Euro Breakdown Cover, 17yr old car?

RebTech

I'm looking for breakdown cover for a trip to France, about 2.5 weeks in September. The car was registered in 2001, but it's been very well looked after and done less than the average mileage (under 140k).

I've found one insurer willing to do it, at just over £190, which is the RAC.

At first I thought that was excessive, then when I couldn't find another at any price I thought maybe that's not so bad!

Any suggestions/comments/whatever?

facade

Check what cover you are getting, they probably just tow you to a garage if anything breaks, and you could likely get that done yourself for less.
You didn't mention repatriation, they won't do it if the cost is more than the cars value either.


A colleague has just gone to France, it was cheaper to fly there and hire a car there than to take his over and drive it down.

Arklight

Buying Euro breakdown cover for one trip is expensive and ill advised. Better to buy a yearly policy that includes it.

Or just drive a Nissan Almera.

DCFC79

RebTech wrote: »

I'm looking for breakdown cover for a trip to France, about 2.5 weeks in September. The car was registered in 2001, but it's been very well looked after and done less than the average mileage (under 140k).

I've found one insurer willing to do it, at just over £190, which is the RAC.

At first I thought that was excessive, then when I couldn't find another at any price I thought maybe that's not so bad!

Any suggestions/comments/whatever?

Driving all the way from Scotland is going to be expensive, surely its cheaper to either fly to France and use public transport or rent a car ?

Arklight wrote: »

Buying Euro breakdown cover for one trip is expensive and ill advised. Better to buy a yearly policy that includes it.

Or just drive a Nissan Almera.

Why a Nissan Almera ?

pompeyrich

My 1999 Rover broke a spring in Calais, the recovery to the local garage, maybe 5km, cost me €180 and another 60 for the guy to cut the spring to get me to the ferry. The car had never let me down before and we were only popping over for the day, so you never know. We were lucky as there was a hotel over the road and the receptionist called the garage as they would not respond to my attempted French, dread to think how we would have coped in rural France.


So it may be expensive but I wouldn't recommend not getting it. As said before recovery is up to the value of the vehicle so bear that in mind.

Gloomendoom

Up to 30 years old, or older with restricted mileage.

http://www.msminsurance.co.uk/personal-insurance/motor/breakdown-recovery

fred246

If recovery is up to the value of the vehicle then it's pointless buying insurance.

AdrianC

fred246 wrote: »

If recovery is up to the value of the vehicle then it's pointless buying insurance.

No Euro breakdown cover is unlimited.

Some of the cheaper policies have a hard cash limit, usually around £2-3k, while most will cap at the value of the vehicle.


Why on earth would an insurer - and that's what they are - drag a dead £500 shed half-way across the continent, spending thousands to do so, when it's just going to get lobbed in the bin at home because it's not worth fixing? They won't. They'll just pay the value of the vehicle and scrap it locally.


It's not just UK policies, either - they all do it, across the entire continent. It's just that the problem is more marked here in the UK because our used cars are much cheaper, the ferry crossing is expensive, and then there's our usual "small island" mentality.

RebTech

Gloomendoom wrote: »

Up to 30 years old, or older with restricted mileage.

http://www.msminsurance.co.uk/personal-insurance/motor/breakdown-recovery

Thanks very much, I'll probably go for this, £115 as opposed to RAC £190.

Thanks for all the responses.

Those who suggested flying: I considered that but decided against for a number of reasons. Can't change my mind now due to non-refundable bookings! (Also, prob, higher air fares.)

Yes I expect all would refuse to repatriate such a low-value vehicle but then there are the other benefits such as a hire car for remainder of stay and fares home as well as local vehicle recovery.

DCFC79

RebTech wrote: »

Thanks very much, I'll probably go for this, £115 as opposed to RAC £190.

Thanks for all the responses.

Those who suggested flying: I considered that but decided against for a number of reasons. Can't change my mind now due to non-refundable bookings! (Also, prob, higher air fares.)

Yes I expect all would refuse to repatriate such a low-value vehicle but then there are the other benefits such as a hire car for remainder of stay and fares home as well as local vehicle recovery.

Hope you enjoy the holiday.


Good luck.

pompeyrich

fred246 wrote: »

If recovery is up to the value of the vehicle then it's pointless buying insurance.

It's only repatriation to the U.K. that is limited by the cars value.



If you're happy to abandon the car where ever it fails, unload the passengers and luggage at the side of a road/motorway, get to the nearest town, if there is one within walking distance. Arrange and pay for transport to a port/airport at silly walk up prices then from the port to your house, then yes insurance is pointless.


If you want to speak to an English speaking advisor who will arrange recovery to a local garage, possibly fix the problem, albeit at your expense, arrange overnight accomodation and a hire car if required then I would say insurance is a worthwhile expense, hopefully just for the peace of mind.