I've just realised that I forgot to say that it was the CARAVAN brakes that we had problems with in Bavaria.
The only problem this trip with our present car - Kia Sorento was the headlight bulbs failing. I wonder if they one or both bulbs may have been gone for a while as Cary uses the Kia for work. When we are both at home in the evenings we tend to use our other car as it's cheaper to run, also, with recent light nights too. Unfortunately no indication of bulb failure - just that as it became dark driving back from a trip to the bank in Priem that I could not see when I dipped the lights!!!! No problems with the Kia on our 2009 trip to the French Alps or 2008 trip to the French Pyrenees.
Now got as far as Dalmatian coast of Croatia with no further car problems.
But anyway we're not selling - it's good to have a reliable car.
We are about to convert from tent to VW T5 motorhome. OH has been trying to sort the cover this morning, and the final decision is this. We continue with the Direct Line cover we had for our Touran, including annual 3rd party european cover. They quoted £21 to upgrade the 3rd party to comprehensive for 2 weeks, which we will take. Other companies quoted slightly less, but we would have to pay a penalty to Direct Line as we have a 2 car package with them, and therefore would make no gain.
I just want to mention that if you're taking a pet make sure that your breakdown cover will include transporting the pet too. Red pennant make an extra charge for pets but some companies won't transport them - no good if you're transported home but pooch is left behind!
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
It's another one of those things I didn't fully look into before I went away, my car's a classic, 37yrs old, & came with european breakdown cover included with the insurance.
But, looking at the small print when I had a quite serious problem the other day, about 700-800km (2 days) from Dunkirk, I looked into it & my small print is not easy to understand, I guessed I would be taken to the nearest garage & if it couldn't be repaired (at my own expense!) in a day or 2 I could have about £500's worth of tow truck. I've no idea if this is right (I'm covered by DAS services) but I wasn't about to find out.
I found a supermarket that was open (it was a sunday morning in France) found the bits I needed, spent about an hour with the car jacked up in their car park, with a gathering audience, & I was on my way. I won't ruin the surprise for my blog readers by telling you what happened, that will all be revealed in due course, but it got me home.
It's a good job I know one end of a spanner from the other, but it's an old car & very easy to repair.
Next time I will check my policy thoroughly before I go & start acting my age for once! If it had been a modern car, with ABS (little clue there) I may well have been stuffed, so check before you go, unless you're a trained mechanic, with a full compliment of tools & unlimited time on your hands.
Try ADAC - the German version of the AA - for 99GBP we got worldwide cover for two people in ANY vehicle - and guess who they call out in the UK - the AA!
They speak beautiful English, or will put you through to an English speaking colleague.
Ring 0844 8617878 for Telediscount (call charges are 1p per minute)
Then 0049 8976766632 for ADAC Membership Services - look at their website - they have airplanes and helicopters and will repatriate you to your H/A after any catastrophe.
Recommended to us by motor caravanners who have used them for years.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
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: breakdown cover ?!
