Motorway breakdown, France

[audlin]

On Saturday I had a problem with my van and had to pull off onto the hard shoulder of the VERY busy A9 motorway in south east France. I phoned my insurance company and was told that I had to phone the emergency services on 112 for help. Fortunately, I only had to wait 30 minutes until, not the emergency services but a passing motorway patrol van stopped to ask what the problem was. He told me that the motorway patrol and NOT the emergency services deal with breakdowns on French motorways. The good news is the motorway patrol fixed my problem and I continued my journey but with absolutely no thanks to the insurance company paid to help in that situation. I don't remember the motorway patrol number, but I write this to warn others heading off to France.

 

[Clickem]

Did you have to pay and can you claim back from your insurance?

 

[audlin]

No I didn't have to pay. They'll claim from my insurance company.

 

[Podney]

Who are you insured with? They obviously need to train their staff better.

 

[Bounty Hunter]

Everyone has to by law use the motorway appointed recovery service on all French motorways. Insurance companies cannot help but as far as I know they all reimburse bona fide claims

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[jollyrodger]

Unless things have changed in the insurance world . You could read the small print of your breakdown insurance .

Had a blow out (and I mean a blow out. A knicker changing bang )a few years back on the A131 coming out of le Havre .
I couldn't get the jack under even using leveling ramps.
I gave up and called my insurance (2gether) gave my location and got through to breakdown. Not covered on any France A road ! Told rep no not a peage but an A road .Non!
All frence A roads being privately own and won't allow outside breakdown help.
Cost me from memory €185 or there abouts.
And the good bit chap had a jack but wouldn't go under van and wanted to recover me (more charge no doubt) so I used his jack and I changed the wheel.
Got a recite and put in a claim when I got a better connection . Told read the small print not covered .
I did and I wasn't queried this with RAC and AA .Still not covered .
Now if I had ran on another 200mts to a N road .
Covered!
.c'est la vie
So count yourself lucky

 

[gus-lopez]

On Saturday I had a problem with my van and had to pull off onto the hard shoulder of the VERY busy A9 motorway in south east France. I phoned my insurance company and was told that I had to phone the emergency services on 112 for help. Fortunately, I only had to wait 30 minutes until, not the emergency services but a passing motorway patrol van stopped to ask what the problem was. He told me that the motorway patrol and NOT the emergency services deal with breakdowns on French motorways. The good news is the motorway patrol fixed my problem and I continued my journey but with absolutely no thanks to the insurance company paid to help in that situation. I don't remember the motorway patrol number, but I write this to warn others heading off to France.

Sorry to hear that Audrey but glad you got sorted in the end. Have a nice trip.

 

[Jo662]

Unless things have changed in the insurance world . You could read the small print of your breakdown insurance .

Had a blow out (and I mean a blow out. A knicker changing bang )a few years back on the A131 coming out of le Havre .
I couldn't get the jack under even using leveling ramps.
I gave up and called my insurance (2gether) gave my location and got through to breakdown. Not covered on any France A road ! Told rep no not a peage but an A road .Non!
All frence A roads being privately own and won't allow outside breakdown help.
Cost me from memory €185 or there abouts.
And the good bit chap had a jack but wouldn't go under van and wanted to recover me (more charge no doubt) so I used his jack and I changed the wheel.
Got a recite and put in a claim when I got a better connection . Told read the small print not covered .
I did and I wasn't queried this with RAC and AA .Still not covered .
Now if I had ran on another 200mts to a N road .
Covered!
.c'est la vie
So count yourself lucky View attachment 534406

What make of tyre was it,as looks like new?

 

[carolyn]

Unfortunately it’s long been the case. We had a blow out like you on a French motorway 10 years ago and hadn’t read that bit of the small print so don’t beat yourself up about it. I phoned Safeguard first and they told me to use the phone beside the motorway (haha) or phone the emergency services. Very scarey though.
I must admit I think for everyones sake it might be nice if the insurance companies could liase as they all have fluent french speakers but fortunately my French isn’t too bad. I was given a receipt for my €250 and claimed it back. Took 6 weeks.

It happened to a funster last year and they didn’t realise either and weren’t a newbie, cost €400. It’s only in France you’re fine in other countries.

 

[jollyrodger]

What make of tyre was it,as looks like new?

From memory it was a C rated commercial "Jupiter" fitted shortly before I got the van probably Chinese.
Certainly nearly put me into space

Further o down the road found a protyre depot. So fitted a new pair of vanco continental I believe to the rear. More beer money gone

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[Phill D]

What make of tyre was it,as looks like new?

If you Look closer, there are cracks in the bottom of the treads.
That I am told by conti tyres is caused by over exposure to the sun for long periods, or tyre age.
It can be a manufacturer fault also.

I found 2 of my 3 years old tyres had similar earlier this year and conti changed them with an allowance for wear and tear.
It it seems it is not an mot fail unless the beads are cut or exposed.
A definate " watch out"

 

[Minxy]

If you Look closer, there are cracks in the bottom of the treads.

Well spotted, you can see one in the top left part of this close up.

What I want to know though is why is Wurzel Gummage trapped inside it?