Annual pan european breakdown cover

[boristhespie]

I need Annual pan european breakdown cover sharpish. With this would be repatriation.

I was with ADAC who helped me once 10 mile from home but they have been an absolute nightmare to try and renew with sharpish, grumpy sh1t telephonists. I had sent emails, made calls to grumpies and sent numerous faxes of renewal forms to numerous numbers given but never had my cover renewed, just letters.

So can anyone point me in the direction of decent Annual pan european breakdown cover?

Affordable ( thus ruling out laughable AA and RAC cover)

Anyone with stories recommending or problems would be great.

[GB]

Never had any problems with renewing my ADAC cover (€79.50 PlusMembership).

You have the option for payment by credit card (VISA or MasterCard). In this case please give us your card details. Beneath we have attached a small reply form. Please send it back in the envelope enclosed to the ADAC-Mitgliederbetreuung MZ2, Hansastr. 19, 80686 München, to beitrag.service@adac.de or by fax to the following no.: +49 89 7676 4355.

Membership no.: ....................

Please charge against my credit card once the ADAC membership fee payable:

Membership fee: ..................................... EURO
Credit card no.: .............../................./................/................
3-digit card verification code/value. (in the signature field on the rear): ................
Expiry date: ....../.......
Name of card holder: ............................................................

Date, signature card holder: ................................................................

Two weeks before my membership expired I simply emailed the info above, my credit card was charged on the membership anniversary date - you can login to their website to see your membership info (their website works very well with Google Translate).

PS
I had the opportunity to speak to one of top ADAC managers a couple of months ago - the AA have apparently asked them "politely" to pi$$ off and stop poaching UK customers. Therefore there is less info available in English than it used to be, but you can still join and/or renew membership.


EDIT
Since you already faxed your membership renewal form to them, login to their website (you need to register using your membership code first) to check the membership status, maybe it is already renewed. When I first joined them last year it took them two months to charge my credit card - so just in case, login and check whether you're covered.

The best email address to contact them re: membership is mitgliederservice@adac.de

[boristhespie]

I'kl try that though i'm sure they hadn't charged my card for last year. I gave up.

I never knew they accepted email. In fact i was expressly told they did not and that they would not accept payment over phone. They insisted it HAD to be a fax gave me a number and when that didn't work gave me another and so on.

I think it w as to do with signature required.

Will try this.

Do you have phone number to call to renew and a name of english speaker. I think they have one now.

Also the phone number is that it or does it need dialling codes. Is so can you tell me what it would be. I need to make sure.

[GB]

Unfortunately I don't have a telephone number to join - the only time I spoke to them was last November when my C5 battery died (they share their English-language roadside assistance call centre with the AA in France).

I would try to login to their website first and see what the membership status is.

Then I would email them to find out how to renew/rejoin.

Re: payment - I just completed the form above and signed it and then scanned it (with a free iPhone scanner app) and the credit card (including signature) and emailed it to them. No problems. Alternatively you can take a photos and email them.

[Stempy]

http://www.quotelinedirect.co.uk/breakdown/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[boristhespie]

THanks for that. Unfortunately not what I need as it is limited to 30 days cover. I'm looking for a truly pan european breakdown cover for multiple trips many over 30 days.

Unfortunately I appear to have been deleted from the ADAC system as it does not recognise my number. May be a case that I may not be able to join again if they think I never paid. Who knows will try again tomorrow.

[kettlesimon]

Just looked at the website for European Cover. Quoted me £59 for the year for UK & European cover. Seems cheap compared to the RAC i am paying at the moment purely for UK cover. I travel to France/Belgium at least 4/5 times per year and each time purchase separate european cover. What is the catch with this company, or is it just that i am paying too much at the moment ?

[boristhespie]

IS this ADAC?

ADAC is the largest recovery company in Europe. LIke the AA. Infact they share the AA European offices and if you breakdown here the AA will come out to you.

There is No Catch other than A/ It's in German. I had issues but others apparently have not. Maybe it was just me and B/ Once joined you have to cancel in writing with notice.

If you go Partnerplus. the cover is largely Worldwide but with medical repatriation etc included. Also it is you not the car covered. Partner PLus is 98 euros or around 78 quid. You are also covered on the nurbergring.

Main points:

. Breakdown Covers any car you are driving + your spause/partner. Car of any Age.

2. Caravans and Trailers are covered while attached to the car for any problem inc help with punctures and any part of the vehicle that fails, Single axle, a Twin axle is covered as long as axles are not more than a meter apart. That the vehicle is no more than 2.55 meters wide, 10 meters long and 3 meters in height. Permissionable weight of up to 3.5 ton.

3. The Partner Plus Package for €98.70 offers the following coverage Worldwide, except where stated otherwise.

Repatriation in case of illnesses or injury, by ADAC Flying Doctor Service, if necessary.

Travel expences up to €512 to visit a close relative who has to remain in hospital at least 2 weeks while on holiday.

Repatriation of Children.

Repatriation of Pets.

Return transport of vehicle if owner himself is unable to drive back.

Cash for emergencies up to €500, including return transport in case of death.

Costs for interpreter up to €160 (worldwide except for Germany)

Shipping cost for eyeglasses and medication (worldwide except for Germany)

Additional costs up to €2600 for unplanned return back home.

65 Euros per person per night for up to 3 nights additional hotel expences incurred as a result of a medical emergency.

Assistnace to recover or replace travel documents (up to €260)

Up to €103 expences for emergency transfer of funds.

Return transport of vehicle (valid only in Europe)

In case of breakdown, accident or theft of the member's car, car rental for the return journey home (up to €500) or up to 7 day's rental (up to €52 per day) while the repair is being carried out (Europe only).

Up to 3 nights hotel accomodation while the vehicle is being repaired, max € 65 per person per night (Europe only).

Breakdown assistance charges for up to €200 (Europe only).

Up to €200 towing and parking charges for a broken down vehicle. Cost for recovery of vehicle are covered in full (Europe only).

Up to €120 for replacement of a lost or defective car key while on holiday (Europe only).

Shipping costs for spare parts (all Europe except Germany).

Any import duties payable if vehicle is scrapped and related scrapping charges (all Europe, except Germany)

Other points are:-

If Caravan breaks down you will get service for it but not a rental caravan.

Covered full recovery of your car and caravan back to your home town if cannot be repaired in 3 days.

If you get recovery for your car they will pay for passengers repatriation by first class train tickets or economy air tickets. or rental for a car for 7 days.

If it is a relativly minor repair and does not need repatriation ADAC covers costs of up to 200 Euros to tow you to the nearest garage within 80 km (50 miles) radius of where you breakdown.

ADAC is a club and it's partners in the UK are the AA and the RAC.

All contact numbers in Europe have English speaking staff. These numbers are listed in the Members Manual or on Card.

Fuel. If filling the car up with fuel in Germany at a Shell Garage, show your ADAC Membership Card and you will receive a 2% Discount off Bill. Every little helps.

[Stempy]

Just looked at the website for European Cover. Quoted me £59 for the year for UK & European cover. Seems cheap compared to the RAC i am paying at the moment purely for UK cover. I travel to France/Belgium at least 4/5 times per year and each time purchase separate european cover. What is the catch with this company, or is it just that i am paying too much at the moment ?

When my Xantia dumped it's LHM all over Normandy they were brilliant so I think you are just being ripped off by the RAC. Just make sure it covers you for enough days abroad.

[den169]

Has anyone used Adac in the uk iv'e been thinking of joining them instead of the rip off uk companys.But the bit where they state they will tow you to a local garage up to 200 euro's worth and then if it can't be fixed in 3 days is really putting me off ,Breakdown in europe and its fantastic cover,But up to 3 days at a local garage and only 200 euros to get you there is not brilliant for the uk.They would wipe out most of the uk breakdown companys if they dropped the 3 days to 1.

[boristhespie]

I got ADAC renewed. My Wife did it and they spelt my name WAY WRONG so obviously didn't scooby I was the same guy as before.

As for using in UK. I did. MY brakes were stinking after a long drive 15 miles from home. THey had swelled and were siexing on. Anyway called ADAC. They guy spoke perfect English. They contacted the AA (Who deal with ADAC customers in the UK!!!) and the AA then in order not to have me waiting contacted a contractor with a shiney new lorry to come and pick the car up. They took it to the garage and all I did was sign. Great. They do not offer the same coverage in the UK for some reason. So yes you are limited by the amount they will cost to move you. I was read somewhere that this translates to a garage within 50 miles.

[den169]

Thanks Boris the way i read it and iv'e seen dozens of posts is ,The 200 euro is to get you to a local garage anywhere in europe including uk.Then if the garage can't repair the vehicle within 3 days they will take it home or to your destination.In Europe thats fine i would want the car repairing if possible to carry on the holiday.To be fair they would put you up in a hotel till the car is repaired or give you a hire car to continue with.But in the uk i would want to be taken home unless its a minor problem.I'm thinking the best way for me might be take out Adac then the cover in europe is fantastic and also take out Autoaid in uk who will take the car home if it isn't repaired at roadside it would still be cheaper and a lot better cover in europe than aa rac.Your 15mile aa trip doesn't help i need to find someone who has been recovered long distance.
Shame we can't find someone from the AA who knows exactly what happens.

[GB]

Shame we can't find someone from the AA who knows exactly what happens.

The AA? They won't tell you anything. In fact they would prefer the ADAC didn't exist at all - ADAC is a non-profit motoring club/association, the AA is a limited company and their number 1 objective is to maximise profits.

It is indeed €200 for towing and then another €200 for emergency repairs across Europe (including UK). However, apparently the AA sometimes try to charge ADAC members the full amount saying that €200 isn't enough to cover towing - the fact is that your contract (as a ADAC member) is with the ADAC and not the AA, and ADAC will pay the AA the full towing fee and then they may send you an invoice for the amount over the €200 allowance.

I did use them once (just a dead battery) and found them brilliant - called their UK emergency number which turned out to be the AA call centre in France, and then the AA transferred my call to the next desk (ADAC and the AA sometimes share the same English language call centre in Lyon). Excellent English. Used the AA computer system to locate and organise roadside assistance. Then the AA bloke turns up, jump starts my car test the battery and then tries to sell their crappy £35 battery for £169 and asks me to join the AA for £99 saying that ADAC are crap. Unbeliveable.

Before joining them in 2010 I spoke to them a number of times and also sent them numerous emails - they just kept saying that they never leave their members stranded and always arrange towing/hotels/whatever for their members.

Here is ADAC reply to one of my emails:

Dear Mr ......

Thank you for your communication.

It is in fact still possible to become a member of ADAC even when you live in England, but we are very sorry to say, that The Automobile Association Ltd (AA) is not very helpful for british residents when you should need our services in their territory.

Being an ADACPlusMember constitutes a major extension of services in Germany for you. Furthermore, we offer you financial safeguards in other European countries. In the event of illness and injury we will even protect you worldwide. The costs of medical treatment by a doctor or in a hospital on journeys, however, are not covered by the ADACPlusMembership.

The attractive service package of the ADACPlusMembership protects you and your spouse/partner when driving your own and also other party's vehicles in Germany and Europe-wide following a breakdown, accident and theft. In addition other drivers may claim the same services, when driving a vehicle that is registered in your or your spouse's name. With the following services we will help you, if the protected vehicle is no longer mobile owing to an accident or if it was stolen:

- Breakdown and accident assistance (Paragraf 23) to EUR 200.-
- Assistance with lost or defective car keys (Paragraf 24)
- Towing (Paragraf 25) up to EUR 200.-
- Off-road recovery (Paragraf 26)
- Accommodation costs after vehicle loss (Paragraf 27)
- Transfers after vehicle loss (Paragraf 28)
- Travel expenses after loss of driver (Paragraf 29)
- Vehicle transportation (Paragraf 30)
- Passenger transport 'Pick-up' (Paragraf 31)
- Spare parts despatch (Paragraf 32)
- Vehicle customs clearance and scrapping (Paragraf 33)

The vehicle-related PlusServices following illness and injury are even provided to you, your spouse/partner and your minor children on journeys worldwide, regardless of the means of transport chosen. The PlusServices following illness and injury include:

- Medical repatriation (Paragraf 12)
- Accommodation expenses (Paragraf 13)
- Hospital visit (Paragraf 14)
- Escort service for children (Paragraf 15)
- Non-scheduled return (Paragraf 16)
- Assistance in special emergencies (Paragraf 17)
- Repatriation of pets (Paragraf 18)
- Medication and spectacles despatch (Paragraf 19)
- Assistance with the loss of travel documents (Paragraf 20)
- Interpreters service (Paragraf 21)
- Vehicle recovery in the event of vehicle loss in Europe
(Paragraf 22)
- Credit services

The comprehensive safety of the ADACPlusMembership is available to you for an annual fee of EUR 79,50 EUR. Please feel free to visit our ADAC home page on http://www.adac.de" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; > membership.

I'm sorry to say that we have very little in English. All further service and communication will be provided in German. Hope you will succeed with the German booklets and understand our mode of dealing!

Please feel free to contact us if you need any further information in German.


Yours sincerely,

.......

[den169]

Thanks GB but i'm still confused so your saying 200euro is the towing limit anywhere,I thought that was to get you to a garage then if the car couldn't be repaired in 3 days they would recover the vehicle home or destination for free.

[GB]

ADAC cover towing/recovery up to €200 to the nearest garage (plus up to €200 worth of repairs) EU-wide, and if they can't fix it within 3 days they will transport your car to your home/destination free of charge, and arrange for driver and passenger transport (I think up to 9 people, economy airfares or first class train plus taxi transfers) and accommodation if required, or car rental. They call it transportation and there is no € limit on that.