European breakdown cover

[Mellow Yellow]

Vehicle Rescue Direct cover cars of any age, very reasonable single trip prices. I've never had to call them out so can't comment on the level of service. They offer much the same as anyone else which is roughly:

• Tow you to a local garage where you are liable for the repair costs.
• If the car isn't repairable within a reasonable amount of time (as defined by them), your ongoing travel is covered (up to a limit)
• If the car is not repaired before your return they'll cover the cost of repatriation but you will have to collect it.

RAC cover is much the same, friend of mine broke down in France a couple of years ago, within 50 mile of Calais. They taxied him home then flew him back to collect it a couple of weeks later.

Shame nobody offers a policy specifically for short trips, i.e if it can't be repaired while you wait, they provide a hire car and transport you back with your own vehicle on your return - I had exactly this with the AA many years ago.

[C70R]

I was formerly a customer of KwikFit European recovery with my 18yo car, who have just transferred my policy over to a company called Autonet (assume a merger or buyout).
They aren't particularly well known, but it might be worth checking in on them.

[JT3K]

Mellow Yellow said:

Vehicle Rescue Direct cover cars of any age, very reasonable single trip prices.

Nope. http://www.vehicle-rescue.com/european-breakdown-b... - 0-15yrs

[Rick101]

On my list to sort. Car 17 years old. Was looking at a LV policy.
Looks like it is quite comprehensive but it was an annual policy and only covers a specific car.

[stevetav]

I have an 16 year old Audi. I've used ETA breakdown cover for last couple of years, cost about £50 for 5 days.

[JT3K]

stevetav said:

I have an 16 year old Audi. I've used ETA breakdown cover for last couple of years, cost about £50 for 5 days.

Fine, only to 20yrs old!

[Mellow Yellow]

JT3K said:

Mellow Yellow said:

Vehicle Rescue Direct cover cars of any age, very reasonable single trip prices.

Nope. http://www.vehicle-rescue.com/european-breakdown-b... - 0-15yrs

Oops, sorry, it's been a while since I used them

[Petevxl]

I have a 20 year old Honda and I'm struggling. AA the only company I can find so far and they would like £72 for 4 days

[JT3K]

RAC will do it as well. Nice thing about the AA though is that they send a patrol van to LM and he kind of just roams the campsites for a couple of days.

[surveyor]

JT3K said:

RAC will do it as well. Nice thing about the AA though is that they send a patrol van to LM and he kind of just roams the campsites for a couple of days.

More targeted than that. The AA send a number of patrols out through France for each summer. The 'wave' starts with 2 vans heading to Le Mans....

[Gaity]

I'll just leave this here - you can thank me later. (I just covered my 22 year old 911 for 12 months (with 60 days European breakdown) for £56 - best to call as quote button was broken)

https://www.adrianflux.co.uk/breakdown/?utm_source...

[surveyor]

Gaity said:

I'll just leave this here - you can thank me later. (I just covered my 22 year old 911 for 12 months (with 60 days European breakdown) for £56 - best to call as quote button was broken)

https://www.adrianflux.co.uk/breakdown/?utm_source...

If only it wasn’t Adrian Flux. I well remember the post where they collected a broken down car but left a family at the side of the road. There are plenty of others.

Cheap fur a reason - I’d sooner get hone if I have to use it..

[Rick101]

Hmm Flux web page not working.


I was all set to go with LV at £134 for an annual policy until I realised it only covered a specific car. switching to personal cover brings it up to £180.

I found LV when researching the T&C's for my friends bank account cover. He assured me I should be covered as he was with Nationwide. I had a good read through the policy docs and he was right.

I've never been a fan of these chargeable bank accounts as usually you only have a basic level of cover with the insurers and secondly I already have a very good bank.


Anyway - Long story short I'm now considering a Nationwide Flex plus account as it gives good Euro cover. I am unable to find and vehicle age exclusion. I have checked thoroughly. It's also personal rather than vehicle based. £13pm (£156 per year). Not sure if it can be cancelled after a month or you are contracted for 12.

As an aside I also need to renew my travel insurance which it may cover as well as the 3% credit interest.

I did see a tell a friend type bonus worth £100 each so potentially, if everything else works, it could be a savvy way of sorting breakdown cover.


edit - Just spoke to NW. No minimum term for Flexplus account.

Edited by Rick101 on Friday 25th May 09:46

[Rick101]

Rick101 said:

secondly I already have a very good bank.

7 Min to get through to Nationwide. 4 min of options and 12 min so far waiting now to connect to someone at Halifax
Whilst I may use them for insurance benefits, I think I'll stick with Handelsbanken for my main banking.

[coldel]

Taking my 23 year old Celica to Europe later, already have full RAC cover (whatever it is £200 a year) so presume they would just add Euro full cover onto that at a decent rate?

[TFatC]

The LV personal cover is only within the UK, European cover is on a specific vehicle.

I have been with ADAC for the last 5 years, but they refused my last renewal on the grounds I am not resident in Germany in line with their new policy.

Has anybody else found a company that will give personal European cover without a vehicle age restriction?

[Rick101]

Agree, I discovered the Euro part of LV is vehicle specific.

However, LV who provide the benefit for nationwide, seem to offer personal cover through the Flexplus account. Just requires account holder to be with in the car when the 'professional' arrives.

We're in convoy to LM so I figure a bit of seat swapping is easily possible should a breakdown happen.

[struttob]

I have used Driver Guardian for full UK and European cover for the last 4 years or so, only £79 for 12 months, never had to call on their services (thankfully) but they get good reviews. They do cover 16+ year old cars, just costs a bit more..

www.driverguardian.co.uk

Bob

[Rick101]

Looks good and a nice easy site to use but £79 soon jumps to £139 when you have an older high mileage vehicle.

[Kev_Mk3]

struttob said:

I have used Driver Guardian for full UK and European cover for the last 4 years or so, only £79 for 12 months, never had to call on their services (thankfully) but they get good reviews. They do cover 16+ year old cars, just costs a bit more..

www.driverguardian.co.uk

Bob

£152 for both my cars inc euro cover for the year that's £12.67 a month. Really good IMO as I pay £10 for uk only with RAC!