RAC membership & small vans
Discussion
What ho chaps, just passing on some info here, it'll probably fall into the same catergory as the red X thread, as in most will know, but in this case ,I didn't !
I've had RAC membership for years, but in June this year, I bought a VW Caddy van.
Apparently this is in the terms and conditions, but as ever I'd not gone through those with a fine tooth comb, and nothing bad has happened, I haven't broken down or anything, I'd just renewed my membership and one of my mates said "you do realise that doesn't cover your van don't you ?"
IF you have a small van (any van really I guess), once you signwrite it (that seems to be the "cutoff" point, the signwriting), personal membership doesn't cover that vehicle, you need small business cover.
I rang the RAC today, and they confirmed what my mate told me, and very kindly have upgraded my membership with no charge for this year, although it may cost more next year, I'll have to wait and see.
So there you go, if anyone else doesn't realise, like I didn't, you know now lol.
The issue with vans apparently is they can be quite large and heavy, so need special recovery, tools, even knowledge I guess, as my Caddy is only taller than my 5 series, but not seriously tall, they said they'd just upgrade me, and I'm still covered for the Beemer, or any other car I'm in/driving.
I've had RAC membership for years, but in June this year, I bought a VW Caddy van.
Apparently this is in the terms and conditions, but as ever I'd not gone through those with a fine tooth comb, and nothing bad has happened, I haven't broken down or anything, I'd just renewed my membership and one of my mates said "you do realise that doesn't cover your van don't you ?"
IF you have a small van (any van really I guess), once you signwrite it (that seems to be the "cutoff" point, the signwriting), personal membership doesn't cover that vehicle, you need small business cover.
I rang the RAC today, and they confirmed what my mate told me, and very kindly have upgraded my membership with no charge for this year, although it may cost more next year, I'll have to wait and see.
So there you go, if anyone else doesn't realise, like I didn't, you know now lol.
The issue with vans apparently is they can be quite large and heavy, so need special recovery, tools, even knowledge I guess, as my Caddy is only taller than my 5 series, but not seriously tall, they said they'd just upgrade me, and I'm still covered for the Beemer, or any other car I'm in/driving.
Nigel Worc's said:
IF you have a small van (any van really I guess), once you signwrite it (that seems to be the "cutoff" point, the signwriting), personal membership doesn't cover that vehicle, you need small business cover.
The issue with vans apparently is they can be quite large and heavy, so need special recovery, tools, even knowledge I guess,
Two things don't add up. The issue with vans apparently is they can be quite large and heavy, so need special recovery, tools, even knowledge I guess,
Why would the van be less large and heavy if it didn't have sign writing?
(other than the weight of the paint/vinyl)
I've never had a problem with the AA or RAC covering a van without signwriting.
JM said:
Nigel Worc's said:
IF you have a small van (any van really I guess), once you signwrite it (that seems to be the "cutoff" point, the signwriting), personal membership doesn't cover that vehicle, you need small business cover.
The issue with vans apparently is they can be quite large and heavy, so need special recovery, tools, even knowledge I guess,
Two things don't add up. The issue with vans apparently is they can be quite large and heavy, so need special recovery, tools, even knowledge I guess,
Why would the van be less large and heavy if it didn't have sign writing?
(other than the weight of the paint/vinyl)
I've never had a problem with the AA or RAC covering a van without signwriting.
I don't know if it's allowed to mention advertisers on the forum ,so I won't( but here's a link -
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... BUT-how many know that one insurance company advertising on here offers a breakdown option. I am entitled to RAC priority service. Cost over £100 . I took out insurance with broker an ad a few posts up and got breakdown/home start/recovery and some very helpful staff for a lot lot less than my renewal with simple breakdown cover .I believe they offer breakdown to non clients at a slightly higher price, but still a LOT more than RAC.
Here we go 'new wording'
and no getting you home if the taxi breaks down
RAC General Exclusions said:
Any vehicle which is used for business use (for example taxis and private hire cars) which shall include for these purposes any passenger travelling in such vehicle (even if the passenger or the driver are members of the RAC). RAC can provide cover for such vehicles under the Small Business Service.
Please phone 0870 333 2788 for details. Calls may be recorded and/or monitored
Which may be the first time youve heard of the small business service Please phone 0870 333 2788 for details. Calls may be recorded and/or monitored
and no getting you home if the taxi breaks down
Edited by saaby93 on Saturday 9th November 21:24
Interesting exclusion just posted there. It says any vehicle used for business use?! I use my car for business all the time! Covered for such on my insurance.
I assume it don't count under the exclusion and it's means vehicles that are used specifically in the purpose of a business....
I assume it don't count under the exclusion and it's means vehicles that are used specifically in the purpose of a business....
eltax91 said:
Interesting exclusion just posted there. It says any vehicle used for business use?! I use my car for business all the time! Covered for such on my insurance.
I assume it don't count under the exclusion and it's means vehicles that are used specifically in the purpose of a business....
That's just what I was thinking. I'd argue that their examples "private hire" or "taxis" are very definitely a directly money generating vehicle, whereas mine is indirectly (i.e. a taxi driver gets paid to go form A to B, whereas I get paid because I got to B and then persuaded the customer to buy a product).I assume it don't count under the exclusion and it's means vehicles that are used specifically in the purpose of a business....
What happens if the misses is using my car (which I use for business use but she doesn't)?
The Moose said:
eltax91 said:
Interesting exclusion just posted there. It says any vehicle used for business use?! I use my car for business all the time! Covered for such on my insurance.
I assume it don't count under the exclusion and it's means vehicles that are used specifically in the purpose of a business....
That's just what I was thinking. I'd argue that their examples "private hire" or "taxis" are very definitely a directly money generating vehicle, whereas mine is indirectly (i.e. a taxi driver gets paid to go form A to B, whereas I get paid because I got to B and then persuaded the customer to buy a product).I assume it don't count under the exclusion and it's means vehicles that are used specifically in the purpose of a business....
What happens if the misses is using my car (which I use for business use but she doesn't)?
What it carefully points out is that there is a Small Business Service. So if youre using a vehicle for a small business ( taxi or otherwise) tick small business here
http://www.rac.co.uk/breakdown-cover/uk-breakdown/
rac said:
Cover for small businesses, whether a single commercial vehicle or a small fleet, HGVs, minibuses, taxis and private hire vehicles.
I thought that if you used to have personal cover you were covered in any vehicle?Edited by saaby93 on Saturday 9th November 21:42
pad58 said:
Oh. I have a 55 plate Caddy ,no signs ,it's not a work van just one of my means of transport.
I have AA cover through my bank.
I guess I'll have to ask if I'm covered?
The AA picked my 3.5 ton sign written recovery vehicle up last year. The only stipulation was I had to take the car that was on it off which I did & drove that home while he took my recovery vehicle.I have AA cover through my bank.
I guess I'll have to ask if I'm covered?
They've also picked up my old Astra van numerous times also.
I know from when I worked at Green Flag, the rules were (and afaik still are) that as long as it was under 3.5t, and within the size restrictions in your booklet (MayDay excluded), then you're pretty much golden, as long as you're not a black and white with passengers, or a courier with cargo (empty is fine).
eltax91 said:
Interesting exclusion just posted there. It says any vehicle used for business use?! I use my car for business all the time! Covered for such on my insurance.
I assume it don't count under the exclusion and it's means vehicles that are used specifically in the purpose of a business....
From what they were telling me today, they tend to turn a blind eye to that.I assume it don't count under the exclusion and it's means vehicles that are used specifically in the purpose of a business....
Nigel Worc's said:
From what they were telling me today, they tend to turn a blind eye to that.
Intriguing one Nige. I just read what you replied to and noticed plethora of typing errors! Bloody iPhone!I've been picked up by both RAC and AA before, wearing a suit and clearly in the course of my duties as an employee. A few of those times were when I was working for a 'small business'.
Question Nige. Are they saying they won't attend at all? Or obce they get there they will just drive off if your van is sign written? Or will they attempt a fix at the roadside but refuse a tow? Insurance reasons in their part perhaps?
eltax91 said:
Intriguing one Nige. I just read what you replied to and noticed plethora of typing errors! Bloody iPhone!
I've been picked up by both RAC and AA before, wearing a suit and clearly in the course of my duties as an employee. A few of those times were when I was working for a 'small business'.
Question Nige. Are they saying they won't attend at all? Or obce they get there they will just drive off if your van is sign written? Or will they attempt a fix at the roadside but refuse a tow? Insurance reasons in their part perhaps?
I don't know mate, my friend pointed out my mistake to me, I contacted them, they upgraded my membership free of charge, which is bloody nice of them to be honest.I've been picked up by both RAC and AA before, wearing a suit and clearly in the course of my duties as an employee. A few of those times were when I was working for a 'small business'.
Question Nige. Are they saying they won't attend at all? Or obce they get there they will just drive off if your van is sign written? Or will they attempt a fix at the roadside but refuse a tow? Insurance reasons in their part perhaps?
From chatting to them, and remember this is my mistake not theirs, they seem to have this problem between private membership and small business membership, I'd imagine because as business users, we're on the road more often, so more likely to need their services. Had my van not been signwritten, they'd have said nothing had I called them ....... possibly, I'd imagine you are in the hands of the patrol who attends your breakdown.
I don't know what it costs to upgrade, as they've done it foc for me this year, and the chap said that it is done on an individual basis, so I'd imagine it'd depend on what vehicle(s), what cover you wanted, and what your annual mileage is, but I'm only guessing.
If you rely on their cover, you can either just be aware of what I've found out, or contact them to see what they say, of course the latter could end up costing you, but the former could cost you more should it go tits up for you.
My uncle is actually an RAC patrolman, when I see him, I'll ask him, but with the present financial climate I can imagine them starting to look a little more closely at this, I know when my 5 series cpu failed, and they recovered me from Blackpool to Worcester, that would have cost me circa £800 without their cover, so personally, I'd rather know I'm covered.
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