European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - September 1, 1978, Darmstadt, Hesse Up when an Accident happens which plan offers the most Protection and help consumer watch by Mary Neth e european automobile club stickers Long have been a familiar sight on american wind Shields. Belonging to these clubs which offer Protection in Case of breakdown or Accident often has meant a More or less Happy ending to a action disaster. For example one Frankfurt based american recalls the time his car blew a Piston on a family camping Vaca Tion in Spain. It happened just outside Zaragoza. Checking with a ocal garage he found that the repair work would Cost three times As much As in Germany. Fortunately before having on the trip he had purchased an adar Allie Meiner Deutscher automobile club aus lands Schutz Brief a Protection plan for travel outside of Germany. So after notifying the adar head office in Munich by card about what had happened he left the car and attached trailer in the Small Spanish town and continued the vacation. Six weeks later the car plus trailer was sitting in front of his House getting it Back to Frankfurt \ had t Cost him a thing. The adar coverage also in eluded two second class train tickets for return to1 Germany. Such experiences have convinced Many that joining a car club was the Only Way to go until recently. L until about a year ago the car clubs pretty much had this Type of Protection wrapped up. Now however insurance companies Are getting into the act and in some in stances offering package protective coverage that outstrips that of the clubs. The adar Germany s largest automobile club charges 4 Marks to join and 48 Marks dues a year. Membership includes help if your car Breaks Down travel advice a monthly Magazine which gives tips on travel car Upkeep new Laws Etc but unfortunately is published Only in German credit letters Low Cost insurance policies for the traveler and advice on Legal matters and for an additional 49 Marks a year a Schut Brief for travel within Germany and for Only 15 Marks above the membership dues the super Schut Brief. I the in country Protection allows 50 Marks a Day for five Days toward a rental car if your Auto is in the i repair shop but the service in t valid unless the i breakdown occurred at least 50 Kilometres from i your Home. It s that outside the country Protection plan that comes with the super Schut Brief that prompts most americans to join. Few speak German and therefore Are not really inter ested in the travel tips or Magazine. Many Don t find then country Protection that important. What is considered worthwhile is the help in getting a car Home if a break sown has occurred in another country far from Home or this reason the coverage now being offered by the German insurance companies should have a great Deal of peal. The insurance companies have banded together to Oner one plan Verk ehrs service Versich rung travel ervice insurance that costs a straight 65 Marks a year you include club membership and dues the adar user Schut Brief costs 67 Marks. But it is what s offered that is really interesting. Here Are some comparisons Friday september 1, 1978 the stars and stripes Page 19 traffic tie ups on Europe s roads can Lead to car problems and delays in getting Home. Insurance coverage adar Protection plan 4 Marks initial fee 48 Marks yearly dues 5 Marks extra for camping or boat trailers annual dues 65 Marks extra charges no extra charges for insuring attached camper or baggage or boat trailer 15 Marks insured private Auto also camper trailer Home private Auto and motorcycle Etc. With some exceptions time of coverage one year one year where covered Europe including Germany and Adja cent Mediterranean countries Europe including Germany coverage in different countries varies breakdown and Accident help up to 100 Marks for costs at scene of Acci Dent or breakdown credit note for Aid on Road adar Golden Angels not free everywhere towing charges up to 200 Marks including Cost of break Down and Accident help up to 40 Marks special payments three hotel overnights for up to 30 Marks for each occupant of the car Choice of second class train fare of up to 2000 kilo meters for All occupants or up to 100 a Day for a rental car payment of second class train fare Home for the insured and one passenger parts service pays for train or air delivery of parts to the place of Accident outside of Germany in areas covered by the insurance air or freight express of parts to most european countries arranges for Pur Chase and gives Cost estimates return transport of car pays for the transportation from foreign countries to the insured s Home for a car that cannot be repaired pays for car transportation with exception of totalled vehicle from areas Cov ered by plan loss of Driver pays a substitute Driver 50 a Kilometre plus meals and hotel to drive the car to the Home of the insured free return transportation by Driver of insured cars from 27 european countries Hospital spending Money not included 20 Marks a Day for members transport of injured in Case of injury or illness pays up to 25, 000 Marks to transport insured the wife or husband and any minor children up to 25,000 Marks for Holder of Schutz brie wife or husband and minor Chil Dren car totalled or stolen pays any customs and the second class train fare Home for All occupants or the same amount for rental of a car pays any customs in Europe excluding East Germany once a year provides second class train fare for two credit checks none credit checks in different amounts offered Legal advice not included through Ait clubs a member of the in Ternate Oil automobile Union organizational set up generally the insured pays costs himself and then is reimbursed Only a few companies Are available that provide Drivers weekend service is provided for not Only emergency Calls but for transportation of injured and Driver service return transportation by adar s own Highway service chartered planes used for transportation of injured around the clock emergency answering service in Munich and during vacation periods in Athens Barcelona Belgrade Paris and Rome
