European Breakdown Cover Repatriation.
 

We're planning to travel over to France later this year in the Tourer and want to make sure we've got decent breakdown cover (just in case....;)) with full vehicle repatriation, should something major fail unexpectedly.

However, it seems that all the policies I can find limit the repatriation amount to just the market value of the car. Now, I'd guess that an eighteen year old 75 diesel with 170k will obviously have a relatively small value on their books.

Have any members been able to find a single trip policy which either doesn't have this clause, or one which at least sets a sensible amount to get the car back home ? I'm happy to take a few basic spares with us, which I can fit myself, but my concern would be something like an ECU, immobiliser or clutch failure, which would be very difficult to sort with my limited French and garages that don't know our cars.

The Tourer has had a huge amount of work done to it over the last few years, so I'm not keen to see it left behind for the sake of a specialised repair or unobtainable part (which I've probably got in my shed....:D)

Any suggestions for policies or another course of action are welcome, thank you in advance :}

It's a bit worse than that - they limit the repatriation costs to the value of the car with the fault that has prevented it from driving back under its own steam. :getmecoat:
Years ago the RAC covered all repatriation costs to get the car back despite it's value but not sure if they still do.

Thanks for that Mike, from a few conversations I've had, you're completely correct.

However, after a great deal of internet searching, trawling through comparison sites and making phone calls, I think I've finally found a suitable European breakdown policy :}

It's Adrian Flux's own breakdown cover, called 'Flux Rescue'. Only available as an annual policy, it's £99 for 12 months cover and pays out up to £3500 in any one year. No limit on the age or mileage of the car (however, I've declared both to avoid any problems later ;)) and provides covers for both the UK and Europe, on the basis that the policy covers a specific vehicle, rather than personal cover for an individual. The insurance is provided by 'Trinity'.

But most importantly, any repatriation of the car is not linked to it's current market value or broken condition - just the maximum policy payout value of £3500. I also received confirmation that should the total costs of shipping the car back come to more than that, I can top up the difference to ensure it comes home.

Obviously, it would be up to any member to ensure it provides the cover they need, but it certainly looks ok, having studied all the small-print in detail. Hopefully we won't need to use it, but the proof of the pudding.....:D

I eventually spoke to a very helpful chap at Adrian Flux's, called Harry Cunliffe and really can't fault his service - doing everything he promised to do on each occasion and answering all my many questions ! :}

Adrian Flux seem bit of a Marmite insurer.
I've heard horror stories, but also stories of praise.