European Breakdown/Full Timing Forums

Jeffus

Mornin' gang, I've just joined The CC and C&CC. I am exploring the breakdown cover options but hit a stumbling block . . . the amount of time I can spend in Europe before returning to Britain. RAC Arrival (C&CC) will only allow stays of 90 consecutive days and Red Pennant (CC) will allow what they call their "Long Stay" option at 248 days. When I asked how do you know how long I have been in Europe they replied they would want to see proof of Ferry tickets. If outside the stipulated time the policy is invalid. I will be going full time in the near future. So how do you Full Timers get continuous breakdown cover in Europe? Saga (my insurers) have no problem with me staying over there as long as I want but breakdown seems to be the problem. Thanks in advance, gang. Jeffus. Cool

dodger148

Am sure someone will come back with an answer, having experienced situation.

It got me wondering, our insurance is with SafeGuard that includes continental AA cover and whilst I have to admit that I have not toothcombed there would apprear to be no restrictions on the recovery side

Jeffus

Thanks for the promp reply dodger, there's no restrictions on Red Pennant or Arrival either, it's the length of time away aspect that's the problem. Jeffus. Cool

Anonymous

We had the same problem. Our eventual solution is to insure the van with MCIA (fully comp cover abroad for 12 months).

For breakdown and travel insurance combined we are using C&CC Carefree. They offer a longstay/12 month option for £537 (2 persons) and, importantly, our vehicle fits within their weight/length/height/width restrictions of 4,000kgs/8m/3.4m/2.5m.

Since we return occasionally to UK we have found it cheaper to take the 2 month option, followed by a 6 month option, rather than the full 12 months (we shall spend next summer back in the UK).

Carefree's number is 024 7642 2024 - with your membership number ready.

Graham

Jeffus

Hi Gandj, Many thanks for the feedback, sorry I haven't been able to reply earlier, I haven't had access to the site for the last two days.

I resolved my problem on Friday . . . Saga do European breakdown, for £69 I am now covered for breakdowns in the UK+Europe for 12 months, brilliant. Saga made the whole thing wonderfully easy, a five minute freephone call, all sorted. People if you're over 50 . . . use Saga. Jeffus. Cool

peejay

Jeffus, the thought has just occurred to me, if you're buying a new m/home then wont you be covered by the base veh manufacturers breakdown warranty? Our peugeot has breakdown/recovery cover for uk & europe automatically included for the first year year on purchase. If you're buying 2nd hand ignore this.

pete.

Jeffus

Hi PJ, you are certainly one man on the ball. Talking to Marquis over the weekend they told me exactly the same thing. Thanks good buddy you are a really good friend. Jeffus. Cool

peejay

Now all you've got to worry about is the 'travel insurance' bit! Can't advise on that though.

pete.

Anonymous

Now hang on a minute, Jeffus. SAGA offered me 12 month comprehensive insurance in EU - no problem - but said they could not do 12 month european breakdown. Otherwise I would have gone with them as my car insurance was already with them. In fact I accepted a quote from them but then cancelled it when I discovered they could not do breakdown?!!? This was in June. My hair must be the wrong colour!

What size is your vehicle?

I may ring them and follow this up. I also remember that I got two different stories regarding house buildings and contents insurance whilst abroad. When I queried this the guy admitted that 'new personnel' can sometimes give inaccurate info. Worrying or what?

Graham

autostratus · Moderator

I think you need to check exactly what your breakdown cover gives you.

We had a major breakdown in France last year with the van 7 months old.

Our first contact was to Peugeot Assist who immediately arranged for us and the vehicle to be transported to a Peugeot dealer in Perigueux. The dealer arranged a taxi for us to be taken back to a campsite 40 miles away where we were staying.

Friends took us back to Perigueux the next morning when we were told it probably needed a new engine, that it would be done under warranty and that Peugeot Assist wanted to transport it back to the Uk for repairs to be carried out. (Yes, I know that Peugeot is a French company).
We said that we were not leaving the van to be transported back to the Uk on its own as we could imagine the state it was likely to be in when we next saw it. We said we wanted it done in France. The garage agreed to do it and Peug Ass then also agreed.

While we waited for it to be done Peug Ass. would only provide a hire car for 48hours (which they then extended to 72 hours to take it through the weekend). Neither would they have paid for accomodation if it had been needed.
We then used our Caravan Club Red Pennant travel insurance to obtain another hire car to use until the van was ready, another 9 days. Red Pennant would also have paid for accomodation which in the circumstances we didn't need.

The point I'm making is that although Peug Ass. did give breakdown assistance it wasn't sufficient for our needs and Red Pennant filled in the gap. Red Pennant were brilliant and couldn't have been more helpful. We didn't need all they offered to do such as provide a big 4x4 for our stuff and to get us back home.

They were also very good when it came to payment.
We had paid for the hire car (and taxi). We sent them receipts and we had a cheque back within the week.

Incidentally we have Comfort Insurance and included is RAC recovery and assistance. Belt and braces? Maybe, but we do feel more secure.