Breakdown cover with dog

Dannii75

I need to buy breakdown cover with recovery but have been told that it's up to the discretion of the recover driver whether they take my dog or not.

If the car has to be taken what would they expect me to do with the dog?!?!

Does anyone have any experience of this?

Thank you!

MEM62

Do you know this because you have spoken to the companies concerned and asked what their policies are? If so then you have no choice but to rely on the driver's discretion. If not, I would check companies individual policies so you know where you stand.

If it is policy, I don't think that it is unreasonable. After all, some dogs are easier than others and the last thing a recovery driver needs is an animal in his cab that is not under proper control. It should also be noted that not everyone is comfortable around dogs.

Dannii75

I've asked the big 3 & they've all said the same.
I absolutely agree that not everyone is comfy with dogs & that's fair enough.
What concerns me is that I'm thinking of driving up to Cumbria, most of that will be M5/6 in a 14yr old car. No reason to think it'll break down but would be happier with cover.
So, if we broke down on the motorway what would they do I wonder? If he's in his travel box, in the car, why would they refuse to take him? & if they did then how would they expect me to get off the motorway with the dog?!?!
Thanks

bugslet

Dannii75 wrote: »

I need to buy breakdown cover with recovery but have been told that it's up to the discretion of the recover driver whether they take my dog or not.

If the car has to be taken what would they expect me to do with the dog?!?!

Does anyone have any experience of this?

Thank you!

If they are recovering the vehicle,e ither towing or by winching it on the back, then the dog gets left in the vehicle till it gets home/to a garage.

I usually find, unless the driver is afraid/allergic, that a donation for his helpfulness smooths things over if you feel your dog can't travel seperately from you.;)

Dannii75

bugslet wrote: »

If they are recovering the vehicle,e ither towing or by winching it on the back, then the dog gets left in the vehicle till it gets home/to a garage.

I usually find, unless the driver is afraid/allergic, that a donation for his helpfulness smooths things over if you feel your dog can't travel seperately from you.;)

Okay, that makes more sense!
If he's in his travel box then I can't see he'll be seen as a threat!
thanks!

Car_54

I remember this being discussed at a meeting of recovery operators some years ago. The biggest concern among the drivers was not the threat, but the smell - in a confined space, which the driver has to work in all day and other customers will have to occupy later. Doggy people don't notice this.

Before all the dog-owners get upset, I should say that they complained about the smell of some human customers too.

Dannii75

Car_54 wrote: »

I remember this being discussed at a meeting of recovery operators some years ago. The biggest concern among the drivers was not the threat, but the smell - in a confined space, which the driver has to work in all day and other customers will have to occupy later. Doggy people don't notice this.

Before all the dog-owners get upset, I should say that they complained about the smell of some human customers too.

hahaha! this is true!
I'll take his doggy deodorant with me too!

MEM62

Dannii75 wrote: »

If he's in his travel box, in the car, why would they refuse to take him?

I would be amazed if a driver refused to take a dog in a travel box.

forgotmyname

They have all said the same because as mentioned some vehicles are not suited to carry dogs and a driver may have a dog allergy.

I have worked on the recovery side and at the time my sisters baby kept having seizures, turned out she was allergic to animals. As a baby though she instantly went into shock and stopped breathing.
Scary time because the doctors said there is nothing wrong with her baby until she stopped breathing in the surgery in front of them.

Got sidtracked there, but the driver or a member of their family maybe allergic and there may only be the one driver on call when you breakdown or only one available.

What do you need to do, call a cab to take the dog home? You will get the same with cabs though, not all drivers will take a dog.