Hypothetical question?

JohnD · Post by **JohnD** » 22 Dec 2004, 00:10

The time is approaching when I pay a fairly hefty premium for Continental Breakdown Insurance. The cover is very impressive. One hour of free onsite labour; recovery home or to a specialist repairer; replacement vehicle if necessary, together with cover for any hotel or ferry expenses. What isn't covered - Any expenses where the vehicle is not serviced to the manufacturer's recomendations. Can this be an Insurance company loophole? Where does it leave us home mechanics who probably maintain our vehicles over and above manufacturers recomendations, but have no service book stamped?

Post by **martyhopkirk** » 22 Dec 2004, 00:34

In terms of insurers you would have to prove beyond reasoanble doubt that you service the car EXACTLY as the manufacturer specifies at the given service intervals - lots of dated recipts and photos can help but if they want to wrangle out of paying, they will.
All this despite the fact that most garages never do a propper job when servicing.

bxbodger · Post by **bxbodger** » 22 Dec 2004, 05:31

I have never had to call on it, but my Dad did when the camshaft on his Cavalier snapped-yes, snapped, while on holiday in France!!!
He had AA 5 star, and there was no asking for service records or anything- a phone call to the AA, and a new shaft was couriered to the garage in France and fitted, all within 2 days, no problem!!! The shaft even had to come from the UK as none was available locally.
No doubt someone will now come up with a horror story, though.......

VisaGTi16v · Post by **VisaGTi16v** » 22 Dec 2004, 14:38

Not a horry story but an alternative. Driving through france couple years back, lower spring mount on one of my visa's rear shocks broke putting the wheel up in the arch. Drove back 10 miles in friends car to a local citroen garage. Lot of sign language, got the car picked up, left it there for 5 days and we all crammed into the other 2 cars, I picked it up on the way back home. Funniest bit being when they got it back to the garage on their tow truck and the other mechanic got in the passenger side not realising it was RHD, i even managed a smile then (as I was quite annoyed) heh. £180 for the tow and 2 new rear shocks including fitting which I thought was quite good at the time.
However I do plan on getting foriegn cover as im doing a few trips over this year so anything you find out or prices etc please post on here as I will be interested cheers

bikeboyz · Post by **bikeboyz** » 31 Dec 2004, 15:04

You dont mention what cars you have, Darren with the Visa may get a classic policy. Nearly all classic insurance policies cover you for European breakdown, and recovery to the UK guaranteed. Becuase of the age, they understand you wont have a dealer stamped history, but trust you to make the vechicle wordworthy and serviced. Modern car policies often stop at the value of the car in terms of recovery, so if you timing belt snapped on a 10 year old Xantia knackering the head/pistons, your breakdown policy may very well scrap the car and leave it abroad, and you out of pocket. Try some of the specialist brokers like Heritage and Adrian Flux etc.

VisaGTi16v · Post by **VisaGTi16v** » 31 Dec 2004, 15:39

Hi, The visa is currently Sorn'ed and in bits, it was with Adrian Flux before. However when I return it to the road I will find out about classic ones etc. The only problem is that its a only just road legal competition car and you know how insurance companies get if you even dare put a sticker on your car and modify it!