europe cover

[rocket]

Having had my plus 2 since christmas and after some initial problems ,sorted at P.Mattys my car has ran beautifully.I am planning a trip to mid France in September,so a few ?..Suggestions where to get breakdown cover? I am with the AA,anyone used them for cover abroad? Any ideas what spare bits to take,and tools to suit? Eurotunnel..does the car drive on as my modern car does,without ground clearance problems? All advice gratefully accepted on above issues and any further tips welcome.

Cheers

Ian.

[john.p.clegg]

Ian

I went sown to Scalea (200mls south of Naples.Italy) a few years ago and packed everything I thought I might need,spare alternator etc.etc....It turned out all I needed was a couple of cans of oil (it leaked quite badly then)...the problem I had was the suspension bottoming out with all the weight...
I think I extended my AA cover for Europe for three weeks for a nominal sum just for the peace of mind...

Just give your car a proper pre-MOT inspection a couple of weeks before you go

ENJOY

John

[steveww]

I have always taken out AA 5 star but never had to use it so far

[Gopherit]

I joined ADAC after reading this article

http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2004/j ... ourholiday

and finding good reviews on the TVR and Ducati OC sites. Haven't had to use it yet so cannot comment but apparently it also covers you in the UK (I THINK via a hookup with the AA). The price is good, they speak English and as the article says it's you and your partner, not the car, so very flexible.

[alaric]

Hi. I see that the article does point out the clause that the AA and RAC policies have, that they will not repatriate the car if the cost of repatriation is more than the value of the car. A tricky one if you've restored your car, and they tell you it's worth an average value of ?3k. Also, if you refuse to have your car repaired at the garage that they arrange for it to go to, you're on your own. Again, tricky if you don't want your pride and joy messed with by a non specialist, or if you disagree with their diagnosis.

When an old car of mine shorted out and attempted to go up in flames in France about 6 years ago, I was lied to by Green Flag. It was a very annoying experience which I won in the end - the car was repatriated as they'd promised me when I booked the policy.

One of Green Flag's fibs was that all the car hire depots were closed in the area, so I made enquiries myself and hired a car from about 2km away, and eventually got home by getting a one way hire from Hertz about 30km away via the internet.

I concluded then, that the easiest and surest solution with a car that matters to me, would be to find somewhere to leave the car near where the car breaks down, and then return to collect it myself with a trailer. This probably isn't such an issue if you haven't restored the car yourself - it's the hours that are hard to put a value on. This year I used the RAC, but was aware of all the clauses. They are usefull to get you to a hotel and off the side of the road. i didn't need them though

Needless to say when I eventually got my car back the wing mirrors were broken and there were scratches on the paintwork.

It may be worth finding out where the local garages are in the area that you are going to - they probably won't mind you leaving the car for you to collect if it's not repairable there and then.

I'd like to be able to say that I'm heading to mid France in Sept in my Elan, but i've not got it running yet. Maybe there's time...

Have a good time.

Sean.