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Topic: European Breakdown Cover

DaniB141

31/7/2022 at 7:10pm
Location: Essex
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Hi All

Any recommendations for European breakdown cover?

Nearly every insurer I've looked at has a limit to the caravan length of 7 metres, and we are 7.9m!

The only one I can find that will cover longer than 7m is Red Pennant through the Caravan and Motorhome club, but their Defaqto rating is pretty poor at 3*!!

Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!

Rob and Tina

via mobile 31/7/2022 at 10:45pm
Location: Royal Forest of Dean
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Is that 7m body length or 7m shipping length? The max length of a caravan is 7m but that doesn't include the drawbar so a 7m body length would have a shipping length of over 8m. I would check with the various companies and ask them to confirm what they mean.

Rob

atkinbrown

09/8/2022 at 5:06pm
Location: Durham
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We always use Red Pennant and although we have never had to claim(touch wood) we think it is pretty good value for money. Also we have never read any bad reviews about them.

morepints

09/8/2022 at 6:28pm
Location: Dartford Kent
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I’ m with NFU for car insurance, who don’t restrict for length: “Cover is only provided for touring caravans being towed where the length and width are legally acceptable in the UK”

For additional cover, including repatriation etc. I’m with RAC Arrival (CC&C), again no restriction: “ We don’t have restrictions for size or weight • There are some restrictions on the size or weight of vehicle or caravan”

Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!

Paul and Nikki

via mobile 09/8/2022 at 7:33pm
Location: Stoke on Trent
Outfit: Bailey Pegasus Modena 2016

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As has been posted many times before, it all depends what cover you want, we have used Red Pennant for the last two years as they offer complete peace of mind.

Once you factor in the health insurance AND breakdown cover, it’s pretty competitive, the breakdown cover itself is also much better for a caravan than many other companies do, they actually cover the caravan and not just when it’s attached to the car.

Think it was around £155 for two weeks in France last month with three of us travelling - it ultimately depends on how much you want to pay and what cover you need though

Paul and Nikki

via mobile 09/8/2022 at 7:35pm
Location: Stoke on Trent
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Quote: Originally posted by morepints on 09/8/2022
I’ m with NFU for car insurance, who don’t restrict for length: “Cover is only provided for touring caravans being towed where the length and width are legally acceptable in the UK”

For additional cover, including repatriation etc. I’m with RAC Arrival (CC&C), again no restriction: “ We don’t have restrictions for size or weight • There are some restrictions on the size or weight of vehicle or caravan”

Mind me asking how much the yearly payment is for arrival cover?

Was considering joining the C&CC but wanted to know how much arrival cover was. - think it was about £250 direct from the RAC

morepints

09/8/2022 at 9:36pm
Location: Dartford Kent
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Mind me asking how much the yearly payment is for arrival cover?

Was considering joining the C&CC but wanted to know how much arrival cover was. - think it was about £250 direct from the RAC

It was £234,up from £190 last year, for annual cover, including home start. Arrival is a CC&C ‘product’ which you buy from the RAC, but they ask you for your membership number.

Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!

Di+Glyn_W

17/8/2022 at 5:20pm
Location: Ashford Kent
Outfit: BMW X4. No van :-(

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Have always used Red Pennant; there are no 'ifs', 'buts' and 'maybes'.

Brakes went on our van coming back up from the Ardeche a few years back; Red Pennant were superb.

Helped make arrangements for our van to be stored locally pending recovery; rearranged our ferry back to the UK, and finally got our van recovered to our dealer for repairs. Brilliant. Interpreter on the end of a phone when required, and a mechanic to talk to to describe what happened so they could decide on the best course of action.

No question from me; RP saved us a fortune that year with the recovery etc so it's RP every year.

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Glyn W.

What if the Hokey Cokey really is what it's all about....?

keithcabi

21/8/2022 at 8:40pm
Location: Hull
Outfit: Challenger 570

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Unfortunately, over the years I have had to use Red Pennant and CCC for breakdowns. Red Pennant were extremely helpful and efficient, I tried CCC one year and had cause to claim on their policy, their efficiency and communication was appalling. Never again.
So there you go
Keith

JoannaLesley

22/8/2022 at 8:57am
Location: South Northamptonshi
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We always take out Red Pennant breakdown cover. This year we needed them to sort out a shredded tyre when we couldn't shift the wheel nuts or move the spare wheel carrier. In the past we have had them bring us out a replacement tow car and take ours back to a location of our choice on a low loader - both times when the problem couldn't be sorted quickly and easily while we were away. They are so helpful that we wouldn't take our van abroad without them.

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Freedom is a light caravan and an open road.

664DaveS

via mobile 22/8/2022 at 9:50am
Location: Shropshire
Outfit: Bailey Phoenix GT 75

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Another vote for Red Pennant.

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DS-There's more to life than football!!!

Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!

monkeyface

via mobile 23/8/2022 at 7:09pm
Location: N W Leicestershire
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We have always had Red Pennant used them for the first time last night. Fantastic service plus 2 follow up calls to make sure everything was okay. Never heard a bad word about them.

les + june

24/8/2022 at 6:39am
Location: rugby
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We use Red Pennant. Luckily never had to use them abroad I know people who have had to use them and have had nothing but praise for them. The only time I have had to use breakdown, I was with the RAC. We had a tyre blow off on the A10 just south of Poitier. I rang the RAC and they said they didn’t cover the repairs to the Caravan. I had a few strong words with them but waited till we got home to have a go at them. I asked them why they sold me insurance that did not cover what I required despite me asking a few times if the caravan was covered. They said the caravan was covered on sites but not when being towed. I ended up getting a full refund and have since steered well clear of them.
So red pennant get my vote all the time.

Les

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The worst day fishing is better than the best day working

Netherton

24/8/2022 at 9:51am
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Those who are lucky enough to have a new car will already have breakdown cover for Europe as well as UK - but only for the car. In that case they can take out annual breakdown cover just for the caravan - by paying a premium of £60 a year to the Safeguard company - but that has to be on top of normal annual caravan insurance also with them.

And owners of camper vans can take out a combined package of annual insurance and annual breakdown recovery with a whole range of insurance companies .

Post last edited on 24/08/2022 09:57:57

jaiash

28/8/2022 at 1:21pm
Location: nr Derby
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Red Pennant is the best! Speaking from experience on our latest trip... the service was prompt, polite and efficient. We were were kept informed about the process and help was arranged quickly but unfortunately nothing local could be done in a timely way so upshot was we continued ur holiday having been assured the car was safe BUT not able to tow the caravan as a fixing bolt on the tow bar had sheared off. Had a call this morning to check we had arrived home safely and to say the caravan would be delivered back to us next week.

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Grahame

Monty15

29/8/2022 at 12:25pm
Location: London
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Keep hearing bad things from friends about RAC and their refusal to recover/rescue in UK with all sorts of excuses, on 3 separate occasions they've left lone women friends stranded, so that alone appals me! Latest excuse was they don't attend tyre sidewall damage (damaged running a bit too long after rapid deflation puncture!), only 'punctures' - WTF! Hubby had to come out and change the wheel for her! Formal complaints are seemingly NEVER upheld, they just see nothing wrong in their actions/attitude!

I wouldn't trust them in UK with a solo car, let alone a car-caravan combo abroad!

Never used them, so can't personally vouch for them, but hear nothing but good about Red Pennant from those that have had cause to use them in anger.

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