How does vehicle breakdown cover work in France?

Reader Question: Do I need separate breakdown cover for my car with a company similar to the RAC/AA, as I did in the UK?

Unlike in the UK, breakdown cover (garantie assistance dépannage) does not have to be purchased separately from your general car insurance. 

Car insurance (assurance auto) providers often include this type of breakdown cover as part of their offer.

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

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

If it is included, you can modify the policy to benefit from additional cover.

The extent of assistance depends on your insurance contract, but can include: 

• A replacement vehicle (while your car is being repaired)

• Payment of transport costs for the driver and passengers (taxi, train, etc.)

• Repatriation and accommodation for the driver (and passengers)

• Towing of the vehicle (this is sometimes subject to other conditions)

Policies typically cover breakdowns that occur due to:

• Technical breakdown (faulty battery, engine, etc);

• Fuel failure

• Tyre puncture

• Immobilisation of the vehicle due to extreme weather (snow, hail, storm, etc.)

• A road accident involving immobilisation of the vehicle

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

Policies offering the latter are cheaper, with the idea that you will be able to manage all of these issues yourself more easily when closer to home.

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

However, coverage in the UK may require an additional option in your policy.

Read more: Roadworthy CT tests expected to change for car owners in France in January 2025

Rules different on motorways 

If you break down on a motorway in France you must contact the motorway operator. 

They will send out a specialist to come and collect your vehicle and either repair it or take you to the nearest garage. Only personnel who are authorised by the motorway operators are allowed to do this. 

Motorway operators can be contacted via the SOS Autoroute app or the orange phone boxes found on motorway hard shoulders. 

The costs depend on the vehicle’s maximum permitted laden weight (poids total autorisé en charge - PTAC) and whether the breakdown is in normal hours or rather during evenings/weekends/public holidays. You can find the PTAC at line F2 on a vehicle’s carte grise (registration document). 

The costs break down as follows:

• Roadside repair for a vehicle with a PTAC of 3.5 tonnes or less, Monday - Friday between 8:00 and 18:00 - €144.52

• Roadside repair for a vehicle with a PTAC of 3.5 tonnes or less, evenings/weekends/public holidays - €216.78

• Towing of a vehicle with a PTAC of 1.8 tonnes or less, Monday - Friday between 08:00 and 18:00 - €144.52

• Towing of a vehicle with a PTAC of between 1.8 tonnes and 3.5 tonnes, Monday - Friday between 08:00 and 18:00 - €178.70

• Towing of a vehicle with a PTAC of 1.8 tonnes or less, evenings/weekends/public holidays - €216.78

• Towing of a vehicle with a PTAC of between 1.8 tonnes and 3.5 tonnes, evenings/weekends/public holidays - €268.05 

Vehicles with a PTAC of over 3.5 tonnes require special assistance.

These costs are sometimes – but not always – covered by your insurance provider, but usually need to be paid upfront.

Read more: What is the procedure if my car breaks down on a French motorway?