Foreign Recovery

Went to Germany a couple of weeks ago in my Son's 300TDI Discovery. Because it was fairly old we contacred the RAC where we are already members & upgraded our membership for full European cover for the duration of the trip.
The Disco threw a front Propshaft on the Belgian Autbahn. Contacted the RAC who sent a recovery truck & organised a Taxi to get us to a Car Hire depot. When we asked the call centre for the rest of the cover we were told we were on our own. I had to pay for the Car Hire up front, a little difficuld as I only had Debit Cards with me & Avis will only accept Credit Cards. Then we returned the Hire Car we were told we were on our own as far as getting home was concerned. Luckily we were at Brussels Airport so British Airways sorted us.
Now the RAC are refusing to repatriate the vehicle because they say the repair cost is Greater than the value of the Disco. I dispute this as I know I can get it fixed here for considerably less than their quote & they apperar to be valuing the Disco at a low price.I dont undestand why their estimation of the repair cost is relevant as I only want the vehicle back to my home & I can fix it.
The RAC in England, who I took out the service with, keep telling me that I have to deal with RAC Europe who are most unhelpful.
I have tried to complain to the Insurance Ombudsman but they say that the service isn't Insurance, so they don't want to know. I have complained to the RAC complaints service in England, who say they will get back to us in 5 days, its well past that & I am still waiting.
Has anyone else had this kind of problem?
Any suggestions as to how I might proceed?
Any help greatfully recieved.
Regards
bigmart

I feel for you there mate been there had that problem offroading in Poland back in 98 we had such a problem with the AA we ended up limping home which is what my advice to you would be carry a decent tool kit and get your vehicle decent so you can get yourself home or at least to a parts company to get yourself home

Where is the disco now? A garage or a holding area?

I know the AA have in their clauses that if the cost of the recovery is more than the value of the vehicle, then they reserve the right to give you the value of the vehicle rather than recovery to UK. Looks like same thing.

If you want it I would try and organise repair and pick it up yourself. Possible find out RAC write off cost and ask for some of it to repatriate it yourself.

Bad luck... Hope it turns out OK.

They are not offering any kind of financial reparation. In fact they are threatening to charge a storage fee if I don't agree to destruction of the vehicle or pay 600 Euro's plus tax for repatriation.

bigmart!

Take the prop off and drive it home in 2wd?

Oh balls. I just paid RAC for Europe cover to the tune of £96 something, although this was for Comprehensive Cover. What cover did you have?

bigmart1 said:

They are not offering any kind of financial reparation. In fact they are threatening to charge a storage fee if I don't agree to destruction of the vehicle or pay 600 Euro's plus tax for repatriation.

bigmart!

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That's just bollocks... Not nice at all... Sorry...

200tdi ayre said:

Take the prop off and drive it home in 2wd?

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Sounds like a good thing to do.

They are saying the Disco need a new Gearbox. I tried to selct 4WD at the time but it wouldn't select.

The cover we purchased was the full, Comprehensive, if you like but remember that what you are buying is not an insurance policy apparently.

bigmart

thats sly, Im sure it used to be breakdwon insurance, now its just breakdown cover. when did that change??

bigmart1 said:

They are saying the Disco need a new Gearbox. I tried to selct 4WD at the time but it wouldn't select.

The cover we purchased was the full, Comprehensive, if you like but remember that what you are buying is not an insurance policy apparently.

bigmart

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that's full of crap the discovery is and has always been a permanent 4 while drive vehicle land rover can quote you on it, in fact ask for it in writing and take it to land rover or any reputable 4x4 specialist they will soon put the RAC right on that one and tell them as its comprehensive CAB and see what your rights are as in to have it relayed home and bill the RAC for malpractice and gross incompetence

Oh crap I was going to go with the RAC for my Euro trip.

Sorry to hear about all the agro you have had. Although a bit of a ****ter €600 euros does not sound too bad to get it home, just costs alone to hire a trailer eurotunnel and couple of tanks of diesel your looking £350/400 thats assuming you can borrow another landy to tow it home.

bigmart1 said:

They are saying the Disco need a new Gearbox. I tried to selct 4WD at the time but it wouldn't select.

The cover we purchased was the full, Comprehensive, if you like but remember that what you are buying is not an insurance policy apparently.

bigmart

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I take it you mean the difflock wouldn't go in as they are permanent 4wd. If that's the case it's probably the linkage seized if you hadn't used it for a while.

My next step would be Watchdog.

Pay the 600 and get it back and sort it out from then , thats if you want it back , otherwise its gonna cost you more .

tacr2man said:

Pay the 600 and get it back and sort it out from then , thats if you want it back , otherwise its gonna cost you more .

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Yeah just pay it then deal with it. Small claims will usually scare them coz they wont' want to send someone to your local court to fight the case!