We can no longer take out Red Pennant because we store our caravan in France, and even when we did tour hosting for the Caravan Club, we had to arrange our own recovery insurance. As a result I investigated lots of different companies, and we now insure with ADAC which do cover us in Britain and in Europe, for an unlimited amount of time.
We don't, however, have the 'door to door' cover which some might want - ie including 'get you on your holiday wherever you break down'.
All breakdown cover has limitations and exclusions, and it's down to individuals to sort out what suits them best, but always read the small print before taking out a policy.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Red Pennant offers insurance as set out in the booklet provided with the policy, for trips which include a period overseas, for the duration of the period of the policy as specified, from home to home.
from here on it is my opinion only:-
Anyone living in the Republic of Ireland you formulate your own questions.
With regard to opinions expressed above re "Only applies to excursions on the way out" not strictly true, looking at it from a benefits point of view, cover is back to home whichever route you take to home, provided the total duration is within the period of cover ordered. In real terms, you are more likely to seek recompense for problems encountered on the way out, than on the way back.
In my case where the last datum point is the time of ferry landing being too close to the expiry of cover, I have no option but to extend the period of cover.
Anything otherwise is up to personal interpretation, and if it does n't suit get your insurance somewhere else.
FM
We have nearly always used Red Pennant abroad because it is reassuring in the case of any emergency that there is always someone at the end of the phone no matter how small the problem is even if it's a matter of translation. The single trips policy is for a maximum of 24 days. So if you need a stopover on the way to a port out and back the cover is only actually 20 days abroad! In the case of an annual multi trip policy the maximum for each trip is 31 days and in this case could be only 27 days abroad.
The 122 days cover for the Long Stay policy is in effect only 114 days oversees if you have a winter and summer trip abroad. There are many people who do do this now.
I did enquire the price of extending the cover but the price jumped to £835 for a maximum of 185 days (I think)
With Green Flag vehicle insurance covering me in the UK and any health problems covered by the NHS the only advantage of the RP cover is the continuation of the holiday in the case of an event between leaving home and arriving at the port of departure.
All I need is cover when I am abroad.
Obviously I am now having to delay my Shuttle crossing by one day to make sure I don't exceed the total of 122 days of cover in total.
------------- Mother Nature always wins in the end.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Red Pennant - when is "Oversees" not !
