ADAC European breakdown services - any experiences?
 

We are pondering the possibility of wintering in our touring caravan in Southern Europe for a month or three.

Does anyone have any experience of the ADAC breakdown/health service - I know that the AA are their UK agents.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ADAC

What about their health cover?

What about language difficulties being that they are a German outfit ( I don't speak German )?
Their web site is in German.

Being that we would be towing with our 1999 V70 there appear to be considerable advantages for drivers of older vehicles abroad in the event of serious breakdown.

On our trip to France this year we took the easy option of the C&CC breakdown & health insurance scheme but I realize that it possibly compromised vehicle recovery of a 1999 car in the event of a serious breakdown ( AIUI and according to T & C's ).
This is one of my main concerns - our recovery cost was limited to value of vehicle.

ADAC are also much cheaper.

I understand UK classic and vintage car visitors to Europe use ADAC and don't have any breakdown worries due to non restrictive recovery policies for older cars.

Any opinions welcome.

Colin

I've been a member of ADAC but never had to use them so can't comment further.

Can't comment on that specific breakdown policy, but in general, there are only a very small number of companies that do European cover on a vehicle over 16 years old so check the T's & C's to be sure you're not wasting your money on a policy that will leave you stranded.

I assume you don't get your car serviced at a Volvo dealership? Otherwise your car would be covered by Volvo Assistance.
Did you check Adrian Flux? There breakdown cover appears attractively priced (https://www.adrianflux.co.uk/breakdown/).

Hi,
If you would like any further details regarding our breakdown offering then please feel free to drop me a line.
Regards,
Dan.

You are correct, my car is not serviced at a Volvo dealership.

I service it myself, and as the majority of my mileage each year is towing, I do 5,000 mile oil and filter changes and do a 3.5 litre ATF sump dump every other oil change - IE: every 10,000 miles.
Those are in addition to the other service schedule requirements.
My SRI indicator is set to 5,000 miles.

As I stated in my original post, it appears ADAC are used by many vintage car drivers attending rallies etc. on the continent and their cars are likely to be much older than mine.

As I understand it their health cover, unless a serious condition develops, is more restrictive, and that then medical repatriation is given.
ADAC have their own air ambulances according to their website.

I'm quite capable mechanically regarding the car but there can be unexpected serious breakdowns that no-one could predict despite regular servicing.
I carry diagnostic capabilities with me.

Then of course serious health cover is essential and many everyday breakdown policies don't include that on year long breakdown policies that can be called on homeland OR abroad.

My current UK cover is with Britania Rescue and been with them for years.

It's a pity that they don't have an English section to their website - though I have seen an English translation.

A friend of mine who tours abroad for about 3 months in a motor-home each year has taken out ADAC for this year for the first time.

Colin

Can't you take out a travel insurance to cover health issues?
I have been with the ADAC back in Germany and found that they have a very comprehensive offer, both for breakdown and medical cover if you chose the plus membership. But that was a while back. As for European cover, make sure that it covers Germany as well, as they are a German provider and might not include it in the European cover. I would call them to see how they deal with someone who doesn't speak German.

Good luck!

European breakdown insurance
 

My V90 is 22 years old this year and of all the breakdown insurers I contacted only the AA offered cover for the 2 to 3 weeks I intend travelling through France and Italy. The cost is a bit lumpy, but I can factor that in so unless another company can do it for less than £150 I'll go with the AA. My V90 is serviced regularly by a Volvo specialist garage (DMW) and will have a 'pre long trip' service before I travel in July.

breakdown insurance
 

I have now been contacted by Adrian Flux Insurers and I have accepted their quote for breakdown insurance which includes 60 days European cover and which was far better than any other I contacted! See Dan's post above and give them a try.

I use ADAC and have done for years, I have the Partner plus policy which includes my son and wife. It covers us in any car anywhere in Europe at any time and also has some health cover (not a substitute for travel insurance just an added bonus). It covers the caravan as well. I've had to use it once albeit in the UK and the AA turned up and recovered my vehicle along with a towable generator. Not bad for about £110 a year.