European Breakdown Cover

[Cooper1999]

I'm hoping this is the correct place to ask this question.
For many years I was a member of ADAC, which gave European cover for me (regardless of what vehicle I was in). This past year I received a letter from them stating that they would no longer give cover outside of Germany, therefore I chose not to renew.
I'm hoping to go abroad in February, and also to Le Mans in June so would ask - who do you use for breakdown cover in Europe, any recommendations?

The vehicle I have is 8 years old (I know some companies don't cover older vehicles i.e. 10 years plus).
I don't really need year round cover (and already have UK assistance as part of my insurance).
ADAC used to be around £100/year. This is why I kept it going - great value for money, and a great service on the odd occasion I used them.

[lost in espace]

Have a look at the Nationwide bank account with the Flex benefits, I don't think there is an age restriction and includes EU.

https://www.nationwide.co.uk/current-accounts/flex...

[Byker28i]

I've just extended my RAC/AA cover for the period we're abroad with our TVR

[Shnozz]

lost in espace said:

Have a look at the Nationwide bank account with the Flex benefits, I don't think there is an age restriction and includes EU.

https://www.nationwide.co.uk/current-accounts/flex...

This is what we have. Only had reason to use the breakdown cover the once but it was flawless.

Used the mobile phone insurance cover a few times and also straight forward. Definitely paid for itself.

[wrong_turn]

StrartRescue.co.uk were fine with my 18-year old Volvo. I used them once when the oil light came on just before I arrived at work - I rang the garage who said not to risk driving it the 15 miles back.

StartRescue arranged to collect the car and myself at the end of my shift and deliver us to the garage which is 5 minutes walk from my home, so it was just a case of booking the following day off work.

I'm not sure if I had Euro cover but for about £60 I was getting onward travel, hotels if needed, and a garage / destination of my choice.

[HiAsAKite]

Hi folks, whats the current consensus on European breakdown cover for older vehicles (+12 years old)?
Off on a 2 week jaunt round France, Germany & Benelux later this year and looking at options.

Used to have ADAC, but they don't cover UK residents any more :-( - so need something else.

Have AA cover- but they want £113 to add single trip European breakdown to that.
Have found autoaid, which will do single vehicle cover for £78, or £130 for annual

Nationwide flexplus account seems to give annual AA European breakdown cover for £156/yr - but most of the other benefits duplicate stuff I have elsewhere..


Anything I'm missing? thoughts appreciated.

[nobrakes]

I’ve a 14yr old E class and use the AA, but it’s s multi trip policy. I think it’s circa £200. Dear, but I’m totally covered - just peace of mind. It may be some frog/other crashes into you too, not just breakdown, so I do it for total piece of mind.

Definitely worth checking what you actually want or need covered. A single destination trip is a low risk. Multi Destination trips have a much bigger grief consequence and inconvenience of something goes south.

[QJumper]

To be honest, if you're happy with the level of cover provide by Autoaid, then £78 is a relatively small cost compared to the rest of the trip.

Depending on what car you'll be driving, it might also be worth checking with a main dealer, as some manufacturers offer breakdown cover. My car (Lexus) is 12 years old and I've done two European trips recently and get AA UK & European cover included with the extended warranty, or available seperately for around £125.

[HiAsAKite]

Much appreciated.

I "think" i can get full AA & Euro via Nationwide (not compared the difference yet)- would be £156 all in - however I'm bristling slight at already paying £80 or so to the AA for UK Relay, and them wanting another £120 ontop for single trip or £200 for annual cover...

Autoaid look cheap n cheerful - I've seen them mentioned here before, unless anyone has any bad stories about them?


Hadn't considered the manufacturer route (Audi) - they talk about extending existing cover, but not about new- and I don't have an extended warranty on the car (think last saw a dealership about 5+ or so year ago so..)

[Shnozz]

We have the Nationwide flex account and the perks are worth it for us but I appreciate it depends how many of them you already have, or you might require a different level of cover than the standard one that comes with that account. Have used the breakdown cover once and the mobile phone insurance 2 or 3 times now. Never had an issue.

[HiAsAKite]

Shnozz said:

We have the Nationwide flex account and the perks are worth it for us but I appreciate it depends how many of them you already have, or you might require a different level of cover than the standard one that comes with that account. Have used the breakdown cover once and the mobile phone insurance 2 or 3 times now. Never had an issue.

We've got "most" of the perks via Lloyds Gold Card- but is only "basic" (non-relay) AA cover.
that said we've used the mobile phone cover on it multiple times, and its good..

Will need rationalise the overall Lloyds vs Nationwide package and which to go with - thanks for everyone's help

Edited by HiAsAKite on Tuesday 19th July 14:38

[C Lee Farquar]

I renewed my ADAC cover without issue, am I missing something?

I only need cover for France

[braddo]

C Lee Farquar said:

I renewed my ADAC cover without issue, am I missing something?

I only need cover for France

You may find it only covers you in Germany. I had ADAC for about a decade and they sent letters pre-covid about restricting cover for UK members to Germany (or something like that; letters were in German). UK folks can no longer join ADAC unless resident in Germany too. Another Brexit dividend.

[braddo]

Shnozz said:

We have the Nationwide flex account and the perks are worth it for us but I appreciate it depends how many of them you already have, or you might require a different level of cover than the standard one that comes with that account. Have used the breakdown cover once and the mobile phone insurance 2 or 3 times now. Never had an issue.

Also worth mentioning the Nationwide flex plus (not just 'flex') has comprehensive travel insurance too - worldwide including winter sports. That's in addition to mobile phone insurance and the breakdown cover so the £156 per year for the bank account is likely the cheapest on the market for the level of cover provided.

[Crook]

braddo said:

Shnozz said:

We have the Nationwide flex account and the perks are worth it for us but I appreciate it depends how many of them you already have, or you might require a different level of cover than the standard one that comes with that account. Have used the breakdown cover once and the mobile phone insurance 2 or 3 times now. Never had an issue.

Also worth mentioning the Nationwide flex plus (not just 'flex') has comprehensive travel insurance too - worldwide including winter sports. That's in addition to mobile phone insurance and the breakdown cover so the £156 per year for the bank account is likely the cheapest on the market for the level of cover provided.

I’ve used the phone insurance once - incredibly efficient. Thankfully I’ve never had to use the travel or breakdown (European) insurance.
Happy to pay the fee.