As recovery firms handle soaring levels of call-outs, we look at your vehicle ...
22.05.12
As recovery firms handle soaring levels of call-outs, we look at your vehicle breakdown cover options
The winter weather has led to soaring numbers of vehicle breakdown call-outs, according to the AA.
It says it attended 63,000 breakdowns in just four days during the first week of February, and was handling up to 1,500 calls a minute – 75% busier than during a normal day. Forecasts for more snow this weekend could lead to a further rise in call-outs, it said.
Even without snow, the AA said low temperatures, ice and freezing fog has been causing problems for road users. It attended 16,000 call-outs on Tuesday 7 February, with the busiest regions including London and the south east – areas that experienced little if any fresh snowfall that day.
Vehicle recovery firm Green Flag has forecast an 80% increase in breakdown call-outs for “non-starts” and flat batteries as the half-term getaway starts, when the Met Office says snow will extend into the south-west and central parts of England.
The Greek parliament has voted to approve a far-reaching austerity package that will push the country deeper into recession and bring further social misery.
With the parliament ringed by an estimated 4,000 police as some 80,000 people protested outside, the vote was taken after a special 10-hour session on Sunday, which ended at midnight.
Amid clashes between riot police and youth, Greece’s unelected Prime Minister Lucas Papademos declared: “Vandalism, violence and destruction have no place in a democratic country and won’t be tolerated.”
In fact, these social evils are at the very heart of the austerity program—based on spending cuts of around €3.3 billion—now agreed to by the Greek parliament in return for a €130 billion bailout of the financial system. The extraordinary session had been convened after European finance ministers declared they were not satisfied with commitments given last week and sent Greek government representatives an order to do more—an additional €325 million in cuts.
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What do I need to do before I take my car to Europe?
May 23, 2010 by Q&A | Posted in Insurance & Registration
My boyfriend and I are going to Western Europe in September for at least 8 months (to travel about whilst doing paid and voluntary work) and we are thinking about taking my car.
I'm just wondering what I need to do to prepare for this?
I don't currently have any breakdown cover but plan to get Europe cover before I go.
What about my other normal insurance? Will I need to change it or pay more? It's up for renewal in November too.
Do I need to continue paying UK road tax? (current disc expires in October). And/or do I have to pay the local road tax??
My MOT's due in November. Is it possible to get it done over there? Is it a legal requirement when I'm not in UK?
Also planning to get travel insurance (probably an annual policy) - would this cover anything to do with the car?
Is there anything else I need to consider??
I know I should just call my insurance company about some of these questions but I want to know about tax etc too and am just wondering if anyone has taken their car abroad for a long period of time before and knows what the crack is. Thanks!
Right!
Yes, get European breakdown cover.
You'll need to tell your insurance company that you'll be away for 8 months as most policies will only cover you for 90 days.
Yes, you'll need to keep paying your UK road tax.
MOT is a UK thing only. Local equivalents will be no good for your car. Re-MOT your car before going.
Travel insurance probably won't cover you for anything to do with the car, but check.
You'll need a first aid kit, warning triange, hi viz vest, fire extinguisher and headlamp beam benders.
Don't forget your E111
Sort all of this out before you go anywhere near the ferry!
Michael P | May 23, 2010
Hello
First of all you would need to keep it road legal for U.K
That means renew your insurance when it expires. Contact your insurance company as they normally issue you with a Green Card as proof of insurance whilst abroad (Free) but it is normally only for a month. You also need to tell them which countries you are going to
The MOT must be done in the U.K as it is a U.K registered car.
You may consider getting an International licence as proof of what licence you have. (They a valid for a year but not for the country you are from and wording is in several languages).
Remember most other countries light dip to the other side so check out Halford's or Kevin Coopers for light masks that stick onto your lights whilst abroad so you do not dazzle everyone.
Some places like Germany require you to
Have a Tow Rope, (They have the power to stop anybody to tow a broken down car off the Autobahn (Motorway)).
Carry a First Aid Kit, (Although no one will administer First Aid as if you do and the person dies you can be liable for prosecution. So you just throw it at them).
Have a Fire Extinguisher.
Carry money with you. (When I was there years ago it was 50 D Marks). This is because they have spot fines for things like just exceeding the speed limit, You get caught, They fine you, You pay the Police-Person the fine, They give you a receipt, You get no points on your licence and it is all finished so you carry on. (Saves court time).
Carry a Warning Triangle in case you breakdown. (To warn traffic behind you).
And if I remember correctly at least one of each type of bulb for your car.
If you intend to take out Europe Breakdown Cover, Tell them the countries you intend to travel through and they should be to supply the information for each country.
The other thing you may need to look into further is the Paid work whilst abroad. The last I heard you had to be abroad for more than a year or pay U.K Income Tax on every penny you earn. (This was to stop people going to France for 6 months Fruit Picking, Coming back to the U.K, Not paying any Income Tax but claiming Unemployment Benefit).
Obviously as Voluntary work is Unpaid so no problem with the tax.
They will need to know specific date you left and reentered the U.K so keep the ferry ot channel ticket stubs. You are allowed to come back for a holiday without it effecting the year.
Andy C
ANDY | May 24, 2010
All UK car insurance policies provide the MINIMUM level of cover that is needed by law to drive in all of mainland Europe (3rd party cover). No matter where you are going in Europe, you will be covered - including non-EC countries such as Switzerland and Norway. But you need to check that your car will be insured for fire/theft etc.
You should get a new MOT before you go. When you need to tax the car, you can do it online and it will be delivered to the registered keepers address, so you could then ask someone to forward it to you. You can also renew your insurance online too when needed.
Don't forget a GB sticker/magnet (unless you have GB on the side of your numberplate) and headlight deflectors/adapters so you won't blind oncoming vehicles (as you will be driving on the other side of the road).
For more info about driving abroad, check out this link... http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/ove rseas/countrybycountry.html
Enjoy your trip ;)
<-----> | May 27, 2010
In addition to the above information (although I'm not sure about the road tax, as the car would not be on British roads) you must have TWO warning triangles if you are driving in Spain, possibly in other European countries. One high visibility vest for each person in the car isn't a bad idea either. Depends if you value their life at more than £5....
Note also that European drink-drive limits are lower than in the UK, even one glass of wine can be too much in some countries.
richard c | May 29, 2010
european breakdown cover?
Sep 08, 2007 by bee bop | Posted in Insurance & Registration
does anyone know of a company that will do cover anually for a 11 year old car in europe, used to use the aa which was great but car is now to old.
triple b It's death-defying
anticarly2 | Sep 12, 2007
Can anyone tell me if DirectLine will pay for repair of my car, when I was driving in Europe?
Sep 17, 2008 by pet5o | Posted in Insurance & Registration
Hello!
I hit a little roe while I was driving in Slovak Republic yesterday. I have fully comprehensive cover with European breakdown service. I called police and everything.
Do you know what I need to do next? Ive already spoken with DirectLine, but theyve asked me to call again later...
Anybody had similar problem?
Thank you...
Yes, your comprehensive policy should cover driving anywhere in the EU with the same degree of cover - just check your policy wording to be sure.
With a fully comp claim & no other vehicle or personal property involved, it should be reasonably straightforward.
J G | Sep 17, 2008
Best to ask Directline me thinks.
Judith | Sep 17, 2008
Call them again would be easier than asking people on here!
Danielle | Sep 17, 2008
nope soz
P B | Sep 17, 2008
Call Direct Line, tell them you are stranded and that you want them to phone you back.
Then sort it out with them.
Fellside13 | Sep 17, 2008
When we went to Europe we got a green card from our insurer that gave us fully comp insurance. I think without it you are only covered 3rd party or something. Perhaps you should have checked with your insurer before you went away?
rlc | Sep 17, 2008
How do i get temp insurance,so i can drive my car to spain from the U.K?
May 04, 2010 by The Struggle Continues | Posted in Insurance & Registration
im hoping to drive a landrover to spain at the end of the month, i am looking for temp insurance that will cover me for breakdowns aswell in europe. i only need it for a week or 2 as i will insure the car once i get over there.
any ideas
autoinsurance.noneto.com - try this one. I have their car insurance and, as I know, they can provide such a service.
Sam | May 04, 2010
How do i get temp insurance, so I can drive my car to Spain from the U.K?
May 04, 2010 by The Struggle Continues | Posted in Insurance & Registration
im hoping to drive a land rover to Spain at the end of the month, I am looking for temp insurance that will cover me for breakdowns as well in Europe. I only need it for a week or 2 as I will insure the car once I get over there.
Do you already Insure the vehicle in your own name in the UK ? If you do then just get a green card which will cover you to drive the vehicle from the UK to Spain.
- If you do NOT have any insurance at all on the vehicle at the moment then contact an Insurer or broker over here in Spain and ask for the reverse (IE give your address in Spain but ask for a Green card to include bringing the vehicle over from the UK ).
- If you are planning to legally import the vehicles read this link for a few tips - http://www.tumbit.com/how-to-guides/arti cles/23-how-to-import-or-re-register-a-u k-car-in-spain.html
