DavyS Posted December 11, 2015 Share Posted December 11, 2015 I have just bought a new car which comes with free three-year breakdown rescue. So I can cancel my existing third-party breakdown rescue insurance for the car. But I wont save any money cos I need breakdown rescue for the motorhome - or do I? Peugeot are providing me with free two-year breakdown rescue for my motorhome - but it covers only warranted items - so probably not for a blow-out for instance. I have reasonable savings so dont really need breakdown insurance to cover against the cost of roadside repair or recovery. What I need is to be rescued - even if I am charged per use. The problem is that if I breakdown somewhere, I have no idea how I would summon help without breakdown rescue insurance. If on the motorway then presumably I could use the hard shoulder rescue phones? I have just calculated that, over a 30-year period, I have spent £2000 on breakdown insurance and used only two roadside repairs which would have cost me probably about £200 from a local garage. Does anybody have any thoughts? I am not looking for company recommendation - there are plenty of those in other threads. I am interested in whether anyone doesnt bother with breakdown rescue insurance and how they would summon help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agaric Posted December 11, 2015 Share Posted December 11, 2015 I think it's a case for Sod's Law. I've been paying house insurance since I was an 18 year old in 1968, never made a claim, but I still pay it. Breakdowns I've had two in all those years, both flat batteries due to a short, had the breakdown service come out and give me a jump start went back home and fixed the problem. So not a lot of cost there. Now my motorhome it only cost me £63 to have full European coverage, doesn't sound a lot to keep Sod's Law at bay, plus when you're standing on the side of the road on a wet December at 10 'o' clock in the evening it must be very reassuring that you are going to be rescued from this, especially for the other half. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave225 Posted December 11, 2015 Share Posted December 11, 2015 2 comments come to mind. Once the 3 tears is up on the new car, you will need to get cover, if you want it. That is assuming you are keeping the car, if you are buying another new one then the coverwill presumably continue. Actually some manufacturers give a years free cover if the car is serviced by them, however at least in my case, that cover only applies to the UK so if you go to Europe you still need extra cover. As you have 2 vehicles and cannot drive them at the same time then a cover such as ADAC where it is the driver covered, not any specific vehicle coul;d be an option. This also covers you throughout Europe and all for a very attractive price. You mention about getting rescued without cover and I can quote an incident that happened to my wife when we lived in Holland but still used our UK car. My dear 5 year old son managed to lock the car with the keys inside leaving my wife stranded. She called out the Dutch AA who attended and who agreed to open the car for her.........just as long as she signed up to a year's membership first. She of course did so there is possibly an option for you there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hellyro Posted December 11, 2015 Share Posted December 11, 2015 I have a 2014 Peugeot based MH the one year road assistance expired 1st Sept 2015 I took out road side assistance and recovery from 1st Sept . I broke down on M6 on 21st Sept at Lancaster I managed to limp off M6 to a layby . My MH was recovered to central Scotland to my Peugeot dealer for repair. Apparently required replacement injector . The recovery driver said it costs £72 per hour for recovery so it was money well spent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brock Posted December 11, 2015 Share Posted December 11, 2015 You need it for peace of mind which may be important depending on where and when you breakdown. Try and get an independent garage out to the hard shoulder of a motorways on a freezing cold and wet night. If you can, you don't need to cover if you can afford the cost of recovery. Costs of breakdown to Joe Public can easily escalate because you will be paying premium rate and not the cut price rate the breakdown insurance company pay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
violet1 Posted December 11, 2015 Share Posted December 11, 2015 Dave225 - 2015-12-11 3:53 PM As you have 2 vehicles and cannot drive them at the same time then a cover such as ADAC where it is the driver covered, not any specific vehicle coul;d be an option. This also covers you throughout Europe and all for a very attractive price. I am interested in getting this cover where it is the driver rather than the vehicle, who are ADAC please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliffy Posted December 11, 2015 Share Posted December 11, 2015 Dave225 - 2015-12-11 3:53 PM 2 comments come to mind. Once the 3 tears is up on the new car, you will need to get cover, if you want it. That is assuming you are keeping the car, if you are buying another new one then the coverwill presumably continue. Actually some manufacturers give a years free cover if the car is serviced by them, however at least in my case, that cover only applies to the UK so if you go to Europe you still need extra cover. As you have 2 vehicles and cannot drive them at the same time then a cover such as ADAC where it is the driver covered, not any specific vehicle coul;d be an option. This also covers you throughout Europe and all for a very attractive price. You mention about getting rescued without cover and I can quote an incident that happened to my wife when we lived in Holland but still used our UK car. My dear 5 year old son managed to lock the car with the keys inside leaving my wife stranded. She called out the Dutch AA who attended and who agreed to open the car for her.........just as long as she signed up to a year's membership first. She of course did so there is possibly an option for you there. I would go the ADAC route, there top cover (Partner Plus} at less than £100 PA gives breakdown cover throughout Europe along with personal cover to repatriate you even if the emergency does not involve in a breakdown or accident and also offers multi-lingual assistance for any emergency abroad. It covers yourself and partner regardless of which car you are in, even someone else's. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithl Posted December 11, 2015 Share Posted December 11, 2015 Hi Davy, First question, do you need full European cover or only UK? If only UK then the RAC offer a 'Driver' based policy but in its normal guise will have limits for weight and/or length of the vehicle they will cover. However, if you join through the C&CC 'Arrival' scheme this lifts the limits to any commercially produced MH. I had personal RAC cover for many years and simply upgraded to 'Arrival' when we bought our MH. And the added bonus is a 15% discount for Arrival membership! Result. Keith. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
violet1 Posted December 11, 2015 Share Posted December 11, 2015 OK have found ADAC but the front page of their terms says " Using the links below to acquire ADAC membership requires that your place of residence is in Germany. " So do people who belong live in Germany, ignore this statement or apply some other way than via the website? Can anyone else suggest a company that gives personal cover for UK and Europe at a reasonable cost? Britannia coming in at nearly £200. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agaric Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 My breakdown policy is added to my insurance policy with Comfort it covers all of Europe and UK and costs £63 for the year and is pretty comprehensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJay Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 Our breakdown cover uk/and european, also is included in the insurance, with Safeguard.And when we had insurance with Caravan guard they also included it. PJay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 In the very unlikely event of a breakdown, I would ring the AA and join, if on a camp site I would then book an extra 2 nights so I wouldn''t have to pay the premium fee. If at the roadside that might not be possible but it's better than paying for years on end and never using it. I haven't paid house insurance for years either, I guess I'm a gambler. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gocro Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 Our 7 year old van had a terminal engine failure in France and then a tyre blow out on the A1 within a year, would have amounted to paying out thousands for recovery without paying for it to be included with Safeguard. We are now thinking of getting Nationwide Flexplus credit card with European , home start ,recovery and holiday insurance package. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave225 Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 violet1 - 2015-12-11 9:36 PM OK have found ADAC but the front page of their terms says " Using the links below to acquire ADAC membership requires that your place of residence is in Germany. " So do people who belong live in Germany, ignore this statement or apply some other way than via the website? Can anyone else suggest a company that gives personal cover for UK and Europe at a reasonable cost? Britannia coming in at nearly £200. Thanks I am not aware of any restriction regarding residency and my membership is still valid, as I believe are many others living here in the UK. If you are still interested then I can suggest e mailing the following person. She is very helpful and will give you any information you require. Moser-Wickles, Amanda [Amanda.Moser-Wickles@sby.adac.de] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 DavyS - 2015-12-11 1:42 PM.............................Does anybody have any thoughts? I am not looking for company recommendation - there are plenty of those in other threads. I am interested in whether anyone doesnt bother with breakdown rescue insurance and how they would summon help. By breakdown, I assume we are talking about a vehicle that either won't start, or fails mechanically somewhere en-route? I also assume we are talking about assistance outside the UK? You should have, or be able to obtain, the international list of authorised repairers for the make of base vehicle you own. If it is Fiat, it will probably be entitled Fiat Camper Assistance. There is also an international list of Fiat Commercial authorised repairers that is somewhat longer, but will include companies not included within the Fiat Camper Assistance scheme. AFAIK, other base vehicle manufacturers have similar lists (for example, I know that Ford does). You would need to identify the one nearest your location, and phone them. You would need a working knowledge of the language of the country you were in, as it would be unwise to assume that garage receptionists or mechanics will speak English. If you are happy to do that, it is all you should need. If you have doubts about your language skills over the phone, you may be better advised to buy breakdown assistance as you then get a co-ordinator who has access to foreign language speakers who will make the necessary arrangements on your behalf, and who will speak to recovery staff and garage employees in their mother tongue and explain to them, and to you, what the problem and its remedy is, and will involve, including costs. It will also generally include flat tyres. This service is available in conjunction with vehicle insurance from a number of UK motorhome specialist insurance companies, for example Comfort, from whom it is available on an annual basis as a £58 addition to the standard vehicle insurance premium. The service is provided by RAC, and the scope is roughly equivalent to RAC Europe breakdown cover. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vindiboy Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 Only an Idiot would have NO breakdown Insurance, a simple tow off a Motorway must be about £150. In England? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bulletguy Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 Agaric - 2015-12-11 2:46 PM I think it's a case for Sod's Law. I've been paying house insurance since I was an 18 year old in 1968, never made a claim, but I still pay it. Same here since 20 though made two claims, one successful the other i was told "wear 'n tear mate". My heart goes out to those in Cumbria some of whom are already battling with insurance companies using every trick in the book to avoid paying out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bulletguy Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 violet1 - 2015-12-11 9:36 PM OK have found ADAC but the front page of their terms says " Using the links below to acquire ADAC membership requires that your place of residence is in Germany. " So do people who belong live in Germany, ignore this statement or apply some other way than via the website? Can anyone else suggest a company that gives personal cover for UK and Europe at a reasonable cost? Britannia coming in at nearly £200. Thanks I'm looking at ADAC cover myself and am aware of the point you made re. residential location. However i have friends who obtained ADAC cover and they have neither a German or UK residence as they 'fulltime'. They are emailing detail of how they went about it so will post back here when i know more. They have nothing but praise for ADAC as they are currently in France with their car in a Garage (they caravan) after the gearbox went bang. ADAC have communicated with them in close contact all the way through including arranging a hire car after they decided to have their own car repaired in France. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pelmetman Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 Breakdown Insurance Really Needed? Best accessory I have bought for "Fanny the Tranny".......... as I've called them out 6 times since April and been relayed home 4 times 8-) .........all for a 100 quid...........Bargain :D ...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rupert123 Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 Charles - 2015-12-12 3:47 AM In the very unlikely event of a breakdown, I would ring the AA and join, if on a camp site I would then book an extra 2 nights so I wouldn''t have to pay the premium fee. If at the roadside that might not be possible but it's better than paying for years on end and never using it. I haven't paid house insurance for years either, I guess I'm a gambler. You are not a gambler mate you are completely mad. I would certainly not advise anyone to take this 'penny pinching' route. Breakdown cover, especially if taken out as an addition to the vehicle insurance, so cheap these days not worth the risk. House insurance as well incidentally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliffy Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 violet1 - 2015-12-11 9:36 PM OK have found ADAC but the front page of their terms says " Using the links below to acquire ADAC membership requires that your place of residence is in Germany. " So do people who belong live in Germany, ignore this statement or apply some other way than via the website? Can anyone else suggest a company that gives personal cover for UK and Europe at a reasonable cost? Britannia coming in at nearly £200. Thanks If I remember correctly the links cannot be used by foreigners to Germany, but if you phone them direct they will join you up over the phone. I have the Partner Plus conditions in English if you want them I could also probably find the English speaker contact number if you want it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GarySueLola Posted December 13, 2015 Share Posted December 13, 2015 Having used breakdown to get us, the dog and the van back from Croatia I wouldn't be without it. It'snot just the cost that it saves you in getting back but the stress that is taken away. The AA European breakdown was brilliant! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pelmetman Posted December 13, 2015 Share Posted December 13, 2015 vindiboy - 2015-12-12 1:17 PM Only an Idiot would have NO breakdown Insurance, a simple tow off a Motorway must be about £150. In England? Unless you breakdown in a really awkward place.......then the fuzz will tow you off for free :D ............ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pelmetman Posted December 13, 2015 Share Posted December 13, 2015 Bulletguy - 2015-12-12 1:34 PM violet1 - 2015-12-11 9:36 PM OK have found ADAC but the front page of their terms says " Using the links below to acquire ADAC membership requires that your place of residence is in Germany. " So do people who belong live in Germany, ignore this statement or apply some other way than via the website? Can anyone else suggest a company that gives personal cover for UK and Europe at a reasonable cost? Britannia coming in at nearly £200. Thanks I'm looking at ADAC cover myself and am aware of the point you made re. residential location. However i have friends who obtained ADAC cover and they have neither a German or UK residence as they 'fulltime'. They are emailing detail of how they went about it so will post back here when i know more. They have nothing but praise for ADAC as they are currently in France with their car in a Garage (they caravan) after the gearbox went bang. ADAC have communicated with them in close contact all the way through including arranging a hire car after they decided to have their own car repaired in France. Yep ADAC is great value for money B-) ..............But a word of warning, if you breakdown more than twice in a year, then the gold cover (which is what you'll need) reverts to their standard cover............ Which means you'll only be covered in Germany :-S ........... My Fanny has a lot to answer for :-( ....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bulletguy Posted December 13, 2015 Share Posted December 13, 2015 pelmetman - 2015-12-13 8:44 AM Bulletguy - 2015-12-12 1:34 PM I'm looking at ADAC cover myself and am aware of the point you made re. residential location. However i have friends who obtained ADAC cover and they have neither a German or UK residence as they 'fulltime'. They are emailing detail of how they went about it so will post back here when i know more. They have nothing but praise for ADAC as they are currently in France with their car in a Garage (they caravan) after the gearbox went bang. ADAC have communicated with them in close contact all the way through including arranging a hire car after they decided to have their own car repaired in France. Yep ADAC is great value for money B-) ..............But a word of warning, if you breakdown more than twice in a year, then the gold cover (which is what you'll need) reverts to their standard cover............ Which means you'll only be covered in Germany :-S ........... My Fanny has a lot to answer for :-( ....... What's making me look at ADAC is the crazy experience i had earlier this year stuck in Belgium with a fuel pump fault (now fully sorted by having a modified Bosch mechanical pump fitted). I'm with AA which came as part of the insurance so i don't yet know if i can have the same insurance without the breakdown, and then pay for ADAC separately. ADAC cover all European countries but if you breakdown in UK, they use the AA, but the AA 'service' simply goes into meltdown anywhere out of UK......it just doesn't function right at all. It wasn't until i got back to UK the AA truck driver who picked me up put me in the picture and told me the European control is based in Lyon and notorious for cocking things up (he used a more colourful description!). The people who work there are so fluent in English you think you are dealing with AA UK but when it comes to sorting out breakdowns AA Europe and AA UK are chalk 'n cheese. A breakdown in Germany wouldn't concern me at all as i've experienced their ultra no nonsense efficiency and approach to work. In short the fault is is quickly diagnosed, costed, then get's done. Breakdown in France and they promptly disappear for 2 hour dinners then return and wonder why you are still there. *-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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