Our Santander bank current account has given us medical and travel cover and would repatriate us from Europe if we were ill., and would repay deposits if we couldn't set off. Yes.
Our car insurance with M and S. has given us European breakdown cover and will ship the car and caravan back to UK if the car is unrepairable. Yes
Our household contents insurance covers goods away from home. Yes
Our caravan insurance will cover repair of caravan if someone crashes into it and they will decide where that is best done - either in Europe or in Uk at their expense. Yes.
But I agree that if the caravan itself suffers a mechanical breakdown (tyres, brakes etc) then I would have to pay to get it mended - which I would have to do if I would have to do if at home .
And do I need the caravan shipped back to UK.after it's repaired? Why not pay for storage in europe till our next holiday instead of storage in UK ? Many people do that already.
What other insurance do you think I should pay for ?
Sorry to butt in - this may or may not be of any use.
Red Pennant will supply the facility to carry on with your holiday if the car or caravan is not useable - hire car, hotel. They will supply a car with a A50-X towball, if required. It's worth checking to make sure that M&S will repatriate the caravan and what their conditions are - I heard there are sometimes length restrictions with certain companies. Also I would check to make sure goods insured away from home are insured outside the UK. I think I'm right in saying that if you car needs repair while on holiday in Europe, the labour is covered with Red Pennant and you just pay for parts. In the past, when I have broken down, Red Pennant have paid the bill and I have settled the cost of parts with them on my return to the UK - this means that the holiday money is not spent on the car. If your car breaks down with the caravan in tow and they recover the car to a local garage, will the caravan be left by the roadside, or will they tow it to a local site where you can stay? I know Red Pennant covers this - it has happened to us. You may be covered for the cost to see a doctor for a consultation or surgery at a hospital, but would you be covered for any medication required for any injury sustained. Red Pennant will help with any translation/language problems and will help find a garage to do the repair, if appropriate.
These are some of the things I can think of off the top of my head. You may not need all this cover, or your existing policies may indeed cover it, or Red Pennat policies may have changed since last time I used them, but for me, it would be worth checking the small print. Just a thought.
Best wishes
Post last edited on 07/06/2011 19:11:51
------------- David
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Oh Tentz, I'm so worrying for you....what are you putting in your body....2 meals for a £10, where can that meat be coming from? When you said eat I thought you meant proper food, not subsistence living!
I'm only teasing, hope you don't mind. Just I love my food (and wine, and cask beer and put up with French beer although I do believe in the right time and place for everything and sat outside your van in the sun with a cold French beer does work).
I don't eat out much in the UK or France, I'm mainly veggie these days so I cook me own food, in France or UK. The op suggested France was more expensive than UK. I was just pointing out that with exceptions, ie meals out it isn't.
For anybody who just wants some good weather but ain't really interested in French culture, avoiding meals out & the 'cafe culture' can save serious money.
The thread isn't really about whether France or UK is a better holiday destination, we know the answer to that. I was try to refute any suggestion that France is significantly more expensive.
The main extra expense is the extra mileage & ferry. For me Essex to west Cornwall would be an 800mile round trip. Essex to Montalivet is about a 1400mile round trip.
About another £140 for diesel & ferry. Avoid resturants, bars & paying thru the nose to wander around chateaux & yer there....All I want is some good weather.
Quote: Originally posted by Jusy on 07/6/2011
I just wish we were going to France this year Had to cancel because of oh being ill.
I've decided I'm going to enjoy it in the UK, whatever happens. Bashley will be great, Jusy. As I've written elsewhere, if it rains I'll smile and jump in the puddles, if it gets sunny I'll slap on the suncream. Either way I'll be opening the wine and beer with some frequency!!
Quote: Originally posted by Jusy on 07/6/2011I just wish we were going to France this year
Had to cancel because of oh being ill.
I've decided I'm going to enjoy it in the UK, whatever happens. Bashley will be great, Jusy. As I've written elsewhere, if it rains I'll smile and jump in the puddles, if it gets sunny I'll slap on the suncream. Either way I'll be opening the wine and beer with some frequency!!
To be honest, i love Bashley so i am very happy.
We both will have wall to wall sunshine
And if it rains, so what !!! i am on my hols
------------- 2013.
Time to say goodbye
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Quote: Originally posted by Jusy on 07/6/2011
To be honest, i love Bashley so i am very happy. We both will have wall to wall sunshine And if it rains, so what !!! i am on my hols
Having lived in France for a few years,the best tip is to eat out at lunchtime in whichever eatery the locals use. Stick to the places with no choice of menu, and you can still get 4 or 5 courses with wine for around 12 or 13 euros a head. With a fixed menu the owners know exactly what they are preparing, and if it is a busy place they also know how many people they are serving each lunchtime, hence no wastage. Employers with staff who live a certain distance from work, and those on the road, have to allow their staff a lunch allowance (a couple of years ago this was 12 euros). Restaurant owners, I believe, have certain tax advantages in offering set meals at this price which is why these eateries are busy. Don't forget though that the French generally eat lunch earlier than we do, so don't expect a table at 1.30.
Anyone visiting the Chalais region in the Charente, check out the Auberge in Bardenac on the D371, a great example of the 'sit down and they feed you' style. Last time I was there I had 5 courses and wine and coffee for 12.50 euros. I defy anyone to beat that in the UK.
What a depressing thread!! This is the camping abroad section....for advice and discussion....and looking forward to foreign trips.
Everyone needs to make their own decisions, will have different preferences, budgets etc. Exchange rate (unless it falls of a cliff following today's press re: the UKs AAA rating) will have very little impact on overall spend.
We'd spend a darn sight more if we had a wet few weeks in the UK than we'd spend on the extra fuel for a few thousand miles to get to S. France and beyond.
Lets have some more positive threads about how great camping abroad is!!!!
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Euro = about 90p: we`re staying in the UK
