Has anyone ever had to utilise their breakdown cover in EU - if so how good were they?

[Sidders]

Hello fellow funsters,
It’s that insurance renewal time of year again and I was happily going to renew with Caravan Guard again despite it having gone up a few ££.
I picked them last year as we were thinking of going A class at the time and they had no limit on windscreen cover, and also unlike Comfort - if memory serves me right they weren’t a broker and had a more favourable charges structure in event of policy movement/change/cancellation etc.
I’ve just read some abysmal reviews of their breakdown cover on the Burnster Forum
Does anyone here have experience or can point me in the direction of another I’m perhaps missing.
Many thanks

 

[meanders]

From personal experience, and reading many threads on the subject since 2008, I conclude that no one company is perfect and that all have fallen down for Funsters abroad at some time. My experience was with AIB who used Europ Assist. Fiat Camper Assist were much more helpful especially with translation with the recovery company. Be prepared that if you breakdown on any Autoroute (not just tolled, all A roads), your breakdown people cannot go on the motorway to help and you have to use whoever is contracted for that section of motorway. If spotted, the police will not even allow you to change your own wheel on the hard shoulder. It's a right rip off, and you have to pay BEFORE they will release your vehicle back to you, although AIB were quick to reimburse it still made a hole in our budget. They are not interested in getting the money from the insurance company. No payment, no keys! Because I was struggling to understand and said I wanted to speak to my insurance company again, they became very aggressive and moved the van into a bay and brought down the shutters. We still had the cats and all our belongings apart from the clothes we were wearing inside but that meant nothing. All they were interested in was my credit card.

Then to cap it all, their 'fitter' broke the spare wheel cradle that cost me £700 to replace. Far and away the most expensive puncture I have ever had.

 

[Detnor]

Last summer, we used the AA through the Nationwide Flexplus account while sitting on a site near St Malo. They were excellent, while arranging a mechanic, they were concerned about our well being making sure we were safe. The mechanic came from a mercedes dealership, fixed the problem and was all done very quickly. The AA rang the next day to confirm all was ok, the service was just what you would hope for.

 

[brynric]

We had a clutch problem on a Chausson several years ago when in Germany. This was a total failure, we were stuck…albeit we had managed to get to an aire so not an emergency. Green Flag responded very quickly, rescued us to a garage in Trier and gave us the option of staying in the compound or being put up in a hotel. We opted for the hotel and the repair was completed (at our expense) before we overstayed our allowance. We were very happy with their cover. However we are no longer with them as their mileage allowance was too limited for our current needs.

 

[Barchetta47]

In 2023 we used our Britannia recovery breakdown when the cambelt went just outside Salamanca. I have to say they were brilliant from start to finish. Recovery to a good garage, hotel, hire car to Madrid airport, airport hotel, taxi home, return flights to pick up motorhome and keeping us informed throughout. We often still say it’s the best £100 we’ve spent since we started motorhoming!

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[grasscutter]

Broke down in Spain when insured with Safeguard who used the AA. Very good service no complaints.
Broke down in Southern Ireland last year and used Nationwide, who also used the AA. Again excellent service and communication.
Both vehicles were over 3.5t.

 

[Flairy]

We are with SAGA we broke down on the Belguim autoroute at the start of holiday shut down it was about 1 hour until they got to us the company kept us informed and we’re so helpfull can’t speak highly enough of them

 

[nicholsong]

We were insured with Safeguard which included breakdown cover.

We used the breakdown twice in Germany: once a blowout on an Autobahn and then an oil pressure tranmitter. We had a number in France to call where they spoke excellent English and understood the technical and safety problems.

They sent ADAC for which I was quite greatful., Wheel was changed at roadside and in other case the recovery man reckoned it eas OK to drive the kilometre to the garagebut followed us, so no vehicle recovery was involved.

Both times I was satiffied with the service.

 

[Howard B]

Last summer, we used the AA through the Nationwide Flexplus account while sitting on a site near St Malo. They were excellent, while arranging a mechanic, they were concerned about our well being making sure we were safe. The mechanic came from a mercedes dealership, fixed the problem and was all done very quickly. The AA rang the next day to confirm all was ok, the service was just what you would hope for.

Same experience in St Malo with Nationwide/ AA.

 

[rosalan]

Seperate breakdown taken out just before travelling. Auto Gearbox failed in Spain but managed to carry on to Portugal, Finally called out breakdown number in Portugal. They sent a lorry (?) to follow onto industrial zone, he then left. We called Portuguese breakdown and were told van would be transported to UK as nobody in Portugal could repair it. I phoned again and convinced the operator it was safe to drive (I lied a little as every time I stopped I lost all gears before much wiggling gear selector a lot). I was given permission to drive to Spain (80k) where there was a main agent in Badajoz. Portuguese helpline did not speak Spanish so they negotiated with the garage and us via Emails. The breakdown service at the end of two weeks, being repaired were wonderful, they did look after us. They paid 40euros a night for hotel which later turned out to be £80 plus. Overseas breakdown worked for us but I have yet to find the name of the company to use again this year.

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[brynric]

And today.
We’re sitting in a lay-by at the end of Pont de Brontonne with a flat tyre and a difficult to access spare. The AA were very helpful on the phone , we will now see how quick their service is.
Watch this space.

 

[chaser]

Used LV European breakdown last year ,there is a long thread about it on here somewhere, they were absolutely excellent, couldn't have done anything better.

 

[denisejoe]

We are with SAGA we broke down on the Belguim autoroute at the start of holiday shut down it was about 1 hour until they got to us the company kept us informed and we’re so helpfull can’t speak highly enough of themView attachment 1000866

We had a similar lift in France only a metre shorter than you 4.5 tons but lift was a transit with a lift very interesting ride

 

[brynric]

And today.
We’re sitting in a lay-by at the end of Pont de Brontonne with a flat tyre and a difficult to access spare. The AA were very helpful on the phone , we will now see how quick their service is.
Watch this space.

Not brilliant. We were waiting about 5 hours and the job took about 45 minutes (of struggling.) The garage apparently have internet issues!
A few years ago I’d have tried to fix it myself, now getting up from a kneeling position is sometimes a challenge. (I always knew the priesthood wasn’t for me.)

 

[rosalan]

AA cover through the bank. Battery failed but as I am just over 3.5 they would not help me.
On the same showground field a much bigger van had an AA van out for a battery problem but he had paid extra.

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[Reallyretired]

Used the breakdown service provided through Comfort several times. Always satisfied.

 

[richard8]

A few years ago we broke down in France, and the mh was repatriated back to the UK, it was 6 weeks before it returned to our property on a low loader. However we could not fault the recovery management all done through Liverpool Victoria our insurance company. Even our bikes were still on the back of the MH.

 

[Fish’s Mrs]

Hello fellow funsters,
It’s that insurance renewal time of year again and I was happily going to renew with Caravan Guard again despite it having gone up a few ££.
I picked them last year as we were thinking of going A class at the time and they had no limit on windscreen cover, and also unlike Comfort - if memory serves me right they weren’t a broker and had a more favourable charges structure in event of policy movement/change/cancellation etc.
I’ve just read some abysmal reviews of their breakdown cover on the Burnster Forum
Does anyone here have experience or can point me in the direction of another I’m perhaps missing.
Many thanks

I broke down in Italy 2 years ago, I’m with Caravan Guard very good but expensive. They put me in touch with AXA who they partner with in Europe, after getting through language barriers they were very good and repatriated the vehicle to uk so all good there. We also had other holiday insurance where they paid for flights back to UK and paid for our hotels not food though, so definitely worth getting proper insurance, we estimated if we had not have had proper insurance the whole escapade would have cost us about £10K !!

 

[cardiffjohn36]

I have ford assist who use aa`. Are there any length issues re callout/ towing. - Also same question about nationwide flex- ta in advance

 

[Sleeveless]

Breakdown recovery service (Trident) was great, but they have no influence over the dealer network to get vehicle into a workshop for repairs , so if in France as we were, expect to be quoted 3 weeks to simply diagnose. Luckily, I had my code reader and some tools onboard , helpful recovery agent kindly sourced a replacement EGR valve for me .

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[Nigel Thomas]

I wrong fueled in Spain last October. We are with the AA

Utterly brilliant would not go anywhere else

 

[purple]

Hello fellow funsters,
It’s that insurance renewal time of year again and I was happily going to renew with Caravan Guard again despite it having gone up a few ££.
I picked them last year as we were thinking of going A class at the time and they had no limit on windscreen cover, and also unlike Comfort - if memory serves me right they weren’t a broker and had a more favourable charges structure in event of policy movement/change/cancellation etc.
I’ve just read some abysmal reviews of their breakdown cover on the Burnster Forum
Does anyone here have experience or can point me in the direction of another I’m perhaps missing.
Many thanks

We had breakdown cover with nationwide AA last year broke down in France caused by dirty French diesel, after being taken to the only place they said they could find which was a lorry garage! After a lot of messing around by useless mechanics replaced the injector after braking other parts and we were locked in there compound! for 5days we didn’t realise at the time they put some of the dirty fuel back in, we had to pay them £3000.00 only to break down 30 miles up the road, the wouldn’t help just said it’s going to be a different problem and we would have to pay to fix it! We eventually got the motorhome brought home and thought it would just need the fuel lines cleaned, oh no, my garage found all the faults they caused and it cost me £9500.00 to put right. Nationwide and AA didn’t help only to give me £150.00 compensation! Never again would I use them, and won’t go to France again,they were rude and arrogant,good luck!

 

[ericonabike]

I suspect you'll get the same local recovery company whichever organisation you're signed up to.

 

[RV72 SAM 🏴]

From personal experience, and reading many threads on the subject since 2008, I conclude that no one company is perfect and that all have fallen down for Funsters abroad at some time. My experience was with AIB who used Europ Assist. Fiat Camper Assist were much more helpful especially with translation with the recovery company. Be prepared that if you breakdown on any Autoroute (not just tolled, all A roads), your breakdown people cannot go on the motorway to help and you have to use whoever is contracted for that section of motorway. If spotted, the police will not even allow you to change your own wheel on the hard shoulder. It's a right rip off, and you have to pay BEFORE they will release your vehicle back to you, although AIB were quick to reimburse it still made a hole in our budget. They are not interested in getting the money from the insurance company. No payment, no keys! Because I was struggling to understand and said I wanted to speak to my insurance company again, they became very aggressive and moved the van into a bay and brought down the shutters. We still had the cats and all our belongings apart from the clothes we were wearing inside but that meant nothing. All they were interested in was my credit card.

Then to cap it all, their 'fitter' broke the spare wheel cradle that cost me £700 to replace. Far and away the most expensive puncture I have ever had.

Sound's like they had you by the ging gang's unfortunately, and wouldn't be surprised if the Polic are taking a percentage off them, probably why they charge a fortune

 

[1090alex]

Hello fellow funsters,
It’s that insurance renewal time of year again and I was happily going to renew with Caravan Guard again despite it having gone up a few ££.
I picked them last year as we were thinking of going A class at the time and they had no limit on windscreen cover, and also unlike Comfort - if memory serves me right they weren’t a broker and had a more favourable charges structure in event of policy movement/change/cancellation etc.
I’ve just read some abysmal reviews of their breakdown cover on the Burnster Forum
Does anyone here have experience or can point me in the direction of another I’m perhaps missing.
Many thanks

Hi,
I broke down in France in my Carthago liner for two. I used the breakdown cover which came with my unsure which was AA.
They contract out the handling if claims to a third party. Dealing with them could only be described as a complete shambles.
I told them the vehicle wouldn't start and it definitely wasn't a flat battery.
After around 3to4 hours a mechanic arrived with booster pack in a transit low loader. My van is 8.6 meters long which I emphasised when initially calling them.
He eventually left being unable to do anything but stare at the vin plate.
Cut a long story short. Eventually the following day a massif truck arrived to tow our van to the main dealers. We got our can back in 3 days fixed.
I've used Green Flag in Italy and they were no better.
I honestly think the experience when you breakdown abroad depends on luck and how diligent your pont of contact is

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[Blaydon]

Hi folks,
We are with Britannia - now part of LV
We called them out to us on a Sunday a few years ago, on the motorway in Belgium. They were first class. The guy arrived with a large truck, and with the aid of sign language he sorted out our blown tyre by jacking up the van and getting the spare on. I would have done it, but not with a silly little jack with trucks going past. We drove on to Luxembourg City. After a night in a bus station carpark, a bus driver gave me directions to a tyre centre by drawing a map with a marker on the side of his bus!
The Britannia call centre were smashing and the wait for help was about 2 hrs.

 

[Jerrywh]

There are several factors if you have to make a claim whilst abroad:

• your UK insurer
• their recovery agent in the country you're in
• the local facilities you may need.

This makes things a bit of a lottery.
My Sprinter based La Strada broke down south of Madrid with what turned out to be a collapsed AC compressor. On a Sunday afternoon, of course. At the time it just sounded like a ghastly noise coming from the engine.. LV were great throughout. Their Spanish agents (Europ Assist, I think) a bit less so. They kept asking what warning lights were lit on the dash and unhappy when told there weren't any. After a bit of toing and froing they sent their local recovery garage to look, and he was great despite not having a word of English.. transported the van to their garage and fixed it in two days, most of the delay being getting new parts from Germany. Very professional and competent.

And having unexpectedly spent two days there, I have a soft spot for the little town of Santa Cruz de Mudela, and the Bar Cacheres in particular ...

 

[gus-lopez]

I have ford assist who use aa`. Are there any length issues re callout/ towing. - Also same question about nationwide flex- ta in advance

I believe that there could be a problem with Ford assist as a few on here have fallen foul of the AA requirements which is a maximum length of 5,5m so rules out motorhomes.

 

[lorger]

I have ford assist who use aa`. Are there any length issues re callout/ towing. - Also same question about nationwide flex- ta in advance

We have nationwide flex, yes they do have restrictions which I can’t remember off the top of my head so I’d recommend you read the T&Cs. Our van is over 3.5t and 7m long

 

[Woody194]

Hi All

We broke down in France just outside Rouen last year, we are with RAC arrival
I've got to say their partners ( Euro assist ) in France were brilliant.
Low loader arrived in 30 minutes, recovered to a secure compound as it was a Saturday.
Organised a taxi to a hotel for two nights which they had booked.
Booked hire car for us to port, which we boarded as foot passages.

They then recovered the motorhome back to the UK on a low loader it took about 6 weeks to return but overall they were brilliant kept is informed on progress

Ive often looked at the cost of recovery been expensive but given last years experience its worth every penny
I shudder to think what it would have cost.

The only thing we actually paid for was the ferry back to Dover.