Personal vs vehicle breakdown cover: definitions and provider terms

Breakdown cover attaches either to a vehicle or to a person. Vehicle cover follows the vehicle or vehicles named on the policy, whoever drives them. Personal cover follows one or more named people, in whichever eligible vehicle they drive or travel in.

Definitions

• Vehicle cover: cover for the vehicle or vehicles registered on the policy. Other drivers of those vehicles are covered, subject to the provider's conditions (for example that they are insured to drive the vehicle). Other vehicles are not covered.
• Personal cover: cover for a named person as a driver or passenger. Providers also call it personal-based or multi-car cover.
• Joint, household or family personal cover: personal cover extended to other named people, usually at the same address.
• Eligible vehicle: the conditions a vehicle must meet for personal cover to apply, such as a maximum vehicle age, weight, private registration or use in the UK.

How the two differ

• What is named on the policy: vehicle cover names one or more vehicles; personal cover names one or more people.
• A different vehicle: vehicle cover does not apply in an unnamed vehicle; personal cover applies in any eligible vehicle.
• A different driver: vehicle cover applies whoever drives, within the provider's conditions; personal cover applies only when a named person is in the vehicle.
• Changing vehicle: vehicle cover needs the new vehicle registered with the provider; some providers state that personal cover does not (see below).

What each provider states

Provider statements are quoted from each provider's own pages as fetched on 8 October 2026, with a link to the page. “Not stated on the provider's public pages checked” means the pages fetched that day do not mention it; the policy wording may still set terms. Aviva is not listed because its pages could not be fetched. Linked provider names go to that provider's page on Cover Route.

• AA: “There are two main types: personal breakdown cover and vehicle breakdown cover.” Vehicle cover is “Breakdown cover for one nominated eligible vehicle, whoever's behind the wheel.” Family personal cover is “Breakdown cover for you and up to 3 other people you live with, as drivers or passengers in any eligible vehicle.” “If you have a personal-based policy (single, joint, family), a vehicle is covered only if the member is a driver or passenger in the vehicle when it breaks down.” (source: theaa.com/breakdown-cover/compare-breakdown-cover)
• AutoAid: “AutoAid only offers Personal based cover, meaning we cover a person to drive any eligible vehicle, rather than a vehicle covered to be driven by any eligible individual” (source: autoaidbreakdown.co.uk/personal-based-cover)
• Britannia Rescue: vehicle cover, with personal cover as “an optional extra”. “By choosing personal cover, both you and your spouse/partner are protected as passengers or drivers in any privately owned vehicle in the UK.” “you can't use personal cover while you are outside the UK!” For vehicle cover: “anyone driving the nominated vehicle will be covered for breakdown as long as they are insured to drive it and have your permission to drive the vehicle.” The cost to add personal cover for you and a partner is listed as +£26 (Roadside Assist), +£26 (Roadside & Home Assist), +£43 (UK Recovery), +£48 (UK Recovery & Home Assist) and +£48 (UK & European Assist). (source: britanniarescue.com/breakdown-cover.html)
• Emergency Assist: “if the vehicle is covered, then no matter who is driving they are able to call upon the service. Alternatively we can cover you as an individual for any vehicle you are travelling in, subject to the vehicle being 15 years of age or less.” (source: emergencyassistltd.co.uk/breakdown-cover/breakdown-cover-offers)
• ETA: Not stated on the provider's public pages checked. The car FAQ refers to personal breakdown cover without describing it. (source: eta.co.uk/breakdown-cover/car-faqs)
• GEM Motoring Assist: “You can choose to either get personal breakdown cover to cover yourself as a driver or passenger in any vehicle you happen to be travelling in, or you might prefer vehicle breakdown cover which provides vehicle cover for the specified vehicle only, regardless of who is driving it.” “you can cover up to three other members of your household by your personal breakdown cover policy.” On changing vehicle with personal cover: “at GEM you won’t even need to tell us about the change of vehicle” (source: motoringassist.com/breakdown-cover)
• Green Flag: options listed as “single vehicle cover, multiple-vehicle cover, or personal cover.” “Personal cover means you’re covered in any vehicle.” “our personal cover is only for vehicles under 16 years old, privately registered and used in the UK.” (source: greenflag.com)
• Halfords Breakdown Cover: “With Vehicle cover, the vehicle registered with us is covered, even if someone else is driving it.” “With Personal cover, you and anyone else added to your policy are covered when driving or travelling in a car, motorcycle or eligible van. Vans must be under 3.5 tonnes GVW and no more than 10 years old.” “If you have Personal Cover, you are covered as a driver or passenger in any eligible car or motorcycle of any age.” “Complimentary breakdown cover provided with a qualifying Halfords Autocentre service is Vehicle cover.” On changing vehicle: “If you have Personal cover, you do not need to notify us.” (source: halfordsbreakdowncover.com/breakdown-cover/frequently-asked-questions)
• RAC: “Personal breakdown cover protects a named person instead of a specific car.” “If you have vehicle cover, your vehicle will be covered no matter who is driving it when it breaks down.” “You can cover up to 3 vehicles registered to the same address.” Family cover “covers up to 5 people in one household”. (source: rac.co.uk/breakdown-cover/deals)
• Saga: “Personal cover – extend your cover to any car you and your spouse/partner (or nominated driver aged 50 or over living at the same address) drive or travel in, anywhere in the UK.” For the car itself: “With all our cover levels your car is covered for any driver providing they have a full UK or EU driving licence, that they have their own insurance, and they’re driving it with your permission.” (source: saga.co.uk/car-insurance/breakdown-cover)
• Start Rescue: “Vehicle Cover – Provides cover for your vehicle, regardless of who is driving.” “Personal Cover - Covers you when you are a driver or passenger in any eligible vehicle.” “personal breakdown cover allows you and up to 3 others in the same household to be covered for whichever vehicle* you are using to travel.” “We do not offer Continuous Monthly Cover for our European Four or Five Star vehicle cover or any Personal Cover policy.” (sources: startrescue.co.uk/breakdown-cover/frequently-asked-questions, startrescue.co.uk/breakdown-cover)

Conditions on personal cover, as stated

• Vehicle age: Green Flag, under 16 years; Emergency Assist, 15 years or less; Halfords, vans up to 10 years old (cars and motorcycles of any age).
• UK conditions: Britannia Rescue, personal cover cannot be used outside the UK; Green Flag, vehicles privately registered and used in the UK; Saga, any car anywhere in the UK.
• Who else can be named: AA, up to 3 other people you live with (family cover); GEM Motoring Assist and Start Rescue, up to 3 others in the household; RAC, up to 5 people in one household (family cover); Britannia Rescue, a spouse or partner; Saga, a spouse or partner, or a nominated driver aged 50 or over at the same address.
• Not offered: AutoAid states it offers personal cover only, not vehicle cover.

Related pages

• Personal cover and vehicle cover: cover type specifications.

Related comparison

• Personal vs vehicle cover