UK and European
vehicle breakdown recovery

For fast breakdown reporting, download our app

Start Rescue was possibly the first breakdown company to offer an app that allows you to report your breakdown without having to make a telephone call.

There’s never a good time for your car, motorcycle or van to breakdown. Luckily, the free ‘Start Rescue’ mobile app allows you to report your breakdown in six easy steps:

Our simple step-by-step process

  • Step 1: Using your smartphones GPS we get your location and confirm it to you
  • Step 2: Provide your personal information so we can find your policy
  • Step 3: Provide the details of the vehicle you have broken down in
  • Step 4: Provide passenger and pet information (if applicable)
  • Step 5: Provide details of your vehicle’s fault
  • Step 6: Provide your recovery destination

Once you have reviewed and confirmed the information provided in the above steps, a Recovery Operator will be allocated to you in as little as 20 seconds. You will then receive a notification to tell you who is coming out to you and how long they’ll be. 

Our recent enhancement allows you to let us know whether the allocated Recovery Operator has arrived or not. If not, a rescue co-ordinator will obtain an update and pass this information to you as soon as possible. 

We have also just launched a new service that will give you real-time information on your assistance after a Recovery Operator has been allocated. You'll be able to track the Recovery Operator on a map that displays your location and the most recent location of the Recovery Operator. When the Recovery Operator is enroute, on-scene or complete a message will be displayed on the Job Monitor. To take advantage of this new feature, enable your push notifications and you'll receive a notification as soon as tracking data becomes available.

Get help the easy way with the ‘Start Rescue’ app. Please visit the links below to download the self-service platform to your iPhone or Android device.

 Google Play Store      Apple App Store

 

Not a Start Rescue customer?

If you’re not yet a Start Rescue customer, don’t worry you can still use our app. We will provide you with a quotation for our Pay on Use assistance.

 

What our customer's say...

The Start Rescue app provides a hassle free way to report your breakdown. But don't just take our word for it. Here's what some of our customers have had to say about how easy they have found our app to use:

Smartphone App…

Using the smartphone app to get assistance was quick and easy, the response time was in minutes, then a mechanic rang and said he was just finishing another job and he would be with me within the hour (it was a home call out for a flat battery so suited me fine), he arrived 30 minutes later and jumped the car back into life... job done!

Burt

A very easy to use app

A very easy to use app, technician arrived within 60 mins and quickly solved my issue, so a very positive experience all round.

Nanette
‌

Easy to use app,reassuring phone calls…

Easy to use app, reassuring phone calls from start rescue, on time and polite breakdown company hassle free experience

Lee

Cannot fault the StartRescue system

Initially used the phone app which offered easily understood and invaluable advice which, in hindsight, may have prevented a bad accident. We were distressed and not thinking as clearly as we might, but the app guided us through the correct procedure. Then a human being followed up with several phone calls, checking to see that we were OK and making sure everything was going to plan. I cannot thank them enough.

‌Heather

Very reliable

Contacted start rescue via my app today as broke down on a very busy road. App really easy to use and took my location via locations. Only had to wait half hour and recovery truck was there and loaded van with my car and took me to my allocated destination. Start rescue rang me twice within the half hour to make sure myself and my little boy was ok. Very impressed with their service. Prompt and very concerned of our welfare.

Kay

 

The above reviews have been submitted on Trustpilot during 2023.

Start Rescue
£41.34
Green Flag (greenflag.com)
£71.02
RAC (rac.co.uk)
£114.96
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All competitor prices have been based on our most popular 3 star level of cover for a car aged up to 5 years old and, where applicable, using the postcode CO1 1UX and date of birth 01/01/84. Cover includes roadside assistance, nationwide recovery, home assistance, alternative transport, overnight accommodation and key assist. Prices are inclusive of Insurance Premium Tax and, where applicable, administration fees.  Current website discounts have been applied to the prices listed for The AA. RAC and Start Rescue. Last updated 26/10/2026.

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startrescue.co.uk is rated 4.67 stars by Reviews.co.uk based on 64911 merchant reviews

Mr Trevor

It is very hard to determine the effectiveness of your breakdown service as I have not had to use it yet, but I feel you are a professional company and I do trust you to deliver, so to speak,when required.

12 Hours Ago

Mr George

Having been with the high street names for several years and not had a bad experience but not a great one either . I thought give someone else a go , your pricing was good not the cheapest but not the most expensive. And your website was easy to use and and easy to understand . So here I am in twelve months I will let you know how I got on.

14 Hours Ago

Mr David

Only had to use it once but knowing that it worked very well gives me the assurance if it needed again.

17 Hours Ago

Mr William

Good quality breakdown cover that is easy to arrange and gets good reviews, and dosn't cost a fortune to buy. Easy to use website too.

20 Hours Ago

Mrs Margaret

Very fast service after a breakdown and easy communication.

20 Hours Ago

Why Start Rescue?

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*Based on data for all recoveries made between November 2025 – April 2026.
**Excludes Business Breakdown Cover policies.
Trustpilot Main Logo Trustpilot 4.5 Star Rating

Based on 4792 reviews

Showing our 4 & 5 star reviews
Trustpilot 4 Star Rating

Car would not initial recovery guy did not want the job and said it needed a different type of recovery, I asked/they agreed that it could be done the...

Claire Colman 13 Hours Ago
Trustpilot 5 Star Rating

Car broke down at front of traffic lights. Start Rescue made it a priority to get recovered within the hour as I was blocking traffic. They kept in co...

Colin Summers 15 Hours Ago
Trustpilot 5 Star Rating

Just like to say a big thank you for your service. Your prompt response and action was most welcome. After being distracted while l was attempting to...

Peter Neale 19 Hours Ago