Breakdown Cover dilemma.....who do I use?

[blueyonder]

Now I have got the Chimaera I need to sort out some Breakdown cover!!

Option 1:

I currently have the basic AA Roadside cover via my LLoyds TSB bank account and they have told me that to add Relay and Homestart it will cost me £87. I also like the idea of the Breakdown repair cover - 5 claims per year for an extra £65....seems worth it?

Option 2:

RAC have quoted me the 'all singing all dancing' Solutions 4 for £99.99 or they have £79.99 for Solutions 3 where the only difference, as far as I can see, is no onward travel (i.e. car for 3 days or accommodation or train or plane). No similiar AA breakdown repair cover facility with the RAC though?

Option 3:

I have insured the Chim with Mannings and they are offering UK and European Cover (this is extra with the AA/RAC), including roadside assistance, home start and get you and your vehicle home cover all for £55! That seems bloody cheap!

Anyone had any experience with either of these 3 - particularly the Mannings one which they tell me is similiar to Green Flag? Many thanks in advance of any tips/advice/experience

[seasider]

I left option 1 & now have option 2

He even followed Oggs for me the other day just in case


Must dig that picture out

Edited by seasider on Tuesday 30th January 16:07

[oggs]

I have option 1 as I dont need option 2 like DEL
But its a shame DEL needs to have his follow him everywhere but great if you ever your out for a blat with DEL

[madbadger]

Used to be with the AA for years until I found out they don't recover you after an accident. They will only come out if you breakdown and recover you if they can't fix the car. And they charged me £140 for a flatbed. Cheers.

Now with the RAC who do proper cover and you can join using Tesco clubcard vouchers for next to nowt.

[t350chunder]

Got to be careful what you say on here but I would say that a particular Automobile Association can be less than helpful unless you're looking for Car insurance etc...

I get the impression that some (not all of course) of their engineers have been put on a two week car repair course and then set to work. I suppose that the majority of calls they get are for modern cars that are impossible to work on / diagnose. I think alot of the time the engineers are there to decide if it needs to be put on a flat-bed or if it can be towed locally.

All IMHO of course...

[bigdods]

RAC every time for me. Had bad experiences with the AA. Plus (the clincher) you can get the all singing all dancing RAC cover from Tesco with your clubcard vouchers.

[Backseatdriver]

We have found the RAC to be excellent.

[miniman]

Britannia Rescue every time. I'm reliably informed that they pay their contractors higher rates than other breakdown firms - that'll be why their calls get top priority I guess...

[Roberto Rica]

Ron

Just be aware that if you want the AA Parts & Labour cover for the future you must take it out on your car noww before it's tenth birthday and then renew it each year - they will not cover a car over ten years old unless it was covered continuously from before it's tenth year.

Rob

[blueyonder]

Roberto Rica said:

Ron

Just be aware that if you want the AA Parts & Labour cover for the future you must take it out on your car noww before it's tenth birthday and then renew it each year - they will not cover a car over ten years old unless it was covered continuously from before it's tenth year.

Rob

Thanks Rob - I knew that the car had to be less than 10 yrs old but wasn't sure it would qualify again next year! It still sounds a good deal and none of the others offer it as far as I can tell. The Mannings cover seems so cheap and includes European cover aswell - just not sure of the quality of the service

[mappleya]

Guys, whats the crack with recovery of a low-slung vehicle like a TVR? I gather you have to tell them you need a flatbed? And do they charge you extra for that? Anyone any experience of good/bad service with this 'specialist' requirement?

I'm currently with Green Flag, but never had to call them so far!

[blade1000]

Avoid the 'insurance' cover thrown in cheap, i got it and it was pants, wouldnt come to my home, would only take me 15 miles then £2 per mile etc etc... its amazing how many clauses there are and who can be bothered to read 20 pages for a 60 quid deal. Stick with the household names and get the top package, its infuriating to be told by a breakdown company that they cannot help you with your breakdown...

[redeye]

i got free cover with Barclay's bank ,they use green flag ,its you thats covered not the car.had them out for my works van ,back to main dealer on low loader no probs,sons car clutch went low loader to mr clutch, tiv died sent very low loader took car to my home the next day to repair shop of my choice .green flag in essex yes every time.

[blueyonder]

RAC have told me that with Solutions 3 (£79.99) they will return you and your car to any destination of your choice, TVR's included (home or garage) in the UK mainland. Sounds reassuring and I'm not sure the AA Relay is quite as 'quibble free'? Also the RAC covers you not the car.

Only thing I'm umming and ahhing about is the AA's Breakdown repair service which could save me a bundle if say the clutch went or the throttle cable snaps, so 5 claims of up to £500 less a £25 excess all for an additional £65 With the RAC I would have to pay parts and labour - could get expensive! So the AA repair service is like a mini warranty and it only covers cars up to 10 yrs old so will need to decide soon

Anyone used the AA's breakdown repair cover - experiences good or bad would be welcomed (blade1000 excluded - read your comments thanks). Is there anything else similiar to the AA Breakdown repair service elsewhere out there that I could buy, then I would go with the RAC ? As usual many thanks for your help guys and gals

Edited by blueyonder on Wednesday 31st January 12:32

[gazzab]

AA warranty has been good on my TVRs. Claimed twice - last Cerb got a new starter. Current Cerb got a new slave cylinder. Both saved me over £400.
No quibbles.
Never had issues with the AA taking the car to the garage I chose.
WOuldnt worry about accident recovery as the cost of the recovery is going to be on the ins co anyway?

[Hoolio]

I went for option 1 and the extra breakdown repair cover. Already got my money back as I needed a new reaiator on the T350 and the AA paid

[Roy C]

I used to be with the "yellow" lot - NEVER AGAIN!
They refused to attend my breakdown and later admitted they got it wrong (call centre data incorrect). That's no consolation if you're stuck at the roadside.

I'm quite happy with the RAC now.

[tvrbob]

t350chunder said:

Got to be careful what you say on here but I would say that a particular Automobile Association can be less than helpful unless you're looking for Car insurance etc...

I get the impression that some (not all of course) of their engineers have been put on a two week car repair course and then set to work. I suppose that the majority of calls they get are for modern cars that are impossible to work on / diagnose. I think alot of the time the engineers are there to decide if it needs to be put on a flat-bed or if it can be towed locally.

All IMHO of course...

You must have had a bad experience there mate. I have used the AA for 11 years and have always been extremely impressed at the depth and breadth of their knowledge. Three calls so far to the TVR and every one got me successfully back on the road.

I have AA P&L cover on the TVR and would warn you to read the T&C's. It is very easy to find yourself out of compliance. If you attempt to repair it yourself for instance, they can say that you have made other arrangements and are therefore not covered. There's a simple rule. If you brake down, do nothing to the car, just call the AA road side assist. The P&L will then follow on automatically.

[Hughesie II]

oggs said:

but great if you ever your out for a blat with DEL

Suspect its because they can keep up with him

[jacko lah]

You know that if you have TESCO's club card vouchers they can be redeemed at 4xtimes the face value for RAC membership ? Or a years subscripotion to top gear magazine for £12