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Motorcycle breakdown cover

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What is motorcycle breakdown cover?

Motorcycle breakdown cover gives you help if your motorbike, scooter or moped develops a fault and you can’t continue your journey.

Depending on your policy, a mechanic may try to repair your bike at the roadside, but if it can’t be fixed there, your provider can arrange recovery to a garage or another destination covered by your policy.

Does standard breakdown cover include motorcycles?

Some standard breakdown cover policies don't usually include motorcycles, although some motorbike insurance policies include it or offer it as an optional extra.

This means motorcycle breakdown cover is worth considering for people who ride two-wheelers. Remember, 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.

Compare breakdown cover from 17[2] trusted UK providers

Find the best breakdown cover policy for you by comparing deals from leading UK insurers 

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Can I get motorcycle breakdown cover?

To compare motorcycle breakdown cover with MoneySuperMarket, you'll need to meet the following requirements:

  • 18 or over

    You need to be at least 18 years old to get motorcycle breakdown cover

  • UK resident

    You will need to be a UK resident with a permanent UK address

  • UK registration

    Your motorcycle needs to be registered in the UK

  • Roadworthy bike

    Your motorcycle must be in a roadworthy condition

  • No courier use

    You won't be covered for courier or hire-and-reward work

  • European limit

    For European cover, the bike can't be more than 16 years old

Should I choose personal or vehicle cover?

Personal cover protects the named person, while vehicle cover protects the motorcycle itself. Which suits you depends largely on how many vehicles you use and how many people ride your bike.

Personal cover

Vehicle cover

What is covered?

You as a driver or passenger on eligible motorcycles

The motorcycle itself plus whoever is riding it

It's ideal for you if:

You regularly use more than one vehicle

More than one person uses the same motorcycle

Cover limits usually mean:

You can add up to four people

You can add up to four vehicles

What does motorcycle breakdown cover include?

The features included vary between providers and policies, so check your results carefully before buying.

  • What can motorcycle breakdown cover include?

    • Roadside help: A mechanic may try to repair your motorcycle where you break down

    • Local recovery: If it can’t be fixed, your bike may be taken to a nearby garage

    • National recovery: Wider cover may recover you and your bike farther across the UK

    • Home start: Get help if your motorcycle breaks down at home or close to it

    • Onward travel: May include alternative transport or overnight accommodation

    • European cover: Cover may be available for single or multiple trips in Europe

  • What may not be covered?

    • Private land: Your provider may be unable to reach private land or may charge extra for access

    • Poor maintenance: Problems caused by failing to maintain your bike may not be covered

    • Accident recovery: Accident-related recovery may be handled differently from a mechanical breakdown

    • Existing breakdowns: If your bike has already broken down, you may need instant assistance instead of a standard new policy

What extras can I get with motorcycle breakdown cover?

  • Wrong fuel cover

    Reimburses you for costs associated with filling your bike with the wrong fuel

  • European breakdown cover

    Provides breakdown cover for single or multiple trips to Europe

  • Key replacement

    Financial cover to replace keys if they are lost or stolen

What level of motorcycle breakdown cover do I need?

The right level depends on where you ride and what you’d need to happen if your motorcycle couldn’t be fixed at the roadside.

Roadside assistance

Provides help if your motorcycle breaks down away from home - a mechanic may try to repair it at the roadside or arrange recovery to a nearby garage if it can’t be fixed.

National recovery

Can take you, your motorcycle and any eligible passengers farther across the UK if roadside repair isn’t possible. This may suit you if you regularly make longer journeys.

Home start

Provides assistance if your motorcycle breaks down at home or close to your home address - it can be useful if you rely on your bike for commuting or regular journeys.

Onward travel

May help you continue your journey if your motorcycle can’t be repaired, with options such as alternative transport or overnight accommodation, although limits vary by policy.

European cover

Provides breakdown assistance in eligible European countries - be sure to check the countries included, maximum trip length and any vehicle-age restrictions before travelling.

How much does motorcycle breakdown cover cost?

The amount you'll pay for motorcycle breakdown cover can depend on the level and type of cover you choose, how many motorcycles you want to protect and details about your bike. More comprehensive options like national recovery, home start or onward travel will likely cost more than basic local cover.

When you compare quotes, look at the premiums you'll pay as well as any excess required to make a claim, and the features included - remember, the cheapest policies might not offer the level of cover or extras you actually need.

Do I already have motorcycle breakdown cover?

Possibly - before buying a separate policy, check whether breakdown assistance is already included with your motorbike insurance or available as an add-on. If you already have personal breakdown cover, check whether it applies when you ride your motorcycle, as this could help you avoid paying twice for protection you already have.

A motorbike warranty is different - it may cover certain mechanical repair costs, while breakdown cover is designed to arrange roadside assistance and recovery.

What do I need to get a motorcycle breakdown cover quote?

To compare motorcycle breakdown cover quotes with MoneySuperMarket, you'll need the following information about yourself, your motorcycle and the cover you want.

  • icon personal details

    Your details

    Have your name, date of birth, UK address and email address ready

  • icon motorcycle

    Your motorcycle

    You’ll need the registration or details such as its make, model, age and engine size

  • icon shield

    Your cover

    Choose options such as recovery, home start, onward travel and European cover

Our expert says…

Expert quote

The cheapest breakdown policy can still be good value, but only if it covers the situations that matter to you - so look at how far your bike can be recovered, whether home start and onward travel are included, any call-out limits and when your cover actually begins. If you use more than one vehicle, it’s also worth comparing personal and vehicle cover before deciding.

Alicia Hempsted Insurance Expert

How do I compare motorcycle breakdown cover?

  • Tell us about you

    Give us some basic information about you and the motorcycle you want to cover

  • Choose your cover

    Select the type of policy and features that suit the way you use your bike

  • Compare and choose

    Compare the available policies, then click through to complete your purchase

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:

  • stopwatch icon

    Save time

    All your quotes will be shown in one place, meaning you don’t need to shop around a number of providers.

  • piggybank icon

    Save money

    Comparing prices properly makes it easier to find the best quote that works for you and saves you money.

  • policy icon

    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.

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 9 Oct 2026 by

Sources and supporting information

  1. [1]

    YouGov Survey 1st July 2025 to 30th June 2026. Net Recommend score derived from "Which of the following online service websites would you recommend to a friend or colleague, or tell them to avoid?" Base: Current Customers of (MoneySuperMarket n=17,883, Compare the Market n=16,193, Go.Compare n=8,523, Confused.com n=7,918, Uswitch n=514)

  2. [2]

    Accurate as of October 2026