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RAC: Breakdown Cover reviews

1.42
Based on 159 reviews, last reviewed 8th Jun 2025
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140% increase in 1 star reviews
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Latest highest rating:

5

Excellent service from start to finish. Excellent service from start to finish. Logged my breakdown through the RAC app and was allocated assistance within 5 minutes. The patrol officer; Ma... Read more Reviewed on: 8th June 2025
Bob Desmond 's avatar
Bob Desmond

Latest lowest rating:

1

Waited in two days to get my vehicle recovered to a... Waited in two days to get my vehicle recovered to a garage, over which I wasn’t given one update unless I called them. Called six times and was given ... Read more Reviewed on: 28th May 2025
RACuseless's avatar
RACuseless

About this product

Like many drivers, breaking down is not something we want to think about! But when it happens, You'll be thankful that you're with a good breakdown cover provider. That's were our RAC breakdown cover reviews come in. You can read and write YOUR RAC Breakdown cover reviews. We started Smart Money People to help drivers like you to find the best breakdown cover based on our honest reviews. Together, we can make financial services work better for everyone.

RAC Breakdown Cover reviews (159)

Review of the RAC, Breakdown Cover:

DON'T USE THEM, APPALING CUSTOMER SERVICE!! & COMPLAINTS TEAM

1
Terrible customer service APPALING!!!!! DONT USE I had my breakdown policy with the RAC, I was happy with them until I had accidentally (without knowing or any contact) missed a payment, February 2021, I then a few days later called them out as I had broken down. I was told on the phone that the payment had not gone through, so I asked them if I could pay the monthly premium and I was told no as this account had been closed, I then had to pay £180 upfront as I had no other alternative other than being stuck on my own on a motorway layby. I then made a complaint about this and of course, it went in their favor as most companies usually do this as they don't want to accept blame or support customers who have been badly treated. At this point I ended up moving to another breakdown firm who I have now been with for some time and happy with their service. February 3rd 2022, I got a call from the RAC much to my surprise, I was asked about my renewal, I advised them that I had not stayed with them due to the service I had received, she then re-opened the complaint. On the 19th day of the complaint, I called up asking for an update as if not I wanted to be able to escalate further, I was told on the phone that someone would then call me back the same day before 7 pm, this didn't happen but around 6.45 pm I had an email to say that they needed a further 20 days to look into my complaint, which I was not happy about but I had to wait. 17th March, I then chased up via the Twitter page I then around an hour later get a snotty email that said the following: I've now looked into the concerns you raised on 3 February 2022 and wanted to let you know the outcome. 'Our records show that we responded to your complaint under a sperate case reference REF WAS HERE and our findings were emailed to you on 25 February 2021 and read at 10.28.My follow up email was also ready that day at 15.07. I'm confident all of your concerns have been fully investigated and that we're now at the end of our investigation process but can find no justification to change the decisions that we have conveyed to you. Whilst it is always our aim to resolve matters of contention to our customer's satisfaction, I very much regret that on this occasion we are not able to do so. Your rights of escalation were provided to you in the email on 25 February 2022 and this complaint will now ne closed. Thank you again for taking the time to get in touch we appreciate your feedback' They haven't even bothered to look into the new complaint that I put forward, I would not have even put the complaint forward had the lady on the 3rd February this year not mentioned it she did the complaint with me over the phone, something is wrong somewhere. The customer service and the way they treat customers are unfair! I also was not aware that the £180 was for the year! So I had paid out unknowingly for 2 x breakdown memberships, I suffer from severe anxiety and every time I have dealt with this company they have been so unhelpful and not understanding of this at all. Don't use them unless you want ripping off and poor customer service! Reviewed on: 17th March 2022

Just a joke of a company.

1
I was a member since 2019, never needed to use them till yesterday. Apart from automated phone functions, could not get hold of anyone - text link sent to my phone did not work. Son-in-law towed me home ! Now RAC want 56% increase for renewal (was £228.99 2024, £356.99 2025). Just a joke, now cancelled membership. Reviewed on: 15th April 2025

Autorenew

1
My membership auto renewed, jumping from £150 to £220. I only noticed when they took the money from my account which they took after the 14 day cooling down period and then wanted to charge a cancellation fee. Left my on hold repeatidly while i tried to cancel my memebership, presumably hoping id give up. Even then I had to repeatedly say that I wanted to cancel before they would consider it A bunch of crooks and not the respect institution of old Reviewed on: 28th March 2025

Atrocious service

1
Had a patrol attend to a puncture. I have tyre cover so he ordered a new tyre. Unfortunately he ordered the wrong one. Had to wait 8 hours for a patrol to come out the next day and order the correct one. Next day the rac sent me a bill for £260 for the tyre that should have been done foc. Have now had to buy my own tyre and start a claim through the County Court for the price of the tyre. Avoid this company like the plague. No customer service at all. Reviewed on: 26th March 2025

Wait over 9hours for a recovery to come out

1
Wait over 9hours for a recovery to come out Reviewed on: 5th March 2025

Inexistent service for comprehensive insurance paid...

1
Inexistent service for comprehensive insurance paid My car broke down last night at 8.30pm on M6 M482.2. I reported the issue and had police securing my car on the emergency line whilst waiting to get recovered. I had a call from one of the RAC mechanics telling me to drive slowly to the next service station even if my car wasn't drivable...I am on my own, a widow and my dogs trying to reach out home address. After we finally reached the services the mechanic said is a misfire but no problems with sparkplugs or coil pack. He left saying will send another team leaving me in the cold. The next team was booked 4.20 am ...had a recovery truck at 2.30 which takes me only couple miles down to Killington....practically I wasn't 150 miles away from home but still 110...is 5.44 , they promised me a taxi, accommodation over the night, recovery to be taken home...none of this happen. Instead they sent someone to take me only down to Preston...not at home as they should...I slept in the cold all this time with my dogs in my car without being able to turn on the engine as the car is broken down... Reviewed on: 3rd March 2025

not worth one star

1
Just got my renewal letter for van breakdown cover last year £224 this year £291 a rise of £67 that is a 30% increase for being a loyal customer when inflation is 3% .The RAC are offering this same cover as a special offer today for £133.33 to new customers! I have paid a lot of money to the RAC over the years and never had call them out .After a phone call they reduced it by a few pounds but not enough to make me renew .The RAC should look after loyal customers instead they use them as cash cows Reviewed on: 21st February 2025

RAC Membership Number 200110007211676Well, the lett..

1
RAC Membership Number 200110007211676 Well, the letter starts off NEXT YEARS Cover – SORTED Sorted for Who? The RAC not for the customer – after not calling them out once they put the price of your cover up from £140.40 to £203.99 an increase of £63.59 ( 31.1731% increase) who’s running this business the Labour party ? When I asked to cancel the policy, they said there is a cancellation fee LOL Then after much protesting stating – since Id been with them never once did, I ask for or need assistance they very kindly knocked off the cancelation fee – is that legal trying to charge this anyway? This is just another giant of a company that offers noting for loyalty no added bonus for not calling them out for a breakdown – nothing – but if I was a brand-new customer, I would get a discounted price – what’s the point of staying with them you might as well switch every year and get a cheaper quote The RAC you SUCK Reviewed on: 5th February 2025

I would give them a ZERO if I can.

1
I would give them a ZERO if I can. 2024 New Years Eve I was returning back from Scotland to Leicester and the weather was pretty bad, heavy winds and rain 100%. My car started showing warning signs on the dash and the car started slowing down, drove the car until I got to the nearest services at Kendal Southbound which was at around 4.30pm. Took the RAC cover out and called them out for an emergency breakdown. Charged me £199 for the callout. Assuming either they fix the car or take us home. Anyway had no choice as I had young kids with me so I paid it as had to get back home. The RAC Patrol came around 6.45pm and had a look at the car and (THOUGHT) that the turbo has gone. Nothing much was done and no other options available other than towing the car to the nearest garage within the 10 mile radius or quoted me £1500 TO GET THE CAR & PASSENGERS TOWED . Now can someone tell me which garage would be opened at this time on New Yrs Eve to check the car and who in the right fraame of mind would pay £1500 to get the car towed? With not much on the table the guy left. Managed to arrange a breakdown for £500 to get us and the car towed to my home address, which we got home at 5am on New Years Day. All in all £800 went in the bin and no service provided. WHAT A GREAT START TO 2025!!! A COMPLETE WASTE AND A SCAM BUSINESS. DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY WITH THEM. ABSOLUTELY USELESS. THEY ARE JUST MAKING MONEY, NO EXPERIENCE OF BREAKDOWN AND NO EMPATHY AT ALL. MY 6 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER FELL ILL BECAUSE OF THEIR POOR SERVICE. Reviewed on: 4th January 2025

Terrible it was been with rac for 30 years they sent...

1
Terrible it was been with rac for 30 years they sent some9ne out with bad attitude refused to help Reviewed on: 8th December 2024

Call Centre staff great. Mechanic not.

1
The Call Centre staff were lovely. It ends there though. I am disabled, the Breakdown mechanic woukd not listen when I tried to give him directions, it was dark and not on a main road. After getting everything wrong he told me he felt like cancelling the job and going away. He repeatedly spoke over me. Frankly he was sexist. My car yet he treated me like dirt to the point that I had to ask my Husband to talk to him, it was as if I was speaking a foreign language. Because of my medical needs I went home in a taxi. Reviewed on: 6th December 2024
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