KeithR Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 whilst in spain last January I found a stone chip on my windscreen. as I was going to morocco the following day, I used the european help line to contact my insurer. one of the main and most respected companies. after a long chat I was asked if I wanted the repair done at home, but when I said I was in spain they said they couldn't help! I then used their helpline, but still got no satisfaction. I therefore sorted it myself, and when I returned to England I contacted them and they said they didn't do windscreen cover in spain (but do in france), and offered to reimburse me. where else is windscreen cover not available? what else is not available in certain parts of europe? they didn't seen to 'get it' that I expect european cover for all Europe, and for all that they say they cover me for. i expect to phone them, and get my problem resolved. what if I was in a couuntry where I had no idea of the language, and didn't have a local phone.? im not too keen on this DIY system of insurance. am I being unreasonable in expecting my european cover to resolve my problems for me? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnerontheroad Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 Name them so others are aware. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeithR Posted May 9, 2014 Author Share Posted May 9, 2014 they do target the more mature person!!!!p 8o| Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve928 Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 Well I've had a read of my Saga policy and cover and can't find any mention of Spain being excluded from windscreen cover. Did they point you towards any written explanantion? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maggyd Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 We always pay extra to have fully Comp cover in Europe, otherwise you are automatically covered 3rd party only and fully comp in the U.K. not sure if that is maybe why the windscreen isnt covered? its worth asking the question though paying up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnerontheroad Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 Most policies cover you fully comp in Europe there is only one I can think off that only gives third party. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeithR Posted May 9, 2014 Author Share Posted May 9, 2014 always fully comp, and I did check the policy to see if it mentioned no windscreen cover anywhere. it didn't,. they just explained that they don't have anyone in spain to do the job????? in uk they use AA apparently. I went to carglass in Algeciras to get the job done, and they appear to be the Spanish branch of autoglass. perhaps my insurer needs to look at their provider. needless to say, I informed them that my renewal would not be with them. I did at one point get a letter from them saying they apologised for my inconvenience and believed that was the end of the matter. that's when I said it wasn't the end of the matter if I didn't get reimbursed. I did. *-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliveH Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 Could it possibly be that the Spanish object to cover underwritten by company based in Gibralter? "Saga Motor Insurance is underwritten by Saga Insurance Company Limited, 57-63 Line Wall Road, Gibraltar. Registered Number 88716 (Gibraltar). UK branch address: Saga Insurance Company Limited, The Saga Building, Middelburg Square, Folkestone, Kent, CT20 1AZ." From a professional as well as a personal standpoint - I would not touch an insurance policy based in Gibraltar - I do not believe the cover and the protection these policies offer is of the same standard as a UK Underwritten provider. This from a recent report:- "Guidance notes released by the FSC for Gibraltar insurers say that the conclusion reached by the UK Government, following a review of the supervisory activities of the FSC, that Gibraltar’s supervisory regime for insurance matches standards of supervision in the UK opened the way for Gibraltar insurers to take advantage of the “single passport” for insurance established by the third insurance directives. In a nutshell, this means that Gibraltar insurers need approval only from the Commissioner of Insurance if they wish to open a branch in an EEA State. However they do not need to obtain approval from the state in which the branch is to be established although they do need to comply with any provisions of the law of the state which are in the interests of the “general good”. Gibraltar insurers are also told to notify the commissioner if they wish to provide insurance services in EEA States. The commissioner will have sole supervisory responsibility for future prudential supervision of the EEA branch or services business of Gibraltar insurers." So best of luck guys if you ever needed REAL protection in the event of an accident! If they muck you about over something as trivial as a windscreen claim - imagine the "fun" you will have with a more substantial claim! 8-) My advice? Get a proper insurer onboard. And do it soon - even if you have to cancel any existing policy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeithR Posted May 9, 2014 Author Share Posted May 9, 2014 ive already moved my breakdown cover (which now includes some medical cover) from ulk to ADAC, and now may investigate moving my insurance to them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliffy Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 johnnerontheroad - 2014-05-09 4:59 PM Most policies cover you fully comp in Europe there is only one I can think off that only gives third party. Dave I have just checked my Caravan Club brokered insurance, under written by AXA and it looks like I am only covered third party whilst in Mainland Europe. If I am reading it right it is very concerning as I was insured with them last year when we had two 4 week trips in Europe and we are going down to Croatia this year. I will be ringing them in the morning. I can't believe that they would expect anyone to only want minimum cover for a motorhome I expect more from The Caravan Club.. They didn't even mention it when I asked for a green card. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliveH Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 Please see these guidance notes Cliffy https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-insurance/driving-abroad I have to say - I am very surprised that anyone expects a UK based "normal" policy to cover them for travel in other countries to the same level as the cover in the UK. If you travel abroad - you really must ensure that you are fully covered - not having proper cover could result in real problems if you were to run into unexpected difficulties - as well as triggering significant financial expense. A conventional UK car insurance policy is unlikely to cover you for travel on the Continent, so you'll need to take out a specialist European car insurance policy. No two policies are the same and there are different types and levels of insurance available, so it's important to work out exactly what you need. European car insurance policies provide a range in what they offer. Some offer a minimal level of cover while others are comprehensive. Choose the cheapest and this could prove to be a false economy that might leave you vulnerable in the event of a claim. The minimum level of insurance needed to drive on the Continent is a motor insurance certificate or 'green card.' But this is very basic and, in some countries, it WOULD PROVIDE LESS PROTECTION THAN THIRD PARTY COVER DOES IN THE UK! There are more extensive policies available that will provide the same protection as fully comprehensive car insurance in the UK. This sort of cover would not only afford you protection against a greater range of eventualities but would also give you peace of mind. Most policies will impose a limit on the length of time you'll be covered while driving abroad, which is usually 90 days. Always check, though, as this can vary across insurers. If you are planning on travelling for an extended period, ask whether you can have extended European car insurance. If people are simply jumping in their vehicles and driving on the continent believing that their UK based policy affords them he same level of cover that they have in the UK - then I am frankly staggered. For goodness sake have a chat with a broker or the AA or the RAC. All will provide good policies that will protect you in the event of an accident, theft or other calamity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yeti Posted May 10, 2014 Share Posted May 10, 2014 When I bought my Hymer new in 2010,part of the deal was a years free insurance. Last year the renewal premium was too high so I went to SAGA,this year the renewal is £100 more than last year. I contacted the original insurers,after the third degree by a 'YTS' trainee,I was told that the underwriters would not insure for my postcode! I haven't moved nor changed vehicle and informed the operative that my area hadn't been twinned with The Ukraine that fell on deaf ears. The underwriters are RSA whose CEO is the former CEO of RBS and obviously is finding it difficult to make ends meet! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnerontheroad Posted May 10, 2014 Share Posted May 10, 2014 Cliffy - 2014-05-09 9:43 PM johnnerontheroad - 2014-05-09 4:59 PM Most policies cover you fully comp in Europe there is only one I can think off that only gives third party. Dave I have just checked my Caravan Club brokered insurance, under written by AXA and it looks like I am only covered third party whilst in Mainland Europe. If I am reading it right it is very concerning as I was insured with them last year when we had two 4 week trips in Europe and we are going down to Croatia this year. I will be ringing them in the morning. I can't believe that they would expect anyone to only want minimum cover for a motorhome I expect more from The Caravan Club.. They didn't even mention it when I asked for a green card. Taken from CC site "Full policy cover for all journeys to EU and Associated Countries Up to a maximum of 270 days in any policy year" The way I read that is if you have a comp cover for UK it is the same cover for 270 days in the EU, I would ring the CC to clarify. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliffy Posted May 10, 2014 Share Posted May 10, 2014 johnnerontheroad - 2014-05-10 10:12 AMCliffy - 2014-05-09 9:43 PMjohnnerontheroad - 2014-05-09 4:59 PMMost policies cover you fully comp in Europe there is only one I can think off that only gives third party.DaveI have just checked my Caravan Club brokered insurance, under written by AXA and it looks like I am only covered third party whilst in Mainland Europe. If I am reading it right it is very concerning as I was insured with them last year when we had two 4 week trips in Europe and we are going down to Croatia this year. I will be ringing them in the morning.I can't believe that they would expect anyone to only want minimum cover for a motorhome I expect more from The Caravan Club.. They didn't even mention it when I asked for a green card.Taken from CC site"Full policy cover for all journeys to EU and Associated Countries Up to a maximum of 270 days in any policy year"The way I read that is if you have a comp cover for UK it is the same cover for 270 days in the EU, I would ring the CC to clarify.DaveDaveI phoned CC this morning and they confirmed that I was covered fully comp for all European countries plus those that I had the green card for. It is the wording on the policy document that I found ambiguous and still do. I was a contracts engineer for ten years and if I had a accepted a contract worded like it my boss would have given me it back with pen all over it. They also used a green card that had Croatia as a country needing a green card and had crossed it out as not covered for travel but they confirmed what I knew that it was covered by my certificate of insurance. I am a happy chappy now :-) as all seems OK. Cliff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel B Posted May 10, 2014 Share Posted May 10, 2014 We are with Safeguard and have full UK and European cover and on the fact of it can go into Europe for 365 days a year BUT hubby was told that if we went abroad for over 8 months then we would be classed as full-timers so would need a different (more expensive) policy. So in effect although we have a 365 day European policy in reality the single trip 'year' is only 240 days long! *-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeithR Posted May 11, 2014 Author Share Posted May 11, 2014 although my euro cover is (supposedly) fully comp, looking at the comments it does look as though we all need to look carefully for holes in all the policies, no matter who we are with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airstream Posted May 11, 2014 Share Posted May 11, 2014 Hi, We are with Comfort and covered 365 in "europe" and other named countries, same with my car (LV) can we have name/s of motorhome insurers who do not cover fully in europe Ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigal Posted May 11, 2014 Share Posted May 11, 2014 I have been insured with the Caravan Club for some time and have been very satisfied with the response when needed. I recently renewed the policy after having a comparison quote from SAGA that was £100 more expensive!!! ;-) B-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigal Posted May 11, 2014 Share Posted May 11, 2014 Might add that I have been a CC member for a long time! ;-) B-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.