European breakdown cover

V-Rider · Post by **V-Rider** » Thu Sep 07, 2017 2:35 pm

Hi all,

Sure this has been covered in the past however given this new forum layout I'm struggling with searching for previous topics.

I have a trip in 10 days to go into France, Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium. Question is, what company do people use for breakdown cover abroad? Ideally including repatriation for myself / bike if it all goes horribly wrong!

Saw this one - www.vehicle-rescue.com - but not sure if its decent or if anyone else has used it?

biker · Post by **biker** » Thu Sep 07, 2017 2:47 pm

Hi V Rider,
check with your insurance company a lot of them do it as an add on (avoid Carol Nash). as its only for 10 days there shouldn't be a problem. Bennett do 90 days but most it up to 30, got around this by insuring one of my bikes with a Spanish broker, no time limit and breakdown included and it covers me from North Africa to Iran and Russia including EU and most other european countries.
Regards,
Jim

CN would only cover me for 30 days but I wouldn't use them for different reasons.

nethen1 · Post by **nethen1** » Thu Sep 07, 2017 5:15 pm

I have secured a discount code for start rescue. 10%

BBS10

They're a great eu breakdown service and paid out without quibble and within 7 days !!

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AustinW · Post by **AustinW** » Thu Sep 07, 2017 7:47 pm

Make sure you read and understand the T&Cs. Some/many European breakdown services won't routinely repatriate the bike. They will take it to the nearest most suitable repair place where they expect you to stump up for a breakdown or claim on your insurance for crash damage.

sprintster · Post by **sprintster** » Thu Sep 07, 2017 7:59 pm

I used Qdos last year.They were very efficient when I came off my bike and snapped my clutch lever.I was taken to a bike shop to get a new lever but I then missed my ferry home.I was put up in a nice hotel for the night and then they paid the extra to get the next days ferry.I had to pay for the ferry myself but the claim form to recoup it was sitting on my doormat by the time I got home and was refunded within a week.I don't know about repatriation you would have to check that.

fraserdog · Post by **fraserdog** » Fri Sep 08, 2017 7:21 am

I've used the RAC for my last 2 trips,the policy looked pretty comprehensive to me,i can't comment on the service as thankfully i have never had to call them,it was more expensive on my first trip as my Africa Twin is over 15 years old but it was cheaper for my XT1200.

Peirre · Post by **Peirre** » Fri Sep 08, 2017 10:54 am

I just had one of those sale encounters in the supermarket with an AA man.
When asked, I mentioned that I had some breakdown cover already, slightly cocky he said I bet it's not as good as ours. So (without mentioning the name) I said that mine was with a German company, and should I need help in the UK apparently the AA turn up, then the penny dropped when he realised who the "German company" was.

Redsoul · Post by **Redsoul** » Thu Sep 14, 2017 1:01 pm

biker wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2017 2:47 pm Hi V Rider,
check with your insurance company a lot of them do it as an add on (avoid Carol Nash). as its only for 10 days there shouldn't be a problem. Bennett do 90 days but most it up to 30, got around this by insuring one of my bikes with a Spanish broker, no time limit and breakdown included and it covers me from North Africa to Iran and Russia including EU and most other european countries.
Regards,
Jim

Not sure where you got the info about Carol Nash as I just looked at its policy online and says upto 91 days in one trip abroad.
Hopefully this is right otherwise I have had no breakdown cover on my last two trips abroad this year

.

dibbs · Post by **dibbs** » Thu Sep 14, 2017 1:24 pm

Ive got one of Nationwide's paid bank accounts (flexplus) and a couple of the benefits that made me get it was no fees on foreign purchases using the credit card! and also free worldwide travel insurance! and EU breakdown cover. But im not sure which company they use as it depends on which country you break down in and also i will have to check and see if they will repatriate the bike as well!

Just rang them and they said yes as long as the value of the vehicle is greater than the repatriation costs they will bring you both back to the UK if the bike cant be fixed! so all sounds good to me. So just make sure you have an expensive bike lol.....

PaulinBont · Post by **PaulinBont** » Thu Sep 14, 2017 2:23 pm

Had to use CN European Breakdown in the summer. Can't fault them; called out a local recovery mechanic who took my bike to a local garage for safe keeping, CN put me up in a hotel, booked me a flight home and arranged taxis at either end, the bike came back in a van pretty soon after me. 10/10 for service.