European Breakdown Cover

ianpalmer2007

Hi - I am intending to drive to our holiday home in Spain in September for the first time - in my 13 year old fiesta tdci.
We will be in Spain for 6/7 weeks and if we enjoy the 3 day drive each way - we will repeat the trip in late March next year.

I would like to have breakdown cover but for the age of the car it is very expensive and I don't really need it other than the drive out to Spain and the return journey as I know "local" garages near our holiday home that I can use whilst we are over there.

My main reason is - if I breakdown in France - I would have no idea how to contact a "local" garage - so it seems better to have Cover but even then I suspect you will likely pay "over the odds" as a tourist but at least you have some chance of getting going again :rotfl:

Is it possible & cost effective to just take out cover for 3 days out and 3 days back or is it likely to be more cost effective to take out an annual policy - or is there another way?

agrinnall

This is what GoCompare have to say on the subject:

http://www.gocompare.com/breakdown-cover/european/#LDi1DjJhrgVAU0KD.97

Note the warning that may be relevant to your journey: "[FONT=&quot]Some insurers will not offer breakdown cover if your European sojourn is to a second home"[/FONT]

ianpalmer2007

Gosh - I did not know that !

Thank you

AdrianC

If your concerns are over France, have you considered taking a Santander or Bilbao ferry instead?

Given that you own a property in Spain, I presume that you are familiar with Spanish practices, and speak at least some of the language, so that should hold few fears...

It's really not THAT far - I don't know where you're going in Spain, but we're off to near Lisbon this summer, taking the Cherbourg ferry out and Bilbao back. The difference is only about 600 miles... I presume your car is well-enough maintained that problems are not to be expected on a journey of that distance?

System

Ring up your local Ford dealer and see if their Four Plus service still gives 12 months/10,000 miles free Ford Pan European breakdown recovery. If it does then book the car in for a minor service. The service will do it good and you'll get 12 months/10,000 miles Ford European breakdown cover (make sure the service department give you the paperwork) and they don't care if you're going to your second home or not. Its of the roadside repair or tow to the nearest garage type but its better than nothing.

shown73

Try the German ADAC website, they do an english language version. Reputedly the best value and efficient breakdown service for UK and europe.

Alter_ego

If you should breakdown on the "Peage" (motorway) in France you will not have any choice but to accept assistance/tow from the motorway owner's breakdown service. Whether you can reclaim whatever you pay for this from your own breakdown service remains to be seen. There is no other option on the Peage.

missdemeanour

I know this is a couple of months old, but you did say you weren't planning on travel until September - have you looked at M&S car insurance? Their Premier car insurance (http://bank.marksandspencer.com/insurance/car-insurance/#PI2) includes UK and European breakdown. We've had it for several years as always driven older cars, and it's always worked out far cheaper to do this than to buy cheaper car insurance and a standalone breakdown cover. Obviously this is not much use if you are not near your insurance renewal date, but just in case...

System

It is a Ford. Take it to a Ford dealer, get their lowest cost service. Et voila, Ford pan European breakdown cover for free for 12 months or the next service mileage interval, whichever you get to first.