Re: Breakdown cover from home
 

So can I just clarify, where does the assurer come into this when a depannage comes out to tow your car away? Mine was due to go to a garage 30 mins from home for today, then tomorrow I said I wanted it taken to a specific garage as it is still under warranty. I understood to the point he would phone the garage in the morning, but beyond that it was a blur. Would I be expected to contact my assurer the next day to discuss garages? I am not sure why this would be the case as ultimately I am responsible for paying for the repair. They just have to take it to my nearest garage/dealership? I will be honest I never needed breakdown cover away from home and when I needed home start it was always a simple easy fix for the AA. Not sure what the norm is.

Re: Breakdown cover from home
 

It's very straightforward.

1. You ring several numbers and eventually find the depanneur for your insurance
2. He takes it to his mate's garage
3. The mate starts taking your car apart
4. The mate gives you a quote for replacing the entire engine fuel management system
5. Your insurance company eventually answers you phone call and tells you the depanneur just took it to the nearest competent garage that was open
6. You pay the first garage and they put all the bits in the boot
7. You pay for another depanneur to take it to another garage
8. Your preferred garage gives you another quote but says "Who's been at this mate?
9. You accept the quote
10. When the car is ready, you pay for a taxi to get you to the garage
11. You pay the bill, which is much higher than the quote, "cos there were bits missin'
12. The car breaks down
13. Go back to step 1

By this excellent system you have helped to keep at least 4 French people in employment.

Congratulations - they will make you a "legion d'honneur" which you will gracefully refuse.

:sarcasm: (Tweedie please note :p)

Re: Breakdown cover from home
 

Bl**dy Hell! How did you know? Word perfect in fact.

(No sarcasm at all. just simple awe)

Re: Breakdown cover from home
 

Pretty accurate, except you don't ring the dépanneur yourself. You ring the assurance and they arrange the dépanneur. On one occasion the girl at MMA rang me back and said 'Garage X will arrive to provide assistance within one hour', however I had previous history with garage X and I said no I don't want them touching my car and the girl was good as gold, didn't argue the toss, cancelled garage X and sent me a different garage.

Re: Breakdown cover from home
 

Well, to split hairs ET, you actually phone the breakdown assistance company (in most cases Mondial or Europ) and they simply answer with the insurance company's name. I found this out when I had a breakdown and I wasn't sure whether to call on my car insurance or the manufacturer's guarantee but it turned out both calls (different numbers) went to Europ and even to the same girl, but whereas one provided a replacement hire car for a week, the other was only for 3 days.