Cover Features

Why choose LV= Britannia Rescue UK & European Breakdown cover?

Icon of a breakdown van towing a broken down car to a gas station

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?

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?

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 cover

Policy documents

Want a little more info? Take a read of the policy document

You can get this and other documents from us in Braille, large print or audio by contacting us.

LV= breakdown insurance is rated 9 out of 10 based on 273 customer reviews independently verified by Reevoo