Well that’s my five month holiday gone for a burton,

[Mikey RV]

If it was me, the insurance would be doing everything, that’s what I pay them for. I would want a hire car/ van take all my personal stuff out of motorhome and go home.
By tampering with the vehicle I think the insurance are going to have a get out and you could easily end up with no motorhome and no pay out over a very long time of stress.
I really hope you get it all sorted and as quick as possible.

 

[jongood]

We’ve recently been repatriated from Greece, only took out what we could carry as hand luggage to take on the plane. No problems at all with breakdown company, didn’t look like anything had been touched, nothing missing, didn’t even look as if anyone had been inside, but took 5 weeks to get home.Was in storage nearly 4weeks, waiting for Breakdown company to collect
The problem, we needed a DPF sensor, “ not available in Greece for at least 5 weeks”
We had asked in Greece if part could be sourced from UK, told not available.

Back in UK
Breakdown took it to our local MH repairers in UK part ordered, and replaced, back to us in 3days, cost £250.
Absolute nightmare, arranging accommodation flights taxis etc, to get home. holiday/travel insurance LV excellent to deal with, got reimbursed quickly.
MH breakdown, cover with our Comfort policy, company Call Assist, repatriation cover £10,000, exceeded to get MH back to UK and had to pay the excess
Check your breakdown cover, and don’t travel without, repatriation costs very expensive
.

I'm amazed that nobody could come up with a better solution than repatriating a vehicle from Greece for the want of a sensor, crazy world.

 

[Northernraider]

I'm amazed that nobody could come up with a better solution than repatriating a vehicle from Greece for the want of a sensor, crazy world.

They just pass all their costs on to our premiums.

Like you say . It's a crazy world

 

[Tonks]

LV looked at my Van but did not even consider writing it off ,, I guess different insurance companies have different policies in claims handling ,,,, Mind You Weston Motor Bodies did a superb repair job ,,,for £13k thats on a van that would have cost £40k to replace at the time .

Your reason for LV not writing your van off is right there - repairs cost £13k, replacement would have been £40k...

Yes he did…. after both vehicles where recovered to the garage, very apologetic but that doesn’t change my situation,

It doesn't change the situation, but I think it does help if the offending party is genuinely apologetic, rather than not.

Is it ok to use dash cam footage in france?
Not 100% sure you can. I would check first.

Even if dash cam footage is restricted for posting online etc, it is still useful to have to pass on to the insurance company as it gives them weight to their argument.

Looks as though his front wheels were over your towing bracket/ bumper bar. So he was firmly stuck Into you. No wonder you were pushed into the fast lane and then and then had to drag him into the first..the chassis must be bent seeing the position of the tow bar.Best of luck with the insurance.

It's surprisingly easy for vehicles to get hooked up on bodywork/chassis components, especially if you have a tow bar. I had a Range Rover hit my van while I was parked(!), and it got hooked up on my towbar even despite the slow speed impact. I have to admit to rather hoping that it would pull off his front splitter/bumper when he backed away, (partly due to his total indifference to the fact he'd driven into my van - no apologetic words at all from either him or his wife, see my comment above!), but he did manage to 'de-couple' without damage and the only injury to my van was some smudges and small scuff. I think my towbar saved the van from worse damage. But my accident wasn't at 90kph++ closing speed...

Yes we love this motor, it’s exactly what we wanted and have had her since 2010, we both shed some tears when safely in the garage compound,

Totally understand this. And it may influence your decisions. I understand that too. I've had my van for 10 years too, and would be gutted if I was in the same situation.

Or duct tape

Duct tape is in EVERY van, isn't it?

The Renault looks like it's got scrapes on every corner, (the corner we can see anyway) clearly a numpty driver who shouldn't be on the road

That may be true, but I think many people are completely unaware of the fact that it's shockingly easy to fall asleep at the wheel. It happened to me on the M4 about 25 years ago. I was driving home in very bad weather from an event I'd been at in Windsor and I was aware of being a bit tired, but I didn't feel 'exhausted'. One minute I was awake, driving in lane one, the next I woke up in the outside lane when my wheels hit the rumble strip. I was exceptionally lucky to cross three lanes of a busy motorway without hitting anything or being hit by anything. The rumble strip certainly saved me from injury or worse. I came off the motorway at the next junction and stopped. Ever since, I've been very aware of the risks of driving tired, and I frequently tell others that contrary to what most people think (including me, before), you often get no warning at all, and if you ARE aware that you're beginning to struggle, you should definitely pull over rather than trying to push on through to reach your destination. You (or someone else) might never get there otherwise.


Meanwhile ivorantony I hope that whatever you decide to do in terms of getting yourselves and your van home, that things work out for the best result in the circumstances and that it doesn't take too long for you to be back out enjoying your motorhome once again. All the best, and take care.

 

[repairer]

I'd know. I've never seen a professional repair yet on a vehicle that wasn't visible

Hm, I have seen and carried out 1000’s of repairs over the years, I would disagree with your statement.

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[PeterCarole29]

Just to be clear if after a test drive I’m not happy then it will be repatriated to the UK,

I might have missed a post so sorry if its been asked already
God forbid you had another accident bringing it back how would that stand up with the police and insurance company saying the camper by definition was nor roadworthy could you be leaving yourself open to a shit load of trouble especially if someone was injured .
Will the insurance company resolve themselves of responsibility

 

[1090alex]

This morning travelling serenely down the A12 towards Madrid, at a nice steady 90 kph, roads all but completely empty
This Nut in a Renault Megane falls asleep at the wheel and promptly writes off my Motorhome,
To say I’m gutted is an understatement, we had planned a 5 month trip including Morocco,
Now need to get the old girl home, so looks like it’s a winter at home for us this year,



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So sorry to hear about your accident. Did they charge the idiot with any offences?

 

[Richardcamper]

This morning travelling serenely down the A12 towards Madrid, at a nice steady 90 kph, roads all but completely empty
This Nut in a Renault Megane falls asleep at the wheel and promptly writes off my Motorhome,
To say I’m gutted is an understatement, we had planned a 5 month trip including Morocco,
Now need to get the old girl home, so looks like it’s a winter at home for us this year,



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I feel so sorry for you and it was obviously not your fault!!

 

[Northernraider]

Hm, I have seen and carried out 1000’s of repairs over the years, I would disagree with your statement.

That's your perogative. So have I

Hence my statement.

 

[Clemmo]

Hm, I have seen and carried out 1000’s of repairs over the years, I would disagree with your statement.

Our Hymer was caught by the rear of an artic. It ripped a 3m gash down the drivers side before exiting the rear taking my Ebike with it and most of the back end. It was 3 years old and the total repair cost exceeded £20k.
I knew exactly what had been repaired and replaced... You just could not tell.
I even insisted they put it up on a ramp so I could see from underneath... No trace at all.
With the correct expertise, skills and budget a repair can definitely be invisible.In fact the new garage door opened and fitted more smoothly than pre-accident.

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[Nomadics]

you just have to focus on the positive that no one is injured. Vans are replaceable/repairable.

I hope it is a write off so that you can get right out there and replace it and be on the road touring again by the end of the month.

I wish you all the best

 

[Trackman]

This morning travelling serenely down the A12 towards Madrid, at a nice steady 90 kph, roads all but completely empty
This Nut in a Renault Megane falls asleep at the wheel and promptly writes off my Motorhome,
To say I’m gutted is an understatement, we had planned a 5 month trip including Morocco,
Now need to get the old girl home, so looks like it’s a winter at home for us this year,



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Awful, so sorry to see this. Best wishes sorting out the aftermath.

 

[Davecrawf]

Yes thanks we are both ok, just a bit shook up,

Massively disappointing for you. Breaking down is one thing, but that's a major shock for you. Thankfully you are not injured and can regroup for another trip. Good luck with your recovery, and start planning your next trip as soon as you can.

 

[FEC]

Very sorry to hear about this and a traumatic as well as inconvenient experience.
Good luck with the insurance co -and getting back on the road with a repaired or replacement MH.
Too many people doing long journeys and not taking enough rest these days. Not sure what age the
'perp' was, but I find that I am much less capable of driving long distances now than I used to be 20 years ago and find that I have to take more breaks than perhaps others, doing a similar distance.
Best of luck to you on the trip back and with everything that follows.

 

[Onemanandhisdog]

Few suggestions of getting a hire vehicle, chucking your stuff in and driving home. Watched some YouTubers who had a terminal engine failure in Spain, they did this and had to swap vehicle at each country border and couldn't take French vehicle across the channel, so not sure how easy this would be.

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[Puddleduck]

Too many people doing long journeys and not taking enough rest these days. Not sure what age the
'perp' was, but I find that I am much less capable of driving long distances now than I used to be 20 years ago and find that I have to take more breaks than perhaps others, doing a similar distance.

Before I gave up driving on a longer journey I would do the "coffee shop hop" - basically so long driving, maybe 90 minutes, then a 15 or 20 minute break. In fact feeling the need to stop so often was probably the first warning I had that all was not well health wise.

I made every excuse I could including that I needed to charge the EV but the truth was clear that I was unwell. Giving up driving has been and will be a massive issue given where we live but I would hate to hurt anyone by pig headedness over driving so I have voluntarily surrendered my licence.

 

[elwyn horton]

Not with Red Pennant then.
The CMHC, I am sure they would have hired you annoter MH to continue your holiday. And sorted out the repairs back in the U.K.

 

[Apacheman]

Two positives… you’re ok and it wasn’t your fault. Repair or write off will cause you lots of stress but hope the insurance company deliver and either get it repaired quickly or settle at a good market value. Thoughts go out to you, it could happen to anyone of us! your soon back on the road.

 

[Davecrawf]

Few suggestions of getting a hire vehicle, chucking your stuff in and driving home. Watched some YouTubers who had a terminal engine failure in Spain, they did this and had to swap vehicle at each country border and couldn't take French vehicle across the channel, so not sure how easy this would be.

We had a hire car in Spain and were instructed not to take it across the border into Gibraltar, as Gibraltar is not in Europe.

 

[Barclaybasher]

Only ivorantony will know whether the van can be repaired to a standard that wouldn't prevent returning.
chaser had his van repatriated himself, may be an option.
Being positive they seem to have the time and skills to get the van back.
Nearly everything is fixable and they have the right mindset
Good luck

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[Fiddler]

Would you want it back though, that’s a lot of damage?

This morning travelling serenely down the A12 towards Madrid, at a nice steady 90 kph, roads all but completely empty
This Nut in a Renault Megane falls asleep at the wheel and promptly writes off my Motorhome,
To say I’m gutted is an understatement, we had planned a 5 month trip including Morocco,
Now need to get the old girl home, so looks like it’s a winter at home for us this year,



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OMG!
What a crap thing to happen at the start of a long break! hopefully from your replies to others you're OK, but it must have been a helluva shock at the time. Did the other guy get dragged away (him, as well as his car)?
Best wishes for a speed repair to you both and the 'van.

 

[akadingbat]

What a horrible thing to happen, glad you’re both ok. Thank goodness you were in the MH and not a car as I hate to think what would have happened then. Hope everything gets resolved soon.

 

[FEC]

Before I gave up driving on a longer journey I would do the "coffee shop hop" - basically so long driving, maybe 90 minutes, then a 15 or 20 minute break. In fact feeling the need to stop so often was probably the first warning I had that all was not well health wise.

I made every excuse I could including that I needed to charge the EV but the truth was clear that I was unwell. Giving up driving has been and will be a massive issue given where we live but I would hate to hurt anyone by pig headedness over driving so I have voluntarily surrendered my licence.

Sorry to hear and that must have been a tough decision and I hope your health has improved. I find motorways the worst when I'm tired and its amazing what even a 15 minute stop can do to refresh you. I can certainly do a few hours at a time but no real marathon sessions as I did in my younger days -when I didn't need glasses!
I also avoid night driving as much as I can as the glare of modern LED headlights these days is blinding and really makes the experience much harder and more tiring -esp when there is no other ambient/street lighting.

 

[Puddleduck]

Not a tough decision at all to be honest. I could have waited for the inevitable "return your driving licence" letter or choose to preempt.

Martin drives so we are not stuck and in future I will be able to use the community / disabled transport provision as long as I can book a week in advance. Other than that I'll have to investigate wheelchair enabled taxis.

 

[Tony50]

This morning travelling serenely down the A12 towards Madrid, at a nice steady 90 kph, roads all but completely empty
This Nut in a Renault Megane falls asleep at the wheel and promptly writes off my Motorhome,
To say I’m gutted is an understatement, we had planned a 5 month trip including Morocco,
Now need to get the old girl home, so looks like it’s a winter at home for us this year,



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So sorry to hear this wishing well

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[Tony50]

If it's a write-off by Insurance standards, but, repairable, get a repair quote and negotiate if possible with Insurance company, to get salvage if possible, if that's your best financial option and that's what you would like to do, but knowing Motorhome manufacturers and slow parts supply you may not want to wait , if you want to accept writeoff money , unless offer is acceptable ask for more.

 

[Bazc79]

Bloody hell! Gutted for you, but glad no injuries. All the best sorting it out.

 

[The Wino]

Just really lucky you weren't stationary at the time.

 

[gus-lopez]

Have you told your insurance company about your plans? If not, I would not expect them to be sympathetic if you had further problems on the way home.

see below

I am also concerned that as the damaged vehicle has been 'tampered with' it could affect the insurance payout/repair costs covered.

see below

I should think insurance will have to cover you tho as you are repatriating the vehicle?

If they are saving the absurdy high 8>10k that people are saying it "costs" then I doubt that they would be complaining?

And what about the indicators and brake lights

We sorted that earlier.Buying a marker board as in for a trailer

And if the insurance company allow it

as above.

 

[Suenliam]

So glad no lasting damage to you both. If your ins co decide to write off the MH you will not be insured to drive it home unless you find a way to insure it with someone else but that sounds well dodgy.
I really hope you can get a solution to your problem as soon as possible.
Sue

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