Rubbish Breakdown Insurance
Discussion
I know I have read a few posts on this before and actually done some pistonheads research before I took out my cover with 
. Thought it was a good deal at just over 200 quid for the family with cover in any car they either drive or passenger, however after 2 1/2 years the time came to make a claim, daughter finished work, flat battery only to be told it would be around 3 hours for them to attend. I was away working and so ended up getting a friend to go there and jump start the car, 8pm at night. After raising a complaint and asking for discount on my premium they told me to go forth and wouldnt be offering anything, work was busy in the area at the time was the excuse.
Decided to test this excuse one evening so before replacing the battery I used the homestart service that I pay extra for, registered it online as when you call on the phone (that you are already holding in your hand and are connected) they tell you the quickest way is to go online and do it.....hmmm
Fast forward 1 hour later they say they are busy and will update within 30 minutes, 25 minutes later they say another update in 30 minutes, then comes the phonecall that as the vehicle is at home and nobody is unsafe then it will now be tomorrow morning before they send someone, as they are busy in the area.....WTF.
This clearly isnt a one off as its happened twice when using them, are the others any better? Or am I a miserable old git and expecting too much for my 200 quid a year to actually expect them to come out and fix a car.
. Thought it was a good deal at just over 200 quid for the family with cover in any car they either drive or passenger, however after 2 1/2 years the time came to make a claim, daughter finished work, flat battery only to be told it would be around 3 hours for them to attend. I was away working and so ended up getting a friend to go there and jump start the car, 8pm at night. After raising a complaint and asking for discount on my premium they told me to go forth and wouldnt be offering anything, work was busy in the area at the time was the excuse.Decided to test this excuse one evening so before replacing the battery I used the homestart service that I pay extra for, registered it online as when you call on the phone (that you are already holding in your hand and are connected) they tell you the quickest way is to go online and do it.....hmmm
Fast forward 1 hour later they say they are busy and will update within 30 minutes, 25 minutes later they say another update in 30 minutes, then comes the phonecall that as the vehicle is at home and nobody is unsafe then it will now be tomorrow morning before they send someone, as they are busy in the area.....WTF.
This clearly isnt a one off as its happened twice when using them, are the others any better? Or am I a miserable old git and expecting too much for my 200 quid a year to actually expect them to come out and fix a car.
Mod edit. Please do not Name and Shame
First point is that even from your grumpy post they haven't refused to fix in either scenario.
What they are doing is prioritising their workload. Your daughter in a work car park in daylight is a lower priority than someone on the side of the M4.
Your problem appears to be that you expected them to turn up in a matter of minutes. I'd say you need to manage your expectations a bit better.
What they are doing is prioritising their workload. Your daughter in a work car park in daylight is a lower priority than someone on the side of the M4.
Your problem appears to be that you expected them to turn up in a matter of minutes. I'd say you need to manage your expectations a bit better.
I'm with autoaid, used them once and they were pretty good.
https://www.autoaidbreakdown.co.uk/
But they are all dipping into the same local resource pool, so agree it's luck on the day.
https://www.autoaidbreakdown.co.uk/
But they are all dipping into the same local resource pool, so agree it's luck on the day.
Small fleet of vans here. Horror stories with them all (other than Green Flag but early days) and includes admin/renewals as much as breakdown.
10+ hour waits, missed garage slots, stealth charges, charged unnecessary 'storage' for vehicles etc.
The absolute worst was a company who may assist your call, but they're all in a race to the bottom.
10+ hour waits, missed garage slots, stealth charges, charged unnecessary 'storage' for vehicles etc.
The absolute worst was a company who may assist your call, but they're all in a race to the bottom.
I've got nothing negative to say about the (free!!) breakdown provided by our nationwide flex plus (£10pm I think) account. Never waited more than 60 minutes on either the motorbike or car and have had to call them out ~5 times over the last 5 years (3 times in 3 months)
Also get travel insurance, gadget insurance and a decent interest rate (for a current account)
Also get travel insurance, gadget insurance and a decent interest rate (for a current account)
Edited by kiethton on Sunday 5th June 12:09
They’re just prioritising. I’ve had similar experiences at home, however when broken down at the roadside with a baby in the car they’ve consistently responded within 30mins of calling, probably bumping someone in a safe position to the next day.
Just something you need to accept. Take comfort in knowing that if anyone in your family was in a more vulnerable position and called in they would get a better response.
Just something you need to accept. Take comfort in knowing that if anyone in your family was in a more vulnerable position and called in they would get a better response.
I have nothing but bad experience with the company that sounds similar to "The Hay Hay"
Left me sat at the road side in a broken car for 9 hours.
After 4-5 hours I arranged my own recovery.
Call logged at about 5pm, recovery (that I told them not to send) arrived at 2am the next morning, and even then they only sent a van to see if they could fix the failed timing cover seal that had caused the car to drop all its oil.
Also had a failure a few weeks ago, car stuck on a blind junction, with total electrical failure. Said they'd be there in 30 mins due to the dangerous position of the car. 10mins after the call it went to an hour, then 5 mins later it went to an hour and a half. Fixed it myself and told them to stick it.
Absolutely useless
Left me sat at the road side in a broken car for 9 hours.
After 4-5 hours I arranged my own recovery.
Call logged at about 5pm, recovery (that I told them not to send) arrived at 2am the next morning, and even then they only sent a van to see if they could fix the failed timing cover seal that had caused the car to drop all its oil.
Also had a failure a few weeks ago, car stuck on a blind junction, with total electrical failure. Said they'd be there in 30 mins due to the dangerous position of the car. 10mins after the call it went to an hour, then 5 mins later it went to an hour and a half. Fixed it myself and told them to stick it.
Absolutely useless
kiethton said:
I've got nothing negative to say about the (free!!) breakdown provided by our nationwide flex plus (£10pm I think) account. Never waited more than 60 minutes on either the motorbike or car and have had to call them out ~5 times over the last 5 years (3 times in 3 months)
Also get travel insurance, gadget insurance and a decent (for a current savings account)
It's changed recently to the AA, so will be as good (or not) as they are.Also get travel insurance, gadget insurance and a decent (for a current savings account)
W've used them once recently and they were great, but it's not a representative sample.
I wonder if they prioritize customers who are part of a large fleet or manufacturer's breakdown scheme, as opposed to Joe Public who has purchased their product as an individual?
I know that one of the big two are relatively unbothered about complaints etc because they make £££ from big corporate contracts.
I know that one of the big two are relatively unbothered about complaints etc because they make £££ from big corporate contracts.
Tyre Smoke said:
First point is that even from your grumpy post they haven't refused to fix in either scenario.
What they are doing is prioritising their workload. Your daughter in a work car park in daylight is a lower priority than someone on the side of the M4.
Your problem appears to be that you expected them to turn up in a matter of minutes. I'd say you need to manage your expectations a bit better.
If they refused to fix then it wouldnt be breakdown cover at all ?????What they are doing is prioritising their workload. Your daughter in a work car park in daylight is a lower priority than someone on the side of the M4.
Your problem appears to be that you expected them to turn up in a matter of minutes. I'd say you need to manage your expectations a bit better.
I get what youre saying and of course a broken down car on a hard shoulder is priority, I dont expect them to get there within minutes but I do expect them to jump start or recover a car at 8 in the evening when my daughter finished work and I do expect home start to start my car the same day and not call me to say it will now be first thing in the morning.
Id say your life must be filled with low expectations, guess that way youre never unhappy though
You're just being confrontational now. I don't have high expectations, but I am realistic.
They were prepared to come out to your daughter. You chose to make other arrangements.
Your home start. Never a priority as you were at home.
You seem to want something immediate. They also don't guarantee to fix a breakdown. They are also a recovery service. Ultimately if you don't like their service or consider it value for money, you can vote with your feet.
They were prepared to come out to your daughter. You chose to make other arrangements.
Your home start. Never a priority as you were at home.
You seem to want something immediate. They also don't guarantee to fix a breakdown. They are also a recovery service. Ultimately if you don't like their service or consider it value for money, you can vote with your feet.
It sounds like you need to switch supplier. That is the level of service I would expect from AutoAid but I am paying a third the price.
If they are all subbing out their work then you end up with the same local contractors anyway.
The longer delays will be due to lower staff level from cost cuts to increase profit margins.
If they are all subbing out their work then you end up with the same local contractors anyway.
The longer delays will be due to lower staff level from cost cuts to increase profit margins.
You are correct, if you want to make jibes about me expecting them to respond in minutes and managing my expectations then you must expect me to respond in the same manner. 
If you have breakdown insurance do you not expect them to turn up lets say with a target time of 1 hour, maybe that slips to 2 hours as they were busy and my call was lower priority, Id of accepted that but to have a 3 hour first time and a next day then 2nd time I find it a P take.
I came on here to find out if they are all as bad as each other as its due in August and my current orange lot wont be getting my business whatever the price, however I do need some sort of cover so wondering what others may be using.
If you have breakdown insurance do you not expect them to turn up lets say with a target time of 1 hour, maybe that slips to 2 hours as they were busy and my call was lower priority, Id of accepted that but to have a 3 hour first time and a next day then 2nd time I find it a P take.
I came on here to find out if they are all as bad as each other as its due in August and my current orange lot wont be getting my business whatever the price, however I do need some sort of cover so wondering what others may be using.
I've kind of been fortunate over the years. I've always had cover and used it less than 5 times if I think about it.
My modern cars have always been serviced on time and my classics I do myself. I cant ever recall one of my classic cars ever needing roadside help. So it must have been the modern cars. A couple of those were flat tyres when I couldn't be arsed to change one.
I've been with RAC in all those years. When I've called them, they've never taken longer than 2 hours.
My modern cars have always been serviced on time and my classics I do myself. I cant ever recall one of my classic cars ever needing roadside help. So it must have been the modern cars. A couple of those were flat tyres when I couldn't be arsed to change one.
I've been with RAC in all those years. When I've called them, they've never taken longer than 2 hours.
Tyre Smoke said:
It wasn't a jibe. It was an observation from the tone of your opening post.
You are clearly an argumentative and somewhat arrogant poster so I'll leave you to it.
You want a parting shot? You need to work on your spelling and grammar.
Give the guy a break and be a little tolerant, he has had a frustrating experience and rather than acknowledge that you just charge in trying to start an argument.You are clearly an argumentative and somewhat arrogant poster so I'll leave you to it.
You want a parting shot? You need to work on your spelling and grammar.
I sympathise with his reaction and concern for his daughters safety but if the rescue people had been clearer with him by stating they were busy in the area, explained the priority but also knowledged his concerns, etc. People are generally more understanding if they know what is/isn't going on.
I do not think these type of organisations provide very good service or value for money but if you understand your convenience isn't part of the contract it gives some perspective and maybe modify expectations.
As for your opinion of the poster, pot and kettle spring to mind.
I really don’t understand people that pay for this service?
I drive 70k miles for work each year and approx 10-12k personally. I’ve done this since 2007 and I’ve bought breakdown cover probably twice, maybe three times.
I’ve used a breakdown service twice in that approx 800-900k miles (once when I was covered and once when I wasn’t) they were both terrible and took 4-5hrs to turn up. The time I wasn’t covered it cost be £125 to sign up on the spot (to the yellow lot) and maybe another £150-200 to get me from Luton to Stoke. The lesson I learnt, don’t by a Vauxhall with an M32 gearbox, and drive Honda Accords or Civic estates, they never breakdown. Most importantly, paying for breakdown cover is a con. Buy it on the spot if you need it for the once or twice a decade you use it.
I drive 70k miles for work each year and approx 10-12k personally. I’ve done this since 2007 and I’ve bought breakdown cover probably twice, maybe three times.
I’ve used a breakdown service twice in that approx 800-900k miles (once when I was covered and once when I wasn’t) they were both terrible and took 4-5hrs to turn up. The time I wasn’t covered it cost be £125 to sign up on the spot (to the yellow lot) and maybe another £150-200 to get me from Luton to Stoke. The lesson I learnt, don’t by a Vauxhall with an M32 gearbox, and drive Honda Accords or Civic estates, they never breakdown. Most importantly, paying for breakdown cover is a con. Buy it on the spot if you need it for the once or twice a decade you use it.
CKR83 said:
I really don’t understand people that pay for this service?
I drive 70k miles for work each year and approx 10-12k personally. I’ve done this since 2007 and I’ve bought breakdown cover probably twice, maybe three times.
I’ve used a breakdown service twice in that approx 800-900k miles (once when I was covered and once when I wasn’t) they were both terrible and took 4-5hrs to turn up. The time I wasn’t covered it cost be £125 to sign up on the spot (to the yellow lot) and maybe another £150-200 to get me from Luton to Stoke. The lesson I learnt, don’t by a Vauxhall with an M32 gearbox, and drive Honda Accords or Civic estates, they never breakdown. Most importantly, paying for breakdown cover is a con. Buy it on the spot if you need it for the once or twice a decade you use it.
Our breakdown was covered within NFU car insurance. After a few years that had crept up, and a search around found LV= cheapest for both our cars on separate insurances. The Plus was that GoCompare were offering £250 free excess through their website.I drive 70k miles for work each year and approx 10-12k personally. I’ve done this since 2007 and I’ve bought breakdown cover probably twice, maybe three times.
I’ve used a breakdown service twice in that approx 800-900k miles (once when I was covered and once when I wasn’t) they were both terrible and took 4-5hrs to turn up. The time I wasn’t covered it cost be £125 to sign up on the spot (to the yellow lot) and maybe another £150-200 to get me from Luton to Stoke. The lesson I learnt, don’t by a Vauxhall with an M32 gearbox, and drive Honda Accords or Civic estates, they never breakdown. Most importantly, paying for breakdown cover is a con. Buy it on the spot if you need it for the once or twice a decade you use it.
So, that left the breakdown cover. Having never had a breakdown in the last decade, we went for Start Rescue, which is about £36 each and then about the same for a call out, that seemed the best deal for us. I don’t know how they are in a call out, and I hope not to find out!
I've been with RAC for ages but hadn't used them since the 90s, until 2018.
The electric water pump in my car died so I called them. Van turned up in about an hour and towed me 12 or so miles to my local Indy.
Then in December the same car wouldn't start because the battery had died. Luckily I had Homestart so I didn't mind waiting about an hour and a half. Van arrived and my battery diagnosis was confirmed so a new one was fitted from stock carried for a sensible price.
So I've been really pleased with them and haven't considered changing.
Partly because having 2 cars it's cheaper than adding cover to the insurance on both, I'm covered for any car I am in whether it's mine or not and they will give European cover for cars over 10 years old which many others won't.
The electric water pump in my car died so I called them. Van turned up in about an hour and towed me 12 or so miles to my local Indy.
Then in December the same car wouldn't start because the battery had died. Luckily I had Homestart so I didn't mind waiting about an hour and a half. Van arrived and my battery diagnosis was confirmed so a new one was fitted from stock carried for a sensible price.
So I've been really pleased with them and haven't considered changing.
Partly because having 2 cars it's cheaper than adding cover to the insurance on both, I'm covered for any car I am in whether it's mine or not and they will give European cover for cars over 10 years old which many others won't.
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