Hi all
I know this is a regular topic of discussion and apologies for yet another thread on it but! I am trying to source european breakdown insurance for our car and trailer tent for our trip to France at the start of July.
Does anyone know definitively which companies will provide a replacement vehicle with a tow bar or in the worse cases scenario repatriation services for the trailer/caravan if an accident occurs when said trailer/caravan is pitched up on site?
Plenty of companies claim to cover towing either free or for an additional amount, it's less clear what this coverage actually includes though...
Red Pennant appear to but are there any alternatives that cover these eventualities?
Thanks!
BillnKat
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
I can only really confirm what you know about Red Pennant. They have served us well over the years and have had a car with a towball when we had a major engine failure. They repatriated my car and brought us down a Disco from Kent. Other occasions we have has a hire car without a tow bar, when the car has had a couple of days at a local garage for repair.
I think the only way to find out definitively is to 'invent' a scenario and then ask each company exactly what they would provide! They may be reluctant to tell you!
If you read all the other threads there are so many companies now offering 'breakdown' cover - some through what I would call 'middlemen who actually provide the breakdown service, and yet some of these policies 'promise' more cover than buying the same policy from the 'middleman' directly. The comparison websites are a 'starter' in looking at what cover is provided - but in order to absolutely compare you need to read the small print for every company.
I did a lot of research earlier this year into breakdown cover, and it's amazing the differences. In the end we decided that we'd take out a cheap annual policy which did cover the caravan in some circumstances. This provides us with cover in Britain too. We weren't bothered about a replacement tow car with towball because we wouldn't continue to tour if something happened to our car, and if the caravan were left on site and our car repatriated then our sons would 'repatriate' the van - or actually take it to where it's now stored in France.
To be perfectly honest, Red Pennant comprehensive cover seems to be the 'Jewel in the Crown' and few people have a bad word to say about the service which has been provided in the event of problems. Lots of people buy cheap cover, lots of people never have a breakdown, and only those who have had breakdowns can really judge the wheat from the chaff.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Personally if our car could not be repaired to tow the van for the rest of the holiday I would sooner return home when ADAC would repatriate the caravan to the UK. The problem with getting a replacement vehicle with a tow bar is, I am told on very good authority by someone in Germany, you are not allowed to tow a UK Caravan with a European registered car and the caravan would not be insured.
So no replacement vehicle with towbar then. Are you certain ADAC would repatriate caravan back to UK in the circumstances described by the op & can you provide a link to page in their website that states this, cheers?
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
I think the only way to find out definitively is to 'invent' a scenario and then ask each company exactly what they would provide! They may be reluctant to tell you!
If you read all the other threads there are so many companies now offering 'breakdown' cover - some through what I would call 'middlemen who actually provide the breakdown service, and yet some of these policies 'promise' more cover than buying the same policy from the 'middleman' directly. The comparison websites are a 'starter' in looking at what cover is provided - but in order to absolutely compare you need to read the small print for every company.
I did a lot of research earlier this year into breakdown cover, and it's amazing the differences. In the end we decided that we'd take out a cheap annual policy which did cover the caravan in some circumstances. This provides us with cover in Britain too. We weren't bothered about a replacement tow car with towball because we wouldn't continue to tour if something happened to our car, and if the caravan were left on site and our car repatriated then our sons would 'repatriate' the van - or actually take it to where it's now stored in France.
To be perfectly honest, Red Pennant comprehensive cover seems to be the 'Jewel in the Crown' and few people have a bad word to say about the service which has been provided in the event of problems. Lots of people buy cheap cover, lots of people never have a breakdown, and only those who have had breakdowns can really judge the wheat from the chaff.
I think the only way to find out definitively is to 'invent' a scenario and then ask each company exactly what they would provide! They may be reluctant to tell you!
If you read all the other threads there are so many companies now offering 'breakdown' cover - some through what I would call 'middlemen who actually provide the breakdown service, and yet some of these policies 'promise' more cover than buying the same policy from the 'middleman' directly. The comparison websites are a 'starter' in looking at what cover is provided - but in order to absolutely compare you need to read the small print for every company.
I did a lot of research earlier this year into breakdown cover, and it's amazing the differences. In the end we decided that we'd take out a cheap annual policy which did cover the caravan in some circumstances. This provides us with cover in Britain too. We weren't bothered about a replacement tow car with towball because we wouldn't continue to tour if something happened to our car, and if the caravan were left on site and our car repatriated then our sons would 'repatriate' the van - or actually take it to where it's now stored in France.
To be perfectly honest, Red Pennant comprehensive cover seems to be the 'Jewel in the Crown' and few people have a bad word to say about the service which has been provided in the event of problems. Lots of people buy cheap cover, lots of people never have a breakdown, and only those who have had breakdowns can really judge the wheat from the chaff.
I have european breakdown cover with More Than insurance and can say from experience that they will repatriate your car and caravan when the caravan is on site . Our car broke down near Strasbourg whilst sight seeing , rang for assistance and they were with us within 20 mins . Car was recovered to a garage and taxi provided back to campsite . Another taxi was provided next morning to fetch a hire car . The caravan was picked up by the same recovery vehicle later that day and taken to the same garage that had the car . As it was our last day anyway it didn't cause us too much inconvenience and we set off for the ferry , again all booked and payed for under our policy . Can't fault their service and the annual policy was only £75 ! I don't insure my car through them so it wasn't discounted .
Can't say if they would have provided a car with a tow bar as we were on our last day but could be worth calling them to find out .
Our car and van did take a week and a half to be returned back to the uk but it was mid August and accept that these things need planning and that they were busy .
The RAC Arrival insurance available through the C&CC provides for this, but it is an annual policy rather than a one-trip insurance, so may not be suitable for your needs. It does provide an excellent level of cover, but is certainly not cheap.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
So annual European Breakdown cover from More Than is £75 and annual cover from Red Pennant would be ?? Does anyone know straightaway please , or shall I phone them to ask in the morning ??
I think our quote for 'standard' annual cover was around £276 (multi-trip, less than 31 days each trip) - but that was with 'questionable' health issues involving additional screening questions. There are different rates for different length trips and Standard or Plus cover.
Our More Than policy is Roadside Assistance , Recovery and European Assistance . Current car is even cheaper than the one that broke down , last premium was £70.79 for the year .
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Topic: EU Breakdown - trailer repatriation q
