THE RAC has extended its standard of cover to include people carriers - together with all their passengers. The move comes in the face of mounting pressure on all the recovery organisations to increase their provision to cover MPVs after a barrage of adverse publicity.

BBC TV consumer programme Watchdog highlighted the problem last year, by profiling a family who were charged extra for onward travel when their minibus broke down. Further investigation by Fleet News revealed that the majority of the RAC's standard policies - including those sold with seven-seater vehicles - only provided onward transport for the driver and five passengers. Additional passengers would not be left stranded, but they would be charged for onward travel.

Now, the RAC will provide cover for eight people, including the driver, as standard. If the recovery vehicle cannot accommodate all eight, additional passengers will be provided with alternative transport free of charge. For members with the onward travel option, both alternative accommodation and alternative transport costs are met by the RAC. The RAC can also arrange two hire cars, although there is a charge for the second vehicle.