On a recent return journey from a skiing holiday, colleague & partner broke down whilst on the autoroute. They had breakdown cover with AA, and BMW (manufacturer's cover) but neither covered them on the autoroute: They had to pay 150 Euros (cash, of course) to be towed off the autoroute to a point where their own breakdown insurers could assist. Having driven through France regularly for the last 20 something years, there's something I didn't know... sounds like I need to carry a breakdown fund of 150 notes!
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On a recent return journey from a skiing holiday colleague & partner broke down whilst on the autoroute. They had breakdown cover with AA and BMW (manufacturer's cover) but neither covered them on the autoroute
Are ytou saying that it is a documented exclusion in the policy, or did they only tell your colleague when he rang them for assistance? If the latter, I don't see how they could wriggle out of it if it's not in the policy wording.
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but why do they exclude the Autoroute? (which im assuming is the equivilent to our motorway) seems a little odd to me its like a breakdown service saying we cant come and help you becasue your on the a1
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They are private roads with closed agreements for breakdown recovery.
When I broke down in France, I was advised that I would have to get towed to the nearest exit where the AA could meet me. As the AA cover was under warranty, the manufacturer would refund the cost of that tow afterwards. As the car was still driveable, I chose not to test that out..
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This sounds typically French. Charge you extra to use their auturoute and then exclude your recovery service from coming on it to rescue you if you breakdown. Does a similar exclusion exist on the M6 toll?
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How interesting. Here are the fees:
www.autoroutes.fr/en/service-information/breakdown...l
More interestingly, there is a thread on another motoring forum devoted to pistons, that refers to the AA/RAC refunding people this sum.
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Just so Mapmaker! I have just rung the people who handle my breakdown service (Britannia Rescue) and they claimed hat they could get onto an autoroute to collect a broken down vehicle. I told them that my information was that there was a private and exclusive contract for this service and only this contractor could do the biz. They replied that if that was the case one would be refunded the fee one had to pay to get taken to the nearest exit or pick-up point
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It also happens on UK motorways if your breakdown outfit can't shift your vehicle fast enough. ISTR officialdom can organise their contractors to remove your vehicle if is considered an obstruction.
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Yes, I believe colleague will have money refunded, but the need to have 150 euros in cash at 22:00 on a cold Sunday night surprised them. I know I should have been aware of this, but having managed not to be for that length of time, I do wonder how many people with AA five star (or similar) think that they are covered for every eventuality....
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When one reads of people in French ski resorts lying on the piste with a broken leg requiring 500 euros in cash before anybody will look at them... no surprise really. Tales of skiing partners being sent down the mountain to a cashpoint.
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What - even with an EHIC card allowing for free treatment within the EU, subject to some limits of course.
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I never realised this either.
I can't say I've read all the terms and conditions of the breakdown cover I take out for Europe (usually just get it together with the Eurotunnel booking), I'd just assume I was covered and I probably wouldn't have 150euros with me to get moved.
I'll make sure I have the money with me when I'm over for the 'just in case'
Chris.
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We have bought single trip cover from InsureandGo who badge cover from Europ Assistance.
I asked them specifically if this situation is covered - they said yes. They deal with the particular French Recovery firm for the Autoroute concerned, takeover once the vehicle is towed of the autoroute and also they said no cash upfront.
The policy wording I was referred to did not specifically mention any limitation which might suggest that privately owned roads would be excluded; however being experienced with such wordings professionally, beware of any clause in "general Exclusions" which might leave the door open.......
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I think I'm right in saying that a business transaction for 150 euros paid in cash contravenes French law. (That is, of course, not to say they don't happen all the time). Many French people still use chequebooks and carry them with them all the time but many also have bank cards - it's hard to believe that a recovery organisation had no facilities to deal with a card transaction. OP, do you have a receipt? It sounds to me as though the cash element of your experience might have been a try-on.
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If you breakdown in the UK and are not a member of a recovery firm,you will find many of the breakdown firms also prefer CASH.
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This is interesting, swmbo and i have been toying with the idea of driving to Greece to find her past.
Looks like we'd better do some very intensive research on the breakdown front.
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If you do, try to avoid driving through Serbia. Even though it's a delightful country, and I highly recommend Belgrade for a visit, obtaining insurance for your vehicle (and I don't mean breakdown insurance either) on entering the country is a protracted, complex and expensive procedure, especially if you don't speak Serbian.
Unless you relish a challenge of course!
I am yet to find a British insurer who will provide cover for Serbia (I've been trying for years), if anyone knows of one please do tell.
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If you do try to avoid driving through Serbia.
Thanks.
Was going to enquire about ferry from Italy across to Greece, not too sure about thousands of miles in some of the Balkan countries.
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If it weren't for Albania, I'd recommend the route down the other side of the Adriatic, through Slovenia, Croatia and Montenegro. Stunning. If you could get a ferry from Bar in Montenegro around Albania or maybe via Corfu to the Greek mainland, that would be a great route. It would be worth it just to see the Boka Kotorska in Montenegro, the only fjord in the Med.
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