Adventures in France: A Motorhome Breakdown Saga - Green Flag Saviours

[PaulandAngie]

Is your Ford roadside recovery policy worthless?

I have recently broken down in Spain in my 10 month old Bailey Adamo ( Ford Chassis). Thankfully we were on a campsite and not on the roadside. I called the Ford roadside support number in my warranty pack and got through to the AA, their contractor. The AA said they only supported vehicles...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[JaG]

There's an awful lot of ambiguity out there relating to T&Cs . I'm with Ford Assist who state that they will only pick up vehicles less than 5.1m from memory and up to 3.5 tons which excluded all the Transit vans currently manufactured! I eventually received an email from their customer service confirming that they would relay my 7.4m motorhome at 3500kg if applicable. Its printed off and in the glove box. However, their T&Cs's remain unchanged. Ford Assist is run by the AA so just to complicate things even further, and they have different T&Cs hence my original query to yourselves. Not all call handlers clearly quote the T&Cs but some on here have been refused relay as a consequence.

It seems it is like a minefield. I am not saying anything to Green Flag until renewal time, then I will confirm what I currently have. You do right to keep it in the glovebox to quote getting you back.

 

[DerryW]

I am with Green Flag directly. My motorhome is 7.4m long, 3.05m high and 4,400kg, and it is fully covered for European Multi Travel. The fact that my motorhome is on its way home confirms the cover is valid. Strange that that they have quoted restrictions to you.

JaG
I don't for one minute disbelieve what you say. Its just strange that once GF informed me that my current policy was actually with Mayday via CMHC (even though this and many previous renewals have come from GF). Should I require European cover I would need to speak to Red Pennant (who I've used on many occasions) via CMHC, as GF's own cover is limited to 7mtr and 3.5t.

Like you say must have different offers if going through GF Retail.

 

[Gringo2]

My cover is with Comfort Insurance and the European cover was all included via Call Assist. They were brilliant in every area. All repatriation and additional transport costs paid out within 12 days of breakdown. Fantastic service from comfort and their associated breakdown assist.

 

[KD]

No, direct with Green Flag. Full European Cover and I think it was £134, or there abouts. Best value for money ever.

Breakdown Cover - 24/7 Assistance & Recovery - Green Flag

Expert breakdown cover, 24/7 help, all over the country. Get roadside assistance and national recovery for your car, motorbike, or electric vehicle.

www.greenflag.com

Am I missing something - just done a quote for our MH (which is just under 7m and 3.5t) which came out at only £89.35 inc their admin fee?

Based on what you've told us, your cover includes:

• Roadside assistance
• Unlimited callouts
• Cover at home
• National recovery
• Onward travel
• European cover

This is called Europlus

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[poppycamper]

Having seen your reply and having renewed with Green Flag only yesterday at £145 for premium cover UK only thought I'd give them a call today to find out why I do not have Full European Cover. What I actually have is, Mayday breakdown cover via CMHC with Green flag the approved service provider.

The difference between Mayday cover and Green Flag is, there are no limits with Mayday in terms of vehicle length and weight, were as the Green Flag cover is restricted to 7mtrs and 3.5 tonne.

So that cleared that little misunderstanding up.

Not quite as clear cut as that..
Yes CAMC Mayday have no Size or weight restrictions, unlike Green Flag...
However Mayday cover is not valid outside UK

 

[DerryW]

Not quite as clear cut as that..
Yes CAMC Mayday have no Size or weight restrictions, unlike Green Flag...
However Mayday cover is not valid outside UK

Correct. Outside UK it’s either Red Pennant (if going through CAMC) or ANother from the many companies mentioned on this posting.

 

[Ianbenny]

Am I missing something - just done a quote for our MH (which is just under 7m and 3.5t) which came out at only £89.35 inc their admin fee?

Based on what you've told us, your cover includes:

• Roadside assistance
• Unlimited callouts
• Cover at home
• National recovery
• Onward travel
• European cover

This is called Europlus

My MH came in at £202 for Europlus as its 10 years old I suspect. I am going to use Red Pennant for our trip to France for travel and breakdown ins.

I have gone with GF direct instead of Mayday this year, and have gone for personal cover UK only based on the car. It asks you what's the main vehicle even though you are buying personal cover I assume to work out the risk. It was £90 ish but I am covered in any vehicle so the MH is covered. I checked this via the chat box and saved the text. Mayday for the MH and car was £138 Premium UK cover

If I put the MH as the main vehicle, the price went up to £160.

The only stumbling block was the width restriction of 2.55m. My van is 2.1m but with the mirrors out is 2.6m and folded in approx 2.4m so OK there. Some of the cheaper breakdown cover has a 2.3m restriction including mirrors

 

[JaG]

Latest update this morning from Ontime Automotives:
Estimated Delivery Date - 19th June. They only received the job on 29th May. Breakdown date was 18th May.

 

[Fidge]

No, direct with Green Flag. Full European Cover and I think it was £134, or there abouts. Best value for money ever.

Breakdown Cover - 24/7 Assistance & Recovery - Green Flag

Expert breakdown cover, 24/7 help, all over the country. Get roadside assistance and national recovery for your car, motorbike, or electric vehicle.

www.greenflag.com

We too have green flag at home and didn't know they did European cover! Will certainly use it for our next trip, it sounds just what you need for peace of mind while abroad l.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[JaG]

We too have green flag at home and didn't know they did European cover! Will certainly use it for our next trip, it sounds just what you need for peace of mind while abroad l.

It was perfect. Cannot fault either Uk or European Assist partners in France.
Motorhome arrived back two weeks aho on the longest transporter i have ever seen. Two on it. Professional company, Ontime Automotive.
I shall certainly be renewing especially as my motorhome is 7.4m and 4,400kg.

 

[Trappa]

Hello Guys
I'm with Comfort Insurance with full European cover which cost £82.00.
Can somebody clarify if my van breaks down in Spain or France with a major problem am I forced to get it repaired at the garage the insurance company suggest or can I insist on repatriation back to my home address at their expense.

 

[Gringo2]

Hello Guys
I'm with Comfort Insurance with full European cover which cost £82.00.
Can somebody clarify if my van breaks down in Spain or France with a major problem am I forced to get it repaired at the garage the insurance company suggest or can I insist on repatriation back to my home address at their expense.

I think it all revolves around price of repair, availability of parts, time delay for repair and the value of your MH. We were told by the Fiat dealer when our Comfortmatic threw a wobbly that the parts alone were €4000.00, labour would be another €2000.00 and the parts weren't available for at least 3 months. So repatriation it was. Home within a week and back on the road 2 weeks later. Its amazing how quick things can happen when you are in control. Think the moto here is get the repairing dealer to give you quote that is through the roof and push to get your vehicle home.