Policy Details - What is covered

The following shows details of what your Vehicle Rescue Direct cover from AXA Assistance covers.

VEHICLE BREAKDOWN COVER
Policy Wording

AXA Assistance operates the 24-hour motoring assistance helpline. This insurance is effected in England and is subject to the Laws of England and Wales .

Inter Partner Assistance SA activity is authorised by the Commission Bancaire, Financère et des Assurance (CBFA) in Belgium (their regulatory arm) and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA), an independent non-governmental body, given statutory powers by the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. The address of the FSA is 25 The North Colonnade, Canary Wharf , London E14 5HS. Information can be obtained either by phoning to their Consumer Helpline 0845 606 1234 (local call rates) or by visiting the following website: www.fsa.gov.uk. This document sets out the terms and conditions of your Cover and it is important that you read it carefully,

Each section of cover confirms what is and is not covered. There are also general exclusions that apply to all sections of cover and general conditions that you must comply with for the policy to operate. If you find that the cover does not meet your needs, contact Vehicle Rescue Direct within 14 days of receipt of this document and Vehicle Rescue Direct will arrange to cancel your policy.

Meaning of words

Wherever the following words and phrases appear in bold in this document and in the Motoring Assistance Schedule they will always have these meanings:

1. We/Us/Our
   Inter Partner Assistance, The Quadrangle, 106-118 Station Road , Redhill, Surrey RH1 1PR. Registered No: FC008998.
    
2. You/Your/Driver
   The policyholder or any person driving with your permission, and/or any passenger in the insured vehicle (maximum 7 people including the driver).
    
3. Vehicle
   Vehicle means the private, leased or company owned car, motorcycle or light commercial vehicle which is under 16 years of age and does not exceed 3500KG in gross weight, 5.1m in length, 2m in height and 2.1m in width, insured under your policy, as shown on the Motoring Assistance Schedule, details of which have been provided to Inter Partner Assistance and for which, the appropriate premium has been paid and received by Inter Partner Assistance.
    
   If your vehicle breaks down whilst towing a caravan or trailer we will recover your vehicle together with caravan or trailer providing that the length of the trailer does not exceed the following 8 m in length, 3m in height and 2.28 in width. You must carry a serviceable spare tyre and wheel for yourvehicle (Unless one is not a part of the manufacturers standard equipment, e.g. motorcycles), caravan or trailer.
    
4. Your Home
   The UK address last notified to Vehicle Rescue Direct as your permanent residence or place where your vehicle is normally kept.
    
5. Breakdown
   Immobilisation of the vehicle as a result of mechanical breakdown, accident, act of vandalism, fire or attempted/recovered theft, flat tyre, lack of fuel, flat battery, occurring within the United Kingdom (or Western European territorial limits if the appropriate premium has been paid) during the period of cover.
    
6. UK
   Great Britain , Northern Ireland , the Isle of Man , and the Channel Islands.
    
7. Period of Cover
   The period to which the insurance applies and is stated on your Motoring Assistance Schedule.
    
8. AXA Assistance
   AXA Assistance ( UK ) Limited, The Quadrangle, 106-118 Station Road , Redhill, Surrey RH1 1PR.
    
9. Road Rescue
   Road Rescue is the 24-hour help line and recovery service provided by AXA Assistance .

The cover detailed under each section will only apply if it is shown on your current Motoring Assistance Schedule. Cover is subject to the General Exclusions and General Conditions detailed in sections E and F.

Breakdown in the United Kingdom

Section A
Roadside Assistance and Local Recovery in The United Kingdom

What is covered :

• If your vehicle is immobilised as a result of a breakdown, we will arrange and pay for a vehicle rescue operator to come to the place of the breakdown for up to one hour in order to try and restore the vehicle’s mobility.

• If your vehicle cannot be made roadworthy at the place of breakdown, we will arrange and pay for your vehicle together with the driver and up to six passengers to be taken to a suitable local garage normally within 15 miles, for it to be repaired at your cost.

What is not covered:

• A breakdown at or within a one-mile radius of your home.
• Anything mentioned in the general exclusions.

Section B
National Recovery in the United Kingdom.

Additional services applicable when the RescuePlus service has been purchased.

What is covered?

If your vehicle cannot be made roadworthy at the place of the breakdown, and cannot be repaired the same day at a suitable local garage, we will arrange and pay for any one of the following:

• Nationwide Recovery Service
  For your vehicle together with the driver and up to six passengers to be taken to your intended destination or home anywhere in the United Kingdom and then at your request, for your vehicle to be taken to a garage of your choice within 15 miles during one complete journey, for it to be repaired at your cost.

• Overnight Accommodation  
  Bed and breakfast expenses for one night only, limited to a maximum of £40 per person (£160 for your whole party).

• 24 Hour Hire Vehicle ( in the United Kingdom )
  A hire vehicle of up to 1100cc for a period not exceeding 24 Hours. You will be responsible for the return of the hire vehicle and the collection of your repaired vehicle.

Please note: We will choose the most appropriate solution from one of the above options.

• Emergency Driver within t he United Kingdom
  If, during the journey, the driver suffers accidental bodily injury or illness, which means that he or she cannot drive and there is no one else, able or qualified to drive the vehicle, we will provide, and pay for, a driver to complete the journey or return the vehicle and passengers to the intended destination. You will need to provide some form of medical certification before we provide this benefit.

What is not covered:

• A breakdown at or within a one-mile radius of your home.
• Anything mentioned in the general exclusions.

Section C - At home
(Applicable where RescuePlus service has been purchased)

What is covered:

• In the event that your vehicle is immobilised as a result of a breakdown, at or within a one mile radius of yourhome, we will arrange and pay for a vehicle rescue operator to come to the place of breakdown for up to one hour in order to try and restore the vehicle’s mobility.

• If your vehicle cannot be made roadworthy at the place of breakdown, we will arrange and pay for your vehicle together with the driver and up to six passengers to be taken to a suitable garage normally within 15 miles, for it to be repaired at your cost.

What is not covered:

Anything mentioned in the general exclusions.

Breakdown in Europe

This section is applicable where either the RescuePlus Europe or European Single Trip service has been purchased and is shown on your Motoring Assistance Schedule.

In addition to those detailed above, wherever the following words and phrases appear in bold in this document and Motoring Assistance Schedule they will always have these meanings:

• Journey (RescuePlus Europe)
  A return trip or trips in your vehicle between your home in the United Kingdom and your destination abroad, within the territorial limits, which does not exceed 31 consecutive days or no more than 90 days in total during the period of cover
   
• Journey (European Single Trip)
  A return trip in your vehicle between your home in the United Kingdom and your destination abroad, within the territorial limits during the period of cover.

Unless otherwise stated cover in section D only applies in the European countries listed below:

Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Hungary Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey Malta, the Republic of Cyprus, the Vatican City, and these country’s dependent Islands, within the geographical area of Europe, of the aforementioned countries.

Section D - European Cover

D1) Before travel abroad starts

The benefits shown under section D4 below also apply in the The United Kingdom providingthat the breakdown happens during yourjourney. 

D2)Roadside Assistance & Towing

What is covered:  

• In the event that yourvehicle is immobilised as a result of a breakdown, we will arrange and pay for a vehicle rescue operator to come to the place of breakdown for up to one hour in order to try and restore the vehicle’s mobility.

• If your vehicle cannot be made roadworthy at the place of breakdown, we will arrange and pay for your vehicle together with the driver and up to six passengers to be taken to a suitable garage, for it to be repaired at your cost.

• Labour charges and/or replacement parts up to £200 for immediate emergency repairs which are necessary to make your vehicle secure following the theft or attempted theft of the vehicle or its contents.

What is not covered:

• The cost of paintwork and other cosmetic items.
• Any amounts for making the vehicle secure once you have returned to the United Kingdom .
• Anything mentioned in the general exclusions

D3)Delivering replacement parts

What is covered:

• If replacement parts are not available locally to repair the vehicle following a breakdown we will arrange and pay to have them delivered to you or an agreed location as quickly as reasonably possible.

What is not covered:

• The actual cost of replacement parts and any customs duty. This must be paid to us using a credit or charge card, or at our discretion, any other payment method.
• Any amount if the replacement parts can be obtained locally.
• Anything mentioned in the general exclusions

D4)Loss of use of Your Vehicle

What is covered:

If during your journey your vehicle is immobilised or made un-roadworthy as a result of a breakdown and will take at least 8 hours to repair, or has been stolen and not recovered within 8 hours, we will arrange and pay for any one of the following:

• To transport you, your passengers and luggage to your intended destination, and then return you to your vehicle once it is has been repaired, or, for a driver to bring yourvehicle to your holiday location once it has been repaired

• The cost of hiring an alternative car while your vehicle is being repaired up to £70 per day and £750 in total.

• Bed and Breakfast expenses up to £30 per person (£500 in total for your whole party) while your vehicle is being repaired, provided your original accommodation has been pre-paid and you can’t get your money back.

Please note: We will choose the most appropriate solution from one of the above options.

What is not covered:

• The cost of fuel or lubricants you use in the hire vehicle.
• Anything mentioned in the general exclusions.

D5) If you become ill or injured and can’t drive

What is covered:

• As long as you have medical proof that you can’t drive, and no one else in your party can drive youhome, we will pay for a qualified driver to bring you, your passengers and your vehicle home.

What is not covered:

• Anything mentioned in the General Exclusions

D6) If you can’t use your own vehicle to get home

What is covered:

If following a breakdownyour vehicle is still not repaired or roadworthy when it is time for you to return home, we will pay for suitable transport to get you, your passengers and your luggage home, and up to £150 towards alternative travel costs in the United Kingdom while you wait for your own vehicle. We will also pay for:

• Transporting your vehicle to your home or your chosen repairer in the United Kingdom .

• OR the cost of a single rail/sea ticket (or an air ticket if the rail/sea trip would take more than 12 hours) for you to go and fetch your vehicle once it has been repaired or found.

• AND any storage charges (up to a total of £100) while it is waiting for repair, collection or transportation home.

What is not covered:

• Any costs and expenses you would have incurred anyway for travelling home.
• Loss or damage to personal possessions left in, on or near the vehicle.
• The return of your vehicle to the United Kingdom if we believe that the cost of doing so would be greater than the market value of your vehicle in the United Kingdom.
• The return of yourvehicle to the United Kingdom if repairs can be completed locally and you are either unable or unwilling to allow this to happen.
• Anything mentioned in the General Exclusions
  

What is not covered :

• Any breakdown that happens during the first 24 hours after cover is taken out for the first time, except for benefits shown under Section A, which are available immediately.
• The cost of replacement fuel or for any spare parts required to restore the mobility of your vehicle or for any costs incurred as a result of the unavailability of replacement parts.
• Labour costs of more than 1 hour for roadside assistance.
• If we consider that a locksmith, body, glass or tyre specialist is needed, we will try to arrange these for you but you will have to pay for their services, unless your vehicle is covered under section D2c.
• The cost or the quality of repairs when your vehicle is repaired in any garage to which the vehicle is taken.
• Any costs for vehicles, which have not been maintained and operated in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications.
• Any call out or recovery costs incurred in the United Kingdom following a breakdown where the police or other emergency service insist on immediate recovery by a third party.
• Assistance or recovery if your vehicle is partly or completely buried in snow, mud, sand or water.
• Damage or costs incurred as a direct result of gaining access to your vehicle following your request for assistance.
• Consequential loss of any kind arising from the provision of, or delay in providing, the services this cover relates to.
• Transportation of horses or livestock. Onward transportation of any animal in yourvehicle shall be at our discretion and solely at your risk.
• Any costs for vehicles that have broken down or are not roadworthy when cover was taken out.
• The costs incurred in obtaining a spare wheel or tyre for roadside repair where you are unable to provide a serviceable spare wheel or tyre. (Other than for vehicles which do not carry a spare wheel as part of the manufacturer’s standard specification, e.g. motorcycles.)
• If your vehicle has been modified for, or is taking part in, racing, trials or rallying.
• Any cost recoverable under any other policy of insurance or under the service provided by any motoring organisation.
• Recovery where yourvehicle is carrying more occupants than a driver and up to 6 passengers or a greater weight, than for which the vehicle was designed, or where the vehicle is being used unreasonably on unsuitable terrain.
• Recovery or Assistance where the vehicle exceeds 3,500 kg gross vehicle weight or 5.1m in length, 2m in height and 2.1m in width.
• Recovery or assistance where yourvehicle is being used for the carriage of people for hire or reward, unless we have agreed this with you.
• Recovery or Assistance where the vehicle is being used for the carriage of commercial goods.
• Any claim arising from the driving of your vehicle with your consent by:
• any person who you know does not have a valid UK driving licence or
• is not keeping to the conditions of their driving license.
• Any claim arising from an inadequate repair or attempted repair previously carried out during the course of the same trip.
• Recovery costs following a road traffic accident or other incident normally covered by a motor insurance policy.
• Any loss or damage caused to your vehicle, or any loss or expense arising from or contributed to by:
• Ionising radiation or radioactive contamination from any nuclear fuel or from any nuclear waste which results from burning nuclear fuel; or
• The radioactive, toxic, explosive or other dangerous properties of any nuclear machinery or any part of it.
• Loss or damage caused by war, invasion, act of foreign enemy, hostilities (whether war is declared or not), civil war, rebellion, revolution or military power.
• Any loss or damage caused by riot or civil commotion that happens outside the United Kingdom .

Section F
GENERAL CONDITIONS applying to all parts of this policy

• Your vehicle must be permanently registered in the United Kingdom and if appropriate have a current MOT certificate. It shall at all times be maintained in a good mechanical and roadworthy condition and be regularly serviced in accordance with the manufacture’s specifications. It must be under 16 years old since first registration.
• If we arrange for temporary roadside repairs to be carried out following the Breakdown of yourvehicle, or we provide recovery to your nominated destination, you must arrange a permanent repair at your earliest opportunity otherwise we shall not be liable to provide further assistance in respect of the same incident or insured event.
• No benefit shall be payable unless you contact us via the emergency telephone numbers provided. You must not seek to contact any agent or repairer direct.
• You are responsible for the safety of your vehicle and its contents and, unless incapacitated, or by arrangement with us or our agent, you must be in attendance at your vehicle at the estimated time we advise that assistance can be expected.
• Your policy number must be quoted when calling for assistance and the relevant identification produced on the demand of the repairer, recovery specialist or other nominated agent of Inter Partner Assistance.
• You will have to pay the cost for the recovery or repair vehicle coming out to you if, after requesting assistance to which you are entitled, your vehicle is moved, recovered or repaired by any other means.
• You will have to pay any costs You would have been required to pay if the incident resulting in the claim had not happened.
• We are not responsible for any actions or costs of garages, recovery firms or emergency services carrying out work or acting on your instructions or the instructions of any person acting on your behalf.
• We shall be entitled to request all reasonable assistance from you to conduct proceedings in your name for Inter Partner Assistance's benefit to seek reimbursement from a responsible Third Party following payment of a claim made under any cover provided by this insurance.
• You shall carry a serviceable spare tyre and wheel for your vehicle and anyattached caravan or trailer. (Other than for vehicles which do not carry a spare wheel as part of the manufacturer’s standard specification, e.g. motorcycles.)
• We reserve the right to nominate a suitable garage equipped to undertake repair, at your expense, rather than recover an immobilised vehicle, where effective repairs can be completed within 8 Hours.
• If we arrange for temporary roadside repairs to be carried out to your vehicle,you are required to then immediately arrange for any permanent repair that may be necessary.
• If your vehicle needs to be taken to a garage after a breakdown, it must be in an easily accessible position for a recovery vehicle to load. If this is not the case you will have to pay an emergency recovery fee.
• You will have to pay for parts, components or other products used in the repair of yourvehicle.
• We will not arrange for assistance where your vehicle is considered to be dangerous or illegal to repair or transport.
• Inter Partner Assistance shall not be responsible for more than two claims made against the Service during any 12 month period which arise from a common identified fault; and no more than four in any 12 month period.
• If you are covered for breakdown by any other insurance policy or warranty you must tell us.
• Should you be unwilling to accept our decision or that of our agents on the most suitable form of assistance to be provided, we will pay not more than £100 for any one breakdown towards your preferred form of assistance.
• We cannot guarantee that hire cars will always be available and we are not responsible if they are not available. We will do our best to arrange a vehicle of equivalent size but no guarantee can be given that there will be tow bars, bike racks, roof boxes, or other accessories included. Hire cars are provided subject to you meeting the conditions of the hirer. In most parts of Europe , hire cars are not permitted to cross national frontier s or to be bought back to the United Kingdom .
• The parties to this insurance are you and us and any person or company who is not party to this insurance policy has no right under the Contracts (Right of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any term of this insurance policy but this does not affect any right or remedy of a third party that exist or is available apart from that Act.
• Any reduction in cover will only be allowed at renewal of the cover.
• We may cancel this policy by giving you fourteen days notice by recorded delivery to your last known home address. If we do this we will refund any unused part of your premium as long as you have not made a claim during the period of cover. During the fourteen days ‘cooling off’ period after the initial purchase, you may cancel your policy and your premium will be refunded in full providing you have not made a claim or used the service after the date of travel.

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We make every effort to provide you with the highest standards of service. If on any occasion our service falls below the standard you would expect us to meet, the procedure below explains what you should do.

Complaints Procedure

Your first point of contact should be: Quality Control Manager, Vehicle Rescue Direct, Rowan House, 226 Unthank Road, Norwich , NR2 2AH , UK .

If your complaint is unresolved, You can write to the Quality Manager, who will arrange an investigation on behalf of the General Manager, at: Inter Partner Assistance, The Quadrangle, 106-118 Station Road, Redhill, Surrey, RH1 1PR, UK or telephone 0870 609 0023.

If it is impossible to reach an agreement you have the right to make an appeal to the Financial Ombudsman Service, South Quay Plaza, 183 Marsh Wall, Docklands, London E14 9SR or telephone 0845 080 1800.

The existence of these procedures does not affect your right to take legal proceedings.

In Addition Inter Partner Assistance is a member of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSC). The FSCS is a safety net for customers of financial services firms. Further information can be obtained from either initial complaints point or www.fscs.org.uk

Details of you, your insurance cover and claims will be held by us for underwriting, processing, claims handling and fraud prevention subject to the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998.

Inter Partner Assistance (Head office in Brussels )

Rue du Trône 98,bte 9
1050 Bruxelles
Belgique