Commuters
Daily riders who can't afford to be stuck on the way to work.
UK & European motorbike cover Motorcycle Breakdown Cover
Motorcycle Breakdown Cover
24/7 help for UK riders
Roadside help and recovery for you, your pillion and your bike, in the UK and in Europe. If your motorbike breaks down, we send a recovery operator day or night.
- 24-hour breakdown line
- Pillion recovered too
- Price Match Promise
24/7Breakdown line, 365 days
Since 2013FCA Appointed Representative
24/7breakdown line,
365 days
365 days
In short
Smart Cover motorcycle breakdown cover gets help to you 24 hours a day if your motorbike breaks down. A recovery operator spends up to 60 minutes trying to fix it at the roadside. If it can't be fixed, you, your pillion and your bike are recovered up to 10 miles, or to your home or a chosen UK destination, depending on your cover level. European cover is available for touring.
Key facts
Key facts at a glance
- Breakdown line
- 24/7 03333 449 247
- Roadside repair
- Up to 60 minutesSpent fixing your bike on the spot
- Recovery
- Up to 10 miles, or UK-wideTo your home or one UK destination, by cover level
- Where
- UK, Isle of Man and Channel Islands*Plus Europe with European Cover
- Callouts
- Up to 6 per bike per yearClaims up to £15,000 a year
- Payment
- Annual14-day cooling-off
The basics
What is motorcycle breakdown cover?
Motorcycle breakdown cover (also called motorbike breakdown cover or bike breakdown insurance) is an annual insurance policy that sends a recovery operator to you when your motorbike breaks down.
The operator first tries to get you going again at the roadside. If that isn't possible, your bike is recovered on a suitable vehicle, and you and your pillion are taken with it.
Unlike cars, most motorbikes can't be pushed far, can't be towed on a rope and don't carry a spare wheel. That makes proper recovery more important for riders than for most drivers.
Who it's for
Who is motorcycle breakdown cover for?
Anyone who rides a motorbike and doesn't want to be stranded at the roadside.
Touring riders
Weekend and long-distance riders heading far from home, in the UK or Europe.
New riders
Riders still learning roadside basics who want a safety net.
Classic & older bikes
Owners of older machines, where electrical and fuel faults are more common.
Not for bikes used for courier or delivery work, rental, hire or motor racing.
How it works
What happens when you call us
From your first call to getting home, here's what to expect when your motorbike breaks down.
Call us 24/7
Call 03333 449 247. Tell us where you are and what's wrong.
Help is sent
A recovery operator is sent to your location. Stay somewhere safe and keep your phone on.
Roadside fix
The operator spends up to 60 minutes trying to repair your bike on the spot.
Recovery if needed
If it can't be fixed, you, your pillion and your bike are recovered based on your cover level.
Cover levels
Choose the motorcycle breakdown cover that fits how you ride
Each level includes everything in the one before it. Your policy schedule confirms the level you've bought.
Local Cover UK
For short local rides and commuting.
- Roadside help when you break down more than 1 mile from home
- Up to 60 minutes spent on a roadside repair
- You, your pillion and your bike recovered up to 10 miles
National Cover UK
For longer rides across the UK.
- Everything in Local Cover UK
- Nationwide Recovery to your home or one preferred UK destination
Full UK Cover
For bikes that won't start at home.
- Everything in National Cover UK
- Home Assist at or within 1 mile of your home, such as a flat battery after winter
European Cover Touring
For riding abroad.
- Breakdown help in Europe for trips of up to 90 days
- Pre-Departure Cover up to £500
- Repatriation if your bike can't be repaired in time
Onward travel
If you break down more than 20 miles from home and the bike can't be repaired the same working day:
- Alternative travel up to £250, plus £150 for one person to collect the bike
- Overnight accommodation up to £150 alone or £75 per person, max £500
Extra help
Included with your cover:
- Keys lost, broken or locked away: callout and mileage
- Help arranging an alternative driver if you're taken ill or injured
- Two urgent messages passed on for you
This is a summary. Limits, conditions and exclusions apply to every level. Please read the documents below before you buy.
Transparent cover
What motorcycle breakdown cover does and doesn't include
The main benefits and exclusions, taken from the policy wording. Your policy documents always take priority.
What's covered
- Roadside assistance and recoveryFor you, your pillion and your bike, based on your cover level
- Alternative travelUp to £250, plus up to £150 for one person to collect the repaired bike
- Overnight accommodationUp to £150 alone or £75 per person, up to £500 per incident
- Keys lost, broken or locked awayCallout and mileage only
- Rider illness or injuryHelp arranging an alternative driver
- Home AssistWith Full UK and European Cover
- Help in EuropeWith European Cover
What's not covered
- Courier, delivery, hire or rental useIncluding food and parcel delivery, private hire and motor racing
- Existing faults or poorly maintained bikesBreakdowns before you bought cover, claims in the first 24 hours, or bikes that are overloaded, untaxed, uninsured or without a valid MOT
- Parts and garage repairsOnly the roadside repair attempt and recovery are included
- Theft, fire or vandalismClaim for these on your motorbike insurance
- Breakdowns at homeAt or within 1 mile of home, unless you have Full UK or European Cover
| Limit | Detail |
|---|---|
| Callouts | Up to 6 per bike in each period of insurance |
| Total claims | Up to £15,000 in each period of insurance |
| Recovery | At the time of the first callout, to one address only |
| Repeat faults | Not covered within 28 days unless properly repaired |
| Travel and hotel | Only if more than 20 miles from home, not repairable the same working day, and authorised first |
European Cover
Motorcycle breakdown cover in Europe
Touring abroad? European Cover adds help in Europe for trips of up to 90 days. From abroad, call 0044 1206 714813 .
- Pre-Departure Cover: up to £500 if your bike breaks down in the 7 days before a booked trip (not in the first 10 days after buying)
- Roadside assistance abroad , with spare parts sent out if needed (you pay for the parts)
- Repatriation: if your bike can't be repaired within 48 hours or by your return date
- Alternative transport: up to £500, plus £200 for two people to collect the bike
- Accommodation: up to £150 per person for one night, up to £1,000 per incident
Know the difference
Motorbike breakdown cover vs motorbike insurance
People often confuse the two. They cover different things, and most riders have both.
| Breakdown cover | Motorbike insurance | |
|---|---|---|
| Legal requirement in the UK? | ✕ No, optional | ✓ Yes, to ride on public roads |
| Mechanical or electrical failure | ✓ Roadside repair attempt and recovery | ✕ Not usually |
| Flat battery at home | ✓ With Full UK or European Cover | ✕ No |
| Accident damage | ✕ No | ✓ Comprehensive policies |
| Theft, fire, vandalism | ✕ No | ✓ Depending on the policy |
| What it pays for | Getting you and your bike moving or home | Damage, loss and claims from other people |
Rider knowledge
The most common reasons motorbikes break down
Most motorcycle breakdowns come from a few faults, and many can be prevented with regular checks and servicing.
| Fault | Warning signs | How to prevent it |
|---|---|---|
| Flat or failing battery | Slow cranking, dim lights, clicking starter | Use a trickle charger during winter storage and avoid lots of very short trips |
| Punctures & tyre damage | Vibration, wobble, pulling to one side, visible damage | Check pressures weekly when cold, and check tread depth and for embedded objects |
| Chain & sprocket failure | Clunking, jerky drive, too much slack, hooked teeth | Clean and lube the chain regularly and adjust tension to the manufacturer's spec |
| Clutch or throttle cable snap | Stiff or notchy lever, fraying at the ends | Lubricate cables and replace them at the first sign of fraying |
| Electrical faults | Flickering lights, blown fuses, battery not charging | Check the regulator/rectifier and protect connectors from damp |
| Fuel problems | Spluttering, running out, wrong fuel used | Know your range and double-check the pump nozzle. Draining wrong fuel isn't covered. |
| Overheating | Rising temperature gauge, fan not cutting in, coolant smell | Check coolant and keep the radiator clear of dirt and debris |
Safety guide
What to do if your motorbike breaks down
Get out of traffic
Indicate and move as far left as you safely can. On a motorway use the hard shoulder or an emergency area. Switch on hazard lights if your bike has them.
Move to a safe place
Leave the bike and get away from traffic, behind a barrier if there is one. Keep your helmet and kit on, and wear hi-vis if you carry it.
Pinpoint your location
Use marker posts, junction numbers, what3words or your phone's GPS.
Call the breakdown line
Call 03333 449 247 with your policy number, registration and bike make and model. Deaf or hard of hearing? Text 07537 404890 .
Get costs authorised and wait safely
Don't book your own recovery, travel or hotel, because unauthorised costs aren't covered. Stay away from the carriageway and never attempt repairs on a hard shoulder.
Riders are more exposed than drivers when they break down. In immediate danger? If you're stuck in a live lane or can't get to a safe place, call 999 first. Read more: What to do if your motorbike breaks down .
Prevention
POWDERS: the 2-minute pre-ride check
A quick POWDERS check before every ride can prevent many common breakdowns. Keeping your bike serviced matters too, because breakdowns caused by poor maintenance aren't covered.
Petrol
Enough fuel for the trip, and the right fuel type
Oil
Engine oil level in the sight glass or on the dipstick
Water
Coolant level on liquid-cooled bikes
Damage
Levers, mirrors, fairings, leaks
Electrics
Lights, indicators, horn, brake light
Rubber
Tyre pressure, tread depth, cuts and bulges
Security
Chain tension, loose bolts, luggage secured
Who provides your cover
Who's behind Smart Cover motorcycle breakdown cover
Insurer
Underwritten by DAS Legal Expenses Insurance Company Limited (FRN 202106), authorised by the PRA and regulated by the FCA and PRA.
Breakdown service
Provided and administered by Call Assist Ltd (FRN 304838), Colchester.
Seller
Smart-Cover Direct Limited (FRN 600428), an Appointed Representative of City and Commercial Limited (FRN 314346), authorised and regulated by the FCA.
Complaints
Contact Call Assist first, then the Financial Ombudsman Service within six months. The T&Cs state the policy is covered by the FSCS.
Found the same cover cheaper? See our Price Match Promise (terms apply). Manage your policy in the Smart Cover app on iOS and Android .
Breakdown cover for your other vehicles
Smart Cover also provides breakdown cover for cars, vans, minibuses, motorhomes and classic cars.
Frequently asked questions
What is motorcycle breakdown cover?
Motorcycle breakdown cover is an annual insurance policy that sends a recovery operator to you when your motorbike breaks down, 24 hours a day. The operator spends up to 60 minutes trying to fix it at the roadside. If it can't be fixed, you, your pillion and your bike are recovered according to your cover level: Local, National, Full UK or European.
Is motorcycle breakdown cover a legal requirement in the UK?
No. Breakdown cover isn't a legal requirement in the UK. Motorbike insurance is the policy you need by law to ride on public roads. Breakdown cover is optional.
Is motorbike breakdown cover the same as motorbike insurance?
No. Motorbike insurance covers accidents, theft, fire and claims from other people. Motorcycle breakdown cover pays for roadside help and recovery when your bike breaks down. It doesn't cover theft, fire or vandalism. Most riders have both.
Which cover level do I need?
Local Cover UK suits short local rides: it includes roadside help more than 1 mile from home and local recovery up to 10 miles. National Cover UK adds recovery anywhere in the UK. Full UK Cover adds Home Assist at or within 1 mile of home. European Cover adds help in Europe and Pre-Departure Cover.
What happens if my motorbike can't be fixed at the roadside?
With Local Cover UK, you, your pillion and your bike are taken up to 10 miles. With National, Full UK or European cover, you can be taken to your home or one preferred destination in the UK. Recovery must take place at the time of the first callout, to one address only. If you break down more than 20 miles from home and the bike can't be repaired the same working day, alternative travel and overnight accommodation may be available within set limits.
Is my pillion passenger covered?
Yes. If your motorbike has to be recovered, your pillion passenger is taken with you according to your cover level. Overnight accommodation is up to £75 per person, up to £500 per incident.
Am I covered if my bike won't start at home?
Only with Full UK Cover or European Cover, which include Home Assist at or within 1 mile of your home. Local and National cover only help when you break down more than 1 mile from home.
Does Smart Cover motorcycle breakdown cover include Europe?
Yes, with European Cover. It includes roadside assistance abroad, repatriation of your bike if it can't be repaired within 48 hours or by your return date, alternative transport up to £500, accommodation up to £150 per person per night (£1,000 per incident), and Pre-Departure Cover up to £500. Each trip can last up to 90 days.
Are delivery and courier riders covered?
No. Motorcycles used for courier services, including food and parcel delivery, are excluded. So are bikes used for rental, hire, private hire or motor racing.
What if I put the wrong fuel in my motorbike?
Don't start the engine. Call the breakdown line for advice. The policy doesn't pay to drain or flush contaminated fuel, so that cost would be yours.
What if I lose my keys or they break?
If your keys are lost, broken or locked away, the policy covers the callout and mileage only. Locksmith charges and replacement keys aren't covered.
Does motorcycle breakdown cover pay for parts?
No. Parts and garage repairs aren't covered. The policy covers the roadside repair attempt and recovery. You pay for any parts and for repairs at the garage.
Can I buy breakdown cover after my motorbike has broken down?
No. Breakdowns that happened before you bought the policy, and faults that already existed, aren't covered. You also can't claim in the first 24 hours after buying.
How many times can I call out?
Up to 6 callouts per vehicle in each period of insurance, with total claims up to £15,000. Repeat callouts for the same or a related fault within 28 days aren't covered unless the fault has been properly repaired.
Can I pay monthly, and can I cancel?
Motorcycle breakdown cover is paid annually. You can cancel within 14 days of buying for a full refund if you haven't made a claim. After 14 days, no refund is given.
Is Smart Cover regulated?
Yes. Smart Cover is a trading name of Smart-Cover Direct Limited (FRN 600428), an Appointed Representative of City and Commercial Limited (FRN 314346), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The policy is underwritten by DAS Legal Expenses Insurance Company Limited and the breakdown service is run by Call Assist Ltd.
Ride with peace of mind
Choose Local, National, Full UK or European motorcycle breakdown cover in a few minutes. Please read the Terms & Conditions and IPID before you buy.
Questions about cover? Call customer service: 03333 449 559
