Best Motorhome Breakdown Cover UK: Expert Review

The UK is experiencing a motorhome boom. Whether due to the staycation influence of the pandemic or the rise in package holiday costs, owning a home on wheels has never been more popular.

However, motorhomes are a big investment, and breakdowns can turn a dream holiday into a nightmare. From mechanical failures far from home to dead batteries and unexpected flat tyres, the right breakdown cover can save you time and money and quickly get you back on the road.

In this expert review, we look at the best motorhome breakdown cover in the UK for various motorhome types and travelling needs.

Now, it’s time to reveal our top 5 motorhome breakdown cover providers.

To ensure a fair comparison between providers, we generated our quotes using the example of a 5-year-old Auto-Trail Expedition Coachbuilt C63. We also based our comparison on annual vehicle cover rather than personal cover.

Our expert score: 4.9/5

Pros

Cons

This comprehensive ‘All Zones’ policy covers the UK, mainland Europe, and the Mediterranean Islands (excluding the Canary Islands). You’ll be allowed up to 3 claims per year. There’s no excess on the annual premium of £168.04, and existing AA members will be entitled to a discount that reduces that to £144.03.

You’ll benefit from a 24/7 English-speaking helpline with multilingual operators who can contact garages on your behalf should there be a language barrier.

You’re covered for up to £1,500 for alternative travel and £500 for emergency hotel costs. The overall claim limit per trip is unlimited.

Why buy? Expert verdict

The AA covers vehicles of any age, including older or vintage motorhomes. The service also includes access to over 60,000 garage agents throughout Europe. Whether you plan on multiple trips or a single long one, you’ll likely be covered.

The AA’s annual policy offers unlimited trips of up to 354 days, which contrasts with standard coverage from many other providers. AXA, for example, allows trips of up to 31 days but only 90 in total.

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Our expert score: 4.5/5

Pros

Cons

The RAC’s European coverage provides roadside assistance in 48 European countries. No matter where you are, you can speak to a 24/7 English-speaking customer service team.

Other neat touches include a contribution of up to £150 towards labour repairs and up to £500 reimbursement if your vehicle breakdown results in missing pre-booked travel.

You’ll also be eligible for alternative accommodation of up to £3,000 if your motorhome needs to stay in the garage for repairs. And if you accidentally put the wrong fuel in your vehicle (it happens!), the RAC will sort that, too.

Why buy? Expert verdict

The RAC’s European motorhome breakdown cover isn’t the cheapest on the market, but we feel it’s the most comprehensive.

It comes with a year’s membership to the Camping and Caravanning Club with exclusive access to campsites and motorhome offers, so it’s tailored towards seasoned motorhome travellers who spend many days on the road in the UK and Europe.

Its Advanced cover includes unlimited callouts (the Standard cover has a limit of 5 per year). The RAC also promises to get your motorhome back home if repair is impossible before the end of your holiday.

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Our expert score: 4.2/5

Pros

Cons

With LV= Britannia Rescue, a £40 excess is the trade-off for a very reasonable annual price of £28.67. This UK-only coverage features unlimited call-outs, nationwide recovery, and onward recovery. The latter provides alternative transportation or overnight accommodation if your vehicle can’t be repaired quickly.

Misfuelling isn’t part of a standard policy, but running out of fuel is. Additionally, LV= Britannia Rescue came out on top in a recent Which? survey for the fastest breakdown recovery times at under 30 minutes on average.

Why buy? Expert verdict

While this LV= Britannia Rescue breakdown cover isn’t motorhome-specific, its terms note that motorhomes of up to 8 metres in length and 7.5 tonnes in weight are covered. That’s an extra metre and 4 extra tonnes of allowance compared to Green Flag’s standard breakdown cover, for example. It makes it ideal for those looking for a large motorhome breakdown cover.

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Our expert score: 4.1/5

Pros

Cons

You’ll need to be a member of the Caravan and Motorhome Club (at £66 a year) to qualify for breakdown cover from Green Flag. This caravan and motorhome breakdown cover is the result of a trusted 45-year partnership, and it includes several features tailored to motorhomes.

At £113 a year, its Premium cover includes unlimited call-outs and 24/7 nationwide recovery anywhere in the UK—including the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. Its home-call feature also provides assistance on your doorstep to fix mechanical problems at home.

Why buy? Expert verdict

For anyone who struggles to find suitable cover for their beloved older motorhomes (let’s be polite and call them ‘vintage’), Green Flag’s Mayday cover could be your answer. Not only are there no size or weight limits to the motorhomes it covers, but there are no age restrictions either.

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Our expert score: 4/5

Pros

Cons

Similar to LV = Britannia Rescue, with Rescuemycar.com, you’ll commit to a small excess of £40 to pay a smaller annual premium of just £15.41. You’ll still get unlimited call-outs for the price, though you’ll be restricted to a maximum claim limit of £10,000 per policy term.

Despite the rock-bottom cost, roadside assistance, overnight accommodation, misfuelling, and nationwide recovery are all included. Home start for repairs at home or within a mile of home is also covered. European cover isn’t included, however.

Why buy? Expert verdict

If budget is your priority, you won’t go far wrong with Rescuemycar.com, which came up as the best value motorhome breakdown cover among the quotes we received. Although it’s not a specific motorhome policy like some others on this list, you’ll be covered provided your motorhome is no longer than 7 metres and weighs under 3.5 tonnes.

✍️ Have you used this provider? Share a rating and review for RescueMyCar.com on Review Centre.

Motorhome breakdown cover tends to fall into 2 key categories: personal cover and vehicle cover.

Personal cover is specific to a single individual. It will cover that named person for breakdowns in any vehicle in which they are a driver or passenger. Because it often covers more than 1 vehicle, this cover is usually more expensive.

Vehicle cover, on the other hand, is specific to 1 particular motorhome. Should this motorhome break down, you can ring for assistance regardless of who was driving it (provided the driver is legally permitted to do so). Because the cover involves only 1 vehicle, it’s often less expensive than personal cover.

What type of motorhome breakdown cover do I need?

The first thing to consider is whether you require personal cover or vehicle cover. This is usually a simple decision. If you regularly own or drive multiple vehicles, personal cover is likely the best option. It’s also a good pick if you own an everyday car along with your motorhome, for example. Vehicle cover is the smart choice for those who own or drive only 1 vehicle.

You’ll then need to decide where you intend to drive your motorhome. If you plan to drive only around the UK, you can save money by opting for UK-only breakdown cover.

If you want to explore Europe on 4 wheels, you’ll need great European breakdown cover. Should you break down on European roads, you’ll be eligible for roadside assistance and support. This coverage is available as single-trip or annual multi-trip policies. Although the latter tends to be more expensive, you’ll save money in the long run if you make multiple trips. You might need to inform your insurer of your intended destinations before you depart.

Lastly, you may need to consider the size and age of your motorhome. Many good car breakdown policies may cover modern or compact motorhomes. However, for older or bulkier camping vans, you may need to find a cover tailored to motorhomes.

Almost all breakdown covers include roadside assistance. If your motorhome breaks down mid-journey, a mechanic will arrive as soon as possible to help. If they can’t fix your car where it is, they’ll arrange to tow your motorhome to a nearby garage.

Nationwide recovery ensures you and your passengers are covered to return home or to a UK destination of your choosing. If your breakdown cover includes an onward journey, your provider will cover alternative transport or overnight accommodation until your motorhome is ready to go again.

Whereas roadside assistance is usually available a certain distance from your house (outlined in the policy), home start cover provides help closer to (or even at) your home. Home start is especially useful if your motorhome fails to make it off your drive.

Lastly, European cover extends coverage for breakdowns across continental Europe.

When you’re shopping around for the best motorhome breakdown cover, consider the following:

Coverage

Is it just you who will be travelling in the motorhome? Is it your only vehicle? Will you be driving in the UK or heading further afield? Once you’ve got definitive answers to all these questions, you’ll know what your breakdown cover needs to include.

Budget and Excess

The costs of motorhome breakdown cover can vary, but the cheapest policies may not offer the level of support you’re likely to require. Weigh up what you can afford versus what you’re likely to need. Also, keep in mind that some providers offer a lower premium if you’re prepared to pay an excess whenever you claim.

Response time

Nobody’s idea of fun is being stranded on the hard shoulder, waiting hours for assistance. To help narrow down your selection, research the average response time for each provider. Independent surveys are regularly conducted and will allow you to filter out the slowest response times.

Customer reviews

Check out customer reviews of the various breakdown assistance providers. They should give you a good idea of the levels of customer satisfaction and service. You’ll also want to make a note of contact hours and options abroad. The top performers offer 24/7 English-speaking support, available throughout Europe.

Exclusions and extras

Judge what policy extras you might need to tailor your cover even closer to your own requirements. Just as important is to note what isn’t included so you’re not feeling disappointed at the moment you’re in need.

We compared quotes from over 10 of the top motorhome breakdown cover providers to create our shortlist. We narrowed it down to the 5 best options based on the following criteria:

Price

While no decision should be made purely on cost, we’ve noted where we believe providers offer the best value. We also looked at other factors that might help reduce the overall cost. This included being a member of a motorhome or assistance provider club or agreeing to pay an excess on each claim.

Policy Limits

We noted where specific policies include limitations or exclusions that may influence your choice. Some breakdown cover companies restrict call-outs to a certain number per year. Others have a maximum claims value per policy. Others included restrictions—such as size or weight—on the motorhomes covered.

Trip Limits

We compared limits imposed on trips by each provider. We also stated where policies included UK-only or European cover and noted any restrictions on the length of time trips could be.

Customer support

For each provider featured, we looked into industry and customer reviews to gauge service levels. We noted where any had earned praise from independent reviewers or regulators.

Are motorhomes covered under standard vehicle breakdown policies?

Not always—check the terms for each provider. Policies should clearly state whether standard car breakdown cover includes motorhomes. If so, make sure you know the dimensions and weight of your motorhome, as some policies exclude larger vehicles.

What information do I need when purchasing a breakdown cover?

In addition to your address and date of birth, you’ll need to provide your driving license, vehicle registration number, and information on the type and age of your vehicle.

How can I get a cheaper motorhome breakdown cover?

Although we’ve focused on standalone breakdown cover for this review, most insurers offer breakdown assistance as part of their overall motorhome insurance policies. If it doesn’t come as standard, it might be worth speaking to your insurance provider to discuss paying for breakdown cover as an add-on.

Being part of a caravan or motorhome club can also reduce the costs of some breakdown covers (such as those offered by the RAC and Green Flag). Be sure to insure only for what you need. If you don’t intend to travel to Europe, purchase a UK-only cover to keep costs down.

If you own a motorhome, you probably enjoy the sense of freedom that getting out on the road gives you. But your home on wheels could soon feel like a roadside prison if you encounter an unexpected problem.

So, while no one planning their next epic road trip wants to think about the possibility of a breakdown, it’s best to be prepared.

The good news is that if you carefully consider your needs and preferences, you shouldn’t have to spend a lot of time finding the best motorhome breakdown cover.

We hope this guide has provided enough information to guide you in the right direction. Now, set your playlist, pack the snacks, and have fun road-tripping!