RAC travel insurance review

RAC travel insurance overview

Founded in 1897, and given royal approval in 1907 by King Edward VII, the RAC is best known for providing breakdown cover but also offers a range of insurance products, including travel, car and home insurance.

RAC travel insurance policies are underwritten by Great Lakes on behalf of ERGO TIS.

• Find out more: the best and worst travel insurance

How good is RAC travel insurance?

Policy name	Policy type	Max trip length	Max age	Policy score	Covid rating   (What's this?) How well a policy covers you for typical coronavirus-related disruption. Ratings run from basic (worst) to low, superior and complete (best).
RAC Orange	Annual and single-trip	62 days (annual) / 94 days (single)	80 years old (annual) / No age limit		Low
RAC Silver	Annual and single-trip	62 days (annual) / 94 days (single)	80 years old (annual) / No age limit		Low
RAC Black	Annual and single-trip	62 days (annual) / 94 days (single)	80 years old (annual) / No age limit		Low

Should you buy RAC travel insurance?

We've rated hundreds of policy details to come up with a combined expert policy score.

Members can log in to read our full policy analysis. If you're not already a member, join Which? and get full access to these results and all our reviews.

In detail: every part of RAC's travel insurance rated

Medical expenses coverCancellation and delay coverPersonal belongings coverPersonal accident and liability coverExcesses and admin

		Orange		Silver		Black
Weighting	Policy element	Details	Rating	Details	Rating	Details	Rating
Most Important	Medical expenses - limit per claim
Most Important	Medical repatriation - limit per claim
Most Important	Private healthcare covered in an emergency (if no alternative)?
Secondary	Pre-existing medical conditions covered?
Secondary	Dental treatment - limit per claim
Other	Hospitalisation cover - limit per claim
Other	GHIC excess waiver

		Orange		Silver		Black
Weighting	Policy element	Details	Rating	Details	Rating	Details	Rating
Most Important	Cancellation and curtailment - limit per claim
Most Important	Costs for cancellation due to change in FCDO advice (non-COVID-19 related)
Secondary	Cancellation due to death of person staying with?
Most Important	Abandonment - limit per claim
Most Important	Bankruptcy of the holiday supplier included?
Most Important	Bankruptcy of an airline included?
Secondary	Industrial strike included?
Secondary	Volcanic ash included?
Secondary	Terrorism included?
Secondary	Civil unrest included?
Secondary	Missed departure - limit per claim
Secondary	Missed departure - flights covered
Secondary	Travel delay - first 12 hrs
Secondary	Travel delay - each additional 12 hr period
Secondary	Travel delay (Total) - limit per claim

		Orange		Silver		Black
Weighting	Policy element	Details	Rating	Details	Rating	Details	Rating
Most Important	Baggage & personal belongings - limit per claim
Most Important	Valuables - unspecified single item limit
Most Important	Cash - limit per claim
Secondary	Traveller's cheques - limit per claim
Secondary	Passport replacement costs - limit per claim
Secondary	Delayed baggage - limit per claim

		Orange		Silver		Black
Weighting	Policy element	Details	Rating	Details	Rating	Details	Rating
Secondary	Personal liability - limit per claim
Other	Personal accident (Death) - limit per claim
Other	Personal accident (Disability) - limit per claim
Other	Legal expenses - limit per claim
Other	Legal expenses - covered for taking action against holiday providers?

		Orange		Silver		Black
Weighting	Policy element	Details	Rating	Details	Rating	Details	Rating
Most Important	Medical Expenses Excess
Most Important	Cancellation excess
Most Important	Personal Belongings / Valuables Excess
Most Important	Money Excess
Most Important	Documents Excess
Other	Legal Expenses Excess
Other	Personal accident Excess
Secondary	Cancellation refund after cooling off period
Most Important	Medical emergency helpline
Secondary	Emergency Helpline

Table last updated in June 2021. Next update in June 2022.

To see how RAC's travel insurance compares with other policies, check out our guide on the best and worst travel insurance.

Is RAC's travel insurance coronavirus-proof?

We contacted 86 travel insurers and quizzed them on whether their policies cover coronavirus-related incidents.

Specifically we wanted to know if four scenarios would be covered: needing treatment for coronavirus abroad, having to cancel because of a positive test; having to cancel because of self-isolation; or having to cancel because of government advice.

We've rated insurers' coronavirus cover, and explained what they offer, including any relevant exclusions.

Members can log in to read our full policy analysis. If you're not already a member, join Which? and get full access to these results and all our reviews.

RAC travel insurance: how can I claim?

For emergency medical assistance call 01403 289 148 (UK), +1 844 780 0663 (USA & Canada) or +1 819 780 0662 (Mexico).

To make a claim call 01403 289 151. You can also make a claim online.

Before calling for cancellation claims, you should contact your travel agent and/or airline to seek a refund or to move your trip.

You'll need your policy document when you call.

• Find out more: how to claim on your travel insurance

Get top money-saving tips from Which?

Sign up to the Which? Money Weekly newsletter to get our latest news, tips and deals straight to your inbox.