Road Assist
A technician comes to you at any time of day or night and tries to fix your minibus at the roadside.
Taxi minibus breakdown cover Taxi Minibus Breakdown Cover
Taxi Minibus Breakdown Cover
24/7 UK roadside assistance and recovery
If your taxi minibus breaks down, our taxi minibus breakdown cover sends a recovery operator, who will spend up to 60 minutes trying to fix it at the roadside. If it can't be fixed, we recover the minibus, with you and any non-fare-paying passengers, according to your cover level.
- 24/7, 365 days a year
- Up to 60 mins roadside repair
- Recovery across the UK (National Cover up)
- Optional European cover
- Home Assist (Full UK & European)
- Mis-fuelling & locked-in keys
24/7Breakdown line, 365 days
Since 2013FCA Appointed Representative
24/7UK breakdown
helpline
helpline
In short
Taxi minibus breakdown cover is an annual policy that sends a roadside technician when your taxi minibus breaks down. If it can't be repaired on the spot, the policy pays to recover the vehicle, with the driver and any non-fare-paying passengers. It works 24 hours a day across the UK, with optional European cover. It is not the same as taxi insurance: taxi insurance is a legal requirement and covers accidents and liability, while breakdown cover is optional and covers breakdowns, getting you going again and recovering your vehicle.
Key facts
Key facts at a glance
- Availability
- 24 hours, 7 days365 days a year
- Roadside repair
- Up to 60 minutesThen recovery if it can't be fixed
- Area
- Whole UKIncluding Northern Ireland; Europe with European Cover
- Cover levels
- Local · National · Full UK · EuropeanChoose the level you need
- Call-outs
- Up to 6 a yearClaims up to £15,000 a year
- Payment
- AnnualNo claims in the first 24 hours
- Breakdown line
- 03333 449 247Open 24/7
- Regulated
- FCA Appointed RepresentativeFRN 600428, of City & Commercial Ltd
Who it's for
Built for drivers who can't afford to be off the road
A breakdown costs a taxi minibus driver more than a private motorist. You lose fares and time, and you may have a full minibus to look after. Smart Cover's taxi minibus breakdown cover gets help to you 24/7 and recovers your vehicle if it can't be fixed.
It suits self-employed drivers and small fleet operators running taxi minibuses and people carriers, typically 5-8 passenger seats, anywhere in the UK.
- Airport & station transfers
- School & contract runs
- Private hire minibuses
- Wheelchair-accessible taxis
- Event & group transport
- Late-night & rural routes
What's included
What does taxi minibus breakdown cover include?
These are the main benefits of Smart Cover's taxi minibus breakdown cover. Some depend on the cover level you choose, and limits and conditions apply.
Recovery
If it can't be fixed, we recover it up to 10 miles on Local Cover, or to your home or one destination anywhere in the UK from National Cover up.
Alternative Transport
Up to £250 towards transport or a hire car (up to 1600cc), plus £150 to collect your minibus, if it can't be repaired the same working day and you're more than 20 miles from home.
Overnight Accommodation
Up to £150 for a lone traveller or £75 per person, max £500 per incident, if you're more than 20 miles from home and can't be fixed the same working day.
Driver Illness or Injury
If you can't drive on through illness or injury and no passenger can drive, we provide a replacement driver (medical certificate needed).
Home Assist
On Full UK and European Cover: help at your home or within 1 mile of it, for example if the minibus won't start before your first shift.
Mis-fuelling
Put petrol in a diesel? Don't start the engine. Call us and we'll send help. Draining the fuel isn't covered.
Keys Locked Inside
If you lose, break or lock your keys in the vehicle, the call-out and mileage are covered. Other costs, such as specialist equipment, aren't.
Cover levels
Taxi minibus breakdown cover levels: which do you need?
Local Cover suits drivers who mostly work locally. National Cover adds recovery anywhere in the UK, for longer journeys. Full UK Cover adds Home Assist, and European Cover adds help abroad.
| Benefit | Local | National | Full UK | European |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24/7 roadside assistance (more than 1 mile from home) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ UK & Europe |
| Recovery if not fixed | Up to 10 miles | Anywhere in the UK | Anywhere in the UK | UK + repatriation from Europe |
| Home Assist (within 1 mile of home) | - | - | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alternative transport | Up to £250 + £150 to collect | Up to £250 + £150 to collect | Up to £250 + £150 to collect | UK limits + up to £500 and £200 to collect in Europe |
| Overnight accommodation | £150 lone / £75 pp, max £500 | £150 lone / £75 pp, max £500 | £150 lone / £75 pp, max £500 | UK limits + £150 pp for one night, max £1,000 in Europe |
| European assistance & pre-departure cover | - | - | - | ✓ |
| Best for | Local and town work | Longer UK journeys | Help at home too | Trips abroad |
Levels and limits are from the Motor Breakdown Cover policy wording. In the UK, alternative transport and accommodation apply only if you break down more than 20 miles from home and can't be fixed the same working day, must be authorised first and are usually paid on a claim-back basis. Always check the documents below before you buy.
Policy summary
What is and isn't covered
A summary of what Smart Cover taxi minibus breakdown cover includes and excludes.
What's covered
- Road assist & recovery
- Keys locked inside the vehicle
- Alternative travel & overnight accommodationLimits and conditions apply
- Home AssistFull UK and European Cover only
- Road assist in EuropeEuropean Cover only, 40 listed countries
- Mis-fuelling
- Recovery of the vehicle in or from EuropeEuropean Cover only
What's not covered
- Any breakdown that happened before you bought the policy
- Any breakdown caused by a pre-existing fault
- The cost of any parts. Up to one hour's roadside labour is covered; parts are paid for by you
- Extra costs if a puncture can't be fixed because there's no serviceable spare wheel, repair kit, jack or locking wheel nut key
- Vehicles used for rental, hire, public or private hire, courier services or racing
This is a summary. Please read the documents below for full details.
How it works
What to do if your taxi minibus breaks down
Get everyone safe
Pull over, switch on your hazard lights and move passengers away from traffic.
Call us 24/7
Ring our breakdown line on 03333 449 247 . Tell us your policy number, registration, exact location and number of passengers. In Europe, call +44 1206 714813 .
Roadside repair
We'll tell you who is coming and roughly how long they'll be. The recovery operator spends up to 60 minutes trying to fix the minibus on the spot.
Recovery & onward travel
If it can't be fixed, we recover the vehicle, with you and any non-fare-paying passengers, according to your cover level.
Driver guide
Breaking down with passengers on board: a safety checklist
Keeping passengers safe is part of your job as a professional driver. Follow these steps, based on Highway Code guidance, before you call for help.
On a motorway or dual carriageway
- Leave at the next exit or move to a services area if you can.
- If you can't, stop on the hard shoulder or in an emergency area, as far left as possible, with wheels turned left.
- Switch on hazard lights, and sidelights at night or in poor visibility.
- Get everyone out through the left-hand (nearside) doors and behind the safety barrier where it's safe. Leave animals in the vehicle.
- Don't put out a warning triangle on a motorway.
- If you're in a live lane and can't get out safely, keep seatbelts on and call 999 .
On other roads
- Pull over somewhere visible and away from bends and junctions.
- Switch on hazard lights. Place a warning triangle at least 45 metres behind the vehicle if it's safe to do so.
- Keep passengers together and away from traffic. Look after children and anyone with mobility needs first.
- Wear a high-visibility vest if you carry one.
- Call Smart Cover's breakdown line on 03333 449 247 . Mention any vulnerable or wheelchair-using passengers.
- Tell your operator or booking office so they can update customers.
Reduce breakdowns before they happen: check fuel, oil, coolant, screenwash, tyre pressure and tread, lights and wipers at the start of every shift. Batteries and tyres are among the most common causes of breakdowns, especially in winter.
Explained
Taxi minibus breakdown cover vs standard car breakdown cover
Standard car breakdown cover is designed for private drivers. Taxi minibus drivers carry more people, cover more miles and lose income every hour they're off the road, so they need cover built for that.
| Consideration | Standard car breakdown cover | Smart Cover taxi minibus cover |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle size | Cars, usually up to 5 seats | Taxi minibuses and people carriers |
| Seats | Driver and household | More passengers to look after at the roadside |
| Main priority | Getting you home | Keeping passengers safe and getting you back to work |
Why taxi drivers choose Smart Cover
24/7 breakdown line
Call 03333 449 247 at any hour, including early starts and late finishes.
FCA Appointed Representative
Smart-Cover Direct Ltd is an Appointed Representative of City & Commercial Ltd, which is authorised by the FCA.
Price Match Promise
Found the same cover for less? See our Price Match Promise .
Manage it in the app
View your policy and get help from the Smart Cover app on iOS and Android.
Jargon buster
Breakdown cover terms explained
- Roadside assistance
- A technician comes to where you've broken down and tries to repair the vehicle on the spot.
- Recovery
- Towing or transporting your vehicle to a garage or chosen destination when it can't be fixed at the roadside.
- Onward travel
- Help for the driver and passengers to continue their journey, such as alternative transport or accommodation.
- Home Assist
- Cover for breakdowns at or near your home address.
- Pre-existing fault
- A problem the vehicle had before the policy started. These faults aren't covered.
- IPID
- Insurance Product Information Document: a standard summary of what a policy does and doesn't cover.
Related breakdown cover
Reviewed by the Smart Cover Motor Breakdown team
Last updated 25 September 2026. Information is a summary. Your policy documents take precedence.
Last updated 25 September 2026. Information is a summary. Your policy documents take precedence.
Frequently asked questions
What is taxi minibus breakdown cover?
Taxi minibus breakdown cover is a policy that sends a recovery operator to your taxi minibus if it breaks down. They'll spend up to 60 minutes trying to fix it at the roadside, and recover it if they can't. Smart Cover's taxi minibus breakdown cover is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year across the UK, at Local, National, Full UK or European level.
Is breakdown cover a legal requirement for taxi minibuses in the UK?
No. Breakdown cover is not a legal requirement in the UK, unlike motor insurance. However, a breakdown with passengers on board costs you fares, time and your reputation, so most professional drivers treat it as essential. Some operators and councils may also expect you to have a plan for breakdowns.
What's the difference between taxi minibus breakdown cover and taxi insurance?
Taxi or public-hire insurance is a legal requirement that pays for damage, injury and liability after an accident. Breakdown cover is a separate, optional policy that pays for roadside repairs, recovery and onward travel when your vehicle breaks down mechanically. Your motor insurance does not normally include full breakdown cover.
How long will I wait for help?
When you call, we'll tell you which recovery operator is coming and roughly how long they'll be. It can take longer at busy times, in remote areas or abroad. Tell the call handler if you have vulnerable passengers.
What happens to my passengers if my taxi minibus breaks down?
If your minibus can't be repaired at the roadside, it's recovered with you and your passengers. The policy defines passengers as non-fare-paying people travelling with the vehicle. On Local Cover recovery is up to 10 miles; from National Cover up, it's to your home or one destination anywhere in the UK if the minibus can't be repaired the same working day. Any hire car is up to 1600cc, so it may not seat all your passengers.
Does taxi minibus breakdown cover include Europe?
Only with European Cover. It covers 40 listed European countries and territories, for trips of up to 90 days, with roadside assistance, recovery and repatriation if your minibus can't be fixed within 48 hours.
Am I covered if I put the wrong fuel in my minibus?
Yes. Wrong fuel is included, so help is sent if you fill a diesel minibus with petrol or a petrol one with diesel. The cost of draining or removing the fuel isn't covered. Don't start the engine: call us straight away.
Am I covered if my taxi breaks down at home?
Yes, on Full UK and European Cover. Home Assist covers breakdowns at your home or within 1 mile of it. It isn't included in Local or National Cover.
What is not covered?
Exclusions include breakdowns that happened before you bought the policy or in the first 24 hours, pre-existing faults, poor maintenance, the cost of parts, vehicles used for rental, hire, public or private hire or courier services, and extra costs if a puncture can't be fixed because there's no serviceable spare. There's a limit of 6 call-outs and £15,000 of claims per year. Read the full Terms & Conditions and IPID before you buy.
Can I pay monthly?
No. Smart Cover taxi minibus breakdown cover is paid annually, upfront, for 12 months of cover.
Is the cover for the vehicle or the driver?
It covers the vehicle named on your policy schedule. The vehicle must be registered and kept in the UK, and you must live permanently in the UK.
Who provides Smart Cover taxi minibus 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).
Can I cancel?
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.
Can I get cover if my minibus has already broken down?
No. Breakdowns that happened before you bought the policy aren't covered, and you can't claim in the first 24 hours after buying. Buy cover before you need it.
Keep your taxi minibus earning
24/7 taxi minibus breakdown cover anywhere in the UK, with optional European cover.
Sales & help: 03333 449 559 · Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat 10am-4pm
