Red Pennant Recovery Experiences

The reason Arrival is cheaper is that it appears not to provide the personal cover provided under the RP policy.

If all you need is breakdown cover then that may be OK. but  others may need the comfort of full protection.

GTrimmer - You are, of course, correct.

But on the presumption that the OP is referring to motoring cover only then, by my calculations, C&CC Arrival plus added Euro cover is significantly cheaper than Mayday plus Red Pennant. Eurotraveller mentioned Eurobreakdown.com as well which appears to be another good value, caravan friendly, option.

I appreciate there are lots of variables involved, especially if you want to add on health cover. The benefit of these posts is that members can read of other options, check the small print, and then make an informed choice. 

Hope you all have trouble free trips this year. 

For 6 of the 8 last years I have been fortunate enough to have European cover, including caravan attached, provided by new car manufacturer cover. I have never in this period or prior to it ever dreamed about NOT taking out Red Pennant with medical cover. 

In 2015 I was on the receiving end of exactly why you take this specialist cover out. We were staying in a fairly remote forested area in the Dordogne and after a two week stay left the site early on a Sunday morning for our campsite in the Loire area. 

100 yards out of the campsite the drivers side wheel [recipient of a new bearing 3 months earlier] was making a very nasty noise. I pulled over, crawled underneath and checked linkages which were all fine. I suspected shoes binding or the bearing had come out of it's seating. Thinking back the wheel had been a bit warm on arrival 2 weeks earlier after a near 600 mile drive.  

I called Red Pennant and was put through to a recovery mechanic within minutes. I later found out it was the parent of a sixth form student I taught, small world. He advised the checks I had made already and and agreed my suggestions sounded likely. Back to the Red Pennant receptionist and I was re-booked back into a very busy site on a pitch near reception to aid recovery if needed. I had not booked this site through the C&MC.

I was informed that as it was a Sunday then I would not see a mechanic until the Monday. About 2 hours later, to my surprise and relief, campsite reception informed me help was on it's way. The contractor who serviced the campsite owners vehicles had been contacted and was on his way. A very clean and shiny pick up truck arrived and two mechanics. The campsite receptionist acted as interpreter, the van was jacked up, wheel off, brake drum cleaned out and wheel bearing "re-seated" with my big copper Thor hammer.

One hour later we were on our way again. Red Pennant were called and they contacted our next campsite [not booked through C&MC] to explain our situation and await our late arrival.

The service was excellent. I cannot complain

For this summer 30 days is going to cost us £170, no small amount but big piece of mind. Now retired I've also worked out if we do a late summer one year followed by an early one the next we can do a 30 day multi trip that spans the two years and gives better value at £310.

Colin