Puncture on Austrian motorway - RAC uncontactable
Discussion
We’re travelling from UK to Hungary in a rented camper van which came with full RAC European cover. On a slip road we picked up something that caused a puncture on outside front left, fully deflated in a minute. No drama, just pulled to the side of the motorway with hazards in narrow hard shoulder. Put warning triangle out and tried to call RAC as trying to jack van up would be too dangerous there.
Call ended. We tried different numbers, different phones, chatgpt, Vodafone. Absolutely nothing worked to contact them, no messages just disconnect.
Eventually we limped on to the next SOS phone and sorted a recovery van who took us to tyre place and got a new tyre fitted. Van rental company will sort reimbursement.
What could we have done differently? We feel really let down by RAC but are not directly customers of theirs. Any tips for the future? This is the first proper puncture breakdown I’ve had in 30 years so unlikely to happen again soon.
Call ended. We tried different numbers, different phones, chatgpt, Vodafone. Absolutely nothing worked to contact them, no messages just disconnect.
Eventually we limped on to the next SOS phone and sorted a recovery van who took us to tyre place and got a new tyre fitted. Van rental company will sort reimbursement.
What could we have done differently? We feel really let down by RAC but are not directly customers of theirs. Any tips for the future? This is the first proper puncture breakdown I’ve had in 30 years so unlikely to happen again soon.
alscar said:
Did you also try ringing the rental company ?
I only say that as my sister was visiting us last year from Aus and her hire car also got punctured.
She rang them who organised it all and a new tyre fitted on our drive.
Sounds like a very frustrating puncture for you.
The rental company are only a small outfit dealing mainly with rentals for festivals. They were helpful in that they sent us details to contact RAC but all numbers failed. I only say that as my sister was visiting us last year from Aus and her hire car also got punctured.
She rang them who organised it all and a new tyre fitted on our drive.
Sounds like a very frustrating puncture for you.
A bigger one may have been better organised and experienced.
toasty said:
alscar said:
Did you also try ringing the rental company ?
I only say that as my sister was visiting us last year from Aus and her hire car also got punctured.
She rang them who organised it all and a new tyre fitted on our drive.
Sounds like a very frustrating puncture for you.
The rental company are only a small outfit dealing mainly with rentals for festivals. They were helpful in that they sent us details to contact RAC but all numbers failed. I only say that as my sister was visiting us last year from Aus and her hire car also got punctured.
She rang them who organised it all and a new tyre fitted on our drive.
Sounds like a very frustrating puncture for you.
A bigger one may have been better organised and experienced.
At the very least they should be refunding you something although this isn’t about money but peace of mind.
I’d be concerned that should something else happen you might still have no way of getting in touch with RAC.
True, I’m not after compensation but just wondered if I missed something in trying to contact RAC.
In hindsight I could’ve asked them to contact RAC and get them to contact me but I didn’t think of that at the time.
We’ve still 1500 miles to go before we get back so will do that should another incident happen.
Thanks for the advice.
In hindsight I could’ve asked them to contact RAC and get them to contact me but I didn’t think of that at the time.
We’ve still 1500 miles to go before we get back so will do that should another incident happen.
Thanks for the advice.
Unless I'm missing something, surely this was a phone / network / reception issue?
When roaming you're piggy-backing onto a random local network provider and it's up to them to make that connection - not all UK numbers are guaranteed to work in all situations, especially commercial or freephone numbers.
When roaming you're piggy-backing onto a random local network provider and it's up to them to make that connection - not all UK numbers are guaranteed to work in all situations, especially commercial or freephone numbers.
dan98 said:
Unless I'm missing something, surely this was a phone / network / reception issue?
When roaming you're piggy-backing onto a random local network provider and it's up to them to make that connection - not all UK numbers are guaranteed to work in all situations, especially commercial or freephone numbers.
Quite possibly but we managed to contact the rental company fine and Vodafone said there were no blocks. I’ll try and find out more when we get home. When roaming you're piggy-backing onto a random local network provider and it's up to them to make that connection - not all UK numbers are guaranteed to work in all situations, especially commercial or freephone numbers.
Vodafone are another pain to deal with when you just want to talk to somebody. Menu after menu, asking for PINs and memorable words when date of birth and a one time passcode worked fine. Then trying to talk to someone while traffic is rushing past only a few feet away wasn’t the best.
It should be easier.
Edited by toasty on Wednesday 20th August 13:56
I assume the OP looked far enough down the RAC website to find the French phone number for European breakdowns?
There's also a British non-0330 number listed for Irish breakdowns that would probably also work.
They also claim you can report a breakdown online, but that seems asking for trouble.
There's also a British non-0330 number listed for Irish breakdowns that would probably also work.
They also claim you can report a breakdown online, but that seems asking for trouble.
Truckosaurus said:
They also claim you can report a breakdown online, but that seems asking for trouble.
Dear Mr Truckosaurus,
Regarding your report submitted on our website stating that you broke down on the M1 near Junction 3 on 23rd November 2024, do you still need assistance?
Kind regards,
RAC
Truckosaurus said:
I assume the OP looked far enough down the RAC website to find the French phone number for European breakdowns?
There's also a British non-0330 number listed for Irish breakdowns that would probably also work.
They also claim you can report a breakdown online, but that seems asking for trouble.
I can’t say I saw a French one but dialled a couple of 0141 and 0330 numbers including the one specifically for Euro breakdowns. All rang once and disconnected. No message, nothing. There's also a British non-0330 number listed for Irish breakdowns that would probably also work.
They also claim you can report a breakdown online, but that seems asking for trouble.
Bingo! I found the French number. Thanks Truckosaurus.
It’s just about findable if you’re relaxed at home with a cup of coffee, not that obvious when you have two dogs and a flapping wife standing behind the safety barriers in the midst of a stress related asthma attack.
That number is now saved in both phones.
It’s just about findable if you’re relaxed at home with a cup of coffee, not that obvious when you have two dogs and a flapping wife standing behind the safety barriers in the midst of a stress related asthma attack.
That number is now saved in both phones.
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