European Breakdown Cover

What European Breakdown Cover is avalable to Southern Ireland Motorhomers? What are the pro's and con's of each? Did anyone have to use any? and how did you get on? For peace of mind I need cover that will repatriat motorhome if it cannot be driven home.

I see your from Tipp so I'm wondering if you are with Dolmen insurance. They will get a mechanic to you and if he can't repair the problem ........will arrange to have you towed to a garage. If you break down on a motorway in France , the police organise your tow/ lift from the motorway. There is no repatriation of your van. These are the basics , hope it helps.

I am with Britannia which I got through the csma, I don't think you need to be a member to get it, it is uk based and will repatriate so not sure of how or if it would work for our southern brethren. I have heard nothing but good reports about ADAC, the only thing is they are asked in Germany but a lot of uk Motorhomers use them and are supposed to be reasonable for charges.

Chausson yes I know the Caravan Club have centres in Southern Ireland ie Muster and southern Centres etc. ill see if I can get you the number tomorrow and put it on here.

I finally bit the bullet and bought ADAC partner plus breakdown cover @ E98.70/ yr. today. it appears to be a fairly comprehensive cover, Hopefully I will not need to use it, but it is reassuring to have it. http://www.walsh-adac.com/plusterms.pdf

It's always better to have it and not needed than need it and not have it. I have only ever used breakdown cover once and it was for the wife's 4wd, it was parked at Dublin airport and the lights had been left on, long story short we were taken home on the back of a breakdown truck from Dublin to Moira and it was no charge. I hate to think how much that would have cost me without the cover.

I upgraded my Insurance policy from The Camping and Caravanning Club to include European Breakdown to cover trips over the border. In January whilst in Dublin I had a problem with the van on a Saturday evening and had to call for assistance. I used the numbers given as part of my policy document (breakdown cover provided by Equity Redstar). They had no record of my details and according to them I wasn't covered leaving me, my wife, two children and dog stranded. After numerous phone calls to their UK office and France on my mobile (mobile calls cost me over £10) and eventually getting to speak to a manager, they decided to recover me in "good faith" - in other words I would have to pay if it turned out that I had no cover. I explained that the van would fit on a low loader etc however at 8am the next morning we were recovered by a monster breakdown truck. The driver informed me that they only use it once or twice a year as it costs 750Euros an hour to run. My van was like a trailer on the back. Two and a half hours later we were home (this thing cruised all the way back at 70mphr). Once the recovery got underway Equity were brilliant, continuous calls and updates - they even checked to see that we made it home in once piece. The stress and incovenience they put me under was horrendous (I was barely able to speak on the way home as I was worried in case they would try bill me anyway i.e. 750Euros x 5hour trip + 1 hour round trip from depot plus admin fees and tolls). In the end I was told by the Camping and Caravanning Club to contact equity Red Star directly to complain (passed the buck) and after much chasing 2 months later I received a cheque for £50. Worthwhile ringing your breakdown provider and checking that they have all of your details etc just in case you ever need to call for assistance !

We are the same John
We now get something with repatriation.

Oh!!!
I was thinking of changing to ADAC this year when mine expired.
It was only because so many on here suggested it.

Pity.

I get my current policy from http://www.europeanbreakdowncover.com

Do you have anyone who could provide you with an address in the north as it may help in that in the event of repatriation you could get to their address which at least on the same island.