Is it worth getting breakdown cover in France?

Reader Question: Is breakdown cover worth having? It is not part of my current car insurance policy.

Breakdown cover (garantie assistance dépannage) is not mandatory when driving in France, but car insurance (assurance auto) providers often include it as part of their offer.

However, this depends on your policy: if you only have a minimum au tiers (third party damage) policy, you may not be covered for breakdown, whereas fully comprehensive tous risques (all risks) cover will almost certainly include it in some form.

If your policy does not include breakdown assistance as standard, it is usually available as an optional extra. 

“Although European breakdown cover isn’t compulsory, driving your own car through France without it is really unwise,” says David Griffiths, founder of the website Drive France.

“France is a huge country, and if you break down miles from anywhere the recovery costs can quickly add up, and the language barrier can make things even more stressful.

“A good breakdown policy gives you real peace of mind: roadside assistance, towing, and often overnight accommodation, plus many of the good ones have an English-speaking helpline,” adds Mr Griffiths. 

Providers offering the latter include CA Britline.

Drivers usually have a choice of whether the insurance is always active or if it only applies when further than 50km from the property at which the vehicle is registered. 

The latter is cheaper, the idea being that you will be able to manage the breakdown more easily when closer to home.

International coverage also depends on your contract, but French car insurance policies generally cover drivers throughout the EU. 

If you are based in the UK and driving in France, you do not need to have breakdown cover, but getting it can be reassuring.

European breakdown cover is not included in most British policies, but is often available as an added extra. 

“The first thing I’d advise anyone is to check with their car insurance provider for two things: one, are they covered to drive it abroad and, two, whether limited European breakdown cover is already included in their policy,” says Mr Griffiths. 

RAC European breakdown cover is available for a single trip or annual cover. Prices start at £3.57 per day and depend on factors including the duration of the trip and vehicle age. 

It is valid for trips under 90 days and provides a 24/7 English helpline, a contribution towards car repairs at a garage, car hire and accommodation. 

Green Flag also offers European cover, available as a single trip or annual cover for a trip under 90 days in length. Prices start at £8.46 per day. 

The AA’s European breakdown cover starts at £4.63 per day. It includes car hire and a hotel if needed, as well as a 24/7 English helpline. You can pay extra to include a contribution towards costs at a garage. 

Some UK bank accounts, such as Nationwide’s FlexPlus, include UK and European breakdown cover as part of their customer benefits.

Generally, prices tend to be higher the longer the trip and the older the vehicle. 

US policies typically do not cover drivers outside of the US and Canada, so motorists would have to take out separate European breakdown cover. 

Mr Griffiths recommends always reading the small print.

“Make sure it covers the full length of your trip, includes repatriation if needed, and check customer reviews.” 

Note that normal breakdown cover does not apply if you run into trouble on a French motorway. 

Only personnel who are authorised by the motorway operator are allowed to help in these instances, and must do so within 30 minutes of your call. 

Contact the motorway operator via the SOS Autoroute app or the orange phone boxes along the hard shoulder.