European Breakdown Cover with RH insurance

Post by **MattH** » Thu Sep 10, 15 9:28 pm

Although not a claim proper, I have just had the misfortune to have to use the RH European Breakdown Cover which comes as part of the car insurance.
The Holden Commodore (23 years old so classic) blew its cooling system whilst in France, leaving us in on the Rennes ring road in Brittany with caravan, 5 bikes, kayak and everything else you need for 2 weeks away.

One phone call, recovery in one hour to a very well run garage, taxi to a hotel, overnight accomodation for 4 of us, hire car the next day (Sunday) to get us to Calais, new ferry tickets as foot passengers, taxi from Dover to Bedfordshire as they couldn't find us a hire car in Dover to carry all our stuff (we took what we could carry, must have looked like we had just left Syria).
Repatriation of the entire vehicle combination was estimated at 15-21 working days, but it arrived today on the back of a Dutch artic, one week early, all intact, no damage, nothing missing.
Service was superb, we were kept informed the whole way by text or phone call to my mobile, with details of the next reservation number, who would be collecting us etc etc. BRILLIANT. The Breakdown cover was administered by IMA UK insurance and they have been superb.

The car now may be beyond repair, not sure yet, but at least we got everything home.

Post by **MattH** » Thu Sep 10, 15 9:30 pm

We did cause chaos in the road unloading it, but once off the trailer, the car started first time with a jump pack. Just has no coolant so only ran it enough to drag the van onto the drive.
Tough old things these Holdens, 367000 km on the clock now.

Mossy68 · Post by **Mossy68** » Thu Sep 10, 15 9:38 pm

Sad to hear of your misfortune Matt , but you can't knock that for service !!!
Obviously not a nice experience anyway , but could have been a nightmare.
Fingers crossed for the Holden.

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Thu Sep 10, 15 9:39 pm

Great Story. Good Endorsement.

I bet that saved on Petrol

GJUK · Post by **GJUK** » Thu Sep 10, 15 9:48 pm

The opening line of your thread sounded like you were about to go in to a full rant about them, nice to read you were looked after. Car looks cool on the truck with the caravan (from an artistic point of view, not practical!)

Jon

Post by **MattH** » Thu Sep 10, 15 10:46 pm

GJUK wrote:The opening line of your thread sounded like you were about to go in to a full rant about them, nice to read you were looked after. Car looks cool on the truck with the caravan (from an artistic point of view, not practical!)

Jon

I was hugely impressed, so wanted to share my good experience of a bad situation.

Despite having had this car 15 years, I still love it, and will see what it needs to get it running again. I may retire it from holiday caravan duties, I don't think the family will trust it now. 8 years ago the alternator went in France, that was a tow all the way home, saved 400 miles of fuel, and now this breakdown. Both failures were on the way home thankfully.

cadboy · Post by **cadboy** » Fri Sep 11, 15 6:21 am

It is always good to hear of a good service like this, it is unfortunate to need them but that is very good service.

Good luck with the Holden, hope you get her going again Matt

Scooby · Post by **Scooby** » Fri Sep 11, 15 6:37 am

That's encouraging to here Mat until you have to try the back up service you never quite know how things will go. Good choice RH then.

shovelheadrob · Post by **shovelheadrob** » Fri Sep 11, 15 10:06 am

Always good to hear positive things in such circumstances, most people only post their moans. Hope the Holden makes a full recovery.

Post by **MattH** » Fri Sep 11, 15 2:05 pm

Just put a new expansion bottle on it, filled it up with water and it runs OK, no leaks or steam. Fan relay fuse has melted so there might be the culprit to set the problem in motion.
It must have got quite hot as the rad has buckled at the top, it seems the rad cap didnt blow by when the pressure built up, it just blew the bottle apart.
Will sort new fuse holder and maybe a fan switch.

Steve · Post by **Steve** » Fri Sep 11, 15 5:31 pm

Thanks Matt...glad you got sorted in the end. Think a few of us are with RH so good to know their breakdown cover is this good,

Cheers Steve

Motorama · Post by **Motorama** » Fri Sep 11, 15 11:14 pm

Good to know this service actually works, most years I drive a classic yank to Sweden and back for the Power BigMeet in Vasteras, Sweden and I always insure them with RH to get the Euro Recovery

terryr · Post by **terryr** » Sat Sep 12, 15 3:23 pm

wow ,good to hear ,well done rh