Alternatives to ADAC - there are

The ADAC is not the only automobile club in Germany - there are various alternatives. But which? And what services do the individual automobile clubs bring with them? Not all have a breakdown service, for example, or only help you within Germany. In this practical tip, we have listed some ADAC alternatives for you.

1. The largest ADAC alternative: AvD

AvD stands for German Automobile Club. The association is also heavily involved in traffic safety issues and has been working closely with the alliance since 2008.

• The AvD has approximately 1.4 million members.
• It offers all the classic services of an automobile club, including breakdown and towing assistance with around 2, 300 of its own helpers. For comparison: the ADAC has about 2500. In addition there are insurance offers, letters of protection, a classic car service, travel service and a member magazine.
• There is a free 24-hour emergency call center with emergency location.
• A single membership costs 64.90 euros per year with worldwide breakdown assistance. The comparable ADAC Plus membership is almost € 20 more expensive at € 84.
• For young people up to the age of 27 (proof of training or similar is required from the age of 23), the AvD incurs EUR 44.90 per year, while the ADAC attracts free offers for those under the age of 23.
• The AvD adds EUR 22 for life partners; at the ADAC 25 euros.
• New drivers don't pay for membership. Proof is that the driver's license is not older than 12 months and that you are resident in Germany.
• The AvD covers all repair costs - the maximum limit for ADAC is 300 euros. Towing and recovery are also unlimited worldwide, with the ADAC again limited to 300 euros.

2. The third largest: ACE - Auto Club Europe

ACE has approximately 620, 000 members in Germany.

• Although the ACE does not offer its own breakdown helpers, it works with a close-knit network of contract partners. This also includes partner workshops with special prices for ACE members.
• The whole family is protected throughout Europe at a price of € 68.80. In comparison: With the ADAC, the Family Plus Package with partner and child (ren) costs 134 euros per year.
• The ACE breakdown service is also available around the clock.
• The ACE even has a member magazine.

3. The young and cheap: Mobil in Deutschland eV

Mobil in Deutschland eV is the youngest and coolest among automobile clubs - and the cheapest. You can become a member for an annual fee of just 28 euros. The full aid package on offer is relatively new. The cheap prices are possible because everything is done online, without a call center and large company headquarters.

• "Mobil in Deutschland eV" uses the "silver angels" from Assistance Partner, which otherwise operates breakdown services with around 1700 service vehicles for insurance companies. Waiting times of a maximum of 30 minutes should be possible - a sporty promise according to ADAC, because they need an average of 40 minutes despite the larger fleet with 2500 cars.
• The "basic" membership with German protection letter costs 28 euros. Premium members receive help worldwide, a rental car and the usual services such as vehicle repatriation for € 58 a year. The same family, in turn, costs 78 euros a year.
• A reduced basic tariff of 18 euros per year applies to journalists, students or pensioners as well as military or community service providers.

4. A lot of service, low costs: KS / Auxilia

The driver protection KS / Auxilia has about 580, 000 members and is part of a group of companies around traffic and legal protection. Among other things, he is committed to environmental protection and has its headquarters in Munich.

• Protection is available in 56 countries with a 24-hour hotline. Like "Mobil in Deutschland eV", KS works with external partners. Any workshop or breakdown service can be used.
• The membership fee is cheap 27 euros per year; for families 33 euros.

5. The ideal club: ACV

The Automobile Club Traffic (ACV) only strives for ideal goals and not a profit - it is a so-called "ideal club". The ACV was originally intended for car drivers and their families.

• The ACV has its own roadside assistance and member magazine.
• Members receive special tariffs from DEVK insurance.
• 24-hour emergency calls and a Europe-wide letter of protection are available at a price of 48 euros for singles, 35.40 euros for 17-25 year olds and 59.76 for families.

6. The Christian: BAVC

The Christian breakdown service "Bruderhilfe Automobil- und Verkehrssicherheitsclub" has its origins in the pastor's aid association of 1926. The approximately 36, 000 members are mostly active in the church, Caritas or Diakonie. However, everyone can become a member starting at EUR 19.50 a year.

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• Europe-wide breakdown assistance of 1, 700 "silver angels", call center help from HUK Cobug and worldwide personal protection plus a member journal are included in the offer.
• The letter of protection even applies to rental cars with which you are traveling. Europe-wide breakdown assistance is available as a basic package for young singles up to 23 years and students up to 27 years for 19.50 euros per year. Those who do not belong to this age group pay 39 euros alone. The partner is also insured for an additional 16.50 euros.

7. The Royal: KWA

The Königlich Württembergische Automobilclub (KWA) was founded in Stuttgart in February 1899, making it the oldest in Germany. The illustrious founding members were the auto pioneers Robert Bosch, Robert Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach. After the end of the monarchy it was renamed the "Württembergische Automobilclub eV".

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• Unfortunately, the WAC website does not reveal anything about prices - there are only references to car and cultural events of the club.
• You need a sponsor to apply for membership. You can probably find out more about the likely royal prizes from him.

8. The East German: ADMV

The "General German Motorsport Association" was founded in 1957 as an East German umbrella association for motorsport. Since then, there has been a strong focus on promoting motorsport with its own and supported events.

• You can reach the emergency hotline around the clock.
• A single standard membership costs 49 euros, if the family is there, it costs 86 euros. All important services of an automobile club are offered with the help of partners such as HDI insurance.

9. The amateur racing sponsor: NAVC

The "New Automobile and Traffic Club" was created in 1965 as the successor to the DKW. There is no own breakdown assistance, but we work with large partners such as "Europ Assistance". An important goal of the association is the promotion of amateur motor and racing.

• For about 50 euros there is a two-year membership with full puncture protection in Germany. There are no contract terms of less than two years.
• Protection abroad is possible, but costs 72 euros for two years.

10. The Ex-Officials Club: ARCD

The "Auto and Travel Club Germany eV" was founded. 1928 still as the "Driver Association of German Teachers KVDL". At first it was limited to the public service, but since the early 1990s the association has been open to everyone.

• The Europe-wide letter of protection protects you even if you are traveling without a car.
• Members have their own 24-hour emergency call center and around 1, 600 breakdown helpers.
• As a member, you receive discounts when booking through the club's own travel agency.
• Membership costs EUR 76.90 (public service) or EUR 81.90 (non-public service). If you would like to insure your partner, there are additional costs of 30.90 euros per year.

11. The alternative alternative: VCD

The "Verkehrsclub Deutschland" sees itself as a fair and ecological alternative. The classic automobile club services are offered, but are also expanded to include more environmentally friendly means of transport. Over 1400 puncture protection companies help all members across Europe.

• Individual membership costs 60 euros a year, household membership 75 euros. There is a discount for people who are unable to pay the full contribution. The reduced contribution then costs 30 euros a year.
• The "VCD Eco-Line" is also offered as the "first car insurance" with an eco bonus - the better the car's pollutant class, the lower the costs.

By the way: watch out for new car drivers!

An automobile club may not be worthwhile for owners of newer cars, as new cars sometimes have mobility guarantees of up to seven years. Or because a vehicle protection letter is much cheaper at only around 7 euros a year.

• Most clubs, however, offer additional savings options for insurance, events or travel. So think carefully about whether you want to join an automobile club.

If you are still a member of the ADAC, you should cancel your contract before changing. You can find out how to cancel your ADAC membership online in the next practical tip. If you do not want to call the ADAC directly for an empty battery, we will show you in a home tip how you can charge your car battery.