Breakdown Cover.

[Paullus1959]

My RAC Arrival breakdown policy is up for renewal in a few weeks and I was wondering if there is a better, not necessarily cheaper option out there.

As an aside and it might be worth noting, a couple of years ago I discovered a hitherto unknown limitation on the otherwise excellent RAC policy I receive as part of a workplace subscription package. I was happily towing my caravan around the UK blythely unaware that my said policy wouldn't cover my caravan as it has a maximum length limit of 7m and my caravan is 7.4m long.
I cannot remove the policy from the subscription and I can't upgrade it through the RAC either.
The no length limit is a special feature of the RAC’s Arrival breakdown cover developed exclusively for The Camping and Caravanning Club, which I only learned when I tried to add European cover to my existing policy.
So, for the past couple of years I have to explain this all to the RAC and negotiate a special price with them, which to be fair they have done so far but, it's a real rigmarole.
The funny part is when the agent reads out the T&C's which ask to confirm that I do not have any other breakdown policy in force when I have just spent half an hour explaining and negotiating with him because my existing RAC policy doesn't give the cover I require.🤯

 

[Mr Grumpy]

We use MAYDAY through the C&MH club.
As far as I'm aware they don't have a size limit as long as they can be legally towed on the road.

 

[otherclive]

My RAC Arrival breakdown policy is up for renewal in a few weeks and I was wondering if there is a better, not necessarily cheaper option out there.

As an aside and it might be worth noting, a couple of years ago I discovered a hitherto unknown limitation on the otherwise excellent RAC policy I receive as part of a workplace subscription package. I was happily towing my caravan around the UK blythely unaware that my said policy wouldn't cover my caravan as it has a maximum length limit of 7m and my caravan is 7.4m long.
I cannot remove the policy from the subscription and I can't upgrade it through the RAC either.
The no length limit is a special feature of the RAC’s Arrival breakdown cover developed exclusively for The Camping and Caravanning Club, which I only learned when I tried to add European cover to my existing policy.
So, for the past couple of years I have to explain this all to the RAC and negotiate a special price with them, which to be fair they have done so far but, it's a real rigmarole.
The funny part is when the agent reads out the T&C's which ask to confirm that I do not have any other breakdown policy in force when I have just spent half an hour explaining and negotiating with him because my existing RAC policy doesn't give the cover I require.🤯

Is the 7m limit body length or shipping length. It makes a difference.

 

[Paullus1959]

Is the 7m limit body length or shipping length. It makes a difference.

Hi
I went all through this and it's unfortunately the overall length from the hitch to the very back.
It does makes me wonder about a situation where two caravans needed recovery, one being 7.0m long and the other, like mine, 7.4 long, if a different type of recovery vehicle would have to be dispatched to each job

 

[Buckman]

My RAC Arrival breakdown policy is up for renewal in a few weeks and I was wondering if there is a better, not necessarily cheaper option out there.

As an aside and it might be worth noting, a couple of years ago I discovered a hitherto unknown limitation on the otherwise excellent RAC policy I receive as part of a workplace subscription package. I was happily towing my caravan around the UK blythely unaware that my said policy wouldn't cover my caravan as it has a maximum length limit of 7m and my caravan is 7.4m long.
I cannot remove the policy from the subscription and I can't upgrade it through the RAC either.
The no length limit is a special feature of the RAC’s Arrival breakdown cover developed exclusively for The Camping and Caravanning Club, which I only learned when I tried to add European cover to my existing policy.
So, for the past couple of years I have to explain this all to the RAC and negotiate a special price with them, which to be fair they have done so far but, it's a real rigmarole.
The funny part is when the agent reads out the T&C's which ask to confirm that I do not have any other breakdown policy in force when I have just spent half an hour explaining and negotiating with him because my existing RAC policy doesn't give the cover I require.🤯

Are you aware that the 7m may apply to body length and not shipping length? The representatives don't know any better. I had the same issue with Britannia.
We tried RAC Arrival basic for one year for 2 cars and it was nearly £60 more than the top level Mayday premium cover for 2 cars.
As far as I am aware there is nothing stopping you having tow breakdown policies as when I had a motability car it was covered automatically by RAC, but I also had Mayday cover for when we were towing.

 

[Dustydog]

The RAC 7 mtr limit was discussed to death recently on Bailey Caravan owners club. Today I see there is no restriction on length on the Arrival version.

 

[Buckman]

The RAC 7 mtr limit was discussed to death recently on Bailey Caravan owners club. Today I see there is no restriction on length on the Arrival version.

OP states that RAC breakdown was part of a work subscription package so the 7m rule may still be valid. Obviously no issue with Mayday or RAC Arrival.
As an aside we were going to go for the Nationwide Flexplus, but shipping length of our unit is 8.16m and the breakdown service refuses to cover caravans over 8m even if they are British built caravans.

 

[Sam Vimes]

We've been with Nationwide Flexplus since it came out many years back. Not only does it include breakdown cover but also worldwide travel insurance and some other stuff.

Only had to use the breakdown cover once last year when it was being provided by LV and the service was excellent - no caravan involved. Now they've changed to the AA and we hope that if we ever need to use it, it will be just as good a service.

In respect of caravans this is what the ploicy says and its the last paragraph that's of interest and perhaps a little ambiguous:-

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.

 

[RogerL]

There's a difference in practice between the caravan being recovered on a flatbed because it has broken down, so the flatbed length has to be applied to the overall length including towbar and rear racks, and the caravan being towed behind the flatbed because the car has broken down - in the latter case, overall length SHOULD only be limited by legal maximum.

 

[Buckman]

We've been with Nationwide Flexplus since it came out many years back. Not only does it include breakdown cover but also worldwide travel insurance and some other stuff.

Only had to use the breakdown cover once last year when it was being provided by LV and the service was excellent - no caravan involved. Now they've changed to the AA and we hope that if we ever need to use it, it will be just as good a service.

In respect of caravans this is what the ploicy says and its the last paragraph that's of interest and perhaps a little ambiguous:-

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.

Which is why it would be a waste of time for us to upgrade to the Flexplus account as our caravan is over 8m in shipping length by 16cm. There may be other UK caravans where the body length is up to 7m, but shipping length is over 8m?

 

[Mel]

Hi Paullus. We are with CAMC Mayday which is operated via Green Flag. What we liked about this was that you are covered if the tow car OR caravan breaks down; some policies only cover you if the tow car breaks down. Also that they will get you home if the tow car driver is incapacitated. These features may be available on other packages, possibly with Green Flag itself??
mel

 

[Jcloughie]

I am, and have been for many years, with Boundless, CSMA, Britannia Rescue. About £110 for top cover (home plus European), which includes membership with other benefits. There are rules for joining but they are very relaxed to what they used to be.

John

 

[Raywood]

The maximum length usually refers to the body and not the overall length but if in doubt check with the company involved.
For the same cover as the RAC the CAMH Mayday policy is generally far cheaper but others o here have found the RAC will negotiate if you prefer that policy.
If you go outside the two clubs do make sure the policy covers you if the fault is with the caravan as some do not and you will almost certainly miss out on the double recovery and possibly cover to recover the caravan from a site, if the car breaks down while you are away from the site and want both recovered.
You might find cheaper than the two clubs, but you will lose out on cover, so you do have to decide if any saving is worth the extra risk.

 

[Buckman]

The maximum length usually refers to the body and not the overall length but if in doubt check with the company involved.
For the same cover as the RAC the CAMH Mayday policy is generally far cheaper but others o here have found the RAC will negotiate if you prefer that policy.
If you go outside the two clubs do make sure the policy covers you if the fault is with the caravan as some do not and you will almost certainly miss out on the double recovery and possibly cover to recover the caravan from a site, if the car breaks down while you are away from the site and want both recovered.
You might find cheaper than the two clubs, but you will lose out on cover, so you do have to decide if any saving is worth the extra risk.

Previously Nationwide used Britannia so over 8m verboten! Seems the AA are doing the same. Biggest bonus with Mayday is of course onward travel and other perks like a chauffeur if the main driver is unable to drive.

 

[Beachball]

Hi Paullus We are with RAC Arrival Breakdown because i wanted a complete package with my towcar already with them in the past i was with Green flag i found them excellent and very good value for money

 

[silverwhiskers]

Have a look at Driver Guardian.

• Can I tow a Caravan or Trailer?
  Yes, you can add a caravan/trailer up to 8M long (not including the towing arm/A Frame), the caravan/trailer is covered also for breakdown

 

[Buckman]

Have a look at Driver Guardian.

• Can I tow a Caravan or Trailer?
  Yes, you can add a caravan/trailer up to 8M long (not including the towing arm/A Frame), the caravan/trailer is covered also for breakdown

They state "A caravan or trailer can be up to 8m Long, this is the length of the caravan or trailer body and does not include the towing frame. This is the legal size limit for a caravan or trailer being towed by a vehicle up to 3,500kg. "

That is incorrect as the legal size is 7m for body length and not 8m to be towed by a vehicle up to 3500kg. If they get that wrong then possibly a place to avoid.

 

[Raywood]

Just to add to the confusion most caravans details quote the internal length, but the towing length limit is the external body length and the maximum is indeed 7m for vehicles under 3,500 kg. Most maximum length models will show a shorter length say 6.36 m because of the use of the internal length.

 

[Hutch]

Just to add to the confusion most caravans details quote the internal length, but the towing length limit is the external body length and the maximum is indeed 7m for vehicles under 3,500 kg. Most maximum length models will show a shorter length say 6.36 m because of the use of the internal length.

And as a bit more of confusion, a glider trailer has an exemption and can be as long as 11.0 meters, towed behind a Non goods vechile upto 3500 kgs. But towing vechile and trailer must not exceed 25.9 meters. Unless wth a police escort.

 

[Hutch]

1. The Law
The law is complex. The construction and use of trailers is covered by the Road Vehicles
(Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 and Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 as
amended by over 100 UK amendments and EU Directives. In addition various Road Traffic
Acts and Driving Licence Regulations add to the complexity.
Trailer Length and Indivisible Loads
The legality of glider trailers exceeding 7 metres length being towed by private cars is
occasionally misunderstood by insurers and others. In July 2012, the governments VOSA
clarified the situation for the BGA, noting why glider trailers exceeding 7 metres in length can
be towed by private cars and vans.
A glider wing or fuselage is considered to be an indivisible load if it cannot practically be
divided into two or more sections. A table in Regulation 7 of the Road Vehicles (Construction
and Use) Regulations 1986, as amended, contains the details of the maximum length
permitted for various sorts of vehicle and trailer combinations. Item 9 of that table does
normally restrict a trailer towed by a vehicle which is not a goods vehicle over 3500 kg GVW
to a maximum length of 7m not including the towing hitch arrangements. However regulation
7 (3A) (a) dis-applies the requirements of that table in a number of areas including where a
trailer is constructed and normally used for the conveyance of "indivisible loads of
exceptional length". In this context "exceptional length" means longer than the regulations
would normally permit. This exception would permit a trailer of perhaps 11m length specially
constructed to carry indivisible loads such as a glider to be towed by a car or other vehicle
which is not a goods vehicle over 3500 kg GVW. Note however that Regulation 7 (5) (b) still
limits the length of (i) the towing vehicle to a maximum of 9.2m; and (ii) the length of the
towing vehicle and trailer combination to a maximum of 25.9m unless special police
notification, escorting and attendant requirements are complied with.

 

[Robert_374373903]

My Green Flag does not mention size but the one time I did call them they came and done the job without any comment . Never the less I shall enquire about it .

 

[Dustydog]

My Green Flag does not mention size but the one time I did call them they came and done the job without any comment . Never the less I shall enquire about it .

Why? No mention is to your advantage and the rest of us!