Do Mayday carry pets??

I cannot understand why you did not contact Green Flag/Mayday as well about your issue as they contract to the breakdown company?

In our experience few recovery trucks will take pets in the cab. Nearly all recovery providers (Green Flag, RAC, AA etc....) use local recovery firms, dependent upon where you breakdown, and how far it is home. It can be particularly problematical, given that larger MHs may require a particular recovery vehicle due to actually getting the vehicle up onto the transporter bed due to the long overhang. We were transported home a long way and it was touch and go getting the MH up onto the transporter without scraping the rear end and our MH is only 5.5 metres. We had family collect me and dogs, they couldn't go in the cab, and having watched the MH bouncing about on top of the recovery vehicle, you would not want to leave them in the MH, trust me. If it isn't safe for you, it isn't safe for them.

Not sure if you have used the product you currently pay for, but we have, and find it far more efficient and helpful than joining other rescue providers. Cheaper long term as well, so although it is going up, still good value for money as far as we are concerned. It is a lottery as to whether or not the owners of the recovery service allow dogs, some do, some don't, joining one provider or another has made no difference in our experience. But contacting Mayday direct is your best option, and then get and keep a written copy of their answer!

But t's not really the cost issue that caused me to raise this. It's the specific change to the wording in the policy.

Previously the wording was pretty clear it was discretionary as to whether they would carry a pet. In the new policy booklet I received yesterday (presumably you have one now too) there are numerous changes, alterations and additions that are being made to the insurance products provided with a Nationwide Flex Plus account.

Specifically sections 2 have been altered to say that pets (other than assistance dogs) are not considered to be passengers and the important bit - the cost of recovering them following a breakdown in the UK or Europe must be met by the account holder. Paying for it aside How would you even begin to sort something like that if broken down in Europe. Thus the product no longer meets our needs and therefore I won't be paying for it as I need to pay for something I can make full use of.

If I were you and you still rely on this product I would carefully check all the alterations additions and exclusions and see if it still meets your needs.

Agree with you re Europe, not something that affects us at the moment. We have wonderful family backup should we need to get dogs home, and in the unlikely event that one of us had to stay overnight, we can find dog friendly accommodation for under £50 per night. No way would dogs travel in back of MH on back of recovery vehicle. 

I checked out Mayday cover online, no mention of whether or nor pets are covered in U.K, I am guessing it is same as other providers, as they all use local recovery firms up and down country, and it is the owners of these vehicles who set the rules. Some we have used take dogs, others don't, a lottery. There is a specific recovery service that does take dogs and other animals, set up by someone who had to have horses rescued and wasn't happy with service provided. Called Show Start, part of an equine and specialist vehicle recovery company. No idea on price though.

The Flex Plus deal also excludes vans and MHs over a certain size.

As I said further up the thread I spoke to May day and was told if a recovery driver refused to carry the dog then they would find an alternative company that would, though of course their t&c's don't actually say this, it would seem important to me therefore you make it clear you have a dog with you when you call them. This could avoid wasting time because they initially send someone averse to carrying a dog.

As to outfit size, indeed flex plus do have limits and our large twin axle 'van is within them, hence until now I have been happy with the cover. Not all recovery co's are as accomodating. 

One of my main points regarding highlighting this is to alert other pet carrying flex plus customers because if they don't check their new t&c's carefully they could find themselves in great difficulty at the roadside.

I have contacted Nationwide about this but got a typically 'corporate' type response. I will probably changing my bank now too.

 MJG - I am extremely grateful for you raising this issue.  Whilst I have Mayday cover (and also breakdown cover through my car insurance (NFU) and via VW whilst it is still in warranty), I never gave the fact that we always have our dog with us, a second thought.  I merely assumed that Meg (our Cockapoo) would be accommodated the same as us.  Your post has certainly made me aware of possible potential problems in the future.  Thank you for raising it.

I checked our motoring insurance, a fairly popular one and it says that recovering the dog/s would depend on the recovery driver. I think this issue has been raised before. Do any insurance companies now cover this eventualty?

Apparently the issue has arisen because of people with dog hair allergy.

I was rescued by the other club's service contracted out and the driver allowed the dogs in the cab.  As long as either the car or the caravan is on an even keel - and not hoisted at some mad angle I think my dogs would be happy to travel in "their vehicle". 

I made absolutely sure on all calls that I asked for rescue of Self, DOGS, Car and caravan to make sure there were no misunderstandings.  Overseas insurance with other club covers them too although fortunately I haven't had to try it out.