Compare Motorbike Breakdown Cover

What is motorcycle breakdown cover?

Motorcycle breakdown cover is just the same as car breakdown cover. It is a policy that means, should your vehicle stop working, you can call your breakdown provider for immediate assistance.

Rather than trying to find a mechanic to come and help you while you’re standing at the side of the road, you’ll know that once you’ve contacted your provider, help will soon be on its way.

Many breakdown cover policies will cover motorbikes, mopeds and scooters, as well as cars, vans and other vehicles, with similar levels of protection available for all vehicles.

What types of motorcycle breakdown cover are there?

Motorbike breakdown cover is available as a personal or vehicle policy.

Choosing personal motorbike breakdown cover means you are covered by the policy, as opposed to your vehicle. This means that you can use your breakdown cover whether you are riding your bike, riding pillion on another bike, or using a car or another vehicle.

Vehicle breakdown cover is normally cheaper than personal cover, as the cover only applies to the vehicle named on the policy. This means you will only be covered when riding the specified bike.

» MORE: Should I get personal or vehicle cover?

What’s included in motorcycle breakdown cover?

Just like breakdown cover for cars and other vehicles, motorcycle breakdown cover comes with varying levels of protection.

• Roadside assistance is the basis of all breakdown policies. If you break down, it will make sure a mechanic comes to try to fix your car at the scene and, if further work is needed, they will take you to a nearby garage. With a stand-alone roadside assistance policy, the help will end there. However, if you have a more comprehensive policy, you can get further protection.

• National recovery, also known as vehicle recovery, is similar to roadside assistance, except you can choose to be taken to any destination rather than the local garage. This can allow you to get home or continue your journey, to minimise the disruption of the breakdown.

• Onward travel is the most comprehensive level of cover. As well as the above, you are covered for the costs of any accommodation or alternative transport you may incur if your car needs to stay in the garage for a while. Providers will set a limit on how much you can claim on replacement transport or accommodation.

• Home start cover is another key element of breakdown cover. It means that, if your vehicle stops working at home or within a certain distance of your home, you can still claim assistance. Without this, most policies won’t cover you if you break down close to home. Home start may be included with policies or be available as an add-on.

There is also an option to get European motorcycle breakdown cover if you plan to ride your bike abroad. It offers the same recovery features as if you were in the UK, and some European policies will also cover the costs of getting you and your vehicle back to the UK if necessary. It is available as a single-trip policy or an annual policy.

You may be able to add some extra features to your motorcycle breakdown cover including:

• Key cover
• Parts and labour cover

What are common exclusions with motorcycle breakdown cover?

Motorbike breakdown cover comes with many of the same exclusions as other types of breakdown cover. For example, you may not be covered if:

• You break down because you haven’t looked after your bike and kept it in good condition.
• You break down at home or close to home (unless you have home start cover).
• You have already used the maximum number of call-outs available with your cover.
• You call your provider for help about the same problem.
• You use your bike for business.

Motorbikes will also need to meet the provider’s criteria to qualify for cover. For example, bikes may need to be within a certain age limit and be above a certain cylinder capacity (CC), while some providers may not cover certain types of bikes, such as electric bikes, under their standard policies.

How do I get a quote?

To get a quote for motorcycle breakdown cover, you will need the following information:

• Your name and other personal details.
• The number plate of your bike.
• Whether you want personal or vehicle cover.
• What level of cover you want and if you want any extra features added to your policy.
• Whether you want to pay annually or monthly.

What should I do if I break down?

If your motorbike breaks down, the priority is to pull over as safely and quickly as possible. Once you are out of immediate danger from oncoming traffic, you can then call for help.

It may be an idea to carry a reflective jacket whenever you ride your bike, just in case you break down. Especially if you need to wait at the side of a busy road, wearing a reflective jacket can help make sure you are clearly visible to other road users and so minimise the risk of an accident.

» MORE: What to do when you break down

Motorbike Breakdown Cover FAQs