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RAC: Breakdown Cover reviews

Name: Breakdown Cover
Rating: 1.79 (144 reviews)

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1.41

Based on 144 reviews, last reviewed 21st Feb 2025

No new 5 star reviews

in the past 90 days

22% decrease in 1 star reviews

in the past 90 days

14%

77%

Latest highest rating:

4

Brilliant There is a discount on brake down cover at min...brilliant for money. Reviewed on: 24th August 2024

Latest lowest rating:

1

not worth one star 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... Read more Reviewed on: 21st February 2025

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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 (144)

Review of the RAC, Breakdown Cover:

Cheap first year

Gave a cheap quote for the first year but upped it considerably for the following year, for the same cover. Automatically renews which is also a pain. If you don't check your renewal quote within a few weeks, it disappears and you have no access to your documents, price paid, etc, even online. Reviewed on: 22nd November 2017

Worst Customer Service on the planet

I broke down and paid for a tow upfront as they said it was unlikely that it would be fixed on the side of the road but if it was then i could get a refund. the mechanic did get my car up and running and i got home so no tow was needed. After several calls over the space of 4 weeks and hours on the phone to get a refund for a tow that never happened, i still don't have my refund. I keep getting told it will be in my account but never actually arrives. The RAC has effectively stolen my money. There is no way in hell i would ever recommend using these thief's. Reviewed on: 22nd December 2023

Worse company for breakdown Support

My experience with this company was incredibly frustrating and disheartening. I found myself stranded in the cold for an extended period, enduring from 6:15 AM until 10:30 AM. Despite assurances from the agent to receive a callback, none was forthcoming. Each time I reached out, the agents appeared uninformed about my situation. To my disbelief, one agent even threatened to cancel the job if I contacted them again. The lack of information regarding the estimated recovery time only heightened my frustration. To compound the situation, the RAC breakdown mechanic who eventually arrived first suggested the need for pick-up recovery before assessing my car's issue. He mentioned arranging it while en route. Regrettably, upon inspecting my car from a short distance, he admitted he couldn't fix it. Surprisingly, he didn't bring or use an OBD diagnostic. Instead, he attempted a jump start and informed me that he would need to organize a pick-up, a task he had initially claimed to handle on his way to me. Following the diagnosis, I was swiftly charged £263, and the on-site patrol advised that the team would contact me with the next steps, which never happened. No details were shared about the tow company. An agent on the phone informed me that as they cannot tow back to my house in one trip, they would need to arrange multiple pickups. I was given a mere estimate that my car would be returned to my home address in 3 days. After further waiting, I was then told that the car might be returned in 5 days. Given the Christmas season, I find myself without a car and no viable options. Throughout this ordeal, the agents provided a series of implausible excuses, including claims about being unable to confirm the time and restrictions on towing due to limited drive time. Based on my experience, I strongly discourage others from using this company. Opting for a random tow company would likely be both more cost-effective and hassle-free. Reviewed on: 21st December 2023

Never turned up

I called on the 19/12/2023 at 23.06pm for the breakdown but unfortunately no one turned up customer service called to say there is no available to respond to breakdown. Keep away from this company at all costs. Reviewed on: 20th December 2023

7 hours on roadside in Leicester

Been waiting 7 hours for recovery they say waiting time 98 minute sat reading reviews while stranded there's plenty of bad one company not fit for purpose join the AA Reviewed on: 18th December 2023

Only a DEATH will change their ways

Left me stranded twice now. In freezing cold conditions. 1st time on motorway DANGEROUS CONDITION in the freezing cold. 8&half HR wait. Even the traffic patrol cars felt sorry and let us sit in their car to warm up and gave foil blankets. 2nd time left me stranded again 1hr from home freezing cold conditions. I have onward travel. Makes no use. Unless their patrol car comes out 1st. Said could be 6 hrs and after call back several times. They tell me not likely gonna happen today. The manager says everytime no help can be provided until patrol car comes. BUT NO PATROL CAR IS COMING Unbelievable they can do this to people!! Stay away and stay alive. Even their own patrol cars have said. Someone will have to die before they do something Reviewed on: 8th December 2023

AVOID!!!

AVOID AVOID AVOID!!! This company is a joke! I have roadside recovery with Hastings Direct which unfortunately doesn't cover home start. When my car wouldn't go into gear I called my insurance and got put through to RAC and was told we can help with an additional fee of £161. I agreed to pay as this is my only car and I have my job and a toddler so I need my car. I made clear numerous times BEFORE PAYMENT that the garage I'm booked with closes at 6pm so I need it towed before then. Was told they have that information and assured me all would be taken care of. I paid the fee and waited...and waited...and waited. When it got to 4pm I called and asked for an update they informed me a tow truck was on its way to me but has now been sent to another job and they are trying to get another one to me. I wasn't happy but gave them more time. Come to 5pm I call again for an update to then be told the tow truck will now be with you at 12:30am! Unreasonable! I told them I was not happy about this, needed my car to be in the garage today as I had commitments the following day! They apologised and arranged for following morning first thing, between 8am and 12pm I said that's not first thing I need my car! They need to be here at 8am! Especially since you've let me down today! They told me to call if I had not heard anything by 9am. What a surprise I heard nothing. I call them again was told they can't give accurate time they will contact you before 12pm. Come 11am heard nothing so again I call to be told sorry we had to get another tow company and now they will be with you this afternoon! Beyond a joke! I said at that point I want to make an official complaint the lady said a Manager would call me within 30 to 45mins. 2 HOURS LATER I CALL AGAIN!!! This time to be put through to a man with an awful attitude telling me I have to email as the managers "don't do that" and began rushing me off the phone! Thankfully the tow truck did arrive and my car is finally in the garage and being resolved by Halfords. Appalling customer service, appalling communication with customers I feel like they now have my money and they're done! I will be emailing and making an official complaint and will be asking for my money back! EVEN IF I WAS STRANDED I WOULD NEVER USE YOUR COMPANY! UNRELIABLE AVOID AT ALL COSTS! Reviewed on: 7th December 2023

Left at wrong location, left unlocked for days, keys left on passengers side wheel. Lucky car not stolen

Waited over a week for my car to be towed to a garage during opening hours. I got lied to on various occasions by the RAC team about the status of my tow. After chasing up the location or my car and the key, the car was dropped off to the wrong location after midnight. I was lied that the key was posted through the garage letterbox. My car was not only left unlocked in the wrong location for 3-4 days. The key was left on the passengers side wheel. I was lucky the garage was able to locate the car. The car found to be in an absolutely filthy state inside. I do not know yet if anything has been stolen from my car. My car is a Range Rover Sport and lucky it was not stolen. Absolutely shocking service from all departments of the RAC. Reviewed on: 4th December 2023

22 hrs and still waiting

I phoned at 1500 because I'm car broke down whilst picking up my children from school. I phoned and was told as I have three very young children in the car I would be a priority. An hour waiting in minus 2 I managed to get a friend come and take the children home whilst I waited. Two hours later I was still waiting with no contact from RAC my friend came and picked me up so I could go and do dinner for children. I got home where I had internet and the online waiting time went up to 2200. This was a full 6 hrs after I rang. So how was this an emergency time from them. Lucky for my friend or I don't know what I would of done. It got to nine at night and still no contact, I got someone to tow it home with me sonat least it was at my house. Very dangerous with no engine but options were limited. We got it home and I phoned RAC again. They said it'll be tomorrow now,early morning. I'm sitting here now writing this with still no contact. It's been a full 22 hrs of waiting for them to help me. I would of died in the car if I was left waiting. STAY AWAY! I wil never use these again and will cancel my membership today. Pay ore and go AA. Reviewed on: 30th November 2023

Worst place to have Breakdown cover

The worst breakdown service ever. Shame there are no negative stars to give. Reported a breakdown at 4:15pm, rescue van came in about 45 mins. They said car needs to be towed, waited for tow truck until 11pm in the me of nowhere 100 miles away from home. And all they had to say is sorry! Shame on you. Reviewed on: 29th November 2023

Waited 10hrs in the middle of nowhere in 0 degrees

I have waited over 10hrs in the middle of nowhere in 0° on motorbike. I have been customer with them over 7 years. Never had to use them until now and I wish I was with another company. Complete waste of money. They don't care about you or your viecle. Reviewed on: 28th November 2023

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