There can be few things scarier than having your vehicle breakdown in an area where you do not speak the language. It pays to be prepared if touring Europe, breakdown insurance can not only give you peace of mind, it can help bridge that linguistic gap. You won’t have to worry about dealing with an auto mechanic who doesn’t speak your language or trying to explain to someone who has little or no English the events that led up to your vehicle ceasing to function.

Excitement and Fun

Europe has it all when it comes to vacationing. There are historical monuments, artworks, theaters, beaches and so much more. But if your primary language is English and you do not speak other languages, it can be just a little scary to engage in a motor tour all on your own. Breakdown coverage can bridge that gap. Most companies that provide European breakdown policies have an English-speaking helpline team, and some even provide for emergency accommodation and alternative travel options. This can be extremely beneficial if you are entering or exiting a country where you do not speak the language.

Fringe Benefits

In addition to the obvious benefits, which include a mechanic who will come to you and assist with getting your vehicle either repaired or towed, European breakdown policies sometimes include assistance with travel plans, and provide dual recovery – a policy that will get you to your planned destination and home again, so your vacation is not ruined. It can also help bring your vehicle home if it must be left at a repair shop when you return home.

What Vehicles are Covered

In addition to covering passenger vehicles, companies often provide coverage for motorcycles, motorhomes, and caravans. This includes coverage for your caravan when it is parked in an RV park. More than that, some policies include replacing leisure batteries, and even include a two-year warranty for the replacement.

Standard Coverage, of Course

You will, of course, receive the standard coverage as well as the bells and whistles. A standard breakdown insurance policy will send a licensed, certified mechanic to you with an assortment of standard supplies and parts. If the necessary part is not available or if the repair cannot be taken care of in a timely or safe manner by the roadside, your vehicle will be towed to a local repair facility. Depending upon the type of coverage that you have, and the age of your vehicle, your insurance might even pay for a large part of the repair bill, especially if it is a big-ticket item such as a transmission or motor that requires repair.

Confidence when You Travel

European breakdown insurance policies come in different sorts and lengths of time. You can take out a policy just for that special trip, or you can maintain one for the year around. Having a policy in place means that you can drive with confidence, needing only to focus on controlling your vehicle and watching out for the other drivers. Of course, you will want to have your standard vehicle policy, which should include both liability and collision coverage, neither of which are included in your breakdown insurance policy, although they might all go together as a bundle.

Why it is Always a Good Idea to Have Coverage

You might be the best driver in the world, and be very conscientious about upkeep on your vehicle, but insurance is about being prepared for the unexpected and having a little security in an uncertain world, and there is nothing wrong with that.