European breakdown cover warning.

PHILIP BAXTER

PHILIP BAXTER

Zorg Guru (V)
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
May 3, 2015
Points
180
Location
Cardiff
Model of Z
Z3 3.0i Roadster
Not sure if this has been brought up before, but it happened to me today so I thought I would put it out there.
While in the process of renewing my Zed insurance, the issue of breakdown cover was brought up. I told the guy on the other end of the phone that I needed European cover for the upcoming Euro cruise. He said, no problem, our policy covers all the major European countries. The conversation carried on a bit longer, and I don't know why , but I asked him to check the list of countries we are doing in June. After putting me on hold for a few minutes he came back and rattled off a long list of countries which were covered. When he was finished, I told him that he hadn't mentioned Switzerland. He checked his list again, before saying, no, we don't, as it's regarded as a non E.U. country, which needs special cover. In his desperation to get my business, he gave me a better standard of cover which included Switzerland for the same price as the original one.
I am not an experienced European driver, so this may be common knowledge to those that are, but I thought I would put this thread out to those people like me, who are novices and may assume that all European breakdown policies would include Switzerland.
For anyone travelling to Switzerland, it would be worth a phone call, just to check.
Safe travels.
 
I didn't ask last year when we went to Switzerland. Glad I didn't need to find out.
 
Always good to share info Phil. Especially worthwhile stuff like this. :thumbsup:
 
One thing that caught me out when I was looking was that some of the breakdown companies (including Green Flag ) don't cover cars as old as ours, that's why I've always gone with the AA.
Worth checking before you sign on the dotted line
Gary
 
I've got RAC Euro cover through Barklays Bank and when we broke down in Belgium on last years Euro trip I had to pay 100 euros premium because of the age of my car. I wasn't going to argue as there's no way of recovering a car from mainland Europe for 100 euros. RAC treated us brilliantly and gave me a free hire car for the rest of my holiday.
 
hard top said:
Don't do it again this year Ratty old chap .... ;)
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I'll try my very best not to Mike. I hope I never have another road trip like that one. I blown engine and then a smash in the hire car.
 
Jack Ratt said:
I've got RAC Euro cover through Barklays Bank and when we broke down in Belgium on last years Euro trip I had to pay 100 euros premium because of the age of my car. I wasn't going to argue as there's no way of recovering a car from mainland Europe for 100 euros. RAC treated us brilliantly and gave me a free hire car for the rest of my holiday.
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We have exactly the same cover. Not had a
need to use it abroad but have used it here a couple of times and they have been superb both times.
 
Sorted out my European Cover today and spent ages on the phone. It's OK looking on line, but you just can't get the detail about cover. It took me ages to get the 'agents' to check exactly what cover I would get , even on the phone ! 'Oh, I'll have to check with Claims Dept,' then 'Oh, that would be Sales Dept', 'Well,it all depends ....' etc, etc. Definitely worth speaking to a 'person' and finding out exactly what those 'Schedules' actually mean in ££££s, especially concerning bringing your car back to the UK for example.
 
Sounds like its still a mess in the UK then when you want to take your car abroad.
Over here you have what is called a "green card" and you are covered for all Euro country's including the UK and that comes with any car insurance you take out with who ever.
 
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hard top said:
Sounds like its still a mess in the UK then when you want to take your car abroad.
Over here you have what is called a "green card" and you are covered for all Euro country's including the UK and that comes with any car insurance you take out with who ever.
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Sounds like a much better system than here Munchkin.
 
Well @Grumps being in main land Europe I don't think they have much choice.
A +/- two hour drive from where I live on the Dutch coast and you are in Germany.
 
Interesting thread Phil. I'm with Green Flag and Switzerland is on their list of 'Geographical Limits'. Always worth peeps checking though:thumbsup:
 
Mint said:
Interesting thread Phil. I'm with Green Flag and Switzerland is on their list of 'Geographical Limits'. Always worth peeps checking though:thumbsup:
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When I tried to get cover with them @Mint they wouldn't cover cars over 16 year old,might be worth checking the small print.
I was trying to get it a bit cheaper than the usual shafting from the AA/RAC
Gary
 
mid life crisis said:
...When I tried to get cover with them @Mint they wouldn't cover cars over 16 year old, might be worth checking the small print...
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Agreed Gary, but mine was only 15 years old last year. I'll be looking elsewhere this year:thumbsup:
 
nfu list for country's covered [provided by RAC in UK not sure regarding overseas] or age restrictions on the car

GEOGRAPHICAL AREA B


Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Romania, San Marino, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
 
When we lived in Spain we had the same type of cover HT mentioned and I had to use it once while there, no problem. However, that was just a local breakdown. As with all this the devil is in the detail. I'm not sure, for instance, how that breakdown cover would apply to a non-driveable car being returned to Spain from the UK. Most cover you look at says they will , if necessary, bring your car back home, BUT it all depends on cost. They normally refer to 'market value' as a guide set against the cost of recovery, but when you delve deeper it's 'market value' minus the estimated cost of repairs. So it's the value they put on the car 'as it stands' in it's broken down state.
 
mid life crisis said:
When I tried to get cover with them @Mint they wouldn't cover cars over 16 year old,might be worth checking the small print.
I was trying to get it a bit cheaper than the usual shafting from the AA/RAC
Gary
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I recently changed to AA from Green flag as my Z is now approaching 16 years old.

I got a phone call from the AA a few days after doing an online quote.

They asked if I'd had any other quotes, and they knocked £10 off because I'd had a quote from the RAC.
 
I suggest trying your insurance company if looking for breakdown cover.
We are with nfu and in the car policy it includes a basic amount of RAC cover and for an extra £34.99 per year you get top product including Home Assist. I assume all insurers have similar offerings
 
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