European Breakdown Cover

[gatvol]

All

I have a Dec 2011 Cali and am wondering about the best European breakdown cover option as we are planning a couple of trips abroad this year.

What do people do please ?

Am I right in thinking is it covered by VW for European breakdowns pls ? If so has anyone actually experienced the level of servivce VW offers ?

Thank you

 

[Martin]

If you are within warranty you get the full Euro breakdown covered included for most countries so you don't need anything else, I would also think the VW cover is much better than the RAC and AA equivalent as you are dealing direct with a VW call centre.
Thankfully I have only ever used VW assistance in the UK but service has always been excellent.

 

[BerndRos]

I have used the VW cover in Czech, Greece and Turkey ( Europe ) side....all worked well but in each case was an independent small firm subcontracted on behalf of VW......

 

[ChrisandPenney52]

If you are within warranty you get the full Euro breakdown covered included for most countries so you don't need anything else, I would also think the VW cover is much better than the RAC and AA equivalent as you are dealing direct with a VW call centre.
Thankfully I have only ever used VW assistance in the UK but service has always been excellent.

You can also buy continued cover including European recovery once the inclusive cover expires - currently £99 for a one year renewal or £165 for two years.

 

[Jude]

All

I have a Dec 2011 Cali and am wondering about the best European breakdown cover option as we are planning a couple of trips abroad this year.

What do people do please ?

Am I right in thinking is it covered by VW for European breakdowns pls ? If so has anyone actually experienced the level of servivce VW offers ?

Thank you

Take out VW Breakdown and Roadside cover. Because --- this way the breakdown driver should know something about the vehicle, if he doesn't he should not be on their books. Keep it in house ie: VW, it may be less of a nightmare. If you breakdown contact your insurer and wait for the breakdown guy to arrive. It might help to a flashing GPS tracker for easier location. Spain demands this of all their RV drivers - plus T for tourist sign. This is a magnetic sign bought for very little on Amazon. It keeps the tailgaters at bay, helps them know you are LHD and that you are unsure of your route. I find it helps. Don't stop on Spanish motorways if another car signals you to pull over. Firstly it is unsafe and illegal to pullover on a motorway and it is a scam.

 

[CaliforniaCylus]

Take out VW Breakdown and Roadside cover. Because --- this way the breakdown driver should know something about the vehicle, if he doesn't he should not be on their books. Keep it in house ie: VW, it may be less of a nightmare. If you breakdown contact your insurer and wait for the breakdown guy to arrive. It might help to a flashing GPS tracker for easier location. Spain demands this of all their RV drivers - plus T for tourist sign. This is a magnetic sign bought for very little on Amazon. It keeps the tailgaters at bay, helps them know you are LHD and that you are unsure of your route. I find it helps. Don't stop on Spanish motorways if another car signals you to pull over. Firstly it is unsafe and illegal to pullover on a motorway and it is a scam.

I'm assuming by flashing GPS you mean the V16 connected warning device.

This is only mandatory for Spanish registered vehicles so optional for visitors. It does not contact the emergency services to say you're in trouble. All it does is reports a vehicle in trouble to the DGT which then shows on the DGT app. I think the location of such stranded vehicles is also passed to Google and Waze.

Nor does it work in any other countries.

As a warning beacon it's utterly useless. Have passed many broken down vehicles on our current winter trip and always see the warning triangle or hazard warnings first. It is nice to see it reported on Google maps though...

Also, am aware of the scams but like anything else, never just Assume... We had a van of guys warning us to pull over and we had a dropped jockey wheel. Fortunately we stopped before chunks of jockey wheel metal started flying down the motorway...