European Breakdown cover

B

Baza

Active member
 Oxfordshire
I'm Planning a trip to the south of France and beyond. Thinking about some breakdown cover, just in case I get a puncture in my non RFT's which I can't fix at the roadside , and who knows anything else. Anyone got any recommendations or otherwise ,any first hand experience good or bad . I am looking for alternatives to BMW cover. would welcome your input
 
It comes free with my bank account, have you checked yours?
 
have you got a BMW warranty? If you took out a BMW extended warranty fully comp with no excess it comes with European breakdown cover.
 
panthro said:
have you got a BMW warranty? If you took out a BMW extended warranty fully comp with no excess it comes with European breakdown cover.
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That's what I rely on - I don't think that they will repair a runflat tho!
 
I've used Green Flag and AA in the past - approx £75 for 2 weeks in France in the Z3
Not cheap in overall terms but peace of mind and a lot cheaper than repair, recovery and repatriation costs without it!
 
Thanks for the comments. Yes I do have cover through my Bank account.And as I said I do not want BMW cover. What I would like to have info on, is if anyone has had the need to call on there European breakdown cover and if so which one, and how did they perform. On paper they all promise good service but actual experience can differ.
 
BMW number does not work in Europe, you get no response from that. That is the only experience I have.
 
Baza said:
Thanks for the comments. Yes I do have cover through my Bank account.And as I said I do not want BMW cover. What I would like to have info on, is if anyone has had the need to call on there European breakdown cover and if so which one, and how did they perform. On paper they all promise good service but actual experience can differ.
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I have been a member of CSMA for many years now and have used their Britannia Rescue Service in Europe.
The service was A1 when I had a breakdown on the Splugen pass (Swiss side) I phoned the number and a fella was there in 1.5 hrs, he fixed the problem and phoned ahead to my destination to say that we had been delayed.
Fortunately only had to use them once and although the zed is covered on the warranty I still have my Disco 3 on the Britannia Euro Cover.

The on paper promise was matched by the service. :thumbsup:
 
Baza said:
.... On paper they all promise good service but actual experience can differ.
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I think you will find that the service will only be as good (or bad) as the guy that actually turns up if you are in trouble. Even the best providers will have some staff better than others and vice versa.
Most of these companies operate on a franchise with individual garages linking together to give national / international coverage.
Why not take the optimistic view, assume you are not going to breakdown but buy one of the cheaper insurance policies for peace of mind?
 
Baza said:
Thanks for the comments. Yes I do have cover through my Bank account.And as I said I do not want BMW cover. What I would like to have info on, is if anyone has had the need to call on there European breakdown cover and if so which one, and how did they perform. On paper they all promise good service but actual experience can differ.
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Twice now I have used breakdown cover through my bank account whilst in France / both times operated through Greenflag & have to say both times was excellent service / each time required lowloader to garage & hotel + hire car whilst car was gone
Also offered to have the car returned to UK for repair if that,s your preference / until they explained the process can take up to 6 weeks :cry:
 
I broke down in Obergrul in Austria miles from no where, called AA was with me in 45 mins and on my way again in a hire car within 3hrs. My car was delivered to me 3weeks later. A1 service and you can use your mobile to contact them!!
 
Thanks guys just the info I was looking for. Seem's you all have positive results. And yes I agree it can depend on the mechanic who turns up. But it seem's whichever service the wait time was acceptable. And the results positive. Will check out the cover within my bank account think its green flag.

Thanks again
 
Thinking about this a bit more, the service provider in (eg) France may well be the same irrespective from whom you purchase the cover on the UK.
But you're not going to break down anyway.
 
Titan said:
Thinking about this a bit more, the service provider in (eg) France may well be the same irrespective from whom you purchase the cover on the UK.
But you're not going to break down anyway.
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I would agree / & from my own experience the guy sent out with towtruck does nothing in regard repairs , purely there to pick up & take to designated garage
I have never in 15 years motoring in France seen an equivalent of our RAC/AA/Greenflag patrol,s who do at least attempt to get you on your way
 
It's when the fella in the breakdown truck arrives that the fun can start!
Sometimes there can be a language barrier - School Euro languages don't normally cover tech stuff!
 
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