Caravan Breakdown

Vicky83
Vicky83 Forum Participant Posts: 2
edited March 2017 in New to Caravanning & Touring #1

Hi,

I have a new car that comes with breakdown cover from the manufacturer, it doesn't however cover my caravan. When I called Greenflag they don't do a "Caravan only" cover. Does anyone know of a company that will cover my caravan on its own in the event of a  breakdown coming for the Van itself?

Thanks

Vicky

Comments

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,857 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2017 #2

    Vicky

    I think this is a dilemma that affects a lot of people. Does the car breakdown not cover the caravan if the problem is the car and the caravan is attached to the car at the time of the problem? Have you tried to see if the car cover can be extended to cover the caravan at an additional fee? I expect the only two products that are fully comprehensive are the offerings by both clubs. Mayday  would be the easiest option but at a cost.

    David

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,588 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2017 #3

    Sometimes your Caravan Insurer will have an optional extension to include breakdown cover. Try them, otherwise it looks like you'll have to have two lots of cover on the car in order to get the caravan cover. As David has said many members have the same problem (My car provider gives me UK and European cover, my bank provide UK and European cover for both car and caravan and before I cancelled ADAC they also provided cover for both car and van!)

  • Vicky83
    Vicky83 Forum Participant Posts: 2
    edited March 2017 #4

    The car insurance does cover the car and if its towing will cover the caravan.  My concern was that if there is a problem with the actual caravan the car breakdown policy will not cover it. 

    The caravan we have purchased is only two years old and has been regularly serviced, we are capable of changing the wheel and have a spare.....i'm not sure if i am worrying about nothing?

    I will call the car breakdown people and ask if i can pay extra to cover the caravan, if not i will try Mayday and the insurance company as you both recommended.

    Thanks 

  • RangeRoverMan
    RangeRoverMan Forum Participant Posts: 125
    edited March 2017 #5

    Well I have AA cover with my bank account and RAC cover with my car insurers but I wouldn't be without Mayday. They have always been great when I've needed their help.

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,829 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2017 #6

    Vicky. As you already have car breakdown cover then a possibility would be stand alone Caravan breakdown insurance with Lifesure for £15 a year. 

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,588 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2017 #7

    EuroT

    I always thought this was an add on to the caravan insurance policy. Can you buy stand alone?

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,829 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2017 #8

    I was told on another forum that it's £10 as an add on to Caravan insurance and £15 as a stand alone. I am just the messenger !  

  • JohnM20
    JohnM20 Forum Participant Posts: 1,416
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    edited March 2017 #9

    I have my car covered for breakdown with the Ford warranty scheme but I have also taken out Mayday with the CC as this covers the caravan as well. It only (?) costs £70 per year for peace of mind. I then also take out Red Pennant for when we go to France.

  • markmacd
    markmacd Forum Participant Posts: 42
    edited March 2017 #10

    I had same problem, but when i took out new for old caravan insurance, there was an option to add car and caravan breakdown , recovery and homestart for £75, so i took that. Not worth worrying about for £75 IMO.

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited March 2017 #11

    Vicky - your manufacturer may use one of the national breakdown people - if so they may add the caravan for a reasonable sum.  I have done this with the  Skoda who used RAC and I added on the Caravan with them.  And they did rescue me to my son's complete with car caravan and two dogs - when I had an accident and couldn't drive (but don't expect this cover without checking they still do it).  If you are solo its quite important - or if one of a couple can't tow. 

  • Tigi
    Tigi Forum Participant Posts: 1,038
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    edited March 2017 #12

    Be careful with your idea that when the caravan is attached to the car the car insurance will cover the van, this will only cover third party claims as far as the caravan itself is concerned, the caravan is not comprehensively insured even if the car is, for that level of cover you need a Caravan Policy. (apologies if you appreciate this) 

    Many new car rescue plans do cover towing the caravan if the car fails but only so far as the garage you are taken to then you are on your own as far as the caravan goes.

    Best bet is Mayday and Red Pennent even if its in addition to a new car rescue plan, belt and braces some will say covers pretty much all eventualities.

  • birderbilly
    birderbilly Forum Participant Posts: 349
    100 Comments
    edited March 2017 #13

    Vicky - whatever you choose to do make sure you have a good read of the policy.  I spent alot of time recently researching the various insurance/breakdown cover providers and am amazed at some of the sneeky wording that some slip into their policies.  For example a good friend of mine recommended one particular breakdown policy, I had a good look at it and found this unacceptable clause -

    "We have the right to refuse service where it is requested to deal with the same or a similar fault or cause of breakdown to that attended in regard to the same vehicle within the preceding 28 days"

    After all my research the only UK provider that I could find for breakdown cover that really covers everything properly is Mayday. 

  • black caviar
    black caviar Forum Participant Posts: 242
    edited March 2017 #14

    Hello i have AA cover for our car (£200 pa) and have also got mayday premium cover which is £101 pa , i took out mayday when i went on first trip in caravan so now have two lots of breakdown cover and am unsure whether to cancel AA as dont know if mayday is good just for single car ? I did have rac arrival when i had motorhome but when we had a serious breakdown the service was not so good and then later had a very bad episode with them so changed to AA cheers mrs bc

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited March 2017 #15

    Never had a problem using MayDay for a solo car, and it's been used a few time over the past couple of years ... crank sensor on a none tow car & battery problems on my daughter's car. Any recovery is only as good as the contractor that comes out to you, but most break downs on a modern car will require recovery home or to your prefered garage 

  • black caviar
    black caviar Forum Participant Posts: 242
    edited March 2017 #16

    Thanks MM :)

  • brightstar2
    brightstar2 Forum Participant Posts: 128
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    edited March 2017 #17

    I also have 3 yr AA warranty with my new car. Didn' t include caravan so still have Mayday.

    I will choose which one to use appropriate to the event

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,581 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited March 2017 #18

    We have always used Mayday in addition to the cover given with the car. Had to all them out twice over the years and service was good. Generally they have a very good reputation although as with all companies there is the odd hiccup.

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited March 2017 #19

    I have been with Green Flag or Mayday for 33 out of the last 35 years both solo and touring. Well satisfied with the service

  • surburban2000
    surburban2000 Forum Participant Posts: 84
    edited March 2017 #20

    Here in the USA I have AAA plus to cover my cat and caravan if I brakedown they can recover the car and the van

  • DianneT
    DianneT Forum Participant Posts: 521
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    edited March 2017 #21

    I can send you the Full Cover Document for ADAC in English if you would like to email me here at dvphillips14@hotmail.com

    DianneT

     

  • cester
    cester Forum Participant Posts: 5
    edited November 2017 #22

     I have a car leased to me by Motability and I have a touring caravan, if the car breaks down the it is recovered by RAC who have the contract with Motability to repair and recover vehicles, the caravan is taken to place of safety could be between 5 or 10mls. form the breakdown then I have the cost of recovering the caravan the same costs occur when the caravan develops a fault.

    RAC rolled out a stand alone breakdown and recovery for caravans  known as caravan upgrade which covered breakdown and recovery for the caravan in the UK and Europe, at a separate cost to myself.

    I received a letter advising me that this cover will be no longer available to those who have this cover when theirs is up for renewal.

    I have contacted the various breakdown and recovery organisations and they have no stand alone cover for caravans.

    Contacted CC they advised that they would look at if it could be a cover they could manage themselves, please lobby the CC as it could help others in this situation.  

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