European Breakdown insurance cover query

etap
etap Forum Participant Posts: 11
edited February 2021 in Caravan & Motorhome Chat #1

Have just realised (during this COVID period) that most European breakdown cover does not include bringing you home if the only driver becomes ill, most breakdown services cover the vehicle if it breaks down but not the driver if incapacitated. We have Ford European breakdown service which only covers the vehicle, we also have health insurance which will bring us home but not the vehicle. There appears to be few insurance companies who actually do cover you and the vehicle for repatriation Red Pennant being one, but this is a separate insurance to their vehicle insurance, so together the costs are quite expensive.

I wonder how many members who do go abroad actually make sure that they cover both emergencies. Just to be clear we have travelled abroad for 40 years or more but thought that European breakdown service covered us for repatriation in all emergencies. I have phoned a few insurance companies inc. Red Pennant to make myself aware of this.

Anyone with ideas or knowledge of European breakdown services or indeed names of companies who give this service will be gratefully received.

Etap

 

 

 

 

Comments

  • JaRT
    JaRT Forum Participant Posts: 177
    edited February 2021 #2

    Not sure why you would look elsewhere to be honest other than cost of course.

     

    But Red Pennant is generally held in high regard for precisely the reasons you point out. It's cover is pretty comprehensive and does provide cover for things that perhaps are not always provided by other insurers.

     

    It's greatest advantage is the cover it provides for pre- existing health conditions, some thing that can add substantial amounts to the premiums of other providers.

     

    As is often the case you get what you pay for.

  • etap
    etap Forum Participant Posts: 11
    edited February 2021 #3

    Yes thank you for your reply MJG, we already have international health insurance for travel abroad but thought that there maybe insurance companies who would include this with their vehicle insurance for a price.

    On looking into this issue I am surprised how many people thought the same as ourselves, this includes some insurance company staff.

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,599 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #4

    Our Nationwide FlexPlus cover, included in a bank account package, provides cover for a Relief Driver if the only available driver cannot continue a journey.

  • etap
    etap Forum Participant Posts: 11
    edited February 2021 #5

    That is excellent”where next” I’ll look up our bank package. Thanks.

     

  • etap
    etap Forum Participant Posts: 11
    edited February 2021 #6

    Where next.

    Our NatWest account only covers the Uk with green flag, nationwide are brilliant if they cover Europe.

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,599 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #7

    You need the Flex Plus account etap. Costs about £13 per month but you do get comprehensive worldwide travel cover as well as European Breakdown cover plus a few other bits and pieces.

  • etap
    etap Forum Participant Posts: 11
    edited February 2021 #8

    I will look into both accounts, thanks for info.

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,829 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #9

    Etap, I have used Greenflag Europlus for some years, which covers Europe and Uk in the one annual breakdown policy - the policy document is on line for you to see. I have paid just over £80 a year for that policy with a car - but I don't know whether they cover your size of Motorhome.

    The policy does include chauffeur service for bringinging you home if the one driver is unable to drive - or of course you might wish to fly home or come back by train and leave them to bring the vehicle back separately. 

    One downside, however,  is the 30 day time limit on each of three overseas journeys a year for a total of 90 days overseas. In the UK the cover is for the full year. 

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