European Breakdown Assistance

[adrianr]

I'm off to France in the Elise for P2002 shortly. I've been reading the small print in some European Recovery policies and don't like what I find, principally as they all want to try and fix my car if it breaks but have really small limits for garage labour (£50-£100 ish)

Given that I'm only going for the weekend, if it breaks there won't be much chance so get it sorted anyway, so all I really want is someone who will tow it home if the worst happens.

My UK cover, which suits me fine, is an attempted roadside fix (all labour FOC) followed by transportation to a destination of my choice if it can't be sorted there and then.

Any thoughts/suggestions?
AdrianR

[mel]

Should we have actually read that as "if I bend it on circuit I want someone to get it home ?" if so you might struggle.

[CarZee]

Nah - if he bends it on the circuit, just needs someone who can scoop it onto a public road

[adrianr]

No - accident cover is sorted, it really is breakdowns I'm interested in.

AdrianR

[mel]

I wouldn't bother then just push it off a cliff if it breaks.

No seriously IMO what you've been offered is OK basically if its really serious and needs a specialist then they won't try and will bring it home, if it's something silly like a belt then who cares if its a back street french garage you can always check it when you get back !

[horse]

I've just checked AA 5 star and they offer recovery to the UK included in the price if the car cannot be fixed overseas.

[adrianr]

And what if it can be fixed, but is complicated or expensive? Do I get the option to have it brought back or can they take it to any garage they choose and leave it?

A friend lost oil pressure on his Polo once in France - it got towed to a nearby garage and spent most of the next 4 months in pieces there while his increasingly exasperated phone calls were met with gallic shrugs. Not ideal.

AdrianR

[pbrettle]

Off to Italy in a couple of week and just bought AA 5 star cover - includes recovery to the UK, English speaking operators (who are English - fallen for this one in the past, Italians are loverly people but speak to fast when asking for directions to the nearest Citroen garage!!!). Also include a hire car if the car is recovered back to the UK - hence continue on with holiday...

Nice idea and worth the £43 I paid - not cheap I know, but it is effectively insurance.

Anyone know what the delays are like going though the Mt Blanc Tunnel at the moment?

Cheers,

Paul

[darrenlens]

I thought if you had AA Relay it covered you for upto 5 days abroad (including bringing you home to the UK)

Worth giving them a call to see if this still applies?

[horse]

I've just looked at their website and you get 72 hours free European cover if you have relay or higher. But you have to register your trip in advance.

[s2ooz]

AA 5*: Ive been looking into this for a bike trip Im planning, the AA sounds nice, P&O ferries offer it cheaper as the bulk buy it from the AA (dont know if you have to sail with them either)

but Greenflag have something similar too, but cheaper again. its also a daily rate e.g. £10 1 day £16 two days, £25 three etc etc. see
www.greenflag.co.uk/european_motoring/assistance/prices.asp