Click here for our guide to European Breakdown Cover

You will already be familiar with companies like the AA, RAC and Green Flag – nationally-known names that provide comprehensive breakdown and recovery services for cars.

In many cases, these companies will cover vans and motorhomes, too – but do you know whether they will cover your motorhome?

There are two factors to consider:

Size & Weight

The problem with motorhomes – particularly coachbuilt models – is that they can be fairly large for their weight when compared to the goods vehicles on which they are based.

In some cases, they are simply too large to be covered by breakdown and recovery services that are designed for cars. I must stress that this doesn’t apply to all motorhomes – but the responsibility is yours to check that your vehicle meets the breakdown company’s requirements.

Here’s what you should consider:

Weight

Under 3,500kg, most standard breakdown services will accept your vehicle. The AA, RAC and Green Flag all have a 3,500kg weight limit* for their standard breakdown policies.

If your motorhome has a maximum permitted weight over 3,500kg, then you will need a specialist recovery service. This should probably be a service aimed at large motorhomes, but for the largest of motorhomes and RVs, a heavy recovery service aimed at buses and lorries might be required.

Length

If your motorhome is over 7m long, you will certainly need a specialist motorhome or commercial vehicle breakdown and recovery service. Even if your vehicle is shorter than this, you may do.

Here are the current length restrictions for UK breakdown cover from the three best-known companies:

RAC: 5.5m*

AA: Not specified

Green Flag: 7m

Don’t forget that your length measurement must include any tow bar or rear-mounted bike racks, luggage boxes, etc..

The AA’s European Breakdown service (an excellent service, in my personal experience), will cover motorhomes up to 7m* long, as long as they meet the other size restrictions.

Width

The standard width limit for most breakdown services seems to be about 2.3m (7’ 6″). Anything over this is HGV/Bus territory.

The AA and RAC specify a maximum width of 2.3m* for their regular breakdown policies.

Green Flag specifies a width of 2.25m*.

Height

Don’t forget height. Most light recovery services – those designed for car and van breakdowns – lift vehicles onto the back of a lorry for recovery. This means that height is an important factor and many breakdown services have height restrictions.

This is especially a consideration in Europe, where some countries have a 4m height limit on many roads:

The height restriction for Green Flag’s UK cover and for the AA’s European Breakdown service is 3m*.

The AA and RAC do not specify height limits for their UK services*.

Don’t forget that your height measurement must include everything – air vents, roof racks, TV aerials, etc..

*All information correct according to company websites at time of writing (08/07/2009). No responsibility can be taken for incorrect information – please check before you buy.