European Breakdown Cover

[911targa]

Can anyone recommend a breakdown scheme with European cover?

I've just asked the AA, who I'm with right now, but I wasn't happy with their European Cover.

Basically I was told that if my 328 broke down, they would arrange for a local garage to take a look at it and tow back to their garage if needed. I don't like the idea of my car being looked at by an average mechanic bod. I'd want it to be taken to a Ferrari dealer or specialist.

Any ideas or experience?

Cheers.

Brett

Hmm must change my nick!

[rosso]

That's a better nick than 911Targa :-)

Brett

[trackdemon]

rosso said: That's a better nick than 911Targa :-)

Brett

We had the AA Gold Euro cover (about £60 I think), and unfortunately had to use it. Basically you will be rescued by local mech bod (our guy was from a renoult garage). If your car is anything out of the ordinary (they don't even know what a bloody TVR is in France!) then it'll be winging it's way back to the UK without Mr local mech touching it - all he is supposed to do is diagnose and if it's not a quick / easy fix it'll be sent on. If it's easy (e.g. new distributor cap) they should be able to handle it no problems.
Have to say I found the service excellent - someone came and opened Avis for us at 8PM on Saturday night so we could get a car, we dropped this off the next day to upgrade to a better car. They paid our hotel for the night of the breakdown (we were staying in a hotel anyway) and also paid for us to get back across the channel, so have a spare Chunnel return ticket. AA Girl couldn't have been more helpful. Well worth the £60 and saved us a fortune.

[456mgt]

Not sure whether this will be a useful lead, but I have european breakdown cover provided as part of the 'power 2' warranty on the car. This is called "Ferrari Direct Line" and appears to be operated by a company called "Europ Assistance". The UK numbers given in the booklet are:
0870 7375984
01444 442081

These are I think emergency numbers, but a call into them should point you in the right direction or confirm it's a blind alley.

I've never used it, so I can't tell you if it's any good, but it is the one provided by Ferrari SpA.

[prancing]

Hi,
Get the address and details of the nearest French Ferrari garage to Le Mans, and insist they take your Horse there in the unlikely event of a breakdown. It is probabley in Paris! I have got RAC cover for the trip £36 for 5 days.

Cheers
G.

[crimson king 500]

AA 5 Star cover at £34.50 for 4 days, really happy with the cover, but touch wood, never had to use it, just hope i do not have to use it this time.

Also need to mention this price only applies if the car is less than 11 years old.
CK500

[rosso]

Thanks all,

Went with RAC in the end, although I'll check out the ones you've mentioned and may go with one of those instead. RAC said they'd do 'best effort' to get me to a main dealer or specialist but couldn't guarantee it. The AA didn't want to know.

Interesting that whilst I'm an AA member with all the options, the 5 star cover was 76 odd quid after my member discount; RAC - who'd never had any business from me before quoted 39 quid as a one off. Well done RAC!