Car breakdown cover,
24/7 in the UK and Europe
Roadside assistance and recovery day and night, with Local, National, Full UK and European cover levels to suit how you drive.
- Roadside assistance & recovery
- Home assist (Full UK & European)
- Flat battery, puncture & wrong fuel
- Key assist
- Hire car & hotel cover (limits apply)
- 40 European countries & territories
per year
Smart Cover car breakdown cover sends a recovery operator 24/7 if your car breaks down, who will spend up to 60 minutes trying to fix it at the roadside and recover it if they can't. It covers mechanical and electrical failures, flat batteries, punctures, running out of fuel, wrong fuel and lost keys. Choose Local , National (adds nationwide recovery), Full UK (adds Home Assist) or European cover, with up to 6 call-outs a year .
Smart Cover car breakdown cover at a glance
- Availability
- 24/7, 365 daysUK and Europe
- Roadside repair
- Up to 60 minutesThen recovery if it can't be fixed
- Call-outs
- Up to 6 a yearClaims up to £15,000 per year
- Cover levels
- Local · National · Full UK · EuropeanChoose the level you need
- Recovery
- Local, or anywhere in the UKNationwide recovery from National Cover up
- Home assist
- At or within 1 mile of homeFull UK & European Cover
- Europe
- 40 countries & territoriesTrips up to 90 days
- Cooling-off
- 14 daysFull refund if no claim; claims from 24 hours
Car breakdown cover levels: Local, National, Full UK and European
Each level includes everything in the one before it. Pick the cover that matches how and where you drive.
Local Cover
Roadside help across the UK
- 24/7 roadside assistance more than 1 mile from home
- Local recovery up to 10 miles if your car can't be fixed
- Alternative transport up to £250, plus £150 to collect your car
- Overnight accommodation up to £500 per incident
- Key assist
- Replacement driver if you're ill or injured
- Message assist (2 messages home or to work)
- Caravan & trailer recovered with your car
National Cover
Everything in Local, plus:
- Nationwide recovery to your home or one UK destination if your car can't be repaired the same working day
- All Local Cover benefits
Full UK Cover
Everything in National, plus:
- Home Assist: help at your home or within 1 mile of it
- Recovery to the nearest suitable garage if your car can't be fixed at home
- All National Cover benefits
European Cover
Everything in Full UK, plus:
- Breakdown help in 40 European countries & territories
- Hire car or transport up to £500 in Europe, plus £200 to collect your car
- Hotel up to £150 per person for one night (max £1,000)
- Pre-departure cover up to £500
- Shipping of spare parts
- Repatriation home if not fixed within 48 hours or by your return date
| Benefit | Local | National | Full UK | European |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roadside assistance, 24/7 (more than 1 mile from home) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ UK & Europe |
| Recovery | Up to 10 miles | Nationwide (UK) | Nationwide (UK) | Nationwide + repatriation from Europe |
| Home Assist (within 1 mile of home) | - | - | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alternative transport / hire car | Up to £250 + £150 to collect (UK) | Up to £250 + £150 to collect (UK) | Up to £250 + £150 to collect (UK) | UK limits + up to £500 and £200 to collect (Europe) |
| Overnight accommodation | £150 lone traveller / £75 pp · max £500 | £150 lone traveller / £75 pp · max £500 | £150 lone traveller / £75 pp · max £500 | UK limits + Europe: £150 pp for one night · max £1,000 |
| Key assist | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Replacement driver if you're ill or injured | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Message assist | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Caravan / trailer recovery | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pre-departure cover | - | - | - | Up to £500 |
| Shipping of spare parts | - | - | - | ✓ |
Levels and figures are taken from the Motor Breakdown Cover policy wording. In the UK, alternative transport and accommodation are only available if you break down more than 20 miles from home and your car can't be repaired the same working day. They must be authorised by our Rescue Co-ordinator first and are usually paid on a claim-back basis with receipts. Full limits are in the documents below.
What does car breakdown cover include?
A breakdown is an electrical or mechanical failure, lack of fuel, wrong fuel, flat battery, accident or puncture that immediately leaves your car unable to move.
What's covered
- Roadside assistanceA patrol comes to you and tries to fix your car at the roadside.
- RecoveryIf it can't be fixed within 60 minutes, you, your passengers and your car are taken to a garage or destination of your choice: up to 10 miles away on Local Cover, and anywhere in the UK on National, Full UK and European Cover.
- Home Assist (Full UK & European)At your registered home address or within a 1-mile radius.
- Key AssistIf you lose, break or lock your keys in the car, the call-out and mileage are covered. Other costs, such as specialist equipment, aren't.
- Alternative transport & overnight accommodationIf your car can't be fixed the same working day and you're more than 20 miles from home, subject to limits.
- Driver illness or injuryA replacement driver if you can't drive on and none of your passengers can (medical certificate needed).
- Message AssistTwo messages passed to your home or workplace.
- Caravans & trailersRecovered with your car if fitted with a 50mm tow ball and no longer than 7m / 23ft.
What's not covered
- The cost of parts, components or materials, and labour beyond one hour at the roadside
- Breakdowns before you bought cover, or caused by a pre-existing fault
- Claims within 24 hours of buying the policy
- More than 6 claims, or claims totalling over £15,000, per period of insurance
- Repeat call-outs within 28 days for the same fault, if it hasn't been permanently repaired
- Draining or removing contaminated fuel
- Extra costs if a puncture can't be fixed because there's no serviceable spare wheel, repair kit, jack or locking wheel nut key
- Theft, fire or vandalism
- Breakdowns caused by poor maintenance, missed servicing or low oil or water
- Cars that are untaxed, uninsured or unroadworthy
- Cars used for racing, rallies, rental, hire, public or private hire or courier work
- Specialist equipment, or recovery beyond 10 miles, if your car is stuck in snow, mud, sand, water, ice or flood
- Breakdowns of the caravan or trailer itself
This is a summary. Please read the documents below for full details.
The most common car breakdowns, and how we help
Most breakdowns are down to a handful of everyday problems. Here's what to do, and how Smart Cover helps with each one.
Flat battery
Cold weather, short trips and lights left on are the usual culprits. The car won't start, or cranks slowly.
Covered. At home, you need Full UK or European Cover (Home Assist).
How to jump-start a carFlat tyre or puncture
Pull over safely and check you have a spare wheel or repair kit and the locking wheel nut key.
Covered. Extra costs aren't if there's no usable spare, repair kit, jack or locking wheel nut key.
What to carry in your carWrong fuel
If you've put petrol in a diesel car (or the reverse), don't start the engine or turn the ignition on.
Patrol attendance covered. Fuel draining costs aren't.
What to do if your car breaks downLost or locked-in keys
Keys locked inside, lost or snapped in the lock can leave you stranded.
Key Assist covers the call-out and mileage.
Keys locked in your vehicleWarning lights & engine faults
An engine management light, overheating or loss of power can mean a fault that needs attention before it gets worse.
Mechanical and electrical failures are covered. Parts aren't.
Engine management light on?Car won't start
It could be the battery, starter motor, alternator or fuel system. Check the basics before calling for help.
Covered at the roadside, and at home on Full UK or European Cover.
Why won't my car start?What to do if your car breaks down
Get safe
Pull over as far left as possible, switch on your hazard lights and get everyone out on the side away from traffic, if it's safe.
Call for help
Call our 24/7 breakdown line on 03333 449 247 with your location, registration, policy number and the problem. In Europe, call +44 1206 714813 .
Stay nearby
Wait somewhere safe, away from traffic but near your car. The driver must stay with or near the car until help arrives.
Fixed or recovered
The patrol fixes your car, or recovers you, your passengers and your car. Tell the Rescue Co-ordinator where you'd like it taken.
Stopped in a live lane on a motorway and can't get out safely? Stay in the car with your seatbelt on and hazard lights on, and call 999. Full breakdown safety guide .
Driving your car in Europe
European Cover includes breakdown help in 40 countries and territories , including France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Norway and the Republic of Ireland, for trips of up to 90 days .
- Pre-departure cover: if your car breaks down in the UK up to 7 days before a pre-booked European trip and can't be fixed in time, we'll pay up to £500 towards a hire car or rebooking your crossing. This doesn't apply to breakdowns within 10 days of buying the policy.
- Repatriation: if your car can't be fixed within 48 hours (or by your intended return date, if later), we'll bring you, your passengers and your car home. Repatriation isn't provided if the cost is more than your car's market value.
- Take with you: your V5C registration document and driving licence.
Who can get Smart Cover car breakdown cover?
You can cover newer and older cars, as long as:
- your car is kept roadworthy, with a valid MOT and road tax where required
- it's registered to and normally kept at an address in the UK, and you live permanently in the UK
- it's in the UK when cover starts
- it's used privately, not for hire, rental, taxi or courier work
UK cover includes Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man, and Jersey and Guernsey for residents. Can you get breakdown cover on an old car? · Classic car breakdown cover
Car breakdown advice from Smart Cover
When things go wrong
Prevent a breakdown
Breakdown cover for other vehicles
Frequently asked questions
What is car breakdown cover?
Car breakdown cover sends a recovery operator to help if your car breaks down. Smart Cover's car breakdown cover is available 24/7. The recovery operator will spend up to 60 minutes trying to fix your car at the roadside, and recover it if they can't. It covers electrical or mechanical failure, running out of fuel, wrong fuel, a flat battery, an accident or a puncture that leaves your car immobilised, and comes in four levels: Local, National, Full UK and European.
What's the difference between Local, National, Full UK and European cover?
Local Cover gives roadside assistance for breakdowns more than 1 mile from home, and recovery up to 10 miles. National Cover adds nationwide recovery to your home or one destination anywhere in the UK. Full UK Cover adds Home Assist, for breakdowns at your home or within 1 mile of it. European Cover includes everything in Full UK Cover plus breakdown assistance in 40 European countries and territories, pre-departure cover, higher hire car and accommodation limits and repatriation.
Does car breakdown cover include home start?
Yes, on Full UK and European Cover. Home Assist covers breakdowns at your home address or within a 1-mile radius of it. It isn't included in Local or National Cover.
How many times can I call out?
Up to 6 claims per period of insurance. Repeat call-outs for the same symptoms within 28 days, where a permanent repair hasn't been carried out, aren't covered.
Can I use my breakdown cover straight away?
No. Claims within 24 hours of buying the policy aren't covered, and breakdowns that happened before you bought cover are excluded.
Is a flat tyre covered?
Yes. A puncture that leaves your car immobilised is covered. If the car isn't carrying a serviceable spare wheel, aerosol repair kit, jack or the locking wheel nut key, any costs beyond the standard call-out aren't covered. This doesn't apply to motorcycles.
What if I put the wrong fuel in my car?
Don't start the engine. Mis-fuelling is covered as a breakdown, so a patrol will attend, but the cost of draining or removing the contaminated fuel isn't covered by the policy.
Is a flat battery covered?
Yes. A flat battery that immobilises your car is covered. On Local Cover, breakdowns at home aren't included, so choose Full UK or European Cover if you want help when your car won't start on your driveway.
What if I lose or lock my keys in my car?
Key Assist helps if you lose, break or lock your keys in your car, including the call-out and mileage back to the recovery operator's base or your home address if that's closer.
Does breakdown cover pay for parts?
No. The cost of any parts, components or materials used to repair your car isn't covered, and any parts fitted at the roadside must be paid for at the time. The policy covers the call-out, up to an hour's roadside labour and recovery.
Can I get breakdown cover for an old car?
Smart Cover can cover older cars, as long as the car is kept roadworthy and, where required, has a valid MOT and road tax. The car must be registered and kept at an address in the UK.
Does European breakdown cover work in every country?
European Cover works in 40 countries and territories, including France, Spain, Germany, Italy, the Republic of Ireland, Portugal, the Netherlands and Switzerland. Trips must be 90 days or shorter, and you should carry your V5C and driving licence.
Does it cover my caravan or trailer?
If your caravan or trailer is fitted with a standard 50mm tow ball and is no longer than 7 metres (23 feet), excluding the A-frame and hitch, it will be recovered with your car. Breakdowns of the caravan or trailer itself aren't covered.
Can I cancel?
Yes. Cancel within 14 days of receiving your documents or your start date (whichever is later) for a full refund, as long as you haven't made a claim. You can cancel after that by calling 03333 449 559 or emailing enquiries@smart-cover.co.uk , but no refund is available after the 14-day cooling-off period.
What happens if my car can't be fixed at the roadside?
If the recovery operator can't fix your car within 60 minutes, they'll recover you, your passengers and your car. On Local Cover, that's to the nearest suitable garage or a destination of your choice within 10 miles. On National, Full UK and European Cover, if the car can't be repaired the same working day, we'll take it to your home or another destination of your choice in the UK. Recovery must happen at the same time as the first call-out.
Can I pay monthly?
No. Smart Cover car breakdown cover is paid annually, upfront, for 12 months of cover.
Who provides Smart Cover car breakdown cover?
Smart Cover arranges the policy. The breakdown service is provided by Call Assist Ltd, and the insurance is underwritten by DAS Legal Expenses Insurance Company Limited. Both are authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority, and the policy is covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).
Is breakdown cover a legal requirement?
No. Breakdown cover isn't a legal requirement in the UK, but a breakdown can happen to any car at any time, and without cover you'd pay for any call-out or recovery yourself.
Get back on the road, fast
24/7 car breakdown cover in the UK and Europe, from Local roadside help to full European cover.
Sales & help: 03333 449 559 · Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat 10am-4pm
