European Breakdown Insurance

[David Edwards]

I'm planning to take my Spitfire to France next summer and am worried about it breaking down.

I know that some classic car insurance policies include European breakdown insurance - To the limit of roadside assistance and towing to a nearby garage for repair. 

I am trying to find something better where the policy will include repatriation of the car if there is a bigger mechanical failure.

Can anyone recommend a provider please. 

Thanks,

David.

[Pete Lewis]

talk to peter james 

 

Pete

[John Bonnett]

Peter James, with whom I am insured, within their cover offer European breakdown and recovery as standard in their Triumph classic policy. However, there is a limit of three thousand pounds. available for the payout. This can be used as you wish following a telephone call to the insurers, to pay for car hire, accommodation, travel home ,repatriation of the vehicle to a maximum of 3k. You can discuss with the insurers how you would like that money to be spent. In one case a year or so ago a Spitfire lost a wheel when on an event in Europe. Specialist  equipment was needed to recover the car to a garage which swallowed a large chunk of the 3k meaning that repatriation was not possible. . However the owner got the insurers to agree to cover his costs in taking a trailer over and collecting the car himself.

So, in conclusion, there is comfort in knowing that you car can be repatriated but worth bearing in mind the limitations.

 

 

[Clive]

The insurance classic policies I have had have always included repatriation. Up to £3000. Over that they write the car off (at 3K) and it gets murky.

 

Most of the standalone policies include phrases like " up to the market value of the vehicle" which is tricky. They won't accept an agreed club valuation, as that is for insurance purposes (not market value)

As I recently did the 10CR I had a look about It was either the RAC or AA who did a selection of policies, the top one got you repatriation at any cost (but I bet there are exceptions!)

In the end I stuck with my PJ cover, 3K and repatriation of the car.Worth checking that bit too, as it seems there is small print about onward travel too. In the end it wasn't needed, and as testiment out of 84 starters only one didn't make the finish in Holland, and one lost its water pump very close to the ferry. Most stuff is fixable by the side of the road.

[Paul H]

Just checked my Policy with Carole Nash and European services including repatriation  are limited to £2500 

Paul 

[John Bonnett]

We spend a lot of time in France and it is a lovely place to drive  a classic car and soak up the wonderful hospitality that the French do so well. Park your car in any village or small town square and there is always a lot of interest and questions about the car(s). Dare I say it;  considerably more interest than here in the UK. We have spent many holidays on our own but last year and again this year we organised small tours of Normandy and Brittany for three cars on one occasion and four on another. This worked very well and there is always a certain amount of comfort knowing that you are not alone in the event of a breakdown.

The Triumph Club de France is well represented (I know two members in Brittany) and before you go you could make contact with the Club to find out if they could be of any help if you need assistance. As Clive said, most things are fixable on our cars providing you have the parts. Somebody said (I think it was Roger Guzzi) even if you cannot fit the part yourself, take it with you. I made a list of critical parts which if any one failed would be game over and I make sure I have them with me. 

I hope you sort out your insurance and have a great holiday.

 

John

 

[rogerguzzi]

1 hour ago, John Bonnett said:

We spend a lot of time in France and it is a lovely place to drive  a classic car and soak up the wonderful hospitality that the French do so well. Park your car in any village or small town square and there is always a lot of interest and questions about the car(s). Dare I say it;  considerably more interest than here in the UK. We have spent many holidays on our own but last year and again this year we organised small tours of Normandy and Brittany for three cars on one occasion and four on another. This worked very well and there is always a certain amount of comfort knowing that you are not alone in the event of a breakdown.

The Triumph Club de France is well represented (I know two members in Brittany) and before you go you could make contact with the Club to find out if they could be of any help if you need assistance. As Clive said, most things are fixable on our cars providing you have the parts. Somebody said (I think it was Roger Guzzi) even if you cannot fit the part yourself, take it with you. I made a list of critical parts which if any one failed would be game over and I make sure I have them with me. 

I hope you sort out your insurance and have a great holiday.

 

John

 

Hello John

                   So that,s an Engine,Gearbox,Differential and driveshaft? HeHe

Only Joking Dave just go for it but make sure your car is in good order and carry some spares(depends on car)

Of no consultation but surely if you have agreed value they have to give you that amount? plus I think you could recover a car yourself for £3000!

Roger

ps in Belfast now and no spares used!

[Clive]

The insurance policy is separate from breakdown policy I believe. Not all that obvious!

Yes, 3K should recover the car, but in the case John mentions above, the chap got a hire car for onward travel, and that got very expensive as hired in Austria and was going to be returned elsewhere. It got very messy, so best to be aware of what they will actually cover.

Back to the 3K. Once the garage has charged whatever for recovery to their base (goodness knows how much) then storage etc etc the costs soon mount up. 

 

[John Bonnett]

11 minutes ago, clive said:

The insurance policy is separate from breakdown policy I believe. Not all that obvious!

Yes, 3K should recover the car, but in the case John mentions above, the chap got a hire car for onward travel, and that got very expensive as hired in Austria and was going to be returned elsewhere. It got very messy, so best to be aware of what they will actually cover.

Back to the 3K. Once the garage has charged whatever for recovery to their base (goodness knows how much) then storage etc etc the costs soon mount up. 

 

Don't frighten him off Clive 

[John Bonnett]

I really love your photos Roger. Another great trip.

[JohnD]

I had recovery insurance for a CLM trip in Silverback.   A rear hub keyway failure stranded me, and the insurance emergency number got me a local agent, but:

France were playing Italy, and the agent had my car locked up in his compound and him pissed off to watcah the game before I could even take out perishables, let alone a sleeping bag from the car

The insurers asked, you have travelling companions? (Idiot. I said, yes)   So despite the policy including hire car, overnight accomodation etc.etc. I only got home thanks to the other Spitfire Aces.

It took a fortnight to deliver Sb to my home, by which time the food in the back was disgusting, a GRP door had been damaged by some erk leaning on it, and the exhaust was damaged by being loaded over the lip of a car carrier or ferry.

"Recovery" from the Continent is NOT the same as the recovery offered by the usual UK breakdown agencies, whowill take you all the way home, with your car in tow or on a carrier vehicle.  Bear that in mind.

John