Single trip Euro breakdown cover for an older car
Discussion
I know this topic comes up periodically, but using Google to search the PH archives is a blunt instrument and brings back a load of older discussions.
I have personal AA cover in the UK, but to extend this to Europe for a week was extortionate (£200+!). I started looking around, and remembered that most cover doesn't care for older cars (mine's 20 this year). There was some talk in the past that ADAC might be a good option, but registration online seems to suggest I need to live in Germany to have them cover me.
I've found one fairly uninspiring offer from a company called "Nova" (nope, never heard of them either), but the Trustpilot reviews don't look great. I don't really need 'full fat' cover - just the ability for someone to get me to a garage without hassle where I can sort out getting the car fixed.
What have others used in situations like this?
I have personal AA cover in the UK, but to extend this to Europe for a week was extortionate (£200+!). I started looking around, and remembered that most cover doesn't care for older cars (mine's 20 this year). There was some talk in the past that ADAC might be a good option, but registration online seems to suggest I need to live in Germany to have them cover me.
I've found one fairly uninspiring offer from a company called "Nova" (nope, never heard of them either), but the Trustpilot reviews don't look great. I don't really need 'full fat' cover - just the ability for someone to get me to a garage without hassle where I can sort out getting the car fixed.
What have others used in situations like this?
I had this with our spare Zafira which I think is 21 years old. Friend wants to borrow it to transport stuff to France. I checked out MoneySupermarket and CompareThe Market and only Nova quoted at a cheap £23 for a week. Premium alternative is RAC who currently have 33% off Euro Cover and came out at £136.
vikingaero said:
I had this with our spare Zafira which I think is 21 years old. Friend wants to borrow it to transport stuff to France. I checked out MoneySupermarket and CompareThe Market and only Nova quoted at a cheap £23 for a week. Premium alternative is RAC who currently have 33% off Euro Cover and came out at £136.
I feared this might be the case. Perhaps I just eat the cost with the AA, as Nova don't look like a great alternative. £23 is too cheap for me to trust, based on their reviews.Well I just took a few minutes to read the Trustpilot reviews of Nova/Nova Direct and they are horrific. Indian call centre, constant disconnections when trying to call for help, denying help because the vehicle broke down at midnight and the owner chose to call them in the morning. I don't think I could bring myself to foist this policy on my worst enemy!
vikingaero said:
Well I just took a few minutes to read the Trustpilot reviews of Nova/Nova Direct and they are horrific. Indian call centre, constant disconnections when trying to call for help, denying help because the vehicle broke down at midnight and the owner chose to call them in the morning. I don't think I could bring myself to foist this policy on my worst enemy!
Sounds ideal for when you’ve broken down in the middle of nowhere. OP, as expensive as your quote sounded with AA at least you would stand a pretty good chance of them looking after you.
Used caravan club insurance for trips to France, costs about £150 buts its a must to get your car AND caravan recovered or returned home in the event of a major breakdown or illness of the driver. Haven't needed to use it but peace of mind. Think they only cover up to 15 years old though.
I enquired about a trip to Furka Pass in my 30+ year old Astra. Currently with LV via CSMA.
They would add it no problem, pro-rata so not worth adding until the actual trip.
Lady on the phone also said let us know if the nominated car has any issues up to a week before the planned trip as I'd be eligible for a hire car!
They did warn although driver and occupants would be looked after and shipped home, the car may be written off. I was thinking of a Italian Job send off down a ravine if it came to that...
They would add it no problem, pro-rata so not worth adding until the actual trip.
Lady on the phone also said let us know if the nominated car has any issues up to a week before the planned trip as I'd be eligible for a hire car!
They did warn although driver and occupants would be looked after and shipped home, the car may be written off. I was thinking of a Italian Job send off down a ravine if it came to that...
Buried on the second page of my Google results I found a company called ETA, who cover cars "up to 20 years old". Helpful, as my car turns 20 this year. Not necessarily helpful if I want to use them next year...
£75 for full cover for a week, including hire cars, taxis and repatriation seems like good value to me, and their Trustpilot reviews look good. I think that's just the job, and at half the price of the AA quote. It seems to be a "pay and claim" policy, which I don't mind.
£75 for full cover for a week, including hire cars, taxis and repatriation seems like good value to me, and their Trustpilot reviews look good. I think that's just the job, and at half the price of the AA quote. It seems to be a "pay and claim" policy, which I don't mind.
I asked this question last year and went with Eversure in the end.
Thread is here:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
You'll see on that thread that my major gripe with all of these policies is they will write your car off if it costs more to recover it than it's worth. But the difference between them writing it off and an insurer writing it off is that you won't get a penny back for the car. Seems an utterly unfair practice but since it's pretty much the case across the industry, there doesn't seem to be much choice other than not taking out a policy at all.
Thread is here:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
You'll see on that thread that my major gripe with all of these policies is they will write your car off if it costs more to recover it than it's worth. But the difference between them writing it off and an insurer writing it off is that you won't get a penny back for the car. Seems an utterly unfair practice but since it's pretty much the case across the industry, there doesn't seem to be much choice other than not taking out a policy at all.
C70R said:
Feels like a lot of effort to set up a bank account just for the sake of having breakdown cover. Plus there are stipulations about having your salary paid in etc., which I definitely can't be bothered with.
What company do Nationwide use?
It's not a short-term fix but it is worth considering to have a Nationwide flex plus account - aside from being one of the best and cheapest bank accounts out there (including for use overseas), they provide the best value breakdown cover so you finally never have to worry about rip-off AA subscriptions or european travel again.What company do Nationwide use?
They also offer excellent value travel insurance (through the same bank account) and home insurance.
for example set one up as a joint household account to pay your bills through and then you and spouse are covered and you haven't had to disrupt your existing banking.
I used www.eurobreakdown.com for this years LM in an 08 VW T5. That was borderline on the age though, so will have to go elsewhere next year.
Red9zero said:
I used www.eurobreakdown.com for this years LM in an 08 VW T5. That was borderline on the age though, so will have to go elsewhere next year.
Yep, and no good for me at 20yo sadly.C70R said:
Red9zero said:
I used www.eurobreakdown.com for this years LM in an 08 VW T5. That was borderline on the age though, so will have to go elsewhere next year.
Yep, and no good for me at 20yo sadly.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff