The RAC was founded in 1897, 8 years before their great rival the AA. The company have had numberous firsts in over a century of acting on behalf of the motorist including being first to introduce emergency roadside telephones in 1912.

The RAC offers as well as its familiar roadside breakdown cover, car insurance, vehicle checks, loans, travel insurance and van insurance

In September 1999 RAC Motoring services was sold by the Royal Automobile Club, the organisation was split and and became RAC Plc and retained the role of motor services (breakdown recovery etc) while the RAC Foundation took on the role of motoring advocates. In 2005 RAC was bought for £1.1 billion by Aviva, the parent group of companies which also owns Norwich Union.