To tour with breakdown cover or not?

[TheDonUK]

Doing a similar sort of trip as tatters is currently on very soon (thjinking about 3k miles, down through france around spain and back..., and looked into a week or two's european breakdown cover and about the cheapest was 80-120 quid, is there anything cheaper? and is it much of a risk, my bandit 600 will have had everything that needs doing on it done by the time i go...so its not a shed...

[sagalout]

My RAC uk & european cover was only £59 for the year.

Depends how much peace of mind is worth to you. From what I gather its expensive to get recovery out there, so its just a gamble, like all insurance I suppose.

[Modo]

Definetly get cover, been many times over to Europe on bikes but would never consider going without it.
You just know the first time you don`t take cover you will need it
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[EuropeanNC30R...]

Try your insurance company, I usually get it when taking out my policy, usually costs around £30-45 for 12 months euro breakdown cover (or free with Carol Nash and some others). You don't get stung for taking an older bike either.

[sanchezz_182]

def get insurance.. i would have been totly screwd without it when i broke down in france..
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no sig, thats gay!!

[NSR Mick]

Cant remember who I used but it was resonable for 2 weeks cover and wouldnt go without it.
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If you dont like the way that I ride.......Stop trying to keep up!!!

[Fazerkev]

Insurance or breakdown/accident recovery cover?
I'd get both
Greenm Flag breakdown and accident cover for a year including Euro is £69
Insurance was about £35 for 2 weeks.
You can do it though your bank postoffice etc but also the bike tour companies do it even if not on a tour by them.
That way you can be sure the small print won't say silly things like holidasy with abike over 125cc is an "extreme sport" and is not covered. You know it's tailer made for bikers. price over bank insurance is notheing or cheaper tbh.

even if your bike's in goo dnick, you may get apuncture or lose the keys or break a key in th ebarrel 50 miles from the ferry.. Unlucky Buell owner that was comign hoem from Le Mans GP
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Kev

[Polarbear]

Don't even consider going abroad without it, and get good injury insurance for yourself as well.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[TheDonUK]

I just European Health Insurance Card in the post today, which as far as i understand entitles me to care in national hospitals...

I am going to ring my insurers and ask how much it would cost for a week or twos euro breakdown cover...

[Misc]

If you do happen to breakdown, do they come all the way from the U.K & how long would it take to get picked up?

[Itchy]

[Phoenix]

Definately wouldn't risk going without breakdown cover. If you breakdown in the middle of nowhere what exactly would your plan be with no cover?

You also ought to get travel insurance, E111 covers basic medical attention, however if you are properly injured you will need insurance to cover costs of repatriation, ie being flown home and getting your vehicle back and all other associated costs etc.

You can easily get travel insurance for about £5-10 for 2weeks European cover, just check each policy to make sure it covers you for riding motorcycles of the correct capacity, a lot are limited to 50 or 125cc or not at all.

[phil2alp]

If you are thinking of getting travel insurance check out the Post Office travel insurance. Many travel insurance policies exclude motorcycle travel. The post office doesnot exclude it and says in the policy it specifically does include travel/touring by motorcycle.

As far as breakdown/recovery goes it's personal choice. I took the chance of not having any when I went to Europe for three months and didn't break down. I hoped if the worst came to the worst I would call out a local garage and get it fixed, but it is risky ie getting ripped off, bike stolen while you go for help etc. However I did go to Ireland for a week last week and made sure my AA breakdown policy covered me there as I already had AA cover. I'd get cover for peace of mind if you can afford it.

[TheDonUK]

Well i rang my insurers and asked what they could provide, and for 50 quid i got a years membership with RAC including european cover for that whole period...

Interesting that they charge new customers between 80-120 for merely 2 weeks cover...

[Whosthedaddy]

[TheDonUK]

When it comes thru i will read the fine print, should be ok though as i wont be away for a month...

On a side note got my passport through today so will be leaving this coming monday