28 replies to this topic

[Carlos W]

Look at buying through Topcashback!

I got 50 quid back on my policy

[mab01uk]

AutoExpress Top 12 Breakdown Cover:-

http://www.autoexpre...breakdown-cover

 

I'm with No.2 on the list:

LV - Britannia Rescue

http://www.lv.com/breakdown-cover

Edited by mab01uk, 05 January 2014 - 11:03 PM.

[mab01uk]

On European Breakdown Cover note that most companies like the RAC and even many specialist companies like 'Footman James Classic' will only pay out for transport costs 'up to the value of the car'. So they would not repatriate a low value car or classic vehicle back to the UK only to the nearest local garage.

 

Car Mechanics magazine found this out recently while on a European Banger Rally and said:

"Strange that. Imagine two guys, one with a £20,000 car and one with a £300 car. They both pay the same breakdown recovery premium but one will be recovered home and the other won't" !

Edited by mab01uk, 05 January 2014 - 11:12 PM.

[MaxAndPaddy]

On European Breakdown Cover note that most companies like the RAC and even many specialist companies like 'Footman James Classic' will only pay out for transport costs 'up to the value of the car'. So they would not repatriate a low value car or classic vehicle back to the UK only to the nearest local garage.

 

Car Mechanics magazine found this out recently while on a European Banger Rally and said:

"Strange that. Imagine two guys, one with a £20,000 car and one with a £300 car. They both pay the same breakdown recovery premium but one will be recovered home and the other won't" !

 

I hope the guy with the 20K car gets to come home first class then, somehow I doubt it. Never heard that one before, what a con

[brad-the-bear]

i can only get cover from the AA.

RAC and green flag are saying my car is too old!! it's only 22!

[Cooperman]

I'm with the RAC and it covers myself & my wife for whatever car we are driving, not only our road cars, but the Minis as well.

We are also insured with the RAC as well except for the classic Minis which are with Adrian Flux.

Presumably if you only have a classic car for daily use the likelihood of making a claim is seen to be increased so either a recovery company will be less interested. I know I have to list our 'main' cars, even though we are covered for any car anywhere.

Edited by Cooperman, 05 January 2014 - 11:48 PM.

[grumpy dad]

what year is the car ?

do my daughter age 21 for 600 a year on a classic

she racked up 7000 miles last year

it has free breakdown

 

Cooperman

you are like me over that magic age 25 I think

were insurance is not a problem  

[Cooperman]

Insurers love me as I'm over 70, have almost 30 years NCB (last claim was in 1985 for a broken window and stolen radio. Last (only) fault accident was in 1973.

Clean licence since 1990.

My wife has a similar clean driving record. So we are able to insure two very quick road cars at very low premiums.

We have had roadside & recovery insurance with RAC for over 10 years and have only used them once, when I had a clutch failure on a rally in my Rover 214Si and they brought me home very efficiently.

[Tanya]

We use the RAC, the all singing and dancing policy (but without European cover) which I buy with my Tesco's points.  We also have cover through Peter James as part of our insurance which also covers European cover.  

 

We've been with the RAC for 10+ years, have used them numerous times (we do look after our cars believe it or not!) and find the RAC so so.  It doesn't help that if you need recovery and your Mini has 10" wheels that you have to wait for a flatbed, but I guess that's the same with all breakdown companies.  Sometimes the RAC have been super quick (15 minutes), other times painfully slow (2.5 hours).  I nearly always find the patrolmen helpful, reasonably knowledgeable and very pleased to see a classic!   

 

For the European breakdown, I did check with Peter James (although I should check again when I renew as things change) about recovery from Europe to home, as we take our classics abroad fairly regularly.  They hold me that the value of the car wasn't relevant for their policy, and the car would be recovered home regardless of value (important for my Maestros and Montego!).  

 

However, when my husband goes to the IMMs with our Mini Club, they take a load of spares and most members are either mechanics or are very knowledgeable, so unless it's truly dire, they fix the Minis as they go along.  In fact, the breakdowns seem to be the highlight of the trips!  

[Chris Jones]

Some good advice from people. Just looked on my banks website, HSBC Advance bank account, £13 a month with full personal breakdown cover, worldwide holiday insurance and 24/7 identity theft support. Will pop in friday I think and sign myself up!

[patto]

I've had RAC for four years now and they have been fine. Ive only used them three times which I think is pretty good going considering its my daily. First was a collapsed clutch mechanism took about 2 hour to arrive and just towed it home. Second was I snapped a wheel clean off breaking for a speed bump :-D took about 4 hours to come but that was about 2 in the morning. the third time was a blown head gasket and only took about 40mins. My dad gets a family plan and I just pay the extra so it only costs me about £25 a year

Really i only ever bother calling them if i know I can't fix it at the side of the road, I'd never expect them to be able to fix it or have any spares that I don't carry myself

Edited by patto, 06 January 2014 - 11:10 PM.

[greenwheels]

On European Breakdown Cover note that most companies like the RAC and even many specialist companies like 'Footman James Classic' will only pay out for transport costs 'up to the value of the car'. So they would not repatriate a low value car or classic vehicle back to the UK only to the nearest local garage.

Not true - We always ask what if our classic Mini is smashed beyond recognition when abroad will you still bring it home to our driveway and they always say yes they will.

[mab01uk]

 

On European Breakdown Cover note that most companies like the RAC and even many specialist companies like 'Footman James Classic' will only pay out for transport costs 'up to the value of the car'. So they would not repatriate a low value car or classic vehicle back to the UK only to the nearest local garage.

Not true - We always ask what if our classic Mini is smashed beyond recognition when abroad will you still bring it home to our driveway and they always say yes they will.

 

 

The quote was from and published by the Car Mechanics magazine team on a recent European banger rally and is what happened to them after a breakdown and confirmed in the small print of their policy......if you have different terms confirmed in writing thats good (telephone sales people and verbal promises can't always be trusted)  but I would still advise owners to have confirmed in writing what recovery terms they have signed up to if their Mini is considered a fairly low value model by the breakdown company.

Edited by mab01uk, 07 January 2014 - 12:15 AM.

[Carlos W]

Insurers love me as I'm over 70, have almost 30 years NCB (last claim was in 1985 for a broken window and stolen radio. Last (only) fault accident was in 1973.
Clean licence since 1990.
My wife has a similar clean driving record. So we are able to insure two very quick road cars at very low premiums.
We have had roadside & recovery insurance with RAC for over 10 years and have only used them once, when I had a clutch failure on a rally in my Rover 214Si and they brought me home very efficiently.

Don't worry Peter, it'll soon start climbing again!

My grandad is 98 this month, he's never taken a test and drives about 1000 miles a year! He's paying phenomenal money for insurance to the point he could get a taxi for a lot less! I don't think he's ever had points and his last fault claim was about 25 years ago!