C&CC Arrival Overseas Option

Wherenext --Thanks. My main concern with these type of bank account policies is what happens if you break down whilst on holiday, but away from the caravan. This is what happened to me (although the car was drivable in limp mode). I may be completely wrong, but as far as I understand it with these type of policies the recovery service are under no obligation to take you back to the caravan, and recover it back to the UK. Some people may think I'm overthinking this, but to me that would cause an awful lot of hassle. If this is not the case I am happy to be corrected. 

As I also mentioned, I do prefer a policy which permits you to continue with your holiday, with either a replacement car or alternative accommodation. I really wouldn't want to return home early. Again, I'm not too sure if the bank account policies permit this. 

Fozzie - I'm not a member of the C&CC (yet) so haven't been able to check all the details, but the overseas cover is just a standard add on to the regular Arrival breakdown cover. I don't need health cover, and this year have booked direct with the ferry company. I found the Caravan Clubs ferry prices were way too expensive. 

I'm insured with LV and have the overseas cover with Brittania (discounted if you are a Boundless member). Every year, before we leave for Europe, I always discuss the caravan cover with LV/Brittania. I was told that providing the caravan was hitched to the car at the time of breakdown or accident, both would be recovered to a local garage. From there onwards, removing the caravan and taking it to a campsite would be up to the discretion of the garage management, and I suspect, no doubt would incur a charge.

On my car policy, I seem to remember that there is an extra premium if you need a replacement car whilst your own is being repaired. I would think that is the same for when you are abroad.

As always, I will phone LV/Brittania Rescue prior to the renewal to check on my level of cover for when travelling abroad. We also tour abroad for more than 31 days at a time, so need extended cover.

Thank you HT11. I have had a look at Brittania Rescue's overseas cover. It all seems good, apart from what happens if you breakdown away from the caravan. I think that could cause enormous problems. It would be interesting to hear what Brittania Rescue say they would do in that situation.

As far as I am aware, the only policies that guarantee to reunite your car with your caravan in the event of a breakdown are Red Pennant, Arrival, and Safeguard (but only if you are insured with them). If anybody knows of other policies that will reunite please do let me know.

Thanks

Seems to me that if I break down away from the caravan and the car is towed to a garage I have all sorts of options to get back to the caravan. The garage or the breakdown man might take me (for cash), or there might be a hire car, or a local taxi, Money always talks - and it can be claimed afterwards on the insurance.

Thank you eurotraveller. We definitely have differing requirements when it comes to breakdown policies. But if your system works for you then that is great. Interesting that you say you can claim back additional costs from your insurance. Do you mean your travel insurance?

You mentioned Eurobreakdown.com in an earlier post. It looks as if it could be a good policy in terms of covering a caravan. Have you ever used them?

No, I haven’t personally  used that company, Sorry

Just renewed our Arrival cover including the European option for £266.98, the best bit is they cover a trip up to 350 days, most I think only cover a 90 day trip. 

Ours this coming year is 141 days so suits us just fine, going to Romania and Bulgaria to help avoid 90 day Schengen rule problems.

Thank you Sanchas. That's definitely one of the benefits of Arrival over Red Pennant. Very useful to me as my trip this year may edge over 31 days. 

You're away for 141 days? That's fantastic. I'm envious. Enjoy your trip. 

Red Pennant will cover trips longer than 31days. Single trip can be extended to several weeks I think. Long stay can be up to 365 days.

We have used Arrival for several years but only had to make use of it once when the electric handbrake on the LandRover siezed-up while we were out for the day in SW France. A call to the RAC office in Lyons was all it took to get things moving. The car was recovered and taken for repair, the following day a taxi arrived to take us to the car rental agency to pick-up a hire car which we had for about 5 days while the car was repaired. When the car was ready the taxi re-appeared to take us to the garage to collect it. All-in-all a fairly painless operatiion (apart from the cost of the repairs to the LR!).