https://www.saferidecarrental.com/sp_faq/vehicle-breakdowns-...

...

Rather than sticking to the French perception of this one, it is more likely that an EN contract would describe why the vehicle is out of action.

https://www.theaa.com/insurance/pdf/car-insurance-policy-boo...

"Immobilisation" is not a good solution in UK English in insurance contexts. It is used in situations where there is a breach of the law : https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachm...

"Immobilisation is a new power available to VOSA to help to enforce prohibitions issued against the further use of vehicles, when infringements or regulation breaches committed by the driver have been discovered. VOSA will be able to lock a device to the vehicle to stop it from being driven.
Immobilisation was introduced by an amendment to the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 contained in the Road Safety Act 2006. This means that any vehicle prohibited with immediate effect for any of the following reasons could be subject to Immobilisation;

 Drivers’ hours regulation breaches
 Roadworthiness issues
 Overloading
 Non-payment of a financial deposit requirement

This measure has been introduced to address the problem of non-compliance with immediate prohibitions, namely a prohibited vehicle being driven off unlawfully while still under prohibition, and to counter fears that the new prohibitions associated with the non-payment of deposit requirements may lead to an increased likelihood of such non-compliance. "

Although there is a possible confusion with "Immobilization" of a vehicle as the result of clamping, "Immobilization of the Vehicle" is used in motor insurance contracts in the meaning as defined in this ST:

« Immobilisation du Véhicule » : durée nécessaire à un garagiste pour réparer un Véhicule à la suite d’un évènement garanti et qui commence au moment où le Véhicule est déposé dans le garage et s’achève à la fin des travaux.

Given that this is part of a "definition of the meaning of this this term for the purpose of this contract" any other meaning, even if more usual (like immobilisation by clamping) is totally irrelevant - as absolutely no confusion is possible!

see:

C/ Vehicle assistance
In case of accident or mechanical breakdown that makes the vehicle un-driveable :

 Road/towing assistance. Road assistance on the spot or towing assistance towards the garage of the brand carrier the closest to the happening or in default towards the closest garage able to repair. The assistance service takes over the road or towing charges up to 153 €.

 Waiting for repair. In case of vehicle immobilization lower than 24h in France or 72 h abroad, if the insured person wishes to wait for the vehicle repairs on the spot, are taking into account : 1 night of hotel in France or 3 nights of hotel abroad, up to 77 € per beneficiary.

 Back home. In case of immobilization of the vehicle higher than 24h in France or 72h abroad, organizing and assuming the costs of going back home for the beneficiaries.

 Repaired vehicle recovery to the pick up station.

 Spare parts sent abroad. Forwarding spare parts non available on the spot and compulsory for the vehicle
repair under the restriction of local regulation rules and means of transport available.

 Vehicle repatriation. Abroad, when the vehicle repairs cannot be made within a period of 5 days and need more than 5 hours of labour, planning and assuming the cost of carrying the non travelling vehicle towards the regular garage.

Exclusions : are excluded from the coverage, and cannot be part of a compensation whatever is the reason :
- breakdown and fuel error
- the tyres puncture
- the loss, robbery, forgetting or breaking the keys excepting breaking the keys inside the security ignition system
- problems and air conditioning breakdowns
- coachbuilding damages that do not involve a vehicule immobilization
- the consequences of a vehicle immobilization in order to make the maintenance services
- the items and personal effects left in the vehicle
- The repair costs of the vehicle, spare parts
- Carried pets
- the customs and keeping charges except the ones that were previously allowed by the assistance service

http://www.trois-soleils.com/sites/default/files/pdf/assista...


Alamo Rental Cars: one of the things you need to know
01 January 2014, 15:26
When you rent a car from Alamo USA, keep in mind that if the vehicle is slightly damaged (scrapes) by a fully responsible and well-insured third party, and if you report the incident to Alamo, they will charge you for the supposed immobilization of the vehicle during the supposed repairs. This is stated in the middle of the four page-long fine print that you probably never read. I didn't, after a 13 hours flight. Being honest is very costly.

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g1-i12567-k7074627-A...

https://www.europcar.co.uk/files/live/sites/Europcar/files/C...


etc

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 day20 hrs (2017-06-11 10:48:54 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Immobilised Plant

The cover provided by this Section of Your Portfolio extends to include the payment of necessary costs incurred in the recovery of plant which may become immobilised or immovable during normal operations other than as a result of its own explosion mechanical or electrical breakdown failure breakage or derangement provided that Our total liability shall not exceed £25,000 in respect of one event.

Combined Haulage Insurance
Version 7 Jan 2010

https://www.towergateinsurance.co.uk/media/61667/pers-motor-...






--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 day21 hrs (2017-06-11 11:31:34 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

« Immobilisation du Véhicule » : durée nécessaire à un garagiste pour réparer un Véhicule à la suite d’un évènement garanti et qui commence au moment où le Véhicule est déposé dans le garage et s’achève à la fin des travaux.

is a standardised "definition of term" that can be found in all sorts of insurance contracts:

Service Garantie Crevaison
https://www.euromaster.fr/sites/default/files/2017-01/CGV-Ga...

Le présent Contrat JEUNE CONDUCTEUR ...
https://www.jeune-conducteur-assur.com/media/upload/PDF/jeun...

NOTICE D’INFORMATION Du Contrat OUICAR–N°5004892
http://doczz.fr/doc/3553215

http://docplayer.fr/41214636-Conditions-generales-de-vente-o...

there is no reason to assume that this "definition of term" is in any way specific / adapted to any particular kind of vehicle.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 day21 hrs (2017-06-11 11:34:06 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

... that can be found verbatim in all sorts of insurance contracts

Just offering my two cents. This would cover both private and commercial vehicles.