Breakdown Cover, do you have it ?
Discussion
I do, having a penchant for "classics" in the past it has been essential but even so, I feel its a must.
So, do we all have cover, who de we use and what are your experiences ?
I have tried them all, they eventually get bored with Fiat 500 owners (wifes idea) so you have to change occasionally. I changed to Green Flag via my bank account (Natwest) and I have to say, when my 944 decided it really loved the Aldi car park in Knutsford, they were excellent, sent a guy to try and fix it, then transported it home, then on the following Monday they picked it up and dropped it off at the garage as I had run out of ideas/patience.
Have tried AA and RAC and they have also been brilliant.
If you have not got it, why not ?
So, do we all have cover, who de we use and what are your experiences ?
I have tried them all, they eventually get bored with Fiat 500 owners (wifes idea) so you have to change occasionally. I changed to Green Flag via my bank account (Natwest) and I have to say, when my 944 decided it really loved the Aldi car park in Knutsford, they were excellent, sent a guy to try and fix it, then transported it home, then on the following Monday they picked it up and dropped it off at the garage as I had run out of ideas/patience.
Have tried AA and RAC and they have also been brilliant.
If you have not got it, why not ?
Been with AA for years, not had to use them since I had a TVR, but having a 22 year old BMW it comforting knowing its there. They swapped a water pump for me when my first BMW wet itself in Halfords car park.
Been with them so long I had complementary home start. For some reason the direct debit that has worked for a number of years failed so they closed my account. Had to re-start but lost the home start.
Been with them so long I had complementary home start. For some reason the direct debit that has worked for a number of years failed so they closed my account. Had to re-start but lost the home start.
I have RAC through my bank. I've had them all and the worst was the AA. They spent 7 hours getting me home from Manchester to Hull, relaying me to Sheffield. I was not a happy bunny. Not to mention they took over an hour to get to me as well, then sent a repair van to me, when I'd already told them they wont be able to fix it, and insisted on towing me on the motorway, which was made worse by the fact I was in a rwd automatic, and they wouldnt accept liability if they wound the box up. So they got me a flat bed in the end.
Another time my car broke down (alternator belt tensioner decided to make a bid for freedom on the M18), they also decided to send a repair van, after again being told they wouldn't be able to fix it. Again they insisted on towing me home, and again I was in a rwd automatic, so I again refused unless they accepted liability should the box wind up. Again they refused so the van driver took me to the nearest services to wait for the flat bed, who then took me back to my stranded car.
No such issues with the RAC.
Another time my car broke down (alternator belt tensioner decided to make a bid for freedom on the M18), they also decided to send a repair van, after again being told they wouldn't be able to fix it. Again they insisted on towing me home, and again I was in a rwd automatic, so I again refused unless they accepted liability should the box wind up. Again they refused so the van driver took me to the nearest services to wait for the flat bed, who then took me back to my stranded car.
No such issues with the RAC.
AA through bank, before then I was a member. Two call outs, one for a snapped alternator belt and another for a serious fuel leak on a 525. Sent a van out for that, van driver took one look and summoned a flat bed. Flat bed driver (local garage not AA) was pissed off and ran all red lights. Not impressed.
Mave said:
Been with the AA for years. Taken advantage of the 'It's the driver not the car' quite a few times - twice a year on average? Some of the guys they send out are great, some are rubbish...
When my TVR broke down they were really busy so they use subcontracters. The first guy was rubbish but when the proper AA guy came perfect. As per my story above, when the water pump in my BMW let go. Because I was in a Halfords car park and Halfords had the part they changed the water pump. Normally I suppose they would just recover you to a garage to do the work.
I have always had breakdown cover. I had been with the AA for 17 years but recently changed to RAC through Tesco.(£40 in vouchers for joint membership!)
The AA pissed me off with Gold Membership, costing me twice as much with no real benefits for my loyalty. AA head office did not seem to care. Also had some 'crap' service from them in the last couple of years with my VW T25. (long story of dissatisfaction....)
Mike
The AA pissed me off with Gold Membership, costing me twice as much with no real benefits for my loyalty. AA head office did not seem to care. Also had some 'crap' service from them in the last couple of years with my VW T25. (long story of dissatisfaction....)
Mike
rovermorris999 said:
Autoaid for years, so cheap and good I'm amazed anyone pays through the nose to the big operators.
Autoaid are pay and claim, aren't they? Not everyone is in the position where they can pay £££ for a pick up / tow out of their own pocket even if they can claim it back later.TBH Autoaid doesn't seem that cheap for what it is - I have 'full' breakdown cover via my insurance including European cover which cost about 45 quid?
Autoaid here although I've never had to use them yet. Used to be Greenflag who were always good even when I made a stupid mistake, Vauxhaul Omega wouldn't start so I called them out, seems I'd left it in 'D' which prevents it starting, he spotted it instantly and had the decency to put it down as 'loose battery connection' to spare my blushes.
AA for20 years, until they sent me my renewal proudly containing my "loyalty members discount" - the cost was significantly more than any advertised price on the net. I complained both on the phone and in writing and they basically said "sorry, tough". They will never get my business again for that.
Went with green flag for a year, but with no online renewal and a phone line that they didn't want to answer, I'm now with Auto Aid. Not used them yet, but I hear good things.
Went with green flag for a year, but with no online renewal and a phone line that they didn't want to answer, I'm now with Auto Aid. Not used them yet, but I hear good things.
SonicShadow said:
Autoaid are pay and claim, aren't they? Not everyone is in the position where they can pay £££ for a pick up / tow out of their own pocket even if they can claim it back later.
TBH Autoaid doesn't seem that cheap for what it is - I have 'full' breakdown cover via my insurance including European cover which cost about 45 quid?
Ever heard of credit cards?. Autoaid cough up within a week. The good thing is you get the local recovery guy with a truck immediately not a van and then have to wait. £39 per year last time I think, covers the driver, not the car. They've been faultless the few times I've used them.TBH Autoaid doesn't seem that cheap for what it is - I have 'full' breakdown cover via my insurance including European cover which cost about 45 quid?
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