Brkdwn/Accdnt in Europe, you think you're covered??? (1 Viewer)

[bigguspeckus]

Just in case some folk out there aren't aware...
Having spoken to our insurance co re acc/breakdown cover in Europe I was informed that;

should we require the services of the AA (the company named in the policy as the acc/breakdown responders) and we were on a toll rd or motorway, the AA wouldn't respond, because they aren't allowed to (reason for that unclear), in such an instance a local recovery company would be instructed to attend... We were told that we would have to pay the bill the company presented and then present such bill to the AA,,, "for their consideration".
My immediate response to this was to ask for clarity,,, the AA would reimburse us,,, wouldn't they?

All this transpired on Monday, the verbal response to my request for clarity was a repeat "the AA would consider your bill". Despite my repeated pleas for a more definitive answer, none was forthcoming.
Later, I sent an e-mail, asking for clarity from higher management.
I was given a AA phone nmbr & told to ring them as my ins co were, "unable to answer my question" !!!
I rang the AA,,, I was politely told they couldn't reply, but if I wrote to AA Europe "maybe" they could help?

I sent another e-mail to our ins co,,, I asked them to give me "the figures" ; what percentage of claims did the AA reimburse? I pointed out that they must have that information as their customers would surely protest if their bills weren't reimbursed.
They did respond, quite promptly,,, they said they didn't have that information and there was no further help they could give me...
They told to write to AA Europe.

So, dear Funsters, there you have it,,, as we have it.
We look forward to your comments.

Best regards, James & Angie,,, from dunear in Narfuk.

 

[sdc77]

I think you'll find that only applies to France. On the French motorway network only a Police nominated recovery company can assist you..no matter who you're with.

Adac will reimburse recovery charges.

 

[bigguspeckus]

I think you'll find that only applies to France. On the French motorway network only a Police nominated recovery company can assist you..no matter who you're with.

Hi sdc77.
Our ins co said it applied to France & Spain?
We wouldn't know.

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[Spriddler]

I wasn't aware of that, but useful info although I never use the Autoroutes, preferring to meander the byways, following my nose. The journey is the destination (when retired ).

 

[sdc77]

Hi sdc77.
Our ins co said it applied to France & Spain?
We wouldn't know.

Sorry not sure about spain.. I only thought it was France . Adac will still reimburse tho so long as your in a country covered

 

[Tea Bag]

Hi.
The more you read on here,the better ADAC seems to be,The Renaults own 3 year European recovery service ends this year,so i think they get the job. I had heard about various conditions about breaking down on "Motorways/Peage whatevers",so it is not new.
Tea Bag

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[Reallyretired]

We had to call our breakdown insurers (RAC) on a toll road. They advised us that we had to use the approved chaps, calling via the nearest motorway phone, as the French toll roads are private property. The chap arrived, did the business, spoke to the RAC who covered his bill and went on our way. Cost us nothing.
RAC recovery via Comfort insurance.

 

[chaser]

It's always applied, French rules not the breakdown people, we are with greenflag and in their manual it says they pay the bill , not been unfortunate to have to use it so can't say anymore.

 

[eddie]

We had to call our breakdown insurers (RAC) on a toll road. They advised us that we had to use the approved chaps, calling via the nearest motorway phone, as the French toll roads are private property. The chap arrived, did the business, spoke to the RAC who covered his bill and went on our way. Cost us nothing.
RAC recovery via Comfort insurance.

Same as us, stress free and hassle free considering the rules that are imposed on the RAC and AA etc

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[bigguspeckus]

I wasn't aware of that, but useful info although I never use the Autoroutes, preferring to meander the byways, following my nose. The journey is the destination (when retired ).

Hi Spriddler.
Hate to tell you this but we also learnt something about acc/brkdn on a minor road...
If the attending Officer considers your vehicle is causing a hazard/obstruction, he/she may demand its removal pronto pronto,,, if your recovery agent cant get to you pronto pronto, the Officer can call for local pronto pronto recovery,,, you will get the bill,,, we were told.
So, if that happens to us, we'll have to present that bill to the AA,,,
"for their consideration"?!!!

Hopefully, someone out there has AA cover,,, has had a relative incident, and the good ol AA has splashed the cash,,, hopefully,?!!!

We wait to hear with bated breath,,,
have another G&T I reckon, you know, just while we wait, well, we're retired too, so it's allowed,,, init,?! lol.

 

[bigguspeckus]

We had to call our breakdown insurers (RAC) on a toll road. They advised us that we had to use the approved chaps, calling via the nearest motorway phone, as the French toll roads are private property. The chap arrived, did the business, spoke to the RAC who covered his bill and went on our way. Cost us nothing.
RAC recovery via Comfort insurance.

Does anyone out there want to know who we're insured with,?

Can we spill the Heinz?

 

[TheBig1]

if i recall correctly the french operatives that recover you can charge accordingly, but AA, RAC etc only reimburse the first 250Euros

wasnt it @JockandRita that got a £1400 bill and a damaged van from the towing company? or am i going mad

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[bigguspeckus]

if i recall correctly the french operatives that recover you can charge accordingly, but AA, RAC etc only reimburse the first 250Euros

wasnt it @JockandRita that got a £1400 bill and a damaged van from the towing company? or am i going mad

Hi TheBig1.
Hopefully JockandRita will respond to that,,,
have you seen their avatar? its brill,!

I don't think 250Es would cover the recovery cost of a 8 by 2.4 mt vehicle,?!
Would it???

 

[WillH]

Even on UK roads if your vehicle is causing an obstruction the police attending will call their nominated recovery company to remove the hazard.

 

[carolyn]

We had safeguard/AA on our previous van and had a blow out on a french motorway. We had to use the official breakdown people , pay them and then claimed the money back from the AA. It's best if you can use one of the emergency phones as then it's easy to locate you but it was dark, raining and we couldn't see how far in either direction we'd have to walk so had to call the emergency number and try to explain in my poor french what had happened and where we were. Pneu crevee, I will never forget! It is a pity that the AA or RAC cannot do the liasing for you, it would benefit everyone.

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[John & Joan]

We have needed recovery on Italian (once) and Spanish (twice) Motorways. The Police were involved every times and asked us to call our breakdown company RAC Commercial through Comfort. They arranged for a local vehicle to attend. Our vehicle is 4600kg and 7m long, with a very large rear overhang requiring a special recovery vehicle.
In another incident we were recovered in Spain and put up for 4 days in a Spa Hotel while the vehicle was being repaired in a nearby garage.
In every case I could not fault the service. They communicated on our behalf in every instance.

 

[MillieMoocher]

Interesting info, I've certainly become aware of something that hadn't even crossed my mind.

Sort of in defence if the AA, it would be hard for them to to say categorically that they will reimburse you for the costs, as that opens them up to fraud in a massive way.

For example, you break down, and get recovered by the non AA agent. You ask how much it is, and they say 250 Euro. Ok say you, here's the cash but give me a receipt for 500 Euro. Or even a blank headed note paper.

You then send the receipt for 500 to the AA and expect to be paid 500 Euro, giving you a 250 profit.

By saying send it in for "consideration" they protect themselves against this sort of fraud.

They will know pretty well what the recovery cost should be and you can reasonably expect to be reimbursed. But if the bill you present is massively different to what their experience says is a reasonable charge, you may face some questions.

So I figure it's not unreasonable of them to use such phrasing, but would have hoped they could have given more clarity when OP enquirer.

Please note my comments are my opinion of what would be likely to happen and why they probably phrase things like they do so no asking for "proof"..

 

[carolyn]

We have needed recovery on Italian (once) and Spanish (twice) Motorways. The Police were involved every times and asked us to call our breakdown company RAC Commercial through Comfort. They arranged for a local vehicle to attend. Our vehicle is 4600kg and 7m long, with a very large rear overhang requiring a special recovery vehicle.
In another incident we were recovered in Spain and put up for 4 days in a Spa Hotel while the vehicle was being repaired in a nearby garage.
In every case I could not fault the service. They communicated on our behalf in every instance.

It is just the French motorways where you have to do it yourself. Our other breakdown in France was on an ordinary road and on that occasion we phoned the AA/Safeguard and they did everything.

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[Glandwr]

I had a breakdown on the motorway in France (6 tonne). Only thing the guy wanted was my ADAC number and signature.

Dick

 

[busby]

Even on UK roads if your vehicle is causing an obstruction the police attending will call their nominated recovery company to remove the hazard.

Had that happen with a truck in Leicester,,£120 to tow it 200 yds off the main road,,,BUSBY,,,

 

[WhiteCheyenneMan]

I put this issue to the Caravan Club's Red Pennant service earlier today and they confirmed what others have said here, that this applies to all French motorways, whether toll or not. It's French law, not awkward insurance/breakdown companies. They also confirmed that the costs can be reclaimed (if not fraudulent!!) from Red Pennant later. They added that once the police have been contacted, it's a good idea to let Red Pennant know what's happening to smooth the way to their taking over the case, once your vehicle has been recovered off the motorway. The CC take a lot of flack and Red Pennant isn't cheap, but they responded to two emails all the same day. "Respect!"

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[mitzimad]

when we had problems in france adac did all the phoning for us to sort it out so i would assume they would do the same for a breakdown

 

[WhiteCheyenneMan]

when we had problems in france adac did all the phoning for us to sort it out so i would assume they would do the same for a breakdown

Not quite. If you're on a French motorway, you have no choice but to contact French police via the emergency phones and to use their specified operator, not ADAC. Once you're off the motorway, ADAC can take over.

 

[busby]

I put this issue to the Caravan Club's Red Pennant service earlier today and they confirmed what others have said here, that this applies to all French motorways, whether toll or not. It's French law, not awkward insurance/breakdown companies. They also confirmed that the costs can be reclaimed (if not fraudulent!!) from Red Pennant later. They added that once the police have been contacted, it's a good idea to let Red Pennant know what's happening to smooth the way to their taking over the case, once your vehicle has been recovered off the motorway. The CC take a lot of flack and Red Pennant isn't cheap, but they responded to two emails all the same day. "Respect!"

I can't afford Red Pennant,,,

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[FIDGET]

Slightly off topic,
I use the R.A.C., always found them very helpful , they even gave me the contact no in Lyon & contact name to speak to , in case I had problems contacting rac UK, 0033472435244 .
I used it once & was kept informed about every half hour of the progress , as I explained that I didn't / don't speak french so they liaised everything for me .They even phoned me the next day to check that the work carried out was satisfactory . Dam good service !!!

 

[Glandwr]

Not quite. If you're on a French motorway, you have no choice but to contact French police via the emergency phones and to use their specified operator, not ADAC. Once you're off the motorway, ADAC can take over.

True but whether their specified operator insists on payment from you or your breakdown insurer is surely what this is about. As I said it happened to me, I was shown an invoice for €200 but after showing my ADAC membership card all I had to do was sign the invoice. I shook his hand and was on my way.

Dick

 

[Viennese]

My Safeguard policy with AA breakdown was brilliant in France when the flywheel went and the van had to be trollied back to UK because of the warranty. the AA hub in Lyon gave us a hire car for 3 weeks and reimbursed us for £1k of hotel bills. Couldn't fault them. On the other hand when the wiper motor went in Spain the Spanish AA couldn't give a toss and we had to sort it ourselves!

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[busby]

My Safeguard policy with AA breakdown was brilliant in France when the flywheel went and the van had to be trollied back to UK because of the warranty. the AA hub in Lyon gave us a hire car for 3 weeks and reimbursed us for £1k of hotel bills. Couldn't fault them. On the other hand when the wiper motor went in Spain the Spanish AA couldn't give a toss and we had to sort it ourselves!

Was that with uk AA,,their fault in the end,,thats who you had your contract with,,BUSBY,,

 

[sdc77]

Intetesting... I would never have considered calling the aa for a wiper motor tbh ... is that a breakdown? (I know .. in a storm .. etc)
Adac have a policy where they can assist you with parts and even lend you the money to buy them if req .. but don't think the aa do?

 

[Viennese]

Intetesting... I would never have considered calling the aa for a wiper motor tbh ... is that a breakdown? (I know .. in a storm .. etc)
Adac have a policy where they can assist you with parts and even lend you the money to buy them if req .. but don't think the aa do?

In torrential rain, in a crowded city where we had just arrived, we thought it was - we needed help! None forthcoming from the AA, a kind car park attendant called a mechanic who couldn't help but who told us where the Citroen dealer was. The AA could have done that but they didn't want to know!!

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