I am an AA Member and recently enquired about European Breakdown Cover. Not so much for my car which is less than a year old ( so I would contact Toyota Euro Assist ) but rather if I had a say a mechanical breakdown with the Caravan. Yes, they told me, their European Breakdown Policy would assist but on looking at the fine print they state:
The AA Rescue Assistance service is available to Members when they are travelling in or on one of the following motor vehicles; cars, vans, minibuses, motorcycles – all of which are subject to a maximum gross vehicle weight (GVW) limit of 3,500kg (3.5 tonnes). Assistance is also given in relation to any caravan or trailer being towed at the time of the breakdown or accident, provided the gross weight of the caravan or trailer does not exceed 3,500kg (3.5 tonnes) and the vehicle towing it does not exceed 3,500kg (3.5 tonnes). There are weight, length and width restrictions which apply to all levels of service provided including:

The size and weight restrictions for both the car and caravan combined are below:
-Maximum vehicle weight 3.5 tonnes (3500kgs)
-gross vehicle laden weight Maximum vehicle length 7m (23 ft)

So my Toyota is 4620mm and our small Caravan is 4750mm. Combined this is 9370 ! So I rang and talked to the answer service and waited for an age and then got through to a young lady who confirmed, yes, this is the combined length of Car and Caravan or Trailer !! So what Car and Caravan combination would this suit I wonder ?
Am I missing something here ?
Chris

Check with Toyota it may be that your caravan is included by their cover, it was with Volvo and I saved a fair bit by not renewing Green Flag. As long as I had an annual service at a Volvo dealer I got free Volvo Assist.

It annoys me that if you want breakdown cover for a caravan then you have to pay for a car as well and often the car is already covered.

When dealing with caravan breakdown/recovery I'd always opt for a specialist like Green Flag, rather than the generalist firms who will take your money and when needed you'll find you aren't covered in the small print.

There is a guy on CT who had set up a 'caravan only' recovery/breakdown insurance. If you want I'll try and find the details?

Be careful though. The included breakdown recovery with Nissan will include recovering any trailer, but only if the problem is with the car.

Quote: eribaMotters wrote in post #4

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You will "generally" find that is the norm. The van is covered if attached to a car that breaks down, but if the van breaks down it is probably not. As said above, Green Flag bought through The Caravan & Motorhome Club, called Mayday, is a special to cover this gap.

Colin

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Thank you for replies. Yes, most cover a car breakdown and will tow your Caravan also to the nearest CAR Repair Garage . If however the Caravan itself develops a fault.. I think the AA small print gives them an out regardless. Anything larger than a small trailer will put most over their combined vehicle/trailer dimension limits.

Quote: eribaMotters wrote in post #4

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You will "generally" find that is the norm. The van is covered if attached to a car that breaks down, but if the van breaks down it is probably not. As said above, Green Flag bought through The Caravan & Motorhome Club, called Mayday, is a special to cover this gap.

Colin

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I understand what you're saying Andy about the car being covered twice. The RAC contacted me to point out that we were duplicating cover but as we need the Arrival cover for the van we had to have it as well as the "free" breakdown cover we get with the bank. The problem surely with having the car and caravan covered by different companies is what happens to the caravan if the car breaks down away from the site. Presumably the car breakdown cover will deal with the car but not the caravan. If there isn't a fault with the caravan surely it won't be covered by it's policy and will then be left on site, wherever that is, whilst the car is recovered home (worst case scenario) or am I not understanding how the caravan breakdown cover works?

The "thick plottens" ... Another Company 'Alllianz Global Assistance' state:
“European caravans and trailers:
If the vehicle is immobilised due to a covered breakdown when towing a caravan or trailer, we will arrange for your caravan or trailer to be taken near to the repairer. We will not however be liable for any goods, possessions or livestock being transported.”

Therefore, in the event of your vehicle breaking down and cover is confirmed with our motor team, your caravan or trailer is covered to be taken to a near repairer. There is no cover if you have faulty towing equipment, as this is not classed as a breakdown.

And talking to them the " Vehicle" in my case is the Car towing the caravan. If your "Caravan" is immobilised due to a fault, this is the " Towing Equipment" . Nice " out" again. So you pays your money and you takes your chances ! I would really like to purchase the Caravan Only Policy if that was an option but I think the chances of that being available to purchase here are about nil.
Chris