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European Breakdown Cover - Old Vehicle


Y Dysgwr Araf

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Posted

Hello,

 

I'm running an eighteen year old Autosleeper Flair Ford Transit panel conversion. I'm trying to get European breakdown cover for a short (11 days) trip to Brittany, but I'm being told by everyone that my 'van is both too old and too young!

 

If it was twenty years old I could get 'classic van' cover, apparently, and if it was fifteen years old I could get 'normal' cover from the AA (who covered me last year, so must have changed their policy). I've done a lot of ringing around and I'm stuck in the middle.

 

Any advice on specialist insurers who might cover me?

 

Thanks

 

Rob

Posted

Hi, Caravan Club Red Pennant covers vans over ten years in Europe with an increased premium over those that are below ten. Ours was ten this June and our suplement was £37 if that is any help.

 

Bas

Posted

I'm not a member of the Caravan Club and would rather not join if at all possible. I also seem to recall them having an vehicle age restriction (17 years?) when I've enquired in the past.

 

Thanks

 

Rob

Posted

For information:-

 

A friend of ours has a 21 year old van and they get cover for that. Your raising of the question prompted me to phone up to find out the rules which are

 

1) If you have used Red Pennant before they will continue to cover you for as long as you own the vehicle.

 

2) I f you have not had Red Pennant before, or you have just purchased a vehicle over 15 years they MAY still cover you subject to proof of service history and with the managers approval.

 

Both requirements seem reasonable to me, but as you are not a member and don't want to be obviously of no use to you.

 

Bas

Posted

We are quite new to motorhoming and we have just come back from a 3 week holiday in France. before we went I joined the C&CC and the RAC and together they do a deal, I have to admit we took out the works and it did cost nearly £200 for European cover plus the £45 subscription for the C&CC. Our van is 20 years old and we wanted peace of mind. Hope this helps.

 

Posted

Hello, I also used to be use the CCC Arrival Service through the RAC which covers any age vehicle for no extra charge. Bear in mind though that if you do have a breakdown and the vehicle has to be transported back to England they won't pay the cost (the RAC that is) if they think that the market value of the van is less than the cost of transporting it home.

 

I had this problem a few years ago when I took my beloved VW of 22 years to France (which I frequently did) but this time it broke down and was transported to a very fancy VW garage who took one look at it and said -"new engine 3000 euros please". The person at the RAC told me they would "dispose" of it for me! I brought it home at my own expense - around £700- (the RAC did this for me) took it to my mechanic who sorted it out and I continued driving it for another 2 years and very sadly parted with it, but only to someone who really wanted it for £1800.

 

Mary

Posted
Stew - 2008-07-22 4:52 PM

 

Have you had a look at Btittania rescue, link below, I use them for my motorhome(8.26m) with no problem and web page states no excess for older vehicle, worth a call, its a freephone number.

 

Stew

http://www.britanniarescue.com/

 

For information.

 

Brittania only cover vehicles up to 5.5m in length 2.3m in width, 3m in height and below 3.5T, unless agreed in writing prior to you taking out a policy with them. Any vehicle covered MUST always carry a legal and serviceable spare wheel

 

Bas

 

Posted

Re the above, didn't need it in writing, all done over the phone. Have had to use them once for full recovery in the UK with no problems with regards length or weight.

 

Stew (lol)

Posted

Policy on website still states 'in writing', perhaps you were lucky! :-D

 

See

 

http://www.britanniarescue.com/about/pdfs/PolicyDocument.pdf

 

page 15 section 4 this specifically refers to 'European' cover on Britannia Rescue - Policy Document:-For polices after 17th May 2007:

 

selected from

 

http://www.britanniarescue.com/products/european_breakdown_cover.php

 

Perhaps UK recovery is different, personally I would want it in writting before taking it out as that is what it states so would be a good get out for them if you were in the middle of Europe wanting assistance!

Bas

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