Motor breakdown cover for
every vehicle, 24 hours a day

No. Breakdown cover isn't a legal requirement in the UK, unlike car insurance. But a breakdown can happen at any time, whatever the age of your vehicle, and without cover you'd pay for any call-out or tow yourself.

Cars, vans, taxi cars, taxi minibuses, minibuses, motorhomes, classic cars and motorbikes. Choose your vehicle .

Local Cover gives 24/7 roadside assistance for breakdowns more than 1 mile from home, and recovery up to 10 miles. National Cover adds recovery anywhere in the UK. Full UK Cover adds Home Assist (help at or within 1 mile of home). European Cover includes everything in Full UK Cover and adds breakdown help in 40 listed European countries and territories, pre-departure cover, higher hire car and accommodation limits and repatriation.

When you call, we'll tell you which recovery operator is coming and roughly how long they'll be. Once they arrive, they'll spend up to 60 minutes trying to fix your vehicle at the roadside. If they can't, they'll recover you, your passengers and your vehicle.

On Local Cover, your vehicle and passengers are taken to the nearest suitable garage or a destination of your choice within 10 miles. On National, Full UK and European Cover, if your vehicle can't be repaired the same working day, we'll take it to your home or another destination of your choice anywhere in the UK.

Only if you choose European Cover. It covers 40 listed countries and territories, including France, Spain, Germany, Italy and the Republic of Ireland, for trips of up to 90 days. Not every European country is included, so check the list in the policy wording before you travel.

Yes. UK cover includes Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man, plus Jersey and Guernsey for residents. Your vehicle must be registered and kept in the UK, and you must live permanently in the UK.

Up to 6 call-outs per vehicle per year, with claims up to £15,000 in total. Repeat call-outs for the same fault within 28 days aren't covered unless the vehicle has been properly repaired.

No. Breakdown cover pays for the call-out, up to an hour's labour at the roadside and recovery, but not the cost of any parts needed to fix your vehicle. Parts fitted at the roadside must be paid for at the time.

No. Smart Cover motor breakdown cover is paid annually, upfront, for 12 months of cover.

No. Claims within 24 hours of buying the policy aren't covered.

No. Breakdowns that happened before you bought the policy, or that result from a pre-existing fault, aren't covered.

Don't start the engine. Mis-fuelling is covered as a breakdown, so call for help and a patrol will attend, but the cost of draining or removing the contaminated fuel isn't covered by the policy.

If you lose, break or lock your keys in your vehicle, the policy pays the call-out and mileage to the recovery operator's base or your preferred destination if closer. Other costs, including any specialist equipment needed to move the vehicle, aren't covered.

Breakdown cover bundled with car insurance is often basic roadside help only. Buying it separately lets you choose the level of cover you need, such as recovery, home assist and European cover, and keep it if you change insurer.

Yes. You can cancel within 14 days for a full refund, as long as you haven't made a claim. You can cancel after that by calling 03333 449 559 , but no refund is available after the 14-day cooling-off period.

Smart Cover arranges the policy. 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 breakdown service is provided by Call Assist Ltd and the insurance is underwritten by DAS Legal Expenses Insurance Company Limited. The policy is covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). Unresolved complaints can be referred to the Financial Ombudsman Service .