ADAC Cover for UK and Non-Motorhome

[wildebus]

OK, chances are answers are somewhere in the forum, but ADAC for UK people seems to be a moving target so like to get as current an answer as possible ....

Currently have RAC personal cover which as I undersrand it covers me for cars and vans (in personal use) upto 3.5t. This cover has been fine for me upto now but got a new vehicle ....

VW LT46 Minibus.
This is currently down on the V5C as a PLG with a weight 4600 (how come I don't know as I thought PLG covered upto 3.5t only, but it is what it is).
As soon as I get the V5C back in my name, I plan to get that changed to a PHG (Private Heavy Goods) to gain an immediate benefit on road tax (£165 instead of £230) whilst I am converting it.
Then once converted, photos and letters to DVLA to reclassify it as a Motor Caravan and still keep the £165 rate (don't want to jump straight from LGV to Motor Caravan and potentially miss out on the revised tax rate either as that would be a waste)

Now the Questions...
Is ADAC still available for UK Residents?
Are the usual roadside assistance/recovery services available same as AA/RAC? In UK?
Will they assist me in a 4.6t HGV in this interim period before it is a Motor Caravan?
Once it is a Motor Caravan, any restrictions?
and finally, assuming ADAC is the good option I am assuming it is (and hopefully people have confirmed), HOW do I buy cover? the ADAC website is in German only and only german contact info, which is pushing me to think they don't sell cover outside of Germany?

Oh, and I guess a final final question ... is ADAC the best option anyway? is there another to consider which is good value and service? European cover not essential in the nest 12 months probably.


TIA.

 

[Canalsman]

Is ADAC still available for UK Residents?

Yes

Are the usual roadside assistance/recovery services available same as AA/RAC? In UK?


It's the AA that will attend in the UK

Will they assist me in a 4.6t HGV in this interim period before it is a Motor Caravan?

I don't see that this is a problem but I would ask

Once it is a Motor Caravan, any restrictions?

No - the policy has specific sections relating to motorhomes

and finally, assuming ADAC is the good option I am assuming it is (and hopefully people have confirmed), HOW do I buy cover? the ADAC website is in German only and only german contact info, which is pushing me to think they don't sell cover outside of Germany?

You will need to phone them. Ask for an English speaker, you'll need that in order to clarify the issue of the current minibus status and also to pay (credit cards only). There are a couple of numbers to try - 00 49 94 15 23 44 and 0049 221 47 27 47

Oh, and I guess a final final question ... is ADAC the best option anyway? is there another to consider which is good value and service? European cover not essential in the nest 12 months probably.

I would say so. The cover is inexpensive and very flexible covering all situations including homestart and all vehicles driven by you

 

[Deleted member 58274]

Hi, if not going abroad for 12 months why not go for British cover, then Adac when project completed. We currently have AA cover here via a current account (yes, covers van we checked) but also have Adac for when abroad. As mentioned they are German but have English speaking agents when you phone and have heard very good reports on their service when needed. Well, hope we never need to find out LOL !!
Maja

 

[DnK]

OK, chances are answers are somewhere in the forum, but ADAC for UK people seems to be a moving target so like to get as current an answer as possible ....

Currently have RAC personal cover which as I undersrand it covers me for cars and vans (in personal use) upto 3.5t. This cover has been fine for me upto now but got a new vehicle ....

VW LT46 Minibus.
This is currently down on the V5C as a PLG with a weight 4600 (how come I don't know as I thought PLG covered upto 3.5t only, but it is what it is).
As soon as I get the V5C back in my name, I plan to get that changed to a PHG (Private Heavy Goods) to gain an immediate benefit on road tax (£165 instead of £230) whilst I am converting it.
Then once converted, photos and letters to DVLA to reclassify it as a Motor Caravan and still keep the £165 rate (don't want to jump straight from LGV to Motor Caravan and potentially miss out on the revised tax rate either as that would be a waste)

Now the Questions...
Is ADAC still available for UK Residents?
Are the usual roadside assistance/recovery services available same as AA/RAC? In UK?
Will they assist me in a 4.6t HGV in this interim period before it is a Motor Caravan?
Once it is a Motor Caravan, any restrictions?
and finally, assuming ADAC is the good option I am assuming it is (and hopefully people have confirmed), HOW do I buy cover? the ADAC website is in German only and only german contact info, which is pushing me to think they don't sell cover outside of Germany?

Oh, and I guess a final final question ... is ADAC the best option anyway? is there another to consider which is good value and service? European cover not essential in the nest 12 months probably.


TIA.

Read this it will answer most of your questions: http://www.joysofeuropeancaravanning.co.uk/adacbreakdownservice.htm

I tried with difficulty joining via the Cologne office last year and they got some of my details wrong. I then found the link above which gave me contact for an office that is set up for UK applications. Ann-Katrin Zintl sorted out my details last year and I renewed via her this year with no problems. Hope this helps others on this site that struggle with ADAC.

 

[Canalsman]

That's a really helpful link.

Thank you

 

[phillybarbour]

ADAC for me every time. They cover motorhome up to 10m and 7500kg. As they cover the person it also covers all my motorbikes, motorhome and car.

Just ask for an English speaker and your away they speak far better English than any UK company that has its operators in India.

 

[yeoblade]

Be aware if you are, like me , an ADAC member and wish to end your membership, you can not just let it lapse.

They require THREE MONTHS NOTICE to end membership, before next renewal date. I found out

 

[wildebus]

Thanks for all your replies. much appreciated.

Maja, interesting comment ref AA covering your van. I am sure I read something about the AA (on their own policy docs) restricting cover on commercial vehicles? (which is why I switched to RAC while my T4 was still down as a Panel Van). I will reread both the AA and RAC policies
I am with the RAC until November this year so if they do cover a Private HGV under my current policy that would be great, but I think I will be moving to ADAC in November , if not before (depending on cover from RAC)

One more question ref ADAC ... with RAC, we have cover for any vehicle for two people. Do ADAC do the same thing or would each person need to take their own cover?

 

[Canalsman]

Remember that it is not the AA covering you in the UK if you have an ADAC membership. AA are agents for ADAC so it's the ADAC T's&C's that apply.

Membership for a partner or spouse is available for an additional 25€.

The membership in ADAC

 

[wildebus]

Hi, if not going abroad for 12 months why not go for British cover, then Adac when project completed. We currently have AA cover here via a current account (yes, covers van we checked) but also have Adac for when abroad. As mentioned they are German but have English speaking agents when you phone and have heard very good reports on their service when needed. Well, hope we never need to find out LOL !!
Maja

Checked AA Breakdown Service vehicle specs.... Car, Van or Motorhome upto 3500kg GVW and no wider then 7'6".

Does the free banking cover have a special option?

 

[Deleted member 58274]

Hi Wildebus, not sure what you mean by "special option" Our van is just less than 3500kg .... must check the width....(presuming this is so it fits on recovery vehicle) wifey did the AA research and says van is covered. Maja

 

[wildebus]

Hi Wildebus, not sure what you mean by "special option" Our van is just less than 3500kg .... must check the width....(presuming this is so it fits on recovery vehicle) wifey did the AA research and says van is covered. Maja

When you said "why not go for british cover .... our van is covered, we checked with AA..." I thought you have a van heavier than 3.5t as well? The reason I am looking at cover options and posted the question is mine is 4.6t GVW and that is an issue with some breakdown providers (incl. AA)

 

[Private]

Joining ADAC

Thanks to all who offered information regarding ADAC.
Using the information provided in this & other Wild Camping threads I joined ADAC this week & discovered it wasn’t any more difficult than joining a UK breakdown organisation.

I have provided full details of my experience below as a further insight for anybody else wanting to join for the first time.
It appears that the membership benefits relative to the price are unbeatable; I hope not to have to use them.

Prior to joining I emailed ADAC & they sent me some literature out to enable me to join by post. I have attached those items too should anyone wish to use the postal method.
One of the documents (ADAC SBY) is still in the German language. It would be helpful if somebody could offer an insight in to what that form is for.

22/7/2017
I dialled +49 94 15 23 44 using the Skype app on my ‘phone.
I was on hold for about 12 minutes before a male spoke a few sentences (in German).
I offered a polite “Guten Morgen” (good morning), followed by “Sprechen Sie Englisch?” (Do you speak English?).
He then spoke in clear English & said he would pass me on to an English speaking representative if I would hold. I complimented his English & said I would be happy to hold.
After a couple of minutes on hold I was greeted by another English speaking representative.
I asked if they were still accepting UK residents as new members & was told “Yes, very much so.” It did not appear to be an issue at all.
I then simply provided my name, address, email address & payment method (choice of debit or credit card).
I was informed I would receive my full membership in the post within two weeks & I received my temporary membership by email (which lasts for 2 months) within a few minutes of the call ending.

Membership cost for a single member was €84 (which I expect to be about £74).
Total call time was just over 19 minutes at a cost of 40 pence through Skype.

Good luck to all potential new members.

 

[Canalsman]

Good decision ...

I'm sure you'll find membership well worthwhile.

The one thing we won't know for a while is what happens once the UK leaves the EU ...