Breakdown cover AA via Nationwide

[Javert]

We are just about to pick up our first caravan and I am investigating whether our breakdown cover is sufficient.

We have a Volvo XC60 less than a year old, so it looks to me like the car and caravan are covered for at least the first 3 years by Volvo assistance.

Beyond that, I also have cover through my bank current account which is apparently provided by AA. I am trying to figure out whether my car and caravan are covered from the policy booklet.

What I am just wondering about is the part "The trailer, caravan and its load must also comply with the size and weight restrictions below, or unfortunately the AA will be unable to recover your property." As far as I can tell this means that the trailer must not exceed 3500KG and the car must not either, but they could both together exceed it? Volvo XC60 recharge plus caravan will probably exceed 3500KG if measured together, but obviously not individually? I am taking the word "also" to mean that the weight of the caravan and car must each be less than 3.5T and not both of them together - hopefully that is correct?

Full text of the relevant condition follows:
Weight and size restrictions (including any load carried) We cover vehicles highlighted in section 1 of these vehicle terms and conditions providing that they comply with the limitations and vehicle type, weight and size restrictions, and other conditions as set out below. The trailer, caravan and its load must also comply with the size and weight restrictions below, or unfortunately the AA will be unable to recover your property.
•
Maximum vehicle weight: 3.5 tonnes (3500kgs) gross vehicle laden weight
•
Maximum Vehicle Weight for Motorhomes ONLY: 7.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight
•
Maximum vehicle length: 8m (26.2ft)
*
•
Maximum vehicle width: 2.55m (8ft 3in) *
*These dimensions will be calculated taking into account anything attached to your vehicle and any trailer or caravan, including but not limited to towing equipment, any carriers or racks (e.g. bike or luggage), or anything else attached to the vehicle or the carriers/racks.

 

[ProfJohnL]

This is an important question, and having scanned the information you have posted I can see how its not entirely clear. Unfortunately regardless of how any forum member might interpret these, their opinion is irrelevant, as the T&C are set by the service provider not public opinion.

You should write to the service provider and ask them to clarify the details, or to confirm or deny if your outfit would fail to meet their requirements.

 

[Buckman]

There is no issue with the AA collecting the car & caravan as the car weighs under 3500kg. Our own Jeep gross weight is over 2800kg, but they will still collect our caravan which has a MTPLM of 2000kg.

I know this as discussed this only yesterday. Actually with the brand of car we are about to purchase, it is very clear in their booklet about AA towing etc.

 

[Mad Meg]

Watching this thread with interest as just about to transfer our bank to Nationwide!

 

[Javert]

Watching this thread with interest as just about to transfer our bank to Nationwide!

Yes the breakdown cover is via a Nationwide Flexplus account.

 

[Dustydog]

The Jury’s out for me here. In my own case I am well over 3500 kgs and will l breach their policy threshold.
If I was the OP follow the Prof’s advice.

The policy you quote says

These dimensions will be calculated taking into account anything attached to your vehicle and any trailer or caravan, including but not limited to towing equipment, any carriers or racks (e.g. bike or luggage), or anything else attached to the vehicle or the carriers/racks

That to me means the combined weight of car and caravan must not exceed 3500 kgs

Get it in black and white from your provider exactly what is and what is not covered😎

 

[Mr Plodd]

I contacted tge AA about this very matter some while ago as I was likewise unsure.
The 3500kg limit applies to the towing vehicle NOT the oufits train weight, so as long as your towing vehicle in under 3500kg you are fine.
Likewise the caravan dimensions are sufficient to cater for any (lawful to be towed) touring caravans in the UK.

 

[Mad Meg]

We already have separate AA cover. The limit statement says the following are covered

"vehicles and trailers weighing up to 3.5 tonnes each" and NOT covered are "vehicles OR trailers weighting over 3.5 tonnes".

Whether or not this is the same for the Nationwide cover is unclear as the wording slightly different.

The Nationwide cover also seems restrictive re overseas travel with or without a towed caravan. Doesn't bother us as we won't be towing overseas nowadays.

 

[Javert]

I contacted tge AA about this very matter some while ago as I was likewise unsure.
The 3500kg limit applies to the towing vehicle NOT the oufits train weight, so as long as your towing vehicle in under 3500kg you are fine.
Likewise the caravan dimensions are sufficient to cater for any (lawful to be towed) touring caravans in the UK.

I think this is the case because the comments about the "dimensions" has a * in front of it, and the corresponding * is only against the dimensions i.e. width of the caravan. The * doesn't seem to apply to the 3500KG, and I'm pretty sure that if it did they would make it much more clear.

Also, I suspect that a big portion of towing setups would be exlcuded if the total train wait has to be under 3500KG.

 

[birdman101]

In the late 1990’s our then 3 year old Discovery and a month out of warranty the gearbox went whilst towing caravan. Had AA recover home with the caravan towed behind. The driver told us that if the Caravan had broken down and not the Towcar they would not of recovered the caravan unless we paid. At that time 200 miles would have been £800. Thus we have been in C&CC Arival ever since to give us full cover for both.

 

[Andy Norfolk]

I agree with those who say it's the small print that matters. If you break down that's not the point you want to have a discussion about what is covered. I have read some examples where the caravan has the issue but the car is fine, the breakdown company are not interested as you can get home. I also have a friend who covers breakdown on there car and caravan with different providers, madness in my opinion. We use Guardian for both cars, the caravan and the kids cars.

 

[Javert]

In the late 1990’s our then 3 year old Discovery and a month out of warranty the gearbox went whilst towing caravan. Had AA recover home with the caravan towed behind. The driver told us that if the Caravan had broken down and not the Towcar they would not of recovered the caravan unless we paid. At that time 200 miles would have been £800. Thus we have been in C&CC Arival ever since to give us full cover for both.

I think it's changed since then - from the AA web site:

"Yes
Yes, AA breakdown cover includes caravan breakdown cover as well as towing trailers. The standard roadside assistance includes caravan breakdown cover, and you can choose from personal cover or vehicle cover. Safeguard Breakdown Cover from the AA is a specialist breakdown product that will cover your caravan and the vehicle that tows it, even when they're not attached. There are size and weight limits to Caravan Breakdown Cover. Caravan Breakdown Cover provided by the AA includes cover in the UK and Europe."

So whilst I know that some breakdown providers don't cover caravans if it's the caravan that broke down, I have already heard that both the AA and the RAC do so, at least as of today's date. The issue in question is more the small print around whether the weight restriction applies to the train weight of the individual weight of each vehicle/caravan. It seems that those who have recently asked the AA about this, found that it's the latter.

The above text from the AA web site also implies that there are size and weight limits to "caravan cover" rather than full train weight. If the AA refused to cover it based on the text in their T&C I would fancy my chances in the small claims court, but obviously I prefer not to get into legal discussions at the side of the motorway as someone else stated above.