What is holiday breakdown cover?

Key takeaways

• Holiday breakdown cover can help if your vehicle breaks down while you are driving abroad, as standard UK breakdown cover may not include European trips

• You can choose single-trip or annual cover depending on how often you drive abroad

• You can also choose either personal or vehicle cover, and the level of protection your policy provides

What is holiday breakdown cover?

Holiday breakdown cover helps if your vehicle breaks down while you are driving abroad, usually designed for UK drivers taking their own car to Europe. Depending on the policy, it can include roadside assistance, towing to a garage, emergency repairs, onward travel, accommodation and help bringing your vehicle back to the UK.

It is not the same as travel insurance or car insurance. Travel insurance protects you and your trip, car insurance protects your vehicle and other road users, and breakdown cover helps if your vehicle stops working.

Do I need holiday breakdown cover?

You may need holiday breakdown cover if you plan to drive outside the UK, as standard UK breakdown cover often only applies in the UK, so it may not help if your car breaks down abroad. Without cover, you may need to arrange local recovery, repairs, translation support or transport home yourself.

Holiday breakdown cover can be especially useful if you are driving long distances, travelling with children, towing a caravan or visiting more than one country.

Is holiday breakdown cover the same as European breakdown cover?

Holiday breakdown cover is often another name for European breakdown cover - both terms usually refer to breakdown cover for driving outside the UK, especially in Europe. The exact countries included can vary by provider, so check your policy before you travel.

Some policies cover a wide range of European countries, while others may exclude certain destinations or have different rules for longer trips, older vehicles, caravans, trailers or motorhomes.

What countries am I covered in?

You are only covered in the countries listed in your policy - many European breakdown policies include popular driving destinations such as France, Spain, Ireland, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands. However, cover can vary by policy type and provider, especially if you are travelling through several countries or driving beyond western Europe.

Some providers offer zones of cover which can help you pick the right level for your holiday, with zone one including Andorra, Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Monaco and the Republic of Ireland. Zones two, three and four will usually expand the list of countries covered.

Before buying, check every country you plan to visit or pass through, and don't assume a country is included just because it is in Europe.

Should I choose single-trip or annual holiday breakdown cover?

Single-trip cover is ideal if you only need it for one holiday, while annual cover may suit you if you take several trips in a year.

• Single-trip European breakdown cover protects you for one journey, usually up to a set number of days. It can be useful for a summer holiday, ski trip or one-off drive abroad

• Annual European breakdown cover can cover multiple trips within a year. Each trip may still have a maximum length, so check the policy if you are planning a long stay

Should I choose personal or vehicle cover?

Personal cover protects you, while vehicle cover protects a specific vehicle. Personal holiday breakdown cover may suit you if you drive different cars abroad or travel as a passenger in other vehicles, while vehicle cover may be cheaper if you only need to cover one named car.

Check whether the policy covers every driver who may use the car on the trip, and whether passengers, onward travel and accommodation are included if the vehicle cannot be fixed quickly.

What should holiday breakdown cover include?

Holiday breakdown cover should include the support you would need if your vehicle broke down abroad - such as:

• Roadside assistance

• Towing to a local garage

• Emergency repairs

• An English-speaking helpline

• Replacement parts delivery

• Onward travel

• Overnight accommodation

• Vehicle repatriation to the UK

Basic policies may only include roadside help and local recovery, but more comprehensive policies may offer wider support if your car cannot be repaired before your trip ends.

What is not included in holiday breakdown cover?

Holiday breakdown cover does not include every problem that can happen abroad, and common exclusions can include:

• Pre-existing faults

• Poor vehicle maintenance

• Running out of fuel

• Using the wrong fuel

• Breakdowns on private land

• Vehicles without a valid MOT

• Travel to countries not listed in the policy

Some policies may also exclude the cost of replacement parts, garage labour, tolls, storage fees or claims made too soon after buying cover, so be sure to read the policy details before you travel.

What information do I need to get holiday breakdown cover?

You will usually need to provide your personal details, trip details and vehicle information, which can include:

• Your destination

• Travel dates

• Vehicle registration, make and model, and age

• Whether you want single-trip or annual cover

You may also need to say whether you are towing a caravan or trailer. Be completely honest and upfront when you apply, as if your vehicle or trip does not match the policy details, your claim could be refused.

How can I compare holiday breakdown cover?

MoneySuperMarket can help you compare European breakdown cover and find a policy that suits your trip. We just need a few simple details to help you compare policies and save money - you can also arrange breakdown cover for motorbike and van breakdown cover policies too.