Breakdown cover

[HarryM1BYT]

Having fallen out with my current cover provider, due to their bumping the price up to almost double with no claims having been made, I'm looking for another, but one which covers a caravan.

Something also occurred, what would happen if either car or caravan were not broken down but accident damaged and needed recovery? Do breakdown policies usually include accident recovery or not?

Never having suffered either, what is the situation?

[boater]

Hi Harry

I am with Aotoaid as recommended on the Martin Lewis website. It is different to other companies in that if you have a breakdown you call their number and they send a rescue vehicle out to you but you have to pay the fee (cards accepted) and then reclaim the cost from Aotoaid.

Caravans are covered and you can specify where you wish to be taken. Onward costs and a nights hotel stay can be claimed. I have just renewed my policy and cost was just less than £40.

May not suit everyone to have to pay up front but I think it is great value as any number of cars are included and are not specified in the policy.

I have not had to make a claim so cannot vouch for how well it works but others on the Martin Lewis Site have and give good reviews.

May be worth checking out their website for full details.

Regards

Howard

[Weso]

Autoaid for me too have been with them for years, renewal just come through the post just £39 it covers me in any car and a wife at same address if I had one...., ps homestart too

[HarryM1BYT]

Not a problem paying up front, I'm more concerned with being stuck at the side of a dodgy road and having to ring round to find recovery.

[ZedTea]

Originally Posted by HarryM1BYT

Having fallen out with my current cover provider, due to their bumping the price up to almost double with no claims having been made, I'm looking for another, but one which covers a caravan.

Something also occurred, what would happen if either car or caravan were not broken down but accident damaged and needed recovery? Do breakdown policies usually include accident recovery or not?

Never having suffered either, what is the situation?

It is my understanding that ordinarily, your breakdown policy will specifically EXCLUDE recovery or assistance due to 'Accident'.

[planenut]

I too am with Autoaid and again, have been for several years.
It's okay for those who have the finance to pay for costs up front, however, understand this, if the car is fixed at the roadside, they will pay for that, if it's taken to a garage the financial assistance stops when you get there. Think carefully about where you "claim" it is fixed before claiming.
I do think it a very useful and economical system though.

[HarryM1BYT]

Originally Posted by planenut

I too am with Autoaid and again, have been for several years.
It's okay for those who have the finance to pay for costs up front, however, understand this, if the car is fixed at the roadside, they will pay for that, if it's taken to a garage the financial assistance stops when you get there. Think carefully about where you "claim" it is fixed before claiming.
I do think it a very useful and economical system though.

Well I have found one cheapy which covers accident recovery. I don't think any of them pay for repairs if taken to a garage.

I'm now wondering what would happen if we were sited with the caravan 250 miles from home, we were out in the car for the day and it broke down and we needed to be got back home for repairs. Would they expect us to abandon 4 or 5 K's worth of caravan and collect it later, even with caravan cover?

Its a minefield!

[kevrandle]

Originally Posted by HarryM1BYT

Well I have found one cheapy which covers accident recovery. I don't think any of them pay for repairs if taken to a garage.

I'm now wondering what would happen if we were sited with the caravan 250 miles from home, we were out in the car for the day and it broke down and we needed to be got back home for repairs. Would they expect us to abandon 4 or 5 K's worth of caravan and collect it later, even with caravan cover?

Its a minefield!

A few years ago I was in North Yorkshire on a caravan holiday and the clutch went on the car. I was with Green flag through the insurance company and they recovered the car and caravan to my home with no argument. They put the car on a low loader and towed the caravan with me and two friends in the cab. Toby the dog had to travel in the car, not happy. If it was the caravan that had broken they would not have recovered car or caravan.

[reworht]

It ain't cheap, and it's only available to Camping & Caravanning Club Members,, but RAC Arrival Cover is pretty comprehensive. They do cover Harry's hypothetical situation of the car breaking down away from the site - they will reunite you with your 'van before taking you wherever.

How Arrival breakdown cover benefits you if you have a caravan or trailer tent

Unique benefits for caravans, trailer tents and trailers include:

Caravan breakdown recovery on any UK campsite.
Cover for large units over 7.6 metres (25ft) in length or 2.3 metres (7 ft 6 in) in width^ .
If your caravan cannot be towed and requires recovery on a flatbed truck, RAC will recover it at no additional charge† .
‘Arrival Return’ so if you suffer a car or caravan breakdown on the way to a campsite and RAC can’t repair you at the roadside or at a local garage within a reasonable amount of time, they will take you, your car and caravan to the site and back home again†.
Follow on Recovery, so we can take your caravan to a second location of your choice (within a 75-mile radius)†.
A ‘Re-Unite’ service so if you are away from your campsite when your car breaks down, RAC will take you back to the site within a 75-mile radius to collect your caravan before getting you home†.
Optional European caravan breakdown cover with no supplements (for cars or caravans)
Personal breakdown cover, so you will be covered as a driver or passenger in any vehicle, whether you are towing or not.

[HarryM1BYT]

It would be great to be able to simply write your own policy and say there, quote me for that

I'm now looking at Gocompare's site and at Rescuemycar only £28.90, including caravan cover, but their site lacks any detailed policy information that I could see.