European Breakdown Cover Recomendations

[T25aj27]

Hi All,

We've got a VW T25 that we've had for a long time - it gets tucked away over the winter, and used lots in the summer. When my boys were little we did lots of small trips, and as theyve got older have gradually built up, with last year doing 2 weeks in France.

We'd like to do similar (or further!) again, but are looking for ways for breakdown cove to not be so crazily expensive. We had it last year, and whilst it was unfortunatley needed it was for a tiny tiny issue, and the whole experinece was really bad... I had breakdown cover with the same company for my own car, and only needed to use it once, but it was a similarly awful experience from start to finish.

The things pushing up the price seem to be age (its a 1989 Van), that its modified, and the need for European cover.

Any pointers/tips/guidance would be really appreciated.

[lukeharding]

Part of the problem with European cover is that the work is (often) subbed to European providers, with some of the big ones (think French motoring clubs etc) handling the work of multiple providers in the UK. Not only does it create a chain that can be frustrating, but it also means that swapping provider may not solve the issue you had previously as the European provider could be the same. Essentially it is worth checking who provides the service for whomever you plan to swap to.

The costs escalating are also understandable. Your vehicle is statistically more likely to have a breakdown, and that breakdown is more likely to lead to a repatriation of the vehicle to the UK, which isn't cheap.

Sorry that this isn't all that helpful and I am not suggesting one company over another, but if you know the company that caused the problem before (if it was indeed the case), then worth checking whose work they cover.

[TV200]

Look at a packaged bank account. I’ve got Nationwide which includes AA UK and European breakdown. This then covers everything from cars, to classics, motorhomes and caravans. If you put the cost of the account is less than taking an older car abroad with a standalone policy. And if you have a few hundred in the account, for the past few years they’re distributed profits and paid back £100 or so making it even cheaper.

[T25aj27]

Yep - your 100% right. We had 1 brilliant recovery driver who was mega helpful, but the garage whol had the van took ages, but the main issue was the call centre we were dealing with. And everything you say about the vehicle is spot on aswell... was just unfortunate on our part that its only ever breakdown (touch wood!) was abroad. It turned out to be a tiny thing, but we'd called the breakdown service already, who happened to have a recovery driver really close by - if I'd had 5 mintues to look at it we could have got going again, but I was told by the call centre that if they didn't take the vehicle then they wouldn't.

Hey Ho - we live and learn!

[K50 DEL]

TV200 said:

Look at a packaged bank account. I ve got Nationwide which includes AA UK and European breakdown. This then covers everything from cars, to classics, motorhomes and caravans. If you put the cost of the account is less than taking an older car abroad with a standalone policy. And if you have a few hundred in the account, for the past few years they re distributed profits and paid back £100 or so making it even cheaper.

This is what I did when taking my Gallardo on a 3 week Euro trip a couple of years ago... the quotes I got for specific cover were eye-watering but the Nationwide cover had no restrictions and, in effect, is £216 a year with a host of other benefits too. (plus the £100 back)

[T25aj27]

Good shout - we seem to have pretty much everything with Nationwide, so I'll look into that - thankyou

[Mr Mill]

If looking at Nationwide, also look at Virgin Money's packaged account which is much the same but with a cheaper monthly fee