The Great British Summer is that time of year when we’re all inspired to pack up our cars and hit the road, conquering the continent by road. Then the unthinkable happens – your car breaks down.
If you haven’t specifically arranged European breakdown cover (and if your policy doesn’t cover it) then Vehicle repatriation is your best hope for salvaging your summer holiday – and your precious car.
Vehicle Repatriation
Repatriation is the process of returning your car to its country of registration. If you break down abroad and are uninsured, this involves returning your car to the UK for repairs. In many cases, repatriation is required even if you are insured, such as when your policy doesn’t cover repairs abroad.
European Breakdown Cover
This can be tricky. Many policies won’t cover repatriation, and many providers will simply underwrite the value of the car if they don’t consider it worthwhile. If you want to guarantee that your expensive, shiny new car returns to the UK for repairs – or returns to the UK at all – then repatriation is the only way to go.
Repairing At Home vs. Repairing Abroad
It’s estimated that around 2.5 million British people drive to Europe every year. Summer is an especially busy period, and crashing or breaking down overseas is far more complicated than if it happens here in the UK. The stressful task of making arrangements after an incident in the UK is made much worse if you’re in a country where you don’t know the language or area, and this risks you getting caught out by hidden or extra costs.
To avoid this extra level of stress, many people choose to have their cars repatriated, so that they can deal with repairs at home. Think about it; you’ve just bought an expensive, vintage car, if you break down abroad, you will want to know precise details of repairs being carried out, and how much they’ll cost you. This is extremely difficult in a foreign country, even if you have a basic-to-moderate understanding of the language.
What Does Car Repatriation Involve?
Our high-spec covered car transporters are equipped with winches for non-running cars. Our team of experienced drivers have specialised in automotive logistics for many years, giving you peace of mind that your valuable vehicle will be returned home quickly, safely and cost-effectively.
We can collect from Continental Europe, including Eastern Europe and Russia, and will deliver your vehicle to anywhere in the UK. You can even track your vehicle throughout the delivery process.
If you’re planning to take your car on holiday, it’s imperative that you know your options. Our international car transport services can expertly plan, track and manage the return of your vehicle if you were to break down abroad. If you would like more information on vehicle repatriation, contact one of the OnTime team today.