Travel Insurance

[Percy1]

Can any one recommend any good travel insurers.So far I have looked at the following- We are going to Italy via France. We do have our European Health Insurance Card.

Halifax

Post office

Direct Line

Norwich Union

Endsleigh

Their prices range from £53-£94 for a single 30 day trip for a family of four.

Ian

 

[MikeJE]

Have a look at something like www.moneysupermarket.com to get some idea of what is on offer across the board. The Caravan Club does offer a comprehensive policy as, no doubt, does the Caravan and Camping Club. I once took out a policy sharply tailored to specific needs - a teenager Inter-railing across Europe for a month - at an independent travel agent. It depends on what you do and do not want covered.

 

[ValA.]

Try either the Post Office - instant policy, or Tesco on-line. I've just insured my son for fourteen days, winter sports cover, which is usually more expensive, for

 

[EvansofSprot]

Its got to be the 'Caravan Club's Red Pennant' - but its not cheap.

 

[Karen_374313821]

Try direct-travel.co.uk I have used this company many a time but was unfortunate to need assistance once. I had a nasty fall on holiday in Spain. I was 10 weeks pregnant. They were fantastic they organised for me to stay in a hotel have wheel chair assistance, taxi to and from the airport and flew me home (3 seats as I had to have my foot elevated) 1st class. I could not fault them at all and have reccommended them many a time to friends. I hope you will not need to use them on your trip.

Karen

 

[GrahamSouthBrum]

You need an insurance that will get your car & van home if the driver is unable to.

This is where Red Pennant comes into its own

 

[Tim2]

You need an insurance that will get your car & van home if the driver is unable to.

This is where Red Pennant comes into its own

Hi Percy

As others have said it's best to have specific insurance linked to caravanning if you are taking the 'van. I have usually used Caravan Club and Camping and Caravan Club combined health/car breakdown packages and found them to be good. On the health side over 10 years I have only ever had to claim on the medical side - when my son cut his leg after a bike accident. All medical cost additional to the E111 were fully covered.

On the car front I have had a few breakdowns abroad over the years. CCC always had the problems repaired efficiently either at the roadside or at local garages. In 06/07 I had major breakdowns which involved having the car shipped home by truck. Here is my cautionary tale!!

We tow a Bailey Senator Arizona (7.2 metres) with a Vauxh Monterey 4x4. 0n 26 August 2006 we broke down on the way home from Italy in Belgium. Our car was insured with the highest level of Britannia Rescue and that covered caravan too. BR's agent IMA had our car taken to a local dealer and us to a local caravan site. We were kept waiting for several hours after the breakdown in a dangerous contra-flow situation on the autoroute in pouring rain. After several days' wait at the campsite we were re-united with our car and again started home. Our car only lasted 10 miles before breaking down again. Back to the campsite and car returned to garage. Garage then said car auto gearbox had failed and car needed to be shipped back to UK. I had told them this at first breakdown!!

We were given a hire car and left 'van and our car to be repatriated later - we were told c3 weeks. The repatriation actually took nearly 6 weeks. What a shambles.

 

[Tim2]

Hi

If you are planning on going with your caravan I agree with the people who say that a dedicated caravanner policy such as CC's Red Pennant or the Camping and Caravan Club's similar package. We have been touring in Europe as tenters and caravanners for about 15 years and have nearly always bought one or other of the above Clubs' packages. On the rare occasions when we have broke down they had the car repaired efficiently. We have only used the medical part once when my son cut his leg in a bike accident. Again they met the medical bills no problem.

In 2006 I decided to be different and try to save money. I bought the Britannia Rescue Deluxe Breakdown package which covered the car and 'van and a separate travel policy for health, baggage, etc cover through BR's parent organisation CSMA. It worked out considerably cheaper than the Club packages. Here is our comparative experience from the last 2 years.

We tow a Bailey Senator Arizona (7.2 metres) with a Vauxh Monterey 4x4. 0n 26 August 2006 we broke down on the way home from Italy in Belgium. Our car was insured with the highest level of Brittania Rescue and that covered caravan too. BR's agent IMA had our car taken to a local dealer and us to a local caravan site. Our caravan was then an Avondale Landranger.

Prior to recovery we were kept waiting for several hours after the breakdown in a dangerous contra-flow situation on the autoroute in pouring rain. After several days' wait at the campsite we were re-united with our car and again started home. Our car only lasted 10 miles before breaking down again. Back to the campsite and car returned to garage. Garage then said car auto gearbox had failed and car needed to be shipped back to UK. I had told them this at first breakdown!!

We were given a hire car and left 'van and our car to be repatriated later - we were told c3 weeks. The repatriation actually took nearly 6 weeks. What a shambles!!

 

[BJ]

I always use either Caravan Club or Camping and Caravan Club insurance. They are specialists and can cover Car, caravan abdns personal medical needs. Even if it costs a bit more I would rather use them for their good service.

Always been happy with them (and yes I have claimed on the latter policy once.)