Breakdown cover

[Doherto]

Hi, when I purchased my XJ40 in May this year I added her onto my Green Flag Breakdown recovery policy for a few months so that the two cars would renew at the same time. That time is coming up now and having received my reminder I realise that my everyday car has European cover but not the Jag. On enquiring I now understand that Green Flag will not extend their policy into Europe for cars over 16 years old. Unfortunately we love European touring and now, hopefully, things are opening up we are planning some tours for 2022 and would prefer to take the Jag. She is running like new, as she only has 12,000 miles on the clock, but I would not be confidant in Europe without cover as she is far too technical for roadside maintenance, unlike the Mk2, and so the request for information. Before I start trolling round for companies who provide cover can I ask members, if they have any information, to please reply and point me in the right direction. Thank you in anticipation. Tony D

[Doherto]

Hi again. My plans to wash and polish the car this afternoon after a 500 mile tour of Yorkshire and Cumbria last week have been thwarted by the weather and so I have done some homework on this subject. Long story short, I have arranged what I think is a great cover with the RAC. They have an offer on at the moment, until July 15th, for what they call 'Personal Cover' which basically means I am covered for a year in any of our cars, 3 off, for full breakdown recovery in the UK and Europe, including repatriation, for £176. I had to use the phone eventually as every time I used a website I got unbelievably low quotations until I realised that, because my car has been re imported from Japan, all the websites assumed it was 0 years old when looking up the registration number. I am happy with the results which may or may not be beneficial to others and so I can now cancel my request for assistance. Tony D

[PeterDavisX300]

Hi Tony
Yes, RAC is the better of the Two, (AA or RAC) I have personal cover including my wife, we can both drive any of our cars, or in my case including motorcycles, including Europe cover, £169. This will remain the same with the RAC, whereas the AA increase the cost of cover year on year! I was with the AA for about 5 years, until a few years ago they wouldn't budge from £233 for the same cover, stating they had a 'Highland-Patrol' (I live very North Scotland) The RAC also have a 'Highland Patrol', and dont forget, with the RAC, if they say they are sending out a 'local' garage, (who generally just turn up to tow you home), you can request an RAC patrol, but this may mean you wait longer! But at least with the RAC patrol they will diagnose the problem because they have all the plug in kit for our Jaguars.

Two years ago, my second year with RAC, I was travelling to Malta, and broke down in Italy. I contacted RAC and an italian garage, fully equipped with diagnostics was with me in 50 mins. Crankshaft sensor, (Which I suspected owing to the lack of 'flickering' rev-counter on cranking) I had a spare, and the garage chappy fitted it after confirming with equipment. The next year, my renewal was still the same!

I would recommend RAC above any, after many years motoring, and trying a few.