Weekend drivers
Owners who take their classic out for summer drives and Sunday runs.
Classic & older car roadside assistance Classic Car Breakdown Cover
Classic Car Breakdown Cover
24/7 help for the car you love
Roadside help and recovery for you, your passengers and your classic, in the UK and in Europe. If your classic, vintage or older car breaks down, we send a recovery operator day or night.
- 24-hour breakdown line
- Passengers 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 classic car breakdown cover gets help to you 24 hours a day if your classic, vintage or older car 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 passengers and your classic 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 tours and rallies.
Key facts
Key facts at a glance
- Breakdown line
- 24/7 03333 449 247
- Roadside repair
- Up to 60 minutesSpent fixing your car 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 car per yearClaims up to £15,000 a year
- Payment
- Annual14-day cooling-off
The basics
What is classic car breakdown cover?
Classic car breakdown cover (also called classic car breakdown insurance or vintage car breakdown cover) is an annual insurance policy that sends a recovery operator to you when your classic or older car breaks down.
The operator first tries to get you going again at the roadside. If that isn't possible, your car is recovered and you and your passengers are taken with it, so a day out at a show or a Sunday drive doesn't end at the side of the road.
Older cars rely on parts that wear with age, such as contact-breaker points, carburettors, dynamos and decades-old wiring. Many also spend months laid up. That makes a breakdown more likely, and good recovery more important.
Is it a legal requirement? No. Motor insurance is compulsory, even for tax-exempt and MOT-exempt cars, but breakdown cover is optional. To buy it, you must be a permanent UK resident, and your car must be registered and kept in the UK, with a valid MOT and tax.
Who it's for
Who is classic car breakdown cover for?
Anyone who drives a classic or older car and doesn't want to be stranded at the roadside.
Show & club members
Drivers heading to shows, club meets and rallies.
Touring owners
Longer trips in the UK, or across Europe with European Cover.
Everyday classics
Older and modern-classic cars still used for daily driving.
Not for cars used for rental, hire (including paid wedding hire), courier work 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 classic car breaks down.
Call us 24/7
Call 03333 449 247. Tell us where you are, what's wrong, and that it's a classic.
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 car on the spot.
Recovery if needed
If it can't be fixed, you, your passengers and your car are recovered based on your cover level.
Cover levels
Choose the classic car breakdown cover that fits how you drive
Each level includes everything in the one before it. Your policy schedule confirms the level you've bought.
Local Cover UK
For local drives and short runs.
- Roadside help when you break down more than 1 mile from home
- Up to 60 minutes spent on a roadside repair
- You, your passengers and your car recovered up to 10 miles
National Cover UK
For shows, club meets and UK tours.
- Everything in Local Cover UK
- Nationwide Recovery to your home or one preferred UK destination, such as your specialist garage
Full UK Cover
For classics that won't start after being laid up.
- Everything in National Cover UK
- Home Assist at or within 1 mile of your home, such as a flat battery on the driveway
European Cover Touring
For European rallies and tours.
- Breakdown help in Europe for trips of up to 90 days
- Pre-Departure Cover up to £500
- Repatriation if your car can't be repaired in time
Onward travel
If you break down more than 20 miles from home and the car can't be repaired the same working day:
- Alternative travel up to £250, plus £150 for one person to collect the car
- Overnight accommodation up to £150 alone or £75 per person, max £500
Extra help
Included with your cover:
- Keys lost, broken or locked in: callout and mileage
- Help arranging an alternative driver if you're taken ill or injured
- Caravan or trailer recovered with your car (50mm tow ball, up to 7m)
This is a summary. Limits, conditions and exclusions apply to every level. Please read the documents below before you buy.
Transparent cover
What classic car 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 passengers and your car, based on your cover level
- Alternative travelUp to £250, plus up to £150 for one person to collect the repaired car
- Overnight accommodationUp to £150 alone or £75 per person, up to £500 per incident
- Keys lost, broken or locked inCallout and mileage only
- Driver illness or injuryHelp arranging an alternative driver
- Home AssistWith Full UK and European Cover
- Help in EuropeWith European Cover
What's not covered
- Hire, rental or courier useIncluding paid wedding and event hire, private hire and motor racing
- Existing faults or poorly maintained carsBreakdowns before you bought cover, claims in the first 24 hours, or cars that are overloaded, untaxed, uninsured, without a valid MOT, or without a usable spare wheel and jack
- Parts and garage repairsOnly the roadside repair attempt and recovery are included
- Theft, fire or vandalismClaim for these on your classic car 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 car 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
Classic car breakdown cover in Europe
Taking your classic to a European rally or concours? 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 car 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 car 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 car
- Accommodation: up to £150 per person for one night, up to £1,000 per incident
Classic car facts
What counts as a classic car in the UK?
There's no single legal definition of a classic car. Government rules, insurers and owners' clubs each use their own. These are the ones UK owners most often need to know.
| Rule | Which cars | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Historic vehicle tax class | Cars built more than 40 years ago. The date rolls forward every 1 April. | You can apply to the DVLA for vehicle tax exemption . You must still tax the car (at £0), and it can't be used commercially. |
| MOT exemption | Cars built or first registered more than 40 years ago that haven't been substantially changed in the last 30 years | An annual MOT isn't required, but the car must still be kept roadworthy. Many owners choose a voluntary MOT. |
| Insurance & club definitions | Varies, often based on age, value, limited mileage and use as a second car | Classic car insurance may offer agreed value and limited-mileage policies. Check each provider's rules. |
Rules summarised from GOV.UK: Historic (classic) vehicles . Always check the latest DVLA guidance before applying.
Know the difference
Classic car breakdown cover vs classic car insurance
People often confuse the two. They cover different things, and most classic owners have both.
| Breakdown cover | Classic car insurance | |
|---|---|---|
| Legal requirement in the UK? | ✕ No, optional | ✓ Yes, at least third party, even if tax and MOT exempt |
| Mechanical or electrical failure | ✓ Roadside repair attempt and recovery | ✕ Not usually |
| Won't start on the driveway | ✓ With Full UK or European Cover | ✕ No |
| Accident damage | ✕ No | ✓ Comprehensive policies, often agreed value |
| Theft, fire, vandalism | ✕ No | ✓ Depending on the policy |
| What it pays for | Getting you and your classic moving or home | Damage, loss and claims from other people |
Owner knowledge
The most common reasons classic cars break down
Older cars tend to fail in familiar ways. Knowing the warning signs, keeping the car serviced and carrying a few spares can save your day out. Breakdowns caused by poor maintenance aren't covered.
| Fault | Warning signs | How to prevent it |
|---|---|---|
| Ignition faults | Misfiring, hesitation, failure to start in damp weather | Check and gap points, carry a spare condenser and rotor arm, keep HT leads and distributor cap dry and clean |
| Flat battery | Slow cranking, dim lights after the car has stood | Use a battery conditioner while laid up, and check the dynamo or alternator |
| Fuel system problems | Spluttering, flooding, fuel smell, stalling when hot | Replace perished fuel hoses, keep carburettors set up, and don't leave stale fuel in the tank over winter |
| Overheating | Rising temperature gauge, steam, boiling in slow traffic | Check coolant, hoses and fan belt, and flush old radiators |
| Electrical faults | Flickering lights, blown fuses, warning light on | Clean earth points, check old wiring for brittle insulation, and carry spare fuses and bulbs |
| Brakes binding after storage | Car pulls to one side, hot wheel, dragging feeling | Change brake fluid regularly, and move the car a little during long lay-ups |
| Old or cracked tyres | Sidewall cracking, flat spots, bulges, even with good tread | Check the tyre date code, replace ageing tyres, and always carry a usable spare wheel and jack |
Safety guide
What to do if your classic car breaks down
Get off the road safely
Pull over as far left as you can. On a motorway, leave at the next exit if possible, or use the hard shoulder or an emergency area. Use hazard lights or sidelights.
Get everyone to safety
Get out through the left-hand doors and wait behind a barrier, away from traffic. Don't put out a warning triangle on a motorway.
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, make, model and year. 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.
Many classics have no hazard lights, weak sidelights and no modern crash protection, so getting to safety quickly matters even more. In immediate danger? If you're stuck in a live lane or can't get out safely, keep your seatbelt on and call 999 first. Tell us it's a classic: when you call, mention the car's year, low ground clearance, wire wheels, missing towing eyes or any modifications, so the recovery operator knows what to expect.
Prevention
Bringing your classic out of winter storage: a 7-point check
Many classic breakdowns happen on the first drive of the season. Run through these checks before you set off.
Battery
Fully charged, terminals clean and tight
Fluids
Oil, coolant, brake and clutch fluid topped up, with no leaks
Fuel
Fresh fuel, the right grade, hoses not perished
Brakes
Not binding, with a firm pedal and the handbrake free
Tyres
Pressures, cracks, age, and a usable spare wheel and jack
Lights
Lights, indicators, brake lights and horn working
Wiring
Check for rodent damage to wires and hoses
Read more: Can you get breakdown cover on an old car?
Who provides your cover
Who's behind Smart Cover classic car 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 everyday cars, vans, motorbikes, motorhomes and minibuses.
Frequently asked questions
What is classic car breakdown cover?
Classic car breakdown cover is an annual insurance policy that sends a recovery operator to you when your classic, vintage or older car 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 passengers and your car are recovered according to your cover level: Local, National, Full UK or European.
Can you get breakdown cover on an old car?
Yes. Smart Cover classic car breakdown cover is for classic and older cars as well as modern ones. Your car must be registered and kept in the UK, with a valid MOT and tax, and you must be a permanent UK resident. Check your car's eligibility when you get a quote.
What counts as a classic car in the UK?
There's no single legal definition. The DVLA treats cars built more than 40 years ago as historic vehicles, which can be exempt from vehicle tax and, if not substantially changed, from the MOT. Insurers and owners' clubs often use their own age or value rules.
Is classic car breakdown cover a legal requirement?
No. Breakdown cover isn't a legal requirement in the UK. Motor insurance is compulsory, even for tax-exempt and MOT-exempt historic vehicles. Breakdown cover is optional.
What's the difference between classic car breakdown cover and classic car insurance?
Classic car insurance is the motor insurance you need by law. It covers accidents, theft, fire and claims from other people, often on an agreed-value basis. Classic car breakdown cover pays for roadside help and recovery when your car breaks down. It doesn't cover theft, fire or vandalism. Most classic owners have both.
Which cover level do I need?
Local Cover UK suits short local drives: 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, which suits trips to shows and club meets. 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 classic car can't be fixed at the roadside?
With Local Cover UK, you, your passengers and your car 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, such as your specialist garage. 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 car can't be repaired the same working day, alternative travel and overnight accommodation may be available within set limits.
Am I covered if my classic car 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 classic car breakdown cover pay for parts?
No. Parts and garage repairs aren't covered. The policy covers the roadside repair attempt and recovery, and you pay for any parts. For rarer classics, carrying common spares such as points, a condenser, a fan belt and fuses can help get you going.
Does it cover trips to shows or tours in Europe?
Yes. Private trips to shows, club meets and rallies in the UK are covered, based on your cover level. European Cover adds roadside assistance abroad, repatriation if the car 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.
Can I use my classic car for wedding hire with this cover?
No. Vehicles used for rental, hire, private hire, courier services or motor racing are excluded, including paid wedding or event hire.
What if I put the wrong fuel in my classic car?
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 lock them in the car?
If your keys are lost, broken or locked inside, the policy covers the callout and mileage only. Locksmith charges and replacement keys aren't covered.
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. You can't claim in the first 24 hours after buying, and 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?
Classic car 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.
Keep your classic on the road
Choose Local, National, Full UK or European classic car 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