Name: European Breakdown Cover | LV= Britannia Rescue
Brand: LV=

LV= Britannia Rescue UK & European Breakdown cover

What's included?

Off on a European road trip? UK & European Assist has everything you need while driving abroad, from the moment you leave home.

24/7 English-speaking breakdown assistance from our UK call centre
Roadside assistance and recovery to a local place of repair in Europe and a national recovery in the UK
We'll arrange repatriation and transport of your vehicle back to the UK if it’s not fixed in time for your return journey
Alternative travel arrangements if you break down before your trip or when in Europe
Fix your vehicle at the roadside whenever we can
Overnight accommodation or a hire car if repairs can't be completed in time for your return journey

On price comparison websites, UK & European Assist may be referred to as Nationwide with Home & European Assistance.

European breakdown cover

Here's what you need to know before you head off on your European roadtrip...

If you break down on the motorway or at a motorway service station in France, you’ll have to call for help from the orange SOS box on the side of the road, or 112 from your mobile. You’ll be put through to the police or motorway service operator who will send their provider to help you.
Recovery agents may not speak English, so customers are advised to call the assistance service if there is any translation required.
The replacement vehicle entitlement will not be activated if you can’t produce a valid driver's licence and credit card under the same name and agencies in Europe will not accept debit cards. You will also need to have sufficient funds in your account to cover the deposit, as this will not be covered by your insurance or Opteven.
Make sure you travel with your driver's licence, original insurance certificate and the V5 of the vehicle. This is a legal requirement in many countries. You should check before you leave. If you plan to drive a car hired in the UK abroad, then you should carry a VE103 Certificate.

Garages in France close between 12 and 2pm for lunch. Garages in Spain close for 'siesta' but the times vary from garage to garage.
You will need to display a UK sticker clearly on the rear of your vehicle if your number plate doesn’t have it. Since September 2021 a GB sticker or number plate isn’t sufficient.
It is illegal in France and some other European countries (Germany for one) to change just one tyre on an axle of a vehicle; both tyres on a shared axle need to be changed.
Drivers in some larger cities in France will need to purchase a ‘clean air’ sticker to denote the level of emissions a vehicle produces.
Warning triangles, fluorescent jackets and first aid kits are compulsory in some countries.
Pets will not be allowed on any ferries to cross the channel unless they are in a cage within a vehicle.

What if your car breaks down abroad?

Don't think you'll be driving outside the UK?

Let's see which of our 5 levels of annual vehicle breakdown cover works for you...

Product name for direct breakdown customers	Roadside Assist	Roadside & Home Assist	UK Recovery	UK Recovery & Home Assist	UK & European Assist
Price	£33 a year	£66 a year	£73 a year	£102 a year	£147 a year
Cover for anyone driving the vehicle
Assistance more than 1/4 mile from home
Local recovery up to 10 miles from where you break down
Cover at home
Same day recovery to anywhere in the UK
Hire car, alternate transport or overnight accommodation
European breakdown cover

Cost to add personal cover	+£26	+£26	+£43	+£48	+£48

Product name for direct breakdown customers	Roadside Assist	Roadside & Home Assist	UK Recovery	UK Recovery & Home Assist	UK & European Assist
Price	£33 a year	£66 a year	£73 a year	£102 a year	£147 a year
Cover for anyone driving the vehicle
Assistance more than 1/4 mile from home
Local recovery up to 10 miles from where you break down
Cover at home
Same day recovery to anywhere in the UK
Hire car, alternate transport or overnight accommodation
European breakdown cover

Cost to add personal cover	+£26	+£26	+£43	+£48	+£48

Existing Customers

If you’re an existing customer, you can add UK and European breakdown cover to your LV= car insurance

Call us on 0330 678 5222 to add our breakdown cover to your existing LV= car cover at any time. It’s a match made in heaven (like tea and biscuits).
If you don't already have car insurance with us, but want to benefit from this perfect match, you can get a car insurance quote today and add breakdown cover.

Existing customer optional extras

LV= Britannia European Breakdown Cover FAQs

I have European breakdown cover - which countries am I covered in?

If you have UK & European Assist breakdown cover, your nominated vehicle is covered in the following countries in addition to the UK and Republic of Ireland:

Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia (West of the Urals), San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey in Europe, Ukraine.

Do I need to notify you when I plan to travel outside of the UK?

No, if you're travelling abroad, you don't need to tell us in advance - unless you haven't got UK & European Assist breakdown cover and you'd like to add it.

If your car breaks down while you're away and you've got UK & European Assist breakdown cover, give us a call on +44 1484 435 806 (for Text Phone dial +44 151 494 1260) and we'll be happy to help.

Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Calls will be recorded. For Text Phone first dial 18001

I have LV= Britannia breakdown cover. Am I covered to drive in Europe?

If you have our UK & European Assist cover, you're protected against breakdown when driving in Europe.

Take your car insurance policy documents and your vehicle log book (V5C) with you if you travel to the EU. Having your Certificate of Insurance and other documents, including any lease documents if you lease your car may help if you experience any problems while driving abroad.

Be sure you have the appropriate cover for driving abroad by checking your breakdown insurance well in advance of your trip. Some providers offer enhanced cover before you leave the UK, such as offering you a hire car if you breakdown right before your trip and you can’t take your own car. Keep in mind that, in many circumstances, this cover won't apply unless you have it in place at least 7 days before your planned departure date.

What is a Green Card and will I need one or any other documents to travel in the EU?

As of 2 August 2021, you no longer need a green card to drive your car in most EU countries. Only Albania, Morocco, Serbia and Turkey now require them as standard.

If you're towing, you may still need to carry one for your caravan or trailer. Before you travel, check out our information on green cards and driving to the EU.

You may need to display a country of origin sticker on your car. You might also need an international driving permit (IDP) to drive in some EU countries and Norway if you have either:

• A paper driving licence

• A licence issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man

Check online to see if you need an international driving permit (IDP) or ask at your local Post Office.

If you have European cover (shown as ‘Foreign Use’ on your policy schedule), you’re all set to go with cover for up to 180 days.

It’s a good idea to take your car insurance policy documents and your vehicle log book (V5C) with you if you travel to the EU. Having your Certificate of Insurance and other documents, including any lease documents if you lease your car may help if you experience any problems while driving abroad.

There are a few more things to do before visiting the EU, like checking your passport and any travel advice for the countries you’ll be driving in.

Bon voyage!

Are other members of my household also covered for breakdown cover?

Yes, 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. To be covered in any other vehicle they'll need separate breakdown cover for that vehicle.

If you want to cover you and your spouse/partner in any other privately owned vehicle while in the UK then you can add personal cover to your policy.

AWARDS and recognition

Breakdown cover that just works

5 Star rated by Defaqto for our UK Recovery & Home Assist and UK & European Assist breakdown cover
We're ranking at 4.6/5 by Trustpilot. Correct as of 31st July 2023.
LV= breakdown cover rated 4.9 out of 5 based on 79 customer reviews independently verified by Feefo
Correct as of 22 May 2023

LV= breakdown insurance policy documents

Our policy documents

You can get these and other documents from us in Braille, large print or audio by sending us an email.

Get a quick annual breakdown insurance quote online

Get a breakdown quote

Prefer to call? No problem

0330 678 7117

Lines open:

Mon to Fri 8am - 8pm

Sat 9am - 5pm

Sun 10am - 4pm

For Text Phone first dial 18001

Calls will be recorded

European breakdown cover

LV= Britannia Rescue UK & European Breakdown cover

European breakdown cover

Don't think you'll be driving outside the UK?

Existing Customers

LV= Britannia European Breakdown Cover FAQs

AWARDS and recognition

Right that's everything! Let's get you a quote...

Get a quick annual breakdown insurance quote online

Prefer to call? No problem