I am going on holiday in a rental car. Will roadside breakdown assistance be included as part of the package?
Usually yes, for mechanical breakdown. The major rental companies include roadside assistance for faults with the car itself, because they own the car and want it back. What they frequently exclude, or charge for, is anything caused by the driver: lost keys, misfuelling, a flat battery because the lights were left on, a puncture, or running out of fuel. Some sell an upgraded roadside package to cover exactly those things.
Read the rental agreement's assistance section before you drive away and keep the assistance number somewhere you can find it. Abroad, check whether assistance covers crossing borders if you plan to.
If you hold personal breakdown cover from a UK provider, it will normally cover you in a hire car in the UK as a driver, which fills the gaps the rental company leaves. Vehicle cover will not. Personal cover does not usually extend to a hire car abroad unless the European section says so. Our guide to personal versus vehicle cover explains the difference.
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