We have always had UK breakdown cover. Sometimes this has been as the car is new and other times we have reverted to Green Flag or Mayday through the C&MC. This is an upgraded version of the Green Flag and covers for caravan breakdown as well as car breakdown. The policy is very unusual in this area and I would strongly advise looking at the cover. As an example I am taking out Mayday and then a personal cover so we are both covered in any vehicle. This is UK only and includes Homestart etc.It is about £135.
Back to you original question. We have always bit the bullet and gone for the C&MC Red Pennant when abroad. This is an extremely comprehensive cover for car and van along with personnel as an option. You can go for set dates or multi-trip. If you have a late summer abroad one year followed by an early summer the next then you can spread things out and the value is greater.
As an example we are taking out a 45 day multi trip policy this year. We are away for 6 weeks in June/July in France and NL and then another 6 weeks over August/Sept/Oct in France. In 2023 we are thinking of Spain for April/May, so would get 3 holidays of car/van/personnel cover for about £360.

Colin