Last mnute expense!

[poo at Paul's]

Fapp me! Got a bargain on the ferry, £28 return with Norfolk Lines, then compared to last year, the costs of getting to Le Mans seem to have rocketted! Insurance for the Porker for a month (minimum they will let me tax it with) was £82, compared to £67 same time last year. Furthermore, Green Card was £33 for 4 flipping days! Only £22 last year. And now, the Euro Breakdown is flipping £68 for 4 days, 'only' £54 last year! WTF! Inflation is high at 4% they say, but Everything seems 20% more pricey this year! So the bargain on the Ferry is wiped out and then some!

I'm considering going without the breakdown cover! Go to Europe each year at least 5 times in various cars, never not had it, yet never ever used it.. but all are pretty modern compared to the 21 year old Porker! If I get back intact, I'll be quids in, if I breakdown I'll be pissed off. If I crash I'll be pissed off regardless! !

It's not cheap this Le Mans lark!

[Nick M]

Just a quick question, because I know it's been raised before, but does your insurance not automatically cover you on the same terms while you're in Europe as when you're in the UK ?

Might be worth checking before they stiff you for £33 for a green card you don't need.

Also, ADAC breakdown cover is worth a look if you have time to sort it - it's about £68 per annum (probably less now the FX has moved in our favour) for full European breakdown cover for any car you're driving. And if you breakdown in the UK they'll send out the AA.

HTH

[matboyslim]

Tell me about it! Eurotunnel 84 quid Drive shaft 75 quid red stuff pads 50 quid rounded locking wheel nut 175 to get off after bearing and stud 220 quid camping 20 quid to have lower strut brace fitted and new o ring gasket but as for the rac will let em know when im out there if i need em! so yes its not cheap any more!

[ccr32]

Nick M said:

Just a quick question, because I know it's been raised before, but does your insurance not automatically cover you on the same terms while you're in Europe as when you're in the UK ?

Might be worth checking before they stiff you for £33 for a green card you don't need.

Flip your certificate of insurance over - if it has stuff about european cover on the back, all is good with the world (unless you're driving in Andorra or other specifically stated countries for which a green card is required).

Disclaimer: This is IMO/IIRC and should not represent any sort of legal opinion - always check with your insurer!

[The Leaper]

All UK insurance policies must provide cover while you take your vehicle abroad BUT that cover need only be the legal minimum for the country you're visiting. I know of only two insurers whose UK comprehensive cover is replicated 100% when abroad without notification to them of your trip. A lot of insurers will provide limited extended cover for a week or two BUT you need to tell them before you go. Other insurers require to be notified in advance with full details and then they will tell you whether they will extend UK cover and how much, typically £60 for a long weekend.

So, the messages are clear.

1. Do not assume that what you have in the UK is automatically replicated when you go abroad, particularly UK comprehensive insurance.

2. Check your policy and find out what cover you have and be prepared to be surprised when you discover what you don't have

3. You may well have to speak to your insurer, you may get an extention for a limited period and you may well have to pay for it.

A lot of confusion is created by the dreaded comparison websites that concentrate solely on the premium and say little about the scope of cover, conditions etc. For example, you see the premium in large type but the bit about cover abroad usually says "yes" and nothing else...it doesn't tell you how good or restrictive the cover is.

I go abroad quite regularly so my cover is extended abroad for up to 60 days in any year automatically without notification. I do have to pay a higher premium but I do get peace of mind, which is really what insurance is all about, not just the cost. You get what you pay for is the message.

R.

[Lost soul]

matboyslim said:

Tell me about it! Eurotunnel 84 quid Drive shaft 75 quid red stuff pads 50 quid rounded locking wheel nut 175 to get off after bearing and stud 220 quid camping 20 quid to have lower strut brace fitted and new o ring gasket but as for the rac will let em know when im out there if i need em! so yes its not cheap any more!

Sea France are doing 14.50 each way if you travel on weekdays

[Nick M]

The Leaper said:

All UK insurance policies must provide cover while you take your vehicle abroad BUT that cover need only be the legal minimum for the country you're visiting. I know of only two insurers whose UK comprehensive cover is replicated 100% when abroad without notification to them of your trip.

Admiral are one of them, because that's who I use and I checked when I rang to add a driver to the policy for the Le Mans trip.

[poo at Paul's]

ccr32 said:

Nick M said:

Just a quick question, because I know it's been raised before, but does your insurance not automatically cover you on the same terms while you're in Europe as when you're in the UK ?

Might be worth checking before they stiff you for £33 for a green card you don't need.

Flip your certificate of insurance over - if it has stuff about european cover on the back, all is good with the world (unless you're driving in Andorra or other specifically stated countries for which a green card is required).

Disclaimer: This is IMO/IIRC and should not represent any sort of legal opinion - always check with your insurer!

With mine (Direct Line) it is up to 3 days at a time for free, max 90 days a year I think But you have to tell them each time you go. After that 3 days, it reverts to 3rd party ONLY cover, ie the legal minimum unless you extend it by paying! To keep fully comp or 3rd party fire theft, you need a Green card, and it costs once you go over 3 days. For 4 days this time is £33!

It's pricey, I spend about 50 days a year in Europe in the car, suually a week or so each trip, so its say 7 trips, about £35-£55 a time, just on flipping Green Cards!

But just had a partial result, managed to add the Porker to my regular breakdown cover for Europe, for the rest of the period I am covered for (September) fro an extra £22. So I'm about level now on last year! :-)


Now that is sorted, can anyone fix the weather...??!

Edited by poo at Paul's on Tuesday 8th June 16:06

[matboyslim]

Lost soul said:

matboyslim said:

Tell me about it! Eurotunnel 84 quid Drive shaft 75 quid red stuff pads 50 quid rounded locking wheel nut 175 to get off after bearing and stud 220 quid camping 20 quid to have lower strut brace fitted and new o ring gasket but as for the rac will let em know when im out there if i need em! so yes its not cheap any more!

Sea France are doing 14.50 each way if you travel on weekdays

Having had to do two crossings in a force nine gale when speed ferries were crap and had to use norfolk line, im better off getting stuck under the sea in a metal cage for a few hours! But thanks for letting me know Lost!

[dvs_dave]

My insurance covers Euro cover for upto 60 days which is nice. I also get full Euro RAC breakdown cover and health insurance that comes courtesy of my bank account, so double bonus!

[GingerWizard]

dvs_dave said:

My insurance covers Euro cover for upto 60 days which is nice. I also get full Euro RAC breakdown cover and health insurance that comes courtesy of my bank account, so double bonus!

me too, and i feel quite smug about it.

[WhyTwo]

GingerWizard said:

dvs_dave said:

My insurance covers Euro cover for upto 60 days which is nice. I also get full Euro RAC breakdown cover and health insurance that comes courtesy of my bank account, so double bonus!

me too, and i feel quite smug about it.

Same here. I hsd to use the breakdown cover last year and it was a very good service

[The Leaper]

So, as you have automatic Europe insurance cover for 60 days all you need to do is make sure it's not just the legal minimum for, say, France, but it's the same cover you're insured for in the UK.

R.

[s3fella]

Which bank is this can I ask? I' fed up to my back teeth with mine and wish to change!