RAC ripping off existing breakdown customers. sick of it
Discussion
soad said:
I buy mine through the insurance, so don’t have to directly deal with this.
Out of curiosity I looked to add it to a policy at renewal time and the extra cost was £20, I thought it would be some company I had never heard of but it was the RAC. Had to call them out too, first breakdown in 20+ years (higher powers must have been looking after me when renewing that policy) turned up in less than an hour on Easter weekend too, gave me a lift home too, although I was in walking distance of the garage where I had been dropped to be fair.Jag_NE said:
If you drive well maintained vehicles I’d argue keep the money in your pocket and pay an independent recovery company when you need the support as they will be out pronto for cash.
You might have a good point there if you don't have a problem in 10 years you are 2 grand up!In 1965 my Grandfather bought my mother life membership to the AA for her 21st birthday. I don’t know how much this cost (presumably a fair whack), but I reckon it was good value 58 years later! It probably seemed a bit boring at the time but I know she’s been grateful for it a few times over the years. I don’t believe this is an option any more.
Pica-Pica said:
A perennial issue. I use Start Rescue. £47.54 for two cars for this year (66 plate 335d and 13 plate Fabia), and then £30 per call out.
I was with RAC for many years, then when I went to NFU Mutual Insurance, that included breakdown. Then I left NFU for LV=, and the 335d 3 year warranty covered breakdown, so only the Fabia to cover. Now, still with LV= but with Start Rescue for breakdown. I can’t recall the last time one of our cars has needed breakdown or recovery service. Certainly not in the Fabia’s 10 year life.
That seems like a good compromise if you run well maintained cars, which we do.I was with RAC for many years, then when I went to NFU Mutual Insurance, that included breakdown. Then I left NFU for LV=, and the 335d 3 year warranty covered breakdown, so only the Fabia to cover. Now, still with LV= but with Start Rescue for breakdown. I can’t recall the last time one of our cars has needed breakdown or recovery service. Certainly not in the Fabia’s 10 year life.
Boxster5 said:
Cold said:
Megaflow said:
NS66 said:
You wait till you have to call them out ( hopefully not) and you will see how bad they really are!!!
What he said. Last time I had the misfortune to use them was because of a broken gear cable, from my initial phone call to actually making it home on a recovery truck, which was inevitable, despite them sending a van first, was 5 hours!I was driving a car back down the M40 when it suffered an alternator failure. It was overcast and raining and the car wouldn't have enough juice in the battery to complete the approx 130 mile journey.
So I stopped at Warwick services to make the call instead of grinding to a halt on the side of the road somewhere.
Thirty six hours. A day and a half. Apart from the occasional automated text message there was zero communication. Each piece of information I received about the recovery was from me phoning them every two hours to listen to another excuse.
They did refund the cost of the Travelodge and made a goodwill payment of £100 but it still took 36 hours to do the 130 mile journey.
lornemalvo said:
Boxster5 said:
Cold said:
Megaflow said:
NS66 said:
You wait till you have to call them out ( hopefully not) and you will see how bad they really are!!!
What he said. Last time I had the misfortune to use them was because of a broken gear cable, from my initial phone call to actually making it home on a recovery truck, which was inevitable, despite them sending a van first, was 5 hours!I was driving a car back down the M40 when it suffered an alternator failure. It was overcast and raining and the car wouldn't have enough juice in the battery to complete the approx 130 mile journey.
So I stopped at Warwick services to make the call instead of grinding to a halt on the side of the road somewhere.
Thirty six hours. A day and a half. Apart from the occasional automated text message there was zero communication. Each piece of information I received about the recovery was from me phoning them every two hours to listen to another excuse.
They did refund the cost of the Travelodge and made a goodwill payment of £100 but it still took 36 hours to do the 130 mile journey.
bobtail4x4 said:
lornemalvo said:
Boxster5 said:
Yikes that’s horrendous. I was driving my wife’s car back from the main dealer following a major service - 10 mile down the road on the motorway, oil pressure warning light came on saying stop driving as soon as possible. Called the RAC as dealer didn’t want to know - got a call within 30 minutes saying they’d be there within 20 minutes only to be then told as the car was an automatic and 4 wheel drive, they couldn’t recover as they didn’t have a flatbed so were passing me onto a third party. 4 hours later, freezing cold as I could sit in the car due to the hard shoulder & bursting for a pee, another recovery company finally turned up. As it was now 8:00pm at night car had to go to their compound then delivered to the dealer who eventually diagnosed the fault as a faulty oil filter sensor. Crap service from RAC who after I got home that night sent me a text saying they would be with me within 3 hours - they haven’t got a clue.
If I understand your post right, you sat in the car on the hard shoulder? If so, that's an insanely bad idea.I also suspect "could" was intended to have been "couldn't"
lornemalvo said:
Boxster5 said:
Cold said:
Megaflow said:
NS66 said:
You wait till you have to call them out ( hopefully not) and you will see how bad they really are!!!
What he said. Last time I had the misfortune to use them was because of a broken gear cable, from my initial phone call to actually making it home on a recovery truck, which was inevitable, despite them sending a van first, was 5 hours!I was driving a car back down the M40 when it suffered an alternator failure. It was overcast and raining and the car wouldn't have enough juice in the battery to complete the approx 130 mile journey.
So I stopped at Warwick services to make the call instead of grinding to a halt on the side of the road somewhere.
Thirty six hours. A day and a half. Apart from the occasional automated text message there was zero communication. Each piece of information I received about the recovery was from me phoning them every two hours to listen to another excuse.
They did refund the cost of the Travelodge and made a goodwill payment of £100 but it still took 36 hours to do the 130 mile journey.
Packaged Accounts pay for themselves with stuff like this.
Worldwide Travel Insurance for the family, mobile phone cover and breakdown cover all for ~£200pa.
https://www.lovemoney.com/bestbuys/62544/the-best-...
Dynion Araf Uchaf said:
a lot of car manufacturers offer subsidised RAC cover if you get your car serviced in a dealer. I.e. its 'free' with a service.
They pay about £8 per policy to RAC ( coz volume)
so there is another way.
I have breakdown cover via my bank account for example, along with other benefits.They pay about £8 per policy to RAC ( coz volume)
so there is another way.
Used RAC first time a few weeks ago, cover via my car insurance policy. Poor service overall. Lady with RAC van was very helpful and dragged the car as far as she was permitted but onward relay let me down badly. Was at a service station a mere 30 miles from home for five hours waiting for a truck to then come and collect me and my car, which they were on about now taking to the compound and organising a taxi to collect me (irrespective of my equipment in my car).
Previously had Green Flag and had no issues with them and they seemed to be on the ball on the each rare occasion I needed them. Suspect I might revert back to them irrespective of recovery being included in my car policy.
Previously had Green Flag and had no issues with them and they seemed to be on the ball on the each rare occasion I needed them. Suspect I might revert back to them irrespective of recovery being included in my car policy.
Travel insurance & RAC cover via Barclays too:-
“
Named account holders as drivers or passengers – they must be with the vehicle when RAC attend
You’ll be covered at home and on the road, and if your vehicle can’t be fixed there, it’ll be towed to a garage or to wherever you need to go
To help you complete your journey, you’ll get a hire vehicle, alternative transport (for example, a train or plane) or overnight accommodation”
“
Named account holders as drivers or passengers – they must be with the vehicle when RAC attend
You’ll be covered at home and on the road, and if your vehicle can’t be fixed there, it’ll be towed to a garage or to wherever you need to go
To help you complete your journey, you’ll get a hire vehicle, alternative transport (for example, a train or plane) or overnight accommodation”
jeremyh1 said:
Nomme de Plum said:
jeremyh1 said:
Its very easy to say this but a lot of us just don't have the time to spend Victor Meldrewing over such things
It is just easier for me to pay and enjoy what spare time I have doing the things I actually want to do .
like a lot of people on here I work hard and lots of hours for the rewards and life cant be wasted on this
What a very strange attitude. Many people work hard and very long hours but still try hard not to waste money. If you take the cavalier approach across of all your purchasing decisions you won't have much left for the nice to haves or if you're sensible investing the maximum in your pensIt is just easier for me to pay and enjoy what spare time I have doing the things I actually want to do .
like a lot of people on here I work hard and lots of hours for the rewards and life cant be wasted on this
Open up my business at 3am probably finish at 6 pm sometimes later
Those on here that run businesses will understand putting the effort in so that you and your family wont need to scrimp and save
FFS how much spare time do you people get?
It is far more important for me to make than scrimp in the ways described on here
I just want them to recover my car when it stops that's all and I will pay the market value for a good service in the same way as I expect my customers to be with me
Boxster5 said:
lornemalvo said:
Boxster5 said:
Cold said:
Megaflow said:
NS66 said:
You wait till you have to call them out ( hopefully not) and you will see how bad they really are!!!
What he said. Last time I had the misfortune to use them was because of a broken gear cable, from my initial phone call to actually making it home on a recovery truck, which was inevitable, despite them sending a van first, was 5 hours!I was driving a car back down the M40 when it suffered an alternator failure. It was overcast and raining and the car wouldn't have enough juice in the battery to complete the approx 130 mile journey.
So I stopped at Warwick services to make the call instead of grinding to a halt on the side of the road somewhere.
Thirty six hours. A day and a half. Apart from the occasional automated text message there was zero communication. Each piece of information I received about the recovery was from me phoning them every two hours to listen to another excuse.
They did refund the cost of the Travelodge and made a goodwill payment of £100 but it still took 36 hours to do the 130 mile journey.
Cold said:
Megaflow said:
NS66 said:
You wait till you have to call them out ( hopefully not) and you will see how bad they really are!!!
What he said. Last time I had the misfortune to use them was because of a broken gear cable, from my initial phone call to actually making it home on a recovery truck, which was inevitable, despite them sending a van first, was 5 hours!I was driving a car back down the M40 when it suffered an alternator failure. It was overcast and raining and the car wouldn't have enough juice in the battery to complete the approx 130 mile journey.
So I stopped at Warwick services to make the call instead of grinding to a halt on the side of the road somewhere.
Thirty six hours. A day and a half. Apart from the occasional automated text message there was zero communication. Each piece of information I received about the recovery was from me phoning them every two hours to listen to another excuse.
They did refund the cost of the Travelodge and made a goodwill payment of £100 but it still took 36 hours to do the 130 mile journey.
I have just remembered another occasion my wife got a puncture, no spare in her car and the sealant was not going to touch it. She called the RAC and they came out with their multi fit spare... that didn't fit... it was a Honda Civic FFS!
No tyre places were open, so they said she'd need recovery which would be two hours, so more like 4 hours, in the end I drove the 30 miles to her to get the punctured tyre & wheel to get a new tyre the next day and refit it myself.
Makes me wondered why I carried on with them for all these years!
DickP said:
Used RAC first time a few weeks ago, cover via my car insurance policy. Poor service overall. Lady with RAC van was very helpful and dragged the car as far as she was permitted but onward relay let me down badly. Was at a service station a mere 30 miles from home for five hours waiting for a truck to then come and collect me and my car, which they were on about now taking to the compound and organising a taxi to collect me (irrespective of my equipment in my car).
Previously had Green Flag and had no issues with them and they seemed to be on the ball on the each rare occasion I needed them. Suspect I might revert back to them irrespective of recovery being included in my car policy.
Relay has now become a major headache for breakdown companies since we fell under the working rules directive. Before the WRD, relay drivers would jump at the chance to drive you 10 hours home from Scotland to Southern England at overtime rates. Now relay is a juggling act. The first driver may be running out of hours and needs to drop you at a services and get back to base. You then have to wait for a second driver to start his shift or finish the job he's on and then get over to you to load up. That's why it's more common to provide hotel and hire cars. Previously had Green Flag and had no issues with them and they seemed to be on the ball on the each rare occasion I needed them. Suspect I might revert back to them irrespective of recovery being included in my car policy.
jeremyh1 said:
[quote=jeremyh1Open up my business at 3am probably finish at 6 pm sometimes later
Those on here that run businesses will understand putting the effort in so that you and your family wont need to scrimp and save
FFS how much spare time do you people get?
It is far more important for me to make than scrimp in the ways described on here
I just want them to recover my car when it stops that's all and I will pay the market value for a good service in the same way as I expect my customers to be with me
But why not sign up with Autoaid for £64 to cover you and your partner in any vehicle? The majority of the time you'll never see a AA/RAC van as they send out the same independent contractors.
lornemalvo said:
I just received my renewal for RAC breakdown cover (pretty sure I opted out of this as I never opt in to this). It's gone up from £125 to £190.99, well over 50% increase.
I called to cancel the automatic opt in and to ask why the increase and was told I took it out with an introductory offer. I then asked why then now, after I've called, are you offering to "see what you can do" about the price? Why not give a loyal customer a decent price instead of me having to call to complain? It's an annual insurance policy, not a f
king T shirt on a Tenerife market. I don't want to haggle, I just want a fair price. Current policies for newcomers are around £100 with full cover. No doubt they do it because many people just renew for the sake of convenience.
I'm absolutely fking sick of having to be constantly on the ball because companies try every sly, underhanded tactic to rip off their own customers, instead of just dealing in a straightforward, honest way. The greedy bds.
The law was changed to prevent insurance companies disadvantaging existing customers like this for car insurance and home insurance products, does it extend to breakdown insurance policies?
Auto Aid is the answer. The price is the price, take it or leave it. No introductory offers, discount codes, loyalty discounts or ‘see what we can do’ nonsense. It’s just a price.I called to cancel the automatic opt in and to ask why the increase and was told I took it out with an introductory offer. I then asked why then now, after I've called, are you offering to "see what you can do" about the price? Why not give a loyal customer a decent price instead of me having to call to complain? It's an annual insurance policy, not a f
king T shirt on a Tenerife market. I don't want to haggle, I just want a fair price. Current policies for newcomers are around £100 with full cover. No doubt they do it because many people just renew for the sake of convenience. I'm absolutely f
king sick of having to be constantly on the ball because companies try every sly, underhanded tactic to rip off their own customers, instead of just dealing in a straightforward, honest way. The greedy bds.The law was changed to prevent insurance companies disadvantaging existing customers like this for car insurance and home insurance products, does it extend to breakdown insurance policies?
I love them for the simplicity. I also love that their price is also cheaper than practically everyone else.
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