European Repatriation Insurance
European Repatriation Insurance
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Fox-

Original Poster:

13,508 posts

268 months

Wednesday 23rd November 2011
quotequote all
Does anyone know of any companies that offer insurance against the cost of repatriating a car to the UK from Europe following a breakdown but dont limit the cover to the 'market value' of the vehicle?

Numerous companies offer it but all include a clause saying they wont repatriate if the repatriation cost is more than the cars market value.

I want to avoid a situation where I might say suffer a breakdown and then have to spend time arguing with the breakdown company over the 'market value' of a 9 year old 5 Series which isn't and never will be for sale therefore has a replacement cost far in excess of whatever its 'value' might be on paper. I accept and am happy I may need to pay more for this level of cover.. but can't find anyone offering it.

How much does repatriation cost anyway, from say Switzerland or Northern Italy? The chances of needing it are slim but I don't fancy a £2k bill or being forced to scrap my immaculate car just because the 'market' deems it worth £x.

Kong

1,503 posts

193 months

Tuesday 6th December 2011
quotequote all
Can't help you with anyone who words it as such. However last year Swinton spent twice the value of my mates car on repatriation when it went pop in Italy. Fantastic communication and support from them throughout.

It's not the repatriation costs which concern me. It's that they will try and fix it on the continent (at your cost) if at all possible before repatriation (at their cost) within 7 days. This was a concern to me because I don't want to be ripped off by a local garage when I have no alternative. This is a bit of a grey area as to how much choice you get in which garage it goes to.

Swinton even told me that due to the high cost of repatriating a car they would even fly parts out to the local garage if needed or pay a your costs to return to collect the car themselves if your holiday was ending within the alloted 7 days.

Fox-

Original Poster:

13,508 posts

268 months

Tuesday 6th December 2011
quotequote all
I managed to find the answer - ADAC.

Seems its a popular problem - people with things like Mk1 Golf GTI's also face this issue where the value of the car to you is many times its book value.