Motorhome Breakdown Cover
Roadside assistance and recovery for your motorhome, in the UK and in Europe. It works alongside your motorhome insurance, so a mechanical or electrical breakdown doesn't have to end your trip.
- 24-hour breakdown line, 365 days a year
- Choose Local, National, Full UK or European cover
- Your caravan or trailer recovered too (up to 7m)
365 days
Smart Cover motorhome breakdown cover is an annual breakdown insurance policy. When your motorhome breaks down, a recovery operator comes out 24 hours a day and spends up to 60 minutes trying to fix it at the roadside. If it can't be fixed, your motorhome and passengers are recovered up to 10 miles (Local Cover UK) or to your home or a chosen UK destination (National, Full UK and European). Full UK Cover adds Home Assist , and European Cover adds help abroad. It doesn't replace your motorhome insurance.
Motorhome breakdown cover at a glance
- Breakdown line
- 24/7 03333 449 247
- Cover levels
- Local, National, Full UK, EuropeanChoose the level you need
- Where you're covered
- UK, Isle of Man and Channel Islands*, plus Europe*Jersey and Guernsey for residents of those islands only. The UK includes Northern Ireland.
- Callouts
- Up to 6 per vehicle per yearClaims up to £15,000 a year
- Payment
- Annual14-day cooling-off
What is motorhome breakdown cover?
Motorhome breakdown cover is an insurance policy that gets help to your motorhome when it breaks down. A recovery operator comes to you and tries to fix the fault at the roadside. If it can't be fixed, your motorhome, driver and passengers are recovered according to the cover level you choose.
Motorhomes are bigger and heavier than cars, and a breakdown often happens far from home with passengers and belongings on board. That's why recovery to a destination of your choice, onward travel and European cover matter more for motorhome owners than for most drivers.
To buy cover, you must be a permanent UK resident, and your motorhome must be registered and kept in the UK, in the UK when you buy, and have a valid MOT and tax.
Choose the motorhome cover that fits how you travel
Each level includes everything in the one before it. Your policy schedule confirms the level you've bought. Read the documents below for the full details.
Local Cover UK
Roadside assistance when you break down more than 1 mile from home , with up to 60 minutes spent on a roadside repair. If that doesn't fix it, local recovery of your motorhome and passengers up to 10 miles .
Best for: local trips and short runs
National Cover UK
Everything in Local Cover UK, plus Nationwide Recovery of your motorhome and passengers to your home or one preferred destination in the UK, such as your campsite.
Best for: touring the UK
Full UK Cover
Everything in National Cover UK, plus Home Assist when your motorhome breaks down at or within 1 mile of your home, for example when it won't start after winter storage.
Best for: motorhomes kept at home between trips
European Cover
Adds breakdown help in Europe for trips of up to 90 days, plus Pre-Departure Cover if your motorhome breaks down in the 7 days before a booked trip.
Best for: ferry and Eurotunnel trips
| Benefit | Local Cover UK | National Cover UK | Full UK Cover | European Cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roadside assistance more than 1 mile from home | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Up to 60 minutes of roadside repair | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Local recovery up to 10 miles | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Recovery to home or a chosen UK destination | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Home Assist (at or within 1 mile of home) | - | - | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pre-Departure Cover (up to £500) | - | - | - | ✓ |
| Roadside help, recovery and repatriation in Europe | - | - | - | ✓ |
This table is a summary. Limits, conditions and exclusions apply to every level.
What motorhome breakdown cover does and doesn't include
The main benefits, limits and exclusions, taken from the policy wording.
What's covered
- Roadside assistance and recovery , based on your cover level
- Alternative travel : up to £250, plus up to £150 for one person to collect the repaired motorhome
- Overnight accommodation : up to £150 for a lone traveller or £75 per person, up to £500 per incident
- Caravan or trailer : recovered with your motorhome at no extra cost if it uses a 50mm tow ball and is no longer than 7m (23ft)
- Keys lost, broken or locked in : callout and mileage only
- Driver illness or injury : help arranging an alternative driver
- Urgent messages : we'll pass on two messages for you
- Home Assist with Full UK and European Cover, and European benefits with European Cover
When travel and accommodation apply: only if you break down more than 20 miles from home, the motorhome can't be repaired the same working day, and it's repaired at the nearest suitable garage. Get the cost authorised by the Rescue Co-ordinator first, then claim it back with receipts.
What's not covered
- Breakdowns that happened, or faults that existed, before you bought cover, and any claim in the first 24 hours
- Parts, and repair work beyond the roadside labour the policy includes
- Theft, fire or vandalism (claim on your motorhome insurance)
- Breakdowns caused by not maintaining or servicing your motorhome
- Tyre problems if you don't carry a usable spare wheel, jack or locking wheel nut
- Specialist equipment, or recovery over 10 miles, if you're stuck in snow, mud, sand, water, ice or flood
- An overloaded motorhome, or one that is untaxed, uninsured, unroadworthy or without a valid MOT
- Draining or flushing wrong or contaminated fuel
- Motorhomes used for rental, hire, private hire, courier services or motor racing
- Costs we didn't authorise, and repeat callouts for the same or a related fault within 28 days unless it was properly repaired
- A breakdown of the caravan or trailer itself
- Breakdowns at or within 1 mile of home, unless you have Full UK or European Cover
Motorhome breakdown cover in Europe
If you're taking your motorhome 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 motorhome breaks down in the 7 days before a booked trip. It doesn't apply in the first 10 days after you buy, or to a fault found at an MOT or service in the 10 days before you leave.
- Roadside assistance abroad , with spare parts sent out if needed (you pay for the parts).
- Repatriation of your motorhome to the UK if it can't be repaired within 48 hours or by your planned return date.
- Alternative transport up to £500, plus £200 for two people to collect the repaired motorhome.
- Accommodation up to £150 per person for one night, up to £1,000 per incident.
- Private motorway towing refunded up to £150 where only private operators are allowed.
What to do if your motorhome breaks down
Get to safety
Pull over as far left as you can and switch on your hazard lights. On a motorway, use the hard shoulder or an emergency area.
Get everyone out
Leave by the passenger-side door and wait behind the barrier, away from traffic.
Call the breakdown line
Call 03333 449 247 with your policy number, registration and exact location. Deaf or hard of hearing? Text 07537 404890 .
Get costs authorised
Don't arrange your own recovery, travel or hotel. Costs we haven't authorised aren't covered.
Repair or recovery
The operator spends up to 60 minutes trying to fix your motorhome. If they can't, it's recovered based on your cover level.
Safety tip: Never put a warning triangle on a motorway, and don't try roadside repairs yourself. If you feel in danger, or you've stopped in a live lane, call 999 first.
Motorhome breakdown prevention checklist
Batteries, tyres, cooling systems and fuel problems cause many motorhome breakdowns, and most can be caught before you set off. Some checks also keep you inside your cover.
Common causes of motorhome breakdowns
- Flat batteries , especially after winter storage
- Tyre failures from under-inflation, age or overloading
- Overheating on long climbs or in hot weather
- Wrong fuel , or running out of fuel
- Lost or locked-in keys
- Electrical and alternator faults
Pre-trip checks
- Check tyre pressures, tread depth and the tyre date code
- Carry a usable spare wheel, jack and locking wheel nut key
- Top up oil, coolant, screen wash and brake fluid
- Test the vehicle and leisure batteries
- Stay within your maximum authorised mass (MAM) when loading
- Save 03333 449 247 in your phone
Keep your cover valid
- Keep your MOT, tax and motorhome insurance up to date
- Service your motorhome in line with the manufacturer's schedule
- Get faults properly repaired after a callout
- Don't use the motorhome for rental or hire
- Check your caravan or trailer is no longer than 7m
Who's behind Smart Cover motorhome breakdown cover
Insurer
Underwritten by DAS Legal Expenses Insurance Company Limited (FRN 202106), authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.
Administrator
The breakdown service is provided and administered by Call Assist Ltd (FRN 304838), Axis Court, North Station Road, Colchester CO1 1UX.
Seller
Sold by Smart-Cover Direct Limited (FRN 600428), an Appointed Representative of City and Commercial Limited (FRN 314346), which is authorised and regulated by the FCA.
Complaints and protection
Contact Call Assist first. They'll acknowledge within 5 working days and reply within 20. If you're unhappy with the final response, you can go to the Financial Ombudsman Service within six months. The T&Cs state this policy is covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).
Why motorhome owners choose Smart Cover
24/7 help
Our breakdown line is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year, with a text service for deaf and hard of hearing customers.
Four cover levels
Pay for what you need, from local help to recovery across the UK and breakdown cover in Europe.
Price Match Promise
Simple annual pricing backed by our Price Match Promise . Terms apply.
Motorhome breakdown cover terms explained
- Roadside assistance
- A recovery operator comes to your breakdown and tries to repair the vehicle on the spot.
- Recovery
- Moving a vehicle that can't be repaired at the roadside to a garage or a destination you choose.
- Home Assist
- Breakdown help at or within 1 mile of your home address.
- Pre-Departure Cover
- Help if your vehicle breaks down in the 7 days before a booked European trip.
- Repatriation
- Bringing your vehicle back to the UK when it can't be repaired abroad in time.
- MAM (Maximum Authorised Mass)
- The most a fully loaded vehicle is allowed to weigh, shown on its weight plate.
- IPID
- Insurance Product Information Document: a standard summary of what a policy does and doesn't cover.
Breakdown cover for other vehicles
Checked against the Motor Breakdown Cover Terms & Conditions (Version 1 2025). Last updated 1 October 2026. This page is a summary, not advice. Your policy documents set out your exact cover.
Frequently asked questions
What is motorhome breakdown cover?
Motorhome breakdown cover is an insurance policy that sends a recovery operator to your motorhome when it breaks down. The operator spends up to 60 minutes trying to fix it at the roadside. If it can't be fixed, the motorhome, driver and passengers are recovered according to your cover level. Smart Cover offers four levels: Local, National, Full UK and European.
Is motorhome breakdown cover the same as motorhome insurance?
No. Motorhome insurance is the motor policy you need by law to drive on public roads, and it covers accidents, theft, fire and claims from other people. Motorhome breakdown cover is a separate, optional policy for roadside help and recovery when the vehicle breaks down. It doesn't cover theft, fire or vandalism.
Do I need breakdown cover for my motorhome?
Breakdown cover isn't a legal requirement in the UK. It's optional, but recovering a motorhome can be costly, and you're often far from home with passengers on board.
Which cover level do I need?
Local Cover UK suits short local trips: 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 motorhome can't be fixed at the roadside?
With Local Cover UK, your motorhome and passengers are taken up to 10 miles. With National, Full UK or European cover, they 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 the breakdown is more than 20 miles from home and can't be repaired the same working day, alternative travel and overnight accommodation may be available within set limits.
Am I covered if my motorhome breaks down 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 motorhome breakdown cover work in Europe?
Yes, with European Cover. It includes roadside assistance abroad, repatriation of your motorhome 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.
Will you recover a caravan or trailer towed behind my motorhome?
Yes, a caravan or trailer is recovered with your motorhome at no extra cost if it uses a standard 50mm tow ball and is no longer than 7 metres (23 feet). A breakdown of the caravan or trailer itself isn't covered.
What if I put the wrong fuel in my motorhome?
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 inside my motorhome?
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.
Can I cover a motorhome that I rent out?
No. Vehicles used for rental, hire, private hire, courier services or motor racing are excluded.
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?
Motorhome 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.
Get motorhome breakdown cover before your next trip
Choose Local, National, Full UK or European cover in a few minutes. Please read the Terms & Conditions and IPID before you buy.
Questions about cover? Call customer service: 03333 449 559