Policy Wording

This policy is underwritten by Inter Partner Assistance S.A. who are fully owned by and are a part of the Worldwide AXA Group and are responsible for all service provision. Their address is The Quadrangle, 106-118 Station Road, Redhill, Surrey RH1 1PR. Registered number FC008998. Please note that Swinton Group Limited is not the underwriter or service provider for this product.

Inter Partner Assistance S.A. is authorised by the Commission Bancaire, Financière et des Assurances (CBFA) in Belgium and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) in the UK. (FSA register number 202664) The FSA is an independent organisation that is not part of the Government.

The address of the FSA is:
25 The North Colonnade
Canary Wharf
London
E14 5HS

You can get information by phoning their consumer Helpline 0845 606 1234 (local rates apply) or by visiting their website at www.fsa.gov.uk

AXA Assistance (UK) Limited (‘AXA Assistance’) operates the 24-hour motoring assistance helpline. This insurance is governed by the laws of England and Wales. In the event of a breakdown or accident anywhere in the UK, but within the territorial limits, your insurance policy automatically entitles you or your authorised driver to request assistance from your Breakdown policy (dependent on the cover you have purchased), provided by AXA Assistance and a network of vehicle Rescue Agents approved by Inter Partner Assistance S.A.

Call 0800 015 5083*

To obtain emergency assistance, contact the 24 Hour Emergency Breakdown Helpline. (Your telephone calls to and from us may be recorded).

You should have the following information available upon request:

• The Vehicle’s Registration Number
• Your Name and Home Postcode
• Your Policy Number
• The Make and Model of the Vehicle
• The Colour of the Vehicle
• Your location
• An indication as to the nature of the problem

In the event of a breakdown on the motorway you can use the nearest SOS Emergency Telephone Box. Ask the Police to contact the 24 Hour Emergency Breakdown Helpline on the above number. Be prepared to provide the additional information together with the number of the SOS Emergency Telephone Box.

Only by calling the Emergency Helpline number, will you be able to claim for the services provided.

*Although most calls on 0800 lines are free, some mobile phone service providers do levy a charge. Calls may be recorded to help improve our standards of service and accuracy of information

This document sets out the terms and conditions of your Breakdown cover and it is important that you read it carefully, together with your schedule, which shows the level of cover you have chosen. Each section of cover confirms what is and is not covered.

There are also general exclusions (things that are not included) that apply to all sections of cover and general conditions that you must comply with for the policy to operate.

DEFINITIONS applying to this Policy Wherever the following words and phrases appear in bold in this document and schedule they will always have these meanings:

1. We/Us/Our
Inter Partner Assistance SA, The Quadrangle, 106-118
Station Road, Redhill, Surrey RH1 1PR.
Registered No: FC008998.

2. Swinton
Swinton House,
6 Gt. Marlborough Street,
Manchester,
M1 5SW

3. Vehicle Policy
A Vehicle Policy covers the specific vehicles shown on your policy schedule. This is the only vehicle that this cover applies to.

4. Personal Policy
A Personal Policy covers the specific policy holder that is named on the policy schedule, who must be travelling in the vehicle at the time of breakdown

5. Multi vehicle Policy
A Multi Vehicle Policy covers the specific vehicles that are named on the policy schedule. These are the only  vehicles that this cover applies to.

6. Multi Personal Policy
A Multi Personal Policy covers the specific persons that are named on the policy schedule, who must reside at the same address. The maximum number of named policy holders covered under this cover is six. One of the named policy holders must be travelling in the vehicle at the time of the breakdown.

7. You/Your/Driver
The policyholder or persons named on the schedule or any person driving the insured vehicle with your permission and/or any passenger in the insured vehicle (number of passengers not to exceed manufacturer's recommendation).

8. Vehicle
Vehicle means the private car or light commercial vehicle which is under 3500kg gross vehicle weight that you are either driving or being carried as a passenger. Where cover in force is a Vehicle Policy, the vehicle details will be stipulated on your schedule. You must have paid us the appropriate costs and we must have received these. If your vehicle breaks down whilst towing a caravan or trailer we will recover your vehicle together with the caravan or trailer. You must carry a serviceable spare tyre and wheel and a key that will let us remove a wheel secured by wheel nuts for your vehicle, caravan or trailer if it is designed to carry one.

9. Your Home
The UK address last noted to Swinton as your permanent residence and that of any named persons or place where any vehicle covered under this policy is normally kept. 10. 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, loss or breakage of vehicle keys, occurring within the UK (or Western European territorial limits if the appropriate premium has been paid) during the period of cover.

11. UK
Great Britain, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.

12. Period of Cover
This policy is for an indefinite period and will run from month to month from the commencement date of the policy for each monthly period for which Swinton accept a monthly premium and the premium is paid; unless cancelled in accordance with the terms of your policy.

13. Commencement DateThe date specified as such in the schedule. The cover detailed under each section will only apply if it is shown on your current schedule. Cover is subject to the General exclusions and General conditions detailed in sections E and F.

If you suffer a breakdown involving your vehicle please call the 24 hour emergency telephone number shown on your schedule.

Section A: Local Recovery within the UK

What is covered:
a) 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.

b) If your vehicle cannot be made roadworthy at the place of breakdown, we will arrange for your vehicle together with the driver and up to six passengers to be taken to a suitable local garage within 20 miles, for it to be repaired. You must pay the costs of any repairs.

What is not covered:
a) If your vehicle breaks down within one-mile of your home.

b) Anything mentioned in the general exclusions or conditions. (Please see section E & F).

Section B: UK Recovery
The cover in this section will only apply if the appropriate premium has been paid.

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 choose the most appropriate solution from one of the following options

1) UK 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 UK and then at your request, for your vehicle to be taken to a garage of your choice within 20 miles during one complete journey, for it to be repaired. You must pay the costs of any repairs.

2) Overnight Accommodation
Bed and breakfast expenses for one night only, limited to a maximum of £40 per person (£250 for your whole party). 3) 24 Hour UK Hire Vehicle 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.

4) Emergency Driver within the UK
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.

5) Message service
We can get a message to a person you have chosen, if your journey has been delayed as a result of a breakdown (you can request up to two messages per breakdown).

6) Medical assistance in the UK
If you have to go into hospital after an accident in the UK, we can arrange, at your cost, a medical transfer to take you to a hospital near your home. A doctor must give permission before we do this.

What is not covered:
a) If your vehicle breaks down within one-mile of your home.

b) Anything mentioned in the general exclusions or conditions. (Please see section E & F).

Section C: Home Recovery
The cover in this section will only apply if the appropriate premium has been paid.

What is covered:
a) In the event that your vehicle is immobilised as a result of a breakdown, at or within one mile of your home, 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.

b) 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 20 miles, for it to be repaired. You must pay the cost of any repairs.

What is not covered:
a) Anything mentioned in the general exclusions or conditions (see section E & F).

£10 Compensation
If we agree to provide assistance in the UK and our nominated agent is unable to attend the Insured Vehicle within one hour of your call to us, we will pay £10 as compensation, provided that

i) the delay was not caused by circumstances beyond our control e.g. extreme weather conditions and

ii) you submit a written claim to us for the compensation.

European Breakdown Cover
The cover in this section will only apply if the appropriate premium has been paid.

In addition to those detailed in the UK section, wherever the following words and phrases appear in bold in this document and schedule they will always have these meanings:

1 Journey
A return trip or trips in your vehicle between your home in the UK and your destination abroad, within the territorial limits, which does not exceed 31 consecutive days or no more than 183 days in any 12 month period starting from the commencement date during the period of cover.

2 Luggage
Suitcases or other bags that contain personal belongings for your journey
Cover is applicable for all countries belonging to the
EU including the following:

Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and dependent Islands.

WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY
Please do not attempt to solve the problem yourself. In the first instance contact us immediately using the contact numbers below.

DIALLING FROM EUROPEAN COUNTRIES :

+ 44 1737 815032

When calling for assistance please have the following information available, as this will help us to help you: -

• Your location
• Motor insurer (accident only)
• Policy number
• Return transport details
• Vehicle details

European cover

D1) Before travel abroad starts
The benefits shown under section D4 below also apply in the UK providing that the breakdown happens during your journey.

D2) Roadside assistance and towing
What is covered:
a) In the event that your vehicle is immobilised as a result of a breakdown, we will arrange 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.

b) 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 20 miles), for it to be repaired. You must pay the cost of any repairs.

c) 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.

ASSISTANCE ON MOTORWAYS
On many European motorways or auto routes, particularly in France, the police will answer the emergency telephones. They will arrange for a recovery vehicle to tow you off the motorway either to a local garage or perhaps to a motorway service station, without reference to us. They may ask you to pay for this assistance on the spot. If this happens you can either get a receipt and claim back from us or call us and we will try and persuade the recovery agent to accept our guarantee of payment. We will then arrange any other assistance you may need.

What is not covered:
a) The cost of paintwork and other cosmetic items.

b) Any amounts for making the vehicle secure once you have returned to the UK.

c) Anything mentioned in the general exclusions or conditions. (Please see section E & F).

D3) Delivering replacement parts

What is covered:
a) 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:
a) 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.

b) Any amount if the replacement parts can be got locally.

c) Anything mentioned in the general exclusions or conditions. (Please see section E & F).

D4) Loss of use of Your Vehicle

What is covered:
If during your journey your vehicle is immobilised or made unroadworthy 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 the most appropriate solution from one of the following options:

a. 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 your vehicle to your holiday location once it has been repaired

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

c. B&B expenses up to £40 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.

Note, 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 frontiers or be brought back to the UK.

What is not covered:
a) The cost of fuel or lubricants you use in the hire vehicle.
b) Any insurance you have to pay to the hire-car company.
c) Anything mentioned in the general exclusions or conditions. (Please see section E & F).

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

What is covered:
a) As long as you have medical proof that you can't drive, and no-one else in your party can drive you home, we will pay for a qualifi ed driver to bring you, your passengers and your vehicle home.

What is not covered:
a) Anything mentioned in the general exclusions and conditions. (Please see section E & F).

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

What is covered:
If following a breakdown your 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 UK while you wait for your own vehicle. We will also pay for:

a) Transporting your vehicle to your home or your chosen repairer in the UK

b) 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.

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

What is not covered:
a) Any costs and expenses you would have incurred anyway for travelling home.

b) Loss or damage to personal possessions left in, on or near the vehicle.

c) The return of your vehicle to the UK if we believe that the cost of doing so would be greater than the market value in the UK after the breakdown.

d) The return of the vehicle to the UK if repairs can be completed locally and you are either unable or unwilling to allow this to happen.

e) Anything mentioned in the general exclusions or conditions. (Please see section E & F).

What is not covered:
1. Any breakdown that happens during the first 24 hours after cover is taken out for the first time (excluding any changes in cover levels), except for benefits shown under Section A, which are available immediately.

2. 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. You will be responsible for the cost of draining or removing contaminated fuel.

3. In the event of misfuelling you will be entitled to a local recovery only.

4. Labour costs of more than 1 hour for roadside assistance.

5. If we consider that a locksmith, bodyglass 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.

6. The cost and guaranteeing the quality of repairs when your vehicle is repaired in any garage to which the vehicle is taken.

7. Any costs for vehicles, which have not been maintained and operated in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications (eg. serviced at the correct intervals).

8. Any call out or recovery costs incurred in the UK following a breakdown where the police or other emergency service insist on immediate recovery by a third party. You will have to pay any fees to store or release the vehicle.

9. Assistance or Recovery if your vehicle is partly or completely buried in snow, mud, sand or water.

10. Damage or costs incurred as a direct result of gaining access to your vehicle following your request for assistance.

11. Any loss you suffer which results from any delay in or failure to provide these services under this policy. (For example, a loss of earnings, the cost of food and drink and costs we have not agreed beforehand).

12. Transportation of horses or livestock. Onward transportation of any animal in your vehicle shall be at our discretion and solely at your risk.

13. Any costs for vehicles that have broken down or are unroadworthy when cover was taken out.

14. The costs of getting a spare wheel or tyre for a roadside repair if you do not have one. We will not pay the costs of arranging for a wheel that is secured by locking wheel nuts to be removed, if you are not able to provide a key to do this. This does not apply if your vehicle is not designed to carry a spare wheel.

15. If your vehicle has been modified for, or is taking part in, racing, trials or rallying.

16. Any cost recoverable under any other policy of insurance or under the service provided by any motoring organisation.

17. Recovery where your vehicle 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.

18. Recovery or Assistance where your vehicle exceeds 3,500 kg gross vehicle weight .

19. Recovery or assistance where your vehicle is being used for the carriage of people for hire or reward, unless we have agreed this with you.

20. 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.

21. Any claim arising from an inadequate repair or attempted repair previously carried out during the course of the same trip.

22. Recovery costs following a road traffic accident or other incident normally covered by a motor insurance policy.

23. 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.

24. 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.

25. Any loss or damage caused by riot or civil commotion that happens outside the UK

26. Any mobile phone and/or telephone costs incurred.

Section F - GENERAL CONDITIONS applying to all parts of this policy

1. Your vehicle must be permanently registered in the UK and, if appropriate, have a current MOT certificate and valid road fund licence / tax disc on display. It shall at all times be maintained in a good mechanical and roadworthy condition and be regularly serviced in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications.

2. If we arrange for temporary roadside repairs to be carried out following damage to your vehicle, or we provide recovery to your nominated destination, we shall not be liable to provide further assistance in respect of the same incident or insured event.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. Your policy number must be quoted when calling for assistance and the relevant identification produced on the demand of the repairer, recovery specialist or our chosen agent. If you have a Personal policy your schedule and some form of identification must be produced.

6. 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.

7. You will have to pay any toll or ferry fees incurred by the driver of the recovery vehicle, unless your vehicle is being recovered to your home on the Isle of Wight.

8. 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.

9. If we pay a claim under any cover provided by this insurance, we will be entitled to ask for all reasonable help from you to take action in your name to get back our costs from another organisation.

10. You shall carry a serviceable spare tyre and wheel for your vehicle and any attached caravan or trailer (other than for vehicles which do not carry a spare wheel as part of the manufacturer's standard specification).

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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 for Specialist Recovery charges.

14. You will have to pay for parts, components or other products used in the repair of your vehicle.

15. We will not arrange for assistance where your vehicle is considered to be dangerous or illegal to repair or transport.

16. We 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 (in the same vehicle).

17. Depending on the type of policy you purchase, you will be entitled to make a maximum number of claims under this policy in any 12 month period starting with the commencement date. The maximum limits are:

Vehicle Policy and Personal Policy = 4 callouts;
Multi Vehicle Policy Multi personal policy = 4 callouts per vehicle/person. Once the maximum number of claims have been reached, a referral service will be offered with all Costs charged to you. We will ask for a credit-card number or debit-card number before we assist you.

18. If you are covered for breakdown by any other insurance policy or warranty you must tell us.

19. If your vehicle is taken to a garage for storage you are responsible for paying any storage fees not covered by your motor insurance policy.

20. 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.

21. 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 the same size as yours, but we cannot guarantee that there will be tow bars, bike racks, roof boxes or other accessories included. You must meet the conditions of the hire car company to hire a vehicle. In most parts of Europe, hire cars are not allowed to cross national frontiers or to be bought back to the UK.

22. If you need us to scrap the vehicle, we will need : the V5 document, a copy of your passport, and your written permission to dispose of the vehicle. If there is a delay in you providing these documents you will be legally responsible for any extra costs incurred.

23. 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.

24. You may increase the level of cover you obtain under your policy at any time. Any increase in cover will commence 48 hours after the increase in cover has been agreed

25. This policy is for an indefinite period and will run from month to month from the commencement date of the policy for each monthly period for which we accept a monthly premium, and the premium is paid. Each payment is payable monthly on the date specified in the agreement. Each premium paid, purchased cover under the terms of the policy for the relevant monthly period. Swinton will collect the premiums on our behalf. In the event that Swinton are unable to collect a monthly premium on the due date, Swinton have the right to try and collect your premium again via the same payment method. If Swinton are still unable to collect the payment due, or where Swinton choose not to try again, the policy will be automatically cancelled. Any such cancellation will be confirmed to you.

26. You may cancel your Swinton breakdown insurance policy at any time. If you cancel your policy within 14 days of either:

i the commencement date

ii the date from which you receive the contractual terms and conditions; you are entitled to a full refund of any premium paid. After 14 days no part of your premium will be refunded or returned to you.

27. If we cancel your breakdown cover for any other reason, we will write to you at your last known address confirming that your breakdown cover will end 7 days after the date of the letter.

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
You can write to the Quality manager, who will arrange an investigation on behalf of the

General Manager, at:
Inter Partner Assistance S.A.,
The Quadrangle 106 - 118 Station Road, Redhill,
Surrey, RH1 IPR

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

In addition, we are a member of the Financial Services Compensation scheme (FSCS). The FSCS is a safety net for customers of financial services fi rms. Further information can be obtained from www.fscs.org.uk

Our promise to you:
• Acknowledge written complaints promptly
• Investigate quickly and thoroughly
• Keep you informed of progress
• Do everything possible to resolve your complaint
• Use information from complaints to continuously improve our services

Data Protection Act
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.