Help around the clock
Night shifts, airport runs and weekend peaks are when taxis work hardest. The breakdown line is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Taxi breakdown cover Taxi Breakdown Cover
Taxi Breakdown Cover
24/7 roadside assistance and recovery for UK taxi drivers
When your taxi stops, so does your shift. Our 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 taxi are recovered according to your cover level.
- 24-hour breakdown line
- Passengers recovered too
- Four cover levels
24/7Breakdown line, 365 days
Since 2013FCA Appointed Representative
24/7breakdown line,
365 days
365 days
In short
Taxi breakdown cover is an annual insurance policy that sends a recovery operator to your taxi when it 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, your taxi, you and your passengers are recovered up to 10 miles (Local Cover UK), or to your home or a chosen UK destination (National, Full UK and European). It's separate from your taxi insurance.
Key facts
Taxi breakdown cover at a glance
- Breakdown line
- 24/7 03333 449 247
- Roadside fix
- Up to 60 minutesThen recovery if it can't be fixed
- Recovery
- Up to 10 miles, or UK-wide*Depends on your cover level
- Passengers
- Recovered with youBased on your cover level
- Home Assist
- Full UK and European*At or within 1 mile of home
- Callouts
- Up to 6 per yearClaims up to £15,000 a year
- Payment
- Annual14-day cooling-off
- Europe
- With European CoverTrips of up to 90 days
Built for working drivers
Why taxi drivers choose breakdown cover
For a private motorist, a breakdown is an inconvenience. For a taxi driver it's lost shift time, a passenger in the back and the vehicle you rely on to earn a living.
Roadside repair first
The operator spends up to 60 minutes trying to fix your taxi on the spot, so a minor fault doesn't have to end your shift.
Passengers recovered too
If your taxi can't be repaired on the spot, you and your passengers are recovered with it, based on your cover level.
Recovery anywhere in the UK
With National, Full UK or European cover, your taxi can be taken to your home or one destination you choose in the UK.
Choose your cover
Compare taxi breakdown cover levels
Each level includes everything in the one before it. Drivers who mainly work locally often choose Local Cover UK. Airport and long-distance drivers usually need National Cover UK or above.
| What you get | Local Cover UK | National Cover UK | Full UK Cover | European Cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roadside help more than 1 mile from home | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Up to 60 minutes of roadside repair | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Taxi, driver and passengers recovered up to 10 miles | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Recovery to your home or one 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 is a summary. Limits, conditions and exclusions apply. Please read the documents below before you buy.
Policy cover
What does taxi breakdown cover include?
The main benefits and exclusions, taken from the policy wording. Your policy documents always take priority.
What's covered
- Roadside assistance and recoveryFor your taxi, you and your passengers, based on your cover level
- Alternative travelUp to £250, plus up to £150 for one person to collect the repaired taxi
- Overnight accommodationUp to £150 for a lone traveller 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
Travel and accommodation apply only if you break down more than 20 miles from home, the taxi can't be repaired the same working day, and the cost is authorised first. The limits are for the whole group, not per passenger.
What's not covered
- Existing faultsBreakdowns before you bought cover, and any claim in the first 24 hours
- Parts and garage repairsOnly the roadside repair attempt and recovery are included
- Theft, fire or vandalismClaim for these on your taxi insurance
- Poorly maintained or unroadworthy taxisIncluding overloaded, untaxed or uninsured taxis, no valid MOT, or no usable spare wheel and jack
- Breakdowns at homeAt or within 1 mile of home, unless you have Full UK or European Cover
Step by step
What to do if your taxi breaks down with passengers on board
Get everyone safe
Pull over as far left as you can, hazards on. Move passengers out on the nearside, away from traffic.
Call us 24/7
Call 03333 449 247 with your location, registration and number of passengers. Deaf or hard of hearing? Text 07537 404890 .
Get costs authorised
Don't book your own recovery, another taxi or a hotel. Costs we haven't authorised aren't covered.
Roadside repair
The operator spends up to 60 minutes trying to fix your taxi on the spot.
Recovery
If it can't be fixed, your taxi, you and your passengers are recovered based on your cover level.
On a motorway? Leave the vehicle by the left-hand doors and wait behind the safety barrier, well away from traffic. If you've stopped in a live lane or can't get out safely, call 999 first, then call us. Never place a warning triangle on a motorway.
Common problems
The most common reasons taxis break down
Taxis cover far more miles than private cars, with stop-start driving, long idling at ranks and short hops between jobs. That puts extra strain on a handful of parts.
Flat or failing battery
Idling at ranks with lights, heating and card terminals running drains the battery.
Dead battery? How cover helpsKeys locked inside
Helping a passenger with luggage and the door shuts behind you. The policy covers the callout and mileage.
Keys locked inside? Read moreWrong fuel
Switching between vehicles makes it easy to fill up with the wrong fuel. Don't start the engine and call us. Draining the fuel isn't covered.
Tyre damage
Kerbing at pick-up points and potholes cause punctures. Carry a usable spare wheel and jack, as tyre problems without them aren't covered.
Clutch and gearbox wear
Heavy urban stop-start driving wears clutches faster on manual taxis. Regular servicing helps, and breakdowns caused by poor maintenance aren't covered.
Overheating and coolant loss
Long idling in traffic and summer heat can push engines past their limit. Pull over as soon as the warning light comes on.
The difference
Taxi insurance vs taxi breakdown cover: what's the difference?
They're often confused, but they do different jobs. Many taxi drivers have both.
Taxi insurance
- Required by law to drive your taxi on public roads
- Covers accidents, claims from other people, fire and theft
- Claims usually carry an excess and can affect your no-claims bonus
- Doesn't normally send a mechanic when your taxi won't start
Taxi breakdown cover
- Optional: not a legal requirement
- Roadside help when your taxi breaks down
- Up to 60 minutes of roadside repair, then recovery
- Doesn't cover theft, fire or vandalism
Who it's for
Who is taxi breakdown cover for?
Breakdown cover for taxi drivers across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. You must be a permanent UK resident, and your taxi must be registered and kept in the UK, with a valid MOT and tax.
- Hackney carriage / black cab drivers
- Private hire (PHV) drivers
- Saloon and estate taxis
- MPV and 7-seater taxis
- Airport and long-distance drivers
See our full range of motor breakdown cover for cars, vans, minibuses, motorhomes and motorbikes.
Who provides your cover
Who's behind Smart Cover taxi 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), Axis Court, North Station Road, Colchester CO1 1UX.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is taxi breakdown cover?
Taxi breakdown cover is an annual insurance policy that sends a recovery operator to your taxi when it 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, the taxi, driver and passengers are recovered according to your cover level: Local, National, Full UK or European.
Is breakdown cover a legal requirement for UK taxis?
No. Breakdown cover isn't a legal requirement in the UK. It's separate from the taxi or private hire motor insurance you need by law.
What is the difference between taxi insurance and taxi breakdown cover?
Taxi insurance is the motor insurance you need by law. It covers accidents, claims from other people, fire and theft. Taxi breakdown cover pays for roadside help and recovery when your taxi breaks down. It doesn't cover theft, fire or vandalism. Many drivers have both.
Which cover level do I need?
Local Cover UK suits drivers who mainly work locally: 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 airport and long-distance work. 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 to my passengers if my taxi breaks down?
If your taxi can't be repaired at the roadside, you and your passengers are recovered with the taxi according to your cover level: up to 10 miles with Local Cover UK, or to your home or one preferred UK destination with National, Full UK or European cover. Recovery takes place at the time of the first callout, to one address only.
Am I covered if my taxi 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.
What if I put the wrong fuel in my taxi?
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 my keys are locked inside the taxi?
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.
Does taxi breakdown cover work in Europe?
Yes, with European Cover. It includes roadside assistance abroad, repatriation if the vehicle 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.
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?
Taxi 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 your taxi covered
Choose Local, National, Full UK or European taxi 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
