I’m off to European countries a couple of times this year and am looking for good breakdown cover for my nearly new V100.
I know new Guzzis are sold with some breakdown cover, but if you read the small print it only actually provides cover if the failure is due to a warranty issue, so it specifically excludes everything that isn’t warranty like a puncture etc. To me that’s too incomplete for me to place any reliance on.
The tour organiser has advocated getting cover which will repatriate the bike if the rider is too ill to ride, not just mechanical issues. Many insurers either seem to exclude ‘rider illness’ or just to have rather poor feedback about their recovery service when the chips are down and you really need them.
Does anyone have any recommendations on breakdown insurers based on their own European experiences and/or any advice on who to avoid please?
Hi Manalishi, if you don’t have it on your insurance you can get temp cover from the big three UK breakdown services. You can speak to them as well to make sure you get rider repatriation cover as well. They will cover a single trip or a tour.
Not had experience of using any cover myself, but as Bazzer intimates, if your insurance is due renewal before you go, get quotes from the big insurers like Bennett’s where you can add cover, or Carole Nash (or their cheaper subsidiary Mackenzie Hodgson) where Euro cover is ‘free’.
I did buy cover for my 25 year old camper though.
Guessing they all use the same/similar network of support I chose on a features/cost basis, used the AA in the end, but again not actually had to use it.
I think sometimes it’s easy to get too worried, giving your vehicle due attention before setting off, and not riding like a berk Is probably the best ‘insurance’ against incident.
I was looking for cover a few years ago and my 17 year old California Special wasn’t covered by the “big names” as it was considered too old. We cancelled our “AA Gold” plan in favour of ETA’s “Annual Joint Personal European Breakdown Cover” which covers us whatever we drive or ride. (If a vehicle is 20 yrs old and more at renewal it is “UK Only” cover for that one from then on.) The premium for the year was less than RAC wanted for a 17 day trip! We have been with them ever since and have travelled home on a recovery truck on some occasions (Hall Sensor on the California Special, Ignition Switch on a 1400 California, “Big Brain” that became disconnected on a BMW K75 RT) and have had them come out to us (Broken Fuse on a V11 Le Mans, flat battery on the Mercedes C-Class). Their Length and Height rules means that our VW Transporter Campervan (Short Wheelbase) is also covered. Nothing but praise for a brilliant policy.
Last couple of years we’ve taken EuroBreakdown annual cover as we like to do short breaks too.
Check that whatever policy you buy covers breaking down on a motorway/autoroute/autobahn etc, many don’t and that can really cost you.
I’m already a member of AA and just extend my cover when I travel into Europe. That’s covering classic (40+year old) bikes as well as more modern kit.
It might be worth double checking your personal health insurance as well, not all policies cover riding or being pillion