European Breakdown Cover for cars 15 years old
Discussion
I have no current plans to replace the family car, which we'll be driving to the alps and back next winter - and it's always good to have some breakdown cover, but many companies don't cover europe over 15 years old.
I think the AA will cover us - but having been rather let down by them a few years back, I would prefer to avoid them.
Are the any PH recommended breakdown companies that'll cover us for a europe trip?
Thank you.
I think the AA will cover us - but having been rather let down by them a few years back, I would prefer to avoid them.
Are the any PH recommended breakdown companies that'll cover us for a europe trip?
Thank you.
It’s cheap for a reason. The fuel pump on our Jeep XJ went in France two years ago. Due to the amount of camping equipment we had with us I told them we needed a transporter/crew cab van or large car with a roof rack. They couldn’t supply anything remotely suitable so we had to sort it out ourselves with a local company. Britannia actually offered us a three seater van and told us my wife and two kids could squeeze together on the double front seat.
I told the garage they sent it to that it was the fuel pump (it was obvious) but they did nothing with it for three weeks. They left the car unlocked with the windows down in a non-secure car park. Every time I phoned Britannia it was like it was a fresh a call to them and I had to recount the situation over and over again. After the second week they called me back to tell me it was the fuel pump that had gone (no s
t Sherlock) but the garage couldn’t get the part.
We had to rearrange our travel plans and go back to France from Switzerland to return the hire car we sorted and Britannia sent us home by Eurostar. We had to leave all our camping gear in the unlocked Jeep.
Getting them to repatriate the Jeep was a struggle as they claimed the transport cost was greater than the value of the Jeep. Eventually they relented and the car was returned to me about one month later. I fitted a new fuel pump on my drive in 45 minutes using only two spanners - 15 minutes of which was siphoning the fuel. We spent about £1,500 on car hire and got £800 back plus my initial £150 which they refunded due to their “service falling short on this occasion”. Never again.
I told the garage they sent it to that it was the fuel pump (it was obvious) but they did nothing with it for three weeks. They left the car unlocked with the windows down in a non-secure car park. Every time I phoned Britannia it was like it was a fresh a call to them and I had to recount the situation over and over again. After the second week they called me back to tell me it was the fuel pump that had gone (no s
t Sherlock) but the garage couldn’t get the part. We had to rearrange our travel plans and go back to France from Switzerland to return the hire car we sorted and Britannia sent us home by Eurostar. We had to leave all our camping gear in the unlocked Jeep.
Getting them to repatriate the Jeep was a struggle as they claimed the transport cost was greater than the value of the Jeep. Eventually they relented and the car was returned to me about one month later. I fitted a new fuel pump on my drive in 45 minutes using only two spanners - 15 minutes of which was siphoning the fuel. We spent about £1,500 on car hire and got £800 back plus my initial £150 which they refunded due to their “service falling short on this occasion”. Never again.
I’ve used AA for European breakdown in the past (as in actually broken down) and they were faultless, made what could’ve ruined a holiday a fairly painless experience.
On that goodwill and the fact they are happy to cover old high mileage cars id use them again if/when I need EU cover.
On that goodwill and the fact they are happy to cover old high mileage cars id use them again if/when I need EU cover.
Just to add with Britannia - the breakdown isn’t dealt with by them directly. This isn’t a surprise as they obviously won’t have a presence in Europe. You will be transferred to their European partner who are a large company that handle work for many different breakdown services. Not a problem in itself but Britannia flatly refused to deal with them directly. When you call the UK call centre, all they will do is transfer to the European one. Given you could be on hold for 30mins or more plus speaking to a person who had no knowledge of the situation, I asked them to liaise directly with the European company and get back to me when they had an update. The answer was always the same - we can’t do that, you’ll have to speak with them directly. So basically Britannia acted as a call forwarding service and nothing more.
Get a nationwide flex plus bank account. The breakdown cover includes europe and there is not an age limit on the car. Travel insurance included too.
The account costs around £120-150 per year and is a no brainer for those two insurance policies along with no fees for withdrawals and good fx rates when overseas.
The account costs around £120-150 per year and is a no brainer for those two insurance policies along with no fees for withdrawals and good fx rates when overseas.
benny.c said:
Just to add with Britannia - the breakdown isn t dealt with by them directly. This isn t a surprise as they obviously won t have a presence in Europe. You will be transferred to their European partner who are a large company that handle work for many different breakdown services. Not a problem in itself but Britannia flatly refused to deal with them directly. When you call the UK call centre, all they will do is transfer to the European one. Given you could be on hold for 30mins or more plus speaking to a person who had no knowledge of the situation, I asked them to liaise directly with the European company and get back to me when they had an update. The answer was always the same - we can t do that, you ll have to speak with them directly. So basically Britannia acted as a call forwarding service and nothing more.
Thanks again for sharing - I have crossed them off my mental list of options! SuperPav said:
I ve used AA for European breakdown in the past (as in actually broken down) and they were faultless, made what could ve ruined a holiday a fairly painless experience.
On that goodwill and the fact they are happy to cover old high mileage cars id use them again if/when I need EU cover.
That's good to know. On that goodwill and the fact they are happy to cover old high mileage cars id use them again if/when I need EU cover.
I am off to France and have taken out an AA policy for the trip - a 15 year old car too, although very low mileage and in A1 condition [touches wood].
2 points from me.
Have you tried "personal cover" rather than specific vehicle cover, that may have different age criteria.
DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES USE "COVERMYBREAKDOWN" I happened upon a policy with them that was included with my insurance for a small sum so opted in. I went for full breakdown & recovery including recovery home (not just to a garage) complete with onward travel.
Broke down in my car 90 miles away from home in the pouring rain late at night.
Phoned them up (actually phoned them twice) they would only tow me to a garage within 20 miles which were obviously all closed and I knew none, they insisted I had to tell them which one I wanted towing to.
NO offer of recovery home!
NO offer of a tow & onward travel!
No matter how much I argued with them about "what if it was my wife driving in these circumstances alone at night" they were adamant that they were in the right, even though I had my policy in front of me stating otherwise.
After raising a complaint I got a full refund but no apology, no additional compensation or anything else was offerred.
Have you tried "personal cover" rather than specific vehicle cover, that may have different age criteria.
DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES USE "COVERMYBREAKDOWN" I happened upon a policy with them that was included with my insurance for a small sum so opted in. I went for full breakdown & recovery including recovery home (not just to a garage) complete with onward travel.
Broke down in my car 90 miles away from home in the pouring rain late at night.
Phoned them up (actually phoned them twice) they would only tow me to a garage within 20 miles which were obviously all closed and I knew none, they insisted I had to tell them which one I wanted towing to.
NO offer of recovery home!
NO offer of a tow & onward travel!
No matter how much I argued with them about "what if it was my wife driving in these circumstances alone at night" they were adamant that they were in the right, even though I had my policy in front of me stating otherwise.
After raising a complaint I got a full refund but no apology, no additional compensation or anything else was offerred.
If you have an older Merc then, as long as it is under 30 years old, you'll get full European-wide breakdown cover free if you have the car serviced at a main dealer. Obvisously that comes with the risk of being 'encouraged' to have extra work carried out, but at least you'll get a 'worst case' view of whats wrong with the car!!
I am just back from a trip to the south of France in my 18 year old SLK and paid for an 'A' service, which ended up being around £200 as there's 'up to' 50% off servcing for older cars, to get the breakdown cover. They did highlight a few things that would need attention at some point, but no pressure to have the work done their and then. An unexpected bonus was then the offer of a free MOT as the car was > 10 years old. The car covered the best part of 2,300 miles without needing any assistance though...so perhaps I should have gambled
I am just back from a trip to the south of France in my 18 year old SLK and paid for an 'A' service, which ended up being around £200 as there's 'up to' 50% off servcing for older cars, to get the breakdown cover. They did highlight a few things that would need attention at some point, but no pressure to have the work done their and then. An unexpected bonus was then the offer of a free MOT as the car was > 10 years old. The car covered the best part of 2,300 miles without needing any assistance though...so perhaps I should have gambled
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