Personal cover
This is when the cover applies to you, so you can ride any motorcycle as long as it meets the requirements in your policy
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Does breakdown cover include motorcycles?
Motorcycle breakdown cover is a type of breakdown cover for motorbike, scooter, and moped riders to get help if they break down on the road.
Some standard breakdown cover policies do not cover motorcycles, so this type of cover is important for people who ride two-wheelers.
It’s important to note that, while you can buy breakdown cover for your bike as a separate policy, some motorbike insurance policies might offer breakdown cover as an optional extra. Others may even include it as standard. It’s always best to shop around and compare your options before choosing a deal so that you can get the best value for money.
Breakdown cover options
You’ll be able to choose different types of motorcycle breakdown cover, depending on how many bikes you ride and how you’d like to pay for cover to protect you if your motorbike breaks down.
You choose from either:
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Vehicle cover
Depending on your policy, this cover applies to at least one specific motorcycle or possibly more, so multiple drivers can use this cover
What's covered by motorbike breakdown cover?
While the terms of your policy and cover options will vary depending on your provider, here is an outline of what a typical breakdown policy for motorbikes will cover:
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Covered:
Cover Up to 4 people: Covers you in any vehicle whether you (and up to 3 other named people living at the same address) are the driver or passenger in a vehicle.
Up to 4 vehicles: Covers any driver and up to 4 vehicles can be covered as long as they are registered at the same address.
Local or national cover
Home start
Roadside assistance
Onward travel
Out of fuel cover
Electric vehicles
Overnight accommodation
Optional cover:
Wrong fuel cover: Reimburses you for costs associated with filling your bike with the wrong fuel.
European breakdown cover: Will provide you with European motorbike breakdown cover for single or multiple trips to Europe
Key replacement: Financial cover to replace keys if they are lost or stolen
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Not covered
Breaking down on private land: If your motorcycle breaks down on privately owned land, this could mean your provider won’t be able to reach you or won’t be allowed to. They may even charge an extra fee for their assistance.
Road accidents: If your breakdown was a result of a road accident, this could make it more difficult for your provider’s repair vehicle to access your bike. Emergency services may have to give them clearance before they can reach you.
Basic maintenance: It’s your responsibility to maintain your motorcycle. If you breakdown as a result of poor upkeep, such as unchanged oil or brake fluid, this might not be covered by your provider.
How much does breakdown cover cost?
The actual price you’ll end up paying for breakdown assistance will depend on a number of factors:
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Your level of cover
A more comprehensive level of cover, such as onward travel or at-home breakdown, is likely to cost more than basic policies such as local cover
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The type of cover
Some insurers may have different prices. This can depend on whether you choose to cover yourself or a specific motorcycle
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The number of bikes
Adding more bikes to your policy is likely to increase your premiums but could save you money compared to taking out individual policies for each motorcycle
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Your motorcycle details
Older motorcycles can often cost more to cover. Insurers may also charge higher premiums for expensive or powerful motorcycle models
Is it worth getting motorcycle breakdown cover?
Breakdown cover isn't a legal requirement like motorbike insurance, but that doesn't mean it isn't worth having.
The right breakdown cover can give you peace of mind knowing that that if you break down unexpectedly, you'll have access to fast 24-hour roadside assistance and don't have to worry about the cost or things like getting back to your home address.
You'll also have access to a number of extra benefits that will keep you on track with your journey, like overnight accommodation, alternative transport, and onward travel. You don't have to worry about an accident leaving you stranded without help.
Our expert says…
The cost of motorbike breakdown cover will mainly be driven by the level of cover, from a basic policy to comprehensive cover that adds home start and nationwide recovery, the age of your bike and how powerful your bike is. Breakdown cover for a classic Ducati superbike is therefore likely to cost distinctly more than pottering around on a brand-new Honda scooter.
Faith Archer Personal Finance Expert
Why compare breakdown cover with MoneySuperMarket?
Comparing quotes for breakdown cover with MoneySuperMarket gives you access to a range of benefits you just won't get by going straight to providers:
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Save time
All your quotes will be shown in one place, meaning you don’t need to shop around a number of providers.
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Save money
Comparing prices properly makes it easier to find the best quote that works for you and saves you money.
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Get tailored quotes
We don’t offer you generic prices. You answer a few questions and show you prices that are tailored to your needs and circumstances.
Choosing our best motorcycle breakdown deals
Choosing the best motorbike breakdown cover takes a bit of thought and planning but it can pay off when you find a great deal. Here are a few tips to help you find breakdown cover:
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Price isn't anything
Finding the best deal doesn't always mean finding the cheapest option. Try looking for policies that give you more for you money and look at extra cover options that are worth the cost
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Adjust your excess
Increasing your excess can reduce the cost of your breakdown cover, giving you more options to get great cover for less. However, don't forget that your excess should be affordable
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Shop and compare
Even after you've found the right cover, it pays off to keep your options open. There are always good deals to be found, so keep comparing quotes and shopping to find the best price for your breakdown cover
Get tailored breakdown cover with MoneySuperMarket
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It doesn’t take long
Put in details like your address, the type of vehicle you have and the registration and we’ll get you a quote for van breakdown cover
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We’ll search for savings
We’ll do the heavy lifting when it comes to finding you ways to save money and show you the cheapest policies with a full range of features
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Get covered
Once you have chosen the level of cover you want and the policy you like, simply call or click through to purchase directly from the insurer
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Breakdown cover guides and expert tips
Keep up to date and find out all you need to know with our latest guides.
Does motorcycle cover include punctures?
The cover you get for punctured tyres will depend on your policy. Some comprehensive policies will cover roadside assistance, transport of your vehicle to a garage or to your home, and may even cover the cost of having the tyre replaced.
However, some policies may only cover you for plugging the puncture and getting you home. In which case, you would need to replace the tyre yourself and cover the cost without the help of your breakdown cover.
Make sure you check your policy details to find out what you are covered for and contact your provider for further information.
Am I covered if I ride another motorbike?
You would need to have personal breakdown cover. Or, alternatively, the motorbike you’re riding would need to have vehicle breakdown cover.
Therefore, it’s always wise checking that you or the motorbike are adequately insured before hitting the road. This way, you’ll be able to receive the assistance you need should you unexpectedly break down during your journey.
It's also important that you are insured while driving someone else's motorbike. If you aren't insured to drive motorbikes other than your own, you may need to take out a short-term policy.
What should I do if my motorbike breaks down?
Firstly, if your motorbike breaks down, make sure to pull over safely. It is also wise to use hand signals to let other drivers know you are having issues with your vehicle and that you are trying to move out of the way as soon as possible. It’s also important to stay visible, so use your hazard lights to ensure that you’re easily seen by fellow motorists and wear a high-visibility vest (which should always be stored under your bike seat). This will help prevent avoidable crashes and accidents with incoming vehicles.
Once that is done, get in touch with your recovery service to receive the help you need. If you’re not a qualified mechanic or have limited expertise in the subject, it’s always best to wait for professional help. In fact, if you try fixing the problem yourself, you may end up worsening the issue and putting yourself at risk, as your attention will be taken away from the traffic.
Can I get motorcycle breakdown assistance if I've just broken down?
Accidents can happen when you least expect them to. If you’re not prepared for unwanted mishaps and don’t have motorcycle breakdown cover, you may have to rely on a willing friend or local garage to pick you up.
Alternatively, you may have to take out instant breakdown cover. In this scenario, your new provider will assist you within an hour or so, but this could involve a pricey fee. Not only that, but you may also have to find an alternative form of transport to continue your trip.
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Reviewed on 11 Dec 2025 by
Accurate as of September 2025