RECOVERY ON MOTORWAYS IN FRANCE
Just a warning for anyone travelling to France. My French registered car has 'Assistance' for any breakdown included with the insurance. I have just travelled down from Calais to Cahors and my (new) tyre partly deflated. At the service station on the
motorway where I noticed it, the air hose was 'hors service' so nothing available to pump up the tyre. I telephoned assistance and they said that they were unable to come out anywhere on the motorway (even to a service area) and I would have to phone the
police who would then arrange for me to be towed to a nearby garage.....
As it happened I had enough air in the tyre to progress slowly the 3kms to the next petrol station and used their air machine.
The reason for this post is it seems that if you break down on a French motorway that phoning the police is the only option for recovery whatever your insurance or whatever your nationality. I was told I would be charged for this recovery and then my
costs reimbursed. I wonder if this is because the French Motorways are privately operated?