your van for work or just for leisure, if you are driving abroad it’s important to have European van breakdown cover. It will give you peace of mind knowing that if something goes wrong when you are abroad, you won’t be stuck.
Plus getting your van fixed or brought back to the UK can be really pricey and a major hassle, which could hit your wallet hard.
This is where MoneySupermarket is here to help you. We will ensure you get the most suitable deal tailored to your needs for your European van breakdown cover.
How does van breakdown cover work?
Depending on the policy you have taken out will dictate the cover your breakdown policy will provide. However, if your van does break down unexpectedly, the lowest level of cover will still protect you with road assistance.
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When you breakdown
If this happens, just find a safe spot to pull over and give your policy provider a call – most will have an English call handler to help you and they’ll let you know what to do next.
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Assistance dispatched
As long as you’ve got the right coverage, help will be sent out to either take you to the nearest garage, get you back on the road, or help you make your way home.
What is the most suitable van breakdown cover for me?
There are a number of potential options for can breakdown cover including:
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Vehicle cover
Regardless of who is driving your vehicle, vehicle cover provides protection for your vehicle.
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Single trip
Covers you for a single trip outside of the UK.
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Annual trip
Purchasing an annual policy can work out cheaper if you are planning on taking multiple trips over the year.
What’s covered by a van breakdown policy?
The level of cover you will get with a European van breakdown policy can really depend on the provider as well as the type of policy you choose. It’s vital to read through your policy documents, including the terms and conditions, before you purchase so you know what’s included and what isn’t.
Typically, the following are covered by European van breakdown policies:
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Roadside assistance
This usually includes things such as getting your van fixed at the roadside, towing it to a nearby garage, or even giving you a replacement vehicle.
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Home start
This has you covered if your van breaks down even before you head out on your trip.
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Onward travel
This means that if your van can’t be fixed quickly, your breakdown cover policy might help pay for you to get to your destination whether that be by public transport or plane.
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Recovery
If you break down in Europe and your van is unable to be fixed, your breakdown cover policy might cover the cost to have it brought back to the UK.
What is the cost of european van breakdown cover?
The cost of breakdown cover depends on a few different factors, such as:
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The type of vehicle you have
The age, type, make, and model of your van can all impact how much your policy will cost.
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The level of cover you need
If you break down, some policies just give you basic roadside assistance, while others will provide you with extras like car hire and hotel accommodation.
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The length of your trip
If you are just going on a short trip to Europe, single-trip cover might be all you need but if you’re thinking about numerous trips abroad during the year, annual cover could save you some money.
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Your destination
Your policy could be impacted by where in Europe you are travelling. Make sure you include your destination in your policy as not all policies cover every European country.
What countries does my policy cover me to drive in?
With most policies, you are usually covered in all or at least the majority of Europe, but just keep in mind that some providers split the continent into different zones, so it is important to check you are covered for the right one.
Zone one
This usually covers the West of Europe including Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland.
Zone two
Northern and central-southern Europe are usually covered here including countries such as Austria, Denmark, Italy, Portugal and Spain as well as San Marino and Vatican City.
Zone three
This zone covers the remainder of the continent including Croatia, Lithuania, Czech Republic, Greece, Poland and Turkey.
Our expert says…
Breakdown cover can be particularly important if you use your van to make a living, even if your trip to Europe is for personal reasons, taking advantage of the extra space to transport family and friends or bulky equipment such as camping gear, golf clubs and surfboards.
Delays could be expensive if you end up missing a job or frustrating customers. That’s where European van breakdown cover can help, as in many cases a mechanic can repair your van at the roadside and get you going as soon as possible.
Faith Archer Personal Finance Expert
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What countries are covered under European van breakdown policies?
There can be some exclusions based on your specific policy but generally most European countries are included in European van breakdown policies. It’s always worth checking your policy to see if the country you are travelling to is included.
The following countries tend to not be covered:
Turkey
Canary Islands
Russia
Isle of Man
Jersey
Madeira Islands
Cyprus
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Our comparison service is, and will always be, free to use.
Why should I use a price comparison website?
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.
We don’t give recommendations or financial advice, but we give you clear information so you can choose financial products that suit your circumstances.
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No, not every company can be included in our service. This is because some companies don’t want their products included on comparison sites, and some decide that they would rather not pay a fee. There are also a few smaller providers who can struggle to cope with the volume of customers that can find their products if they appear on MoneySuperMarket.
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Is breakdown insurance eligible for SuperSaveClub and rewards?
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 8 Dec 2025 by
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