breakdown cover for le-mans trip

[mongoose]

ive just been quoted over £40 for aa cover for the forthcoming le-mans trip.is there a better/cheaper alternative that some of you seasoned proffesionals out there use?would be gratefull for anyones advice and experiences on this.also worth noting is that i dont speak much french,so english speaking service is a must.many thanks-mv

[jpchenet]

Could try the ACO!!!!

[Stroudy]

You could always try your insurance company.. sometimes they offer breakdown/recovery cover during your trip to europe.. sometimes you're covered for this and they don't even tell you..

[Graham]

doesnt the aco club 24 thingy give you a years 1 hit recovery insurance, inc an english speaking tel number..

[rob.e]

My standard recovery includes europe, as i found the difference to upgrade to this was cheaper than buying the AA cover for each trip abroad i do.

Suggest u get a cost to upgrade your existing cover for europe.

cheers
Rob

[dax_j]

I just joined the ACO as they also give you discounted general admission for up to 6 tickets. €57 down to €43. Memebersip is €88 but you make most of that back with the discount.

[Lensey]

I just got quoted £115 on top of my usual AA relay membership to add annual Five Star to my normal UK membership. They quoted me £41.00 to cover me for Le Mans (5 days)

[zefarelly]

I get euro cover with my Footman James policy, I just remind them when and where Im going, we also have ACO membership, and one of us always gets full on AA cover, about 60 squid last time I think.

[FLAT 6]

I've also got cover on my Ian Fray/ClassicLine policy which I had to use last year...imagine the embarrassment of being towed of the ferry by a loading truck!

I can only advise not breaking down. Several of the lads have had extremely bad experiences with the ACO service and any other French rescue outfit. I think I got lucky, although the guy arrived with some damp start and no other tools. He ended up removing all wiring from my faulty immobiliser - with a large camping knife. Its amazing what you'll allow someone to do to your car rather than miss Le Mans!!

[lateconvert]

I paid around £100 for annual UK AA Breakdown cover plus 5* AA European Breakdown cover for an unlimited number of trips. As I've got at least 3 trips to France planned this has to be good value.
Already used it on the way back from Folembray!

[zefarelly]

I think your right flat 6 . . . .service your car well in advance, use it regularly beforehand, take a few essential spares and a decent tool kit.
a gap in an old punk tape notified me of a squeek in the 1600E last year, fortunately I took grease, with regular repacks and cooling breaks we made it to LeMans and back to sussex via calais . . . .it was squeeling like a pig in Brighton but made it back to Shoreham . . . .just ! I carry a spare wheel bearing now ;-)

[knight]

I've just paid about 70 quid for 5* AA cover, but that includes a surcharge for the car being 11 years old. More or less doubles the price

[robp]

Has anyone actually broken down on the continent? I have always wondered how good the european cover actually is, but luckily (touch wood) have not had chance to find out yet!

[rossfitz]

No-ones mentioned the 'Knights of the Road' (RAC) yet. I've been a few times to Le Mans and always bought the piggy back service for about £30-£40. However, be aware that if you lose the ability to power your vehicle, the English speaking at base RAC boys and girls will take you to a ferry. If you came over by Eurotunnel you need to book a ferry return, as you won't be allowed on unless you can drive on and drive off the train.

[barry]

I have regularly paid the £40 for AA 5 Star cover for peace of mind. Actually had to use it last year after an apparent clutch problem with the Cerbera.
Have to say the service was pretty good; car was recovered from Camp site on a low loader, and the guy was very careful with my pride and joy. A hire car was arranged from Le Mans which I had to change at Calais for a UK hire car to continue my journey home.
Car arrived home a week or so later, undamaged and was taken to my dealer.
Needless to say I will be arranging cover again this year (just in case!)

[ultiman]

Ditto AA 5*. l suffered a broken bolt on an alternator mounting in Luxembourg. Phoned the AA and they had English speaking reps. They were sympathetic but could do nothing due to a sheared bolt so l had to find a local garage to do the job. The AA paid me most of the cost of this which l could live with and as l wanted to continue in my own car next day, this was the only option. Better this I thought than trust it to some moustachioed European grease monkey to blast sideways around the local supermarket car park before shipping home the remains. Cynic? Me?