Breakdown Cover to Support 8.5m Motorhome and small trailer in europe and more than 5k to get us home anyone?

[zac]

So after my breakdown in the algarve and the poor response from the breakdown company through comfort-insurance i am looking for some cover that will allow me to recover my vehicle and trailer in the event it cannot be repaired back to the UK without me adding another 3k to the bill. Comforts breakdown company has informed me i am under covered by this much should i need to be recovered back to the uk. Someone must be using one where they dont have to pay anymore than the policy premium. My motorhome is a tag axle and 8.5m long and 2.39m wide with the trailer at another 4m.

I have called comfort insurance and they are now looking into where the 6.5k + tax has come from to see if it was over priced but they are adamant that they offer some of the highest allowances for European breakdown. Given this was my fate only a week ago i would really like to be covered in full if this does or did happen. Also very important to check the small print in any cover which i thought i did but i never would of thought it would cost that much to get back but clearly i was wrong.

I appreciate our MH is larger than some but there must be cover out there without going commercial.

Thanks in advance.

 

[sallylillian]

RAC arrivals through CCC

 

[zac]

RAC arrivals through CCC

thanks, i was with camc but that has been cancelled although it is valid till april 2020 so a few months left. Do you need to keep an active subscription to camc to keep this?

 

[DavidG58]

as above, we are insured through Comfort, I have taken their breakdown cover as belt and braces, but still also keep RAC going

not cheap, we pay just under £300 but that covers 2 cars and the MH and us as passengers, can maybe now see why £50 for breakdown cover from Comfort is going to come up short

glad you got home OK, good heads up for all to check

 

[DavidG58]

thanks, i was with camc but that has been cancelled although it is valid till april 2020 so a few months left. Do you need to keep an active subscription to camc to keep this?

its CCC not CAMC you need to be with

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[zac]

as above, we are insured through Comfort, I have taken their breakdown cover as belt and braces, but still also keep RAC going

not cheap, we pay just under £300 but that covers 2 cars and the MH and us as passengers, can maybe now see why £50 for breakdown cover from Comfort is going to come up short

glad you got home OK, good heads up for all to check

I dont mind paying if it will do the job, i will def take a look.

its CCC not CAMC you need to be with

oops not with them will need to see if i can get it with the camc and if not may have to join them as well as will still work out cheaper than paying the extra 3k to get home if needed.

 

[Spriddler]

Someone must be using one where they dont have to pay anymore than the policy premium. My motorhome is a tag axle and 8.5m long and 2.39m wide with the trailer at another 4m.

I doubt that a regular motorhome policy at the standard premium will cover the cost of repatriating what are in effect two 'vehicles' and totalling 12.5m in length (which is equivalent to two of my motorhome).

 

[zac]

I doubt that a regular motorhome policy at the standard premium will cover the cost of repatriating what are in effect two 'vehicles' and totalling 12.5m in length.

If not then why do they state they cover it but only to 5k which of course is not enough, i dont mind paying extra but they dont have anything that will be able to sort it as it is fixed.

 

[Spriddler]

If not then why do they state they cover it but only to 5k which of course is not enough, i dont mind paying extra but they dont have anything that will be able to sort it as it is fixed.

I can't answer that, but if they state that they cover it then they should. Maybe time to challenge it in the Small Claims Court?
Do they state that the cover is limited to 5k in their policy document?

 

[zac]

I can't answer that, but if they state that they cover it then they should. Maybe time to challenge it in the Small Claims Court?
Do they state that the cover is limited to 5k in their policy document?

Yes they do but that is usually more than enough or so i thought to get back and they are saying thats more than most breakdown companies for motorhomes.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[DavidG58]

I am guessing that your problem was the trailer, I am not surprised that that would add a hefty surcharge

But still should be clear in the T's & C's

 

[zac]

I am guessing that your problem was the trailer, I am not surprised that that would add a hefty surcharge

But still should be clear in the T's & C's

Apparently not the trailer but the oversized motorhome

 

[Potty]

we always use CMHC Red Pennant. Covers total cost of vehicle recovery and towed vehicle. below is what is covered - sorry about the format but can’t paste the original. Our premium for 2 adults in mid 70s for a 60 day trip is £276.
Of course this is in addition to our normal MH insurance.

Type of Cover Motoring & Personal Motoring Only
Personal Only cover per person
Cover per party, unless otherwise stated Standard Plus Standard Plus Europe
Vehicle, passenger & pet recovery:
Towing to nearest garage total cost total cost total cost total cost -
Emergency labour cost Up to £250 - Up to £250 - -
Emergency labour and parts cost - Up to £500 - Up to £500 -
Storage charges Up to £350 Up to £700 Up to £350 Up to £700 -
Recovery of vehicle(s) total cost total cost total cost total cost -
Stuck on soft ground cover Up to £250 Up to £500 Up to £250 Up to £500 -
Additional ferry costs total cost total cost total cost total cost -
Collection of repaired vehicle(s) Up to £1000 total cost Up to £1000 total cost -
Chauffeured recovery total cost total cost total cost total cost -
Return home from scene of mishap total cost total cost total cost total cost -
Secondary towed vehicle total cost total cost total cost total cost -
Continuation of holiday travel Up to £2000 Up to £4000 Up to £2000 Up to £4000 -
Continuation of holiday accommodation Up to £2000 Up to £4000 Up to £2000 Up to £4000 -
Spare parts location and dispatch total cost total cost total cost total cost -
Roadside assistance abroad Included Included Included Included -
Late return of hired caravan or trailer tent Up to £1000 Up to £2000 Up to £1000 Up to £2000 -
Loss of use of car on return to UK Up to £350 Up to £700 Up to £350 Up to £700 -
Medical and other expenses (per person) Up to £5m Up to £10m - - Up to £10m
Hospital benefit Up to £500 Up to £1000 - - Up to £500
Loss of deposit for cancellation due to illness Up to £2000 Up to £4000 - - Up to £3000
Loss of deposit for cancellation due to fire, accident or theft of the vehicle(s), or loss of vehicle cover under the Continuation sections above, 14 days prior to departure
Up to £2000 Up to £4000 Up to £2000 Up to £4000 -
Emergency return home Up to £1500 Up to £3000 - - -
Personal accident benefits Up to Up to - - Up to £20000 £10000 £20000
Loss or damage to personal luggage and documents
Up to £2000 Up to £4000 - - Up to £1500
Payment of customs duties total cost total cost total cost total cost

 

[zac]

we always use CMHC Red Pennant. Covers total cost of vehicle recovery and towed vehicle. below is what is covered - sorry about the format but can’t paste the original. Our premium for 2 adults in mid 70s for a 60 day trip is £276.
Of course this is in addition to our normal MH insurance.

Type of Cover Motoring & Personal Motoring Only
Personal Only cover per person
Cover per party, unless otherwise stated Standard Plus Standard Plus Europe
Vehicle, passenger & pet recovery:
Towing to nearest garage total cost total cost total cost total cost -
Emergency labour cost Up to £250 - Up to £250 - -
Emergency labour and parts cost - Up to £500 - Up to £500 -
Storage charges Up to £350 Up to £700 Up to £350 Up to £700 -
Recovery of vehicle(s) total cost total cost total cost total cost -
Stuck on soft ground cover Up to £250 Up to £500 Up to £250 Up to £500 -
Additional ferry costs total cost total cost total cost total cost -
Collection of repaired vehicle(s) Up to £1000 total cost Up to £1000 total cost -
Chauffeured recovery total cost total cost total cost total cost -
Return home from scene of mishap total cost total cost total cost total cost -
Secondary towed vehicle total cost total cost total cost total cost -
Continuation of holiday travel Up to £2000 Up to £4000 Up to £2000 Up to £4000 -
Continuation of holiday accommodation Up to £2000 Up to £4000 Up to £2000 Up to £4000 -
Spare parts location and dispatch total cost total cost total cost total cost -
Roadside assistance abroad Included Included Included Included -
Late return of hired caravan or trailer tent Up to £1000 Up to £2000 Up to £1000 Up to £2000 -
Loss of use of car on return to UK Up to £350 Up to £700 Up to £350 Up to £700 -
Medical and other expenses (per person) Up to £5m Up to £10m - - Up to £10m
Hospital benefit Up to £500 Up to £1000 - - Up to £500
Loss of deposit for cancellation due to illness Up to £2000 Up to £4000 - - Up to £3000
Loss of deposit for cancellation due to fire, accident or theft of the vehicle(s), or loss of vehicle cover under the Continuation sections above, 14 days prior to departure
Up to £2000 Up to £4000 Up to £2000 Up to £4000 -
Emergency return home Up to £1500 Up to £3000 - - -
Personal accident benefits Up to Up to - - Up to £20000 £10000 £20000
Loss or damage to personal luggage and documents
Up to £2000 Up to £4000 - - Up to £1500
Payment of customs duties total cost total cost total cost total cost

Thanks, will take a look at these also as i cant see what the allowance for recovery from europe would be and what size MH they support but should be able to get this from their site.
Thanks

 

[Tanya_and_Mick]

I also think it was the trailer that impacted the recovery

We have a RV insured with Comfort and was informed that the cover was up to 12m and 20 ton

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[zac]

I also think it was the trailer that impacted the recovery

We have a RV insured with Comfort and was informed that the cover was up to 12m and 20 ton

Hi
its not the length thats the issue, its only being covered for 5k total cost when they say it will cost 8k

 

[138go]

We like Red Pennant through the C & MH C.

 

[Tanya_and_Mick]

Hi
its not the length thats the issue, its only being covered for 5k total cost when they say it will cost 8k

Thanks for the info - I will recheck with Comfort as my understanding is that providing you are within the 12m 20 ton threshold and in the EU defined countries you are recovered without additional cost

 

[zac]

Thanks for the info - I will recheck with Comfort as my understanding is that providing you are within the 12m 20 ton threshold and in the EU defined countries you are recovered without additional cost

thats what i thought until i needed them and they said it is a max of 5k, in the uk you are ok but not in europe.

 

[Onemanandhisdog]

There can't be many cases where they would ship the whole lot back to England surely?

I must admit, that was my assumption when I first bought a motorhome, but they will take you to a main dealer first for repairs?

If a, for arguments sake, Fiat dealer quoted £2.5k to fix a serious engine fault then surely there wouldn't be an option to have it shipped home for a greater (to the insurer) cost?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Gellyneck]

zac Here's the policy documents for Red Pennant.

ps Check the exclusions for dimensions on vehicle (8m) and trailer 3.5m. Check height limitations as well.

 

[gus-lopez]

If a, for arguments sake, Fiat dealer quoted £2.5k to fix a serious engine fault then surely there wouldn't be an option to have it shipped home for a greater (to the insurer) cost?

The option is for repatriation to where you want. Some people ,including me, wouldn't be paying anyone to fix it.

 

[zac]

There can't be many cases where they would ship the whole lot back to England surely?

I must admit, that was my assumption when I first bought a motorhome, but they will take you to a main dealer first for repairs?

If a, for arguments sake, Fiat dealer quoted £2.5k to fix a serious engine fault then surely there wouldn't be an option to have it shipped home for a greater (to the insurer) cost?

I would never expected to be recovered fully back to the uk before i broke down last week, but they couldnt find me a garage to go to and they kept hinting that i would need to be recovered which is why now i am searching for a new breakdown insurer.

 

[zac]

zac Here's the policy documents for Red Pennant.

ps Check the exclusions for dimensions on vehicle (8m) and trailer 3.5m. Check height limitations as well.

thanks for this, been on the phone to them a moment ago and it looks as though this is what I need and they are currently quoting £294 for the annual breakdown cover for europe only though but really thats where my issue is.

 

[Gellyneck]

thanks for this, been on the phone to them a moment ago and it looks as though this is what I need and they are currently quoting £294 for the annual breakdown cover for europe only though but really thats where my issue is.

Remember you will have to add on the £50 odd for membership as well but that pales into insignificance given the other numbers you were quoting!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[zac]

Remember you will have to add on the £50 odd for membership as well but that pales into insignificance given the other numbers you were quoting!

I am already a member but stopped it from this April but will keep it going if i switch which is looking very likely. Because they only cover Europe i will switch when i know i am going away the following month as that way i will keep it for longer. So there are insurers out there that will cover what i need despite the un supporting comments from comfort insurance

 

[Lenny HB]

Hi
its not the length thats the issue, its only being covered for 5k total cost when they say it will cost 8k

I really don't see how it would cost anything like £5k to get a van shipped back from anywhere in Europe, sounds like someone was plucking figures out of thin air.
Comfort use the AA for breakdown but it doesn't matter what company you use as it will only be the AA in UK . Outside the UK it doesn't matter what company you use as they will farm it out to a third party.

 

[TheBig1]

The RAC have limitations, but if you are a member of the c&cc these restrictions are relaxed

 

[zac]

I really don't see how it would cost anything like £5k to get a van shipped back from anywhere in Europe, sounds like someone was plucking figures out of thin air.
Comfort use the AA for breakdown but it doesn't matter what company you use as it will only be the AA in UK . Outside the UK it doesn't matter what company you use as they will farm it out to a third party.

I agree, AA in the UK but DAS in Europe and the figures i have been quoted are way over what I was expecting. The thing is that when you breakdown you don't want all this extra hassle, you just want to call your breakdown company and they sort it. They failed even this part, if it were not for the campsite owner knowing an electrician i would be pulling what little hair i had left out and then i was asked to drive it till i run out of fuel again and call them back out to start it. That's ridiculous even for a breakdown company.

 

[eddie]

I needed to use RAC Arrival in August 2018 and they were dreadful. Refused pretty much everything and we ended up paying for ourselves, arranging repatriating the vehicle under our own steam and organised and paid for a replacement vehicle to continue.

We resolved everything when we got home, about a month later, with the assistance of London based contract law specialists, who happens to employ one of our our Daughters in Law!

The RAC did pretty smartly cough up and apologised, once threatened with Hell and Damn Fire!

Apparently the Control Center in Lyon didn't know about the "Arrival" scheme which is why they kept refusing to offer any assistance other than a small hire car to get back to the ferry, so we could go back as foot passengers, which because we have a dog would mean Calais to Dover, clutching our stuff! They kept telling us that we had no cover, and were asking us "why do you think that you have these benefits" with our answer, through gritted teeth "We are reading them from the Policy that you sent to us!"

Also another little gem with them, was we quoted their policy document for vehicle hire, which was £3000 per claim. They would only pay £1500.00

It seemed that we had renewed in the May we had the old policy as the limit was raised to £3000 in the June, and they don't automatically apply increased benefits to existing policies which I though was a very poor attitude.

So turn off the RAC Arrival automatic renewal option and take out a new policy every year, prior to going abroad if you expect fairness from the RAC

We are still with them, just, as to be honest the policy is still slightly better than the alternatives for larger campers, and to be fair we had need for assistance in 2014 with a trailer issue and they were excellent.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}