Breakdown experiences on continent

[Tim2]

We are just back from the Continent. We suffered a major breakdown and are waiting for the car and caravan to be repatriated by car transporter.

Has anyone else had similar problems?

What were your experiences like?

We are covered by a UK Rescue Company and their sub-contractors IMA. I'd be very interested to hear as ours have not been too good!!!

I can't say more at present!!

Thanks

 

[BigAl1]

Car broke down during last Easter's trip to Disney in Paris. One phone call to Red Pennant resulted in a replacement toe car being delivered to our site within 24 hours and my car being transported home on the same transporter that delivered the replacement tow car.

 

[EvansofSprot]

I've got a feeling of d

 

[EvansofSprot]

I've got a feeling of d

 

[OldBean]

We had AA five star cover when our clutch went on an autoroute (just before Saturday lunch). One phone call was followed by a tow to the nearest Citroen garage, a quick inspection told us the car couldn't be repaired until after the weekend, then a taxi arranged to a nearby town to pick up a suitable replacement vehicle (big enough to fit five, with three bikes on a roof-rack). We kept this until the last day of our holiday when we returned to find the car repaired, and a smaller bill than it would have cost in England. We'd had a single contact number to ring if we experienced any problems. Our credit card was then not accepted by the machine in the garage, so the AA paid the bill over the phone and we reimbursed them on our return to England. We thought this was really good service and would highly recomment the AA

 

[James_374224753]

Auto gearbox blew up on my Citroen C5 2006 in France en route for Italy. Car 2 years old under warrantee 50000 miles. Had to have it trucked back to England because French not allowed to do English Citroen Warrantee work. Wasted a week of my holiday. AA did the best they could paying for me to fetch my wife's car over to keep towing.

 

[smiley]

After 15 years this was our first time with CC ins for holiday.

We had just landed and set off on the a16 when the car broke down, made a call to CC and within less than an hour there was someone with us. They tried to repair the car but could not, CC managed to get a car to us and on the fourth day we were on our way

On the last day at our campsite the van had problems another call to CC and within 30 minutes everything was sorted, leave van on site for repat, and we made our way home. Very impressed well worth the money.

Aaaaaaaah they were brilliant the cc that is. But oh how guilty did we feel using their insurance for the first time.

 

[Tim2]

OH DEAR

The saga drags on and on and on and on................

We had a provisional date for the repat of car and caravan for 29/09. Came and went with new date of 03/10, ie, today. After repeated phoning IMA over the last few days to get more definite times told that only being collected from Belguim today and will be delivered to UK destinations tomorrow - I wait with interest.

Has anyone else had dealings with this "assistance" company. I would be interested to hear.

Tim

 

[Tim2]

Hi Folks

Just thought that you might like to hear some, sort of, good news.

The caravan arrived home today. It was due to be taken to a Wigan garage for onward transport to us due to doubts about whether the transporter could get up our road.

Car and Van were due yesterday but then advised that only arriving in Dover at 13.00. Phoned by IMA and Brittania to advise that would be dropped off this morning. On way to work, 08.00 am, amazed to get a phone message from transporter driver. I am in St Helens, ie, near our HOUSE to drop off the caravan. Decided might as well accept caravan at home after all. My wife waited in for transporter although she was due at work by 09.00 and advised transporter company accordingly.

09.15 driver could not find our house so my wife drove to local Tesco store to meet him - he was in the car park there!! Followed my wife home arriving at c10.15. Very long lorry with our caravan hangin at least 1.5 metres!! only just the wheels were actually on the lorry.

Then the fiasco continued. Driver couldn't get metal ramp down on the transporter to unload 'van - it had jammed. After breaking his hammer and borrowing ours managed to get down ramp.

Tried to winch van off transporter with winch. Cable had frayed badly and jammed. Wife, son and 2 passer bys pushed van back onto lorry so that cable could be released.

Driver suggested unloading 2 tonne van without cable. Wife phoned several friends and was joined by 3 strong male friends. With great difficulty manhandled van off lorry. Caravan finally unloaded at 12.30.

When we left the van it was fine since we left it

(1) Hitch fairing broken and gouged in several places.

(2) Dent in rear side panel

(3) Awning rail bent and fibreglass panel damaged above side dent

(4) Front and side skirts broken on both sides at front

(5) Handbrake lever damaged more than it had been when breakdown truck driver in Belguim forced it down without using the ratchet button.

Car had to be taken on to gearbox specialist on the Wirral as agreed. Driver had to be given directions then said that he didn't have any UK currency for the Mersey tunnel

Driver left following friend to Mersey tunnel

16.00 car arrived at garage in Wallasey.

My wife was absent from work for a morning and lots of stress and brute force for her and friends but at least van and car are, almost, home.

Now we just have to get the car assessed and then repaired. When that has been done only then can we tow the van somewhere to get it repaired.

To misquote Winston Churchill -Not the end, nor even the beginnining of the end but perhaps the end of the beginning.

Happy caravanning

Tim

 

[Guest]

Oh dear. There is not much one can say that would be helpful, except to wish you all the best in getting satisfaction. I would, however, be out there as fast as possible with the digital camera taking pictures of everything, just incase of arguements later on.

I would also be contacting my 'tame' lawyer and advising him of the situation, and getting his advice of what I should, or should not do, to ensure any subsequent legal claim is valid. Sometimes a legal letter can make Companies be more cooperative in terms of settlement.

As far as the van repairs are concerned, I would telephone your insurer, advise the situation, and state that you are getting the dealer to collect the van for repair, at the insurers cost. They can then sort out the final bill with the breakdown Company, but you shouldn't have to wait until your car is fixed.

Please let us know the outcome, which i hope is happy one.

 

[L_5128878]

You hear all the bad stuff but we are going next year for the first time with our van to France and then on the Switzerland, for about a month long trip. We really would like some positive information about coverage whilst there, we are not spring chickens so dont want any hassle if there is aproblem any info or recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[Dusty1]

L, see Big Al's response. He used the Caravan Club's Red Pennant which allowed him to continue his holiday with a replacement vehicle whilst his own was repatriated. I have yet to hear of a bad experience regarding Red Pennant and have always used it myself.

 

[Tim2]

Hi Everyone

Thanks for all the helpful comments and sympathy - much appreciated!!

The saga goes on!!

Car is now home with a new gearbox and refurbisheded radiator. The gearbox specialist were not prepared to guarantee the gearbox without the radiator being replaced or refurbished because they have had problems with gearbox repairs failing because of faulty oil box coolers in the radiators. The car repair cost was

 

[Simon Burton]

I can only sympathise with you, I had a breakdown in France and phoned the RAC who my European breakdown cover was with.

Basically I had suddenly lost a lot of oil.

Anyway a tow truck turned up and the driver armed with a torch looked under the bonnet. He immediately wanted to put the car on the back of his truck, he couldn't care less about the caravan. I wasn't happy. He either couldn't or didn't want to speak English. My French wasn't up to the task. The RAC provided an excellent translation service. After a backwards and forwards conversation I refused to let the car go and phoned a friend at home for advice.

To end a story I went to the local hypermarket, bought some oil and stopped every hour to check the oil level. Apart from initially topping up, I never used another drop.

I dread to think what would have happened if I allowed the car to be taken.

However I must ask Tim a question as a result of his original post.

"We are covered by a UK Rescue Company and their sub-contractors IMA. I'd be very interested to hear as ours have not been too good!!!

I can't say more at present!!"

I've got to know, what initially happened. Is it time to say more?

 

[Tim2]

Hi Simon

Sorry I can't say more as yet as I'm still waiting to hear regarding liability, etc. I will post a full reply when I KNOW IT MYSELF!!

Thanks for the condolences

Tim