European breakdown cover - travelling to boat

Tradewinds

Well-Known Member
Joined
12 Jan 2003
Messages
4,202
Location
Suffolk
www.laurelberrystudio.com
My car is now older than 10 years and my current breakdown service will no longer cover me for trips to my boat (2 or 3 times a year) currently in the Netherlands.

I've done some Googling (maybe not enough) but 10 years seems to be a cut off point.

Other than buying a newer car (which I don't want to do) does anybody have info on companies who cover a car older than 10 years?

TIA
 
Have you tried single way car hire? Just thought it may be an option, breakdown is then their problem
 
Check ADAC, been with them for several years and only had to use them once when they negotiated with a German garage to repair my car the following day rather than 10 days later! Seen several reports from folk who have used ‘em, all complimentary both at home and abroad. Worth a look.
 
Check the wording about re-patriating you and your car if your time is important to you. When I broke down in France and couldn't wait for the car to be repaired locaĺly they got me home by hire car ferry and taxi. But they wouldn't return my car untill they had a full transporter load which they estimated would take 6 weeks. They did pay for another hire car and hotel for my wife and daughter to go and collect our car but the big yellow relay vehicle that I was expecting proved to be a bit of a myth.
 
My Nationwide Flex-Plus account (£13 a month or half that if you hold £2500 in it) covers me to drive ANY vehicle in Europe and includes full recovery. This was very important for us as my wife and own drive 3 cars the third being an 19 year old convertible which I had trouble getting European cover for prior to getting the bank account.

The account also has other benefits including travel insurance, mobile phones etc etc
 
My Nationwide Flex-Plus account (£13 a month or half that if you hold £2500 in it) covers me to drive ANY vehicle in Europe and includes full recovery. This was very important for us as my wife and own drive 3 cars the third being an 19 year old convertible which I had trouble getting European cover for prior to getting the bank account.

The account also has other benefits including travel insurance, mobile phones etc etc

I have this and have used it in France. Good service and value.
 
We have Brittania Rescue covering our 22yo motor caravan anywhere in EU. It also covers any vehicle im travelling in in UK, which has been quite useful once or twice! Not had to use them overseas yet, and they do warn it would take quitea lot longer than their usual hour to get someone to us abroad, but at home always quick efficient and helpful. And not too expensive!
 
My car is now older than 10 years and my current breakdown service will no longer cover me for trips to my boat (2 or 3 times a year) currently in the Netherlands.

I've done some Googling (maybe not enough) but 10 years seems to be a cut off point.

Other than buying a newer car (which I don't want to do) does anybody have info on companies who cover a car older than 10 years?

TIA

Who are you with? To quote the AA European Breakdown Insurance web page : "We cover vehicles of any age – from motorhomes and minibuses, to motorbikes and classic cars."
 
I seem to recall that some European breakdown cover for older vehicles has repatriation costs only up to the value of the car. No problem in your pristine 1930s Bentley, but worth being aware of if you're giving that a rest and touring in your 1990s Lada.

For the OP, the risk of breakdown needing repatriation in the presumably short distance between the Hoek and wherever you have your boat is probably low, and you may well be better off taking the risk, and getting the car fixed (or repatriated or scrapped) yourself if the unfortunate happens.
 
Yes, I agree with you. But I would rather have the cover - especially if I move my boat to another country.

I've gone with Green Flag. It's quite a bit more than I was paying before but it's not something that I can't live with.

Once again, many thanks to all who have posted.

. . .

For the OP, the risk of breakdown needing repatriation in the presumably short distance between the Hoek and wherever you have your boat is probably low, and you may well be better off taking the risk, and getting the car fixed (or repatriated or scrapped) yourself if the unfortunate happens.
 
I have just renewed my European breakdown cover with Britannia (via ASDA Money and Liverpool Victoria). It will be 12 years old next year. The premium is the same as it was in 2016.

The cover is 180 days maximum per year. This may be a single or multiple trips.
 
My Nationwide Flex-Plus account (£13 a month or half that if you hold £2500 in it) covers me to drive ANY vehicle in Europe and includes full recovery. This was very important for us as my wife and own drive 3 cars the third being an 19 year old convertible which I had trouble getting European cover for prior to getting the bank account.

The account also has other benefits including travel insurance, mobile phones etc etc

Just had a look because it sounded too good to be true, and this is only breakdown cover, not recovery.
 
Top