Classic car breakdown cover

[markbigears]

Any personal recommendations? Looking at footman James and GEM. Looks like footman James doesn't do home call out though? Looking to cover a 1980 Land Rover.

[TooMany2cvs]

markbigears said:

Any personal recommendations? Looking at footman James and GEM. Looks like footman James doesn't do home call out though? Looking to cover a 1980 Land Rover.

I've just renewed the insurance on my own '80 s3, and Peter S Taylor gave me the option of breakdown cover as part of that for £35. Didn't bother with it, because I have personal breakdown cover elsewhere, covering us both whatever we're in. The Landy might have the highest chance of spitting the dummy, but it does the fewest miles...

ADAC, fwiw. Might not suit everybody, because they do do things a bit differently to AA/RAC etc, but you can't beat the geographical coverage or price.

[456mgt]

Can you not just join the AA? It's you, rather than the car, which is covered. They've trailered me back home when the camper died a couple of years ago. Don't assume they have mechanical knowledge though, the patrolman's suggestions for getting it moving again were moronic.

[Setch993]

My classics are insured with RH. I get recovery cover included and that even includes repatriation from EEC if the unfortunate happens.

[mph]

I'm insured with Classic Line, policy includes European Breakdown and Recovery as standard.

[markbigears]

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll look into a few of them

[Spitfire2]

I have used AA cover on cars up to 37 years old over the years. I use them in preference to the "free cover" included with the Footman James insurance policy on the cars.

Had a Capri transported all the way from Cambridge to Stirling area with as little fuss as I could expect - not sure other services would be as effective (cheaper yes).

[aardvark64]

Haven't bothered with the cover provided by the insurance companies 'cos I have (of late) AA breakdown/relay/home-start cover. That seems to work fine for me.

Only issue I have had with the larger companies (AA, RAC, etc) is that their databases don't recognise my vehicles. According to the AA, for example, the nearest thing to a Trabant is 'Audi TT'. An easy mistake, clearly.



The guys I've met on call-outs fall into two categories: roadside assistance (great, knowledgeable, will try all manner of tricks to get you going again) and contract towing (relay provided by local garages, only interested in handing you over to the next leg).

Best wishes, Colin

[a8hex]

I've had the RAC out to my XK150 with no problems. The first time the guy was delighted, he said he'd been carrying around a set of imperial spanners ever since he'd join the RAC and this was the first time he'd ever had to use them. I haven't used them for home start though.

[mph]

TJS10 said:

I have four different classic policies all of which include "free" recovery (Green Flag / RAC ), I also have separate full AA cover.

Effectively I am paying for multiple recovery cover but would always contact the AA in the first instance.

Has anyone successfully asked for the "free" element of the recovery to be removed from the policy and a cheaper premium offered. What is the value of the "free" cover within the premium relative to what the recovery service received under a block policy. Just another premium add on such as legal expenses cover etc ??

I was in the RAC for decades, but now I really can't see the point.

Classic Insurance is so reasonable that it's a far cheaper option than a stand alone RAC or AA membership.

[TR4man]

I've had my money's worth from the AA over the years. See no reason to use anyone else

[eccles]

I have standard RAC cover and I've used them for my Peugeot with no problems. I even got a very smiley, happy and knowledgeable patrol man.

[mike9009]

I have used the AA when my 1981 camper van broke down. They towed the 2.5tonne vehicle for 15 miles.

Recently moved to the RAC but my van has been ultra reliable for the last 3 years. (crosses fingers) 😊

[davepoth]

I had cover with (I think) Green Flag. When I broke down one day and definitely needed a tow, I rang up. The lady was going to send a van for my Triumph because it was a motorcycle, apparently.

[TooMany2cvs]

aardvark64 said:

According to the AA, for example, the nearest thing to a Trabant is 'Audi TT'. An easy mistake, clearly.

It's German, it starts with a T and ends in a T. What you complaining about?

[Wish]

Looking at the RAC and AA website if I cover myself rather than the car would they collect me if my 1910 or 1915 model t broke down or would I need specialist cover. I always thought they excluded classic cars but can find anything on either site apart from the rac saying some cars might not be covered ??

[eccles]

Wish said:

Looking at the RAC and AA website if I cover myself rather than the car would they collect me if my 1910 or 1915 model t broke down or would I need specialist cover. I always thought they excluded classic cars but can find anything on either site apart from the rac saying some cars might not be covered ??

I've been the RAC since 1986, in all that time they've never refused to pick me up whatever car I've been in.
I've always had a second fun car, whether it's been a kit car or a classic. I've been out with my father in '34 Singer LeMans and they've helped him out a few times. I'd have full confidence If I had a veteran car.

[Wish]

Many thanks.

Will give them a call tomorrow.

[gothatway]

A word of warning if you use your car for road rallies - AA and RAC will (according to their policies) no longer provide breakdown cover. It seems to be subject to the patrolman's whim, however. As Green Flag and others use contractors, once the latter has the contract they don't care and will happily get you home.

[uk66fastback]

TR4man said:

:shudder:

Every time I see a white Stag not working it brings back bad memories still, from 30 years ago