RAC OR AA

[spongy]

As title says which one is the best for the cerb in your experience.May seem negative but best to be prepared

[Alexdaredevilz]

Green flag give a better and faster service now days

[PABTVR]

AA for me
Even recovered me from santa pod after snapping drive shaft and it was the second call out for the day as I used them for my mate bemmer
Saw three aa. Blokes in one day and all of them were top notch
RAC refused to recover as they don't cover motorsport

[LooneyTunes]

I've had both through the years - running a number of classics that occasionally needed recovery - couldn't really split them if I'm honest.

Right now the thing that has kept me with RAC for so long is their NCD arrangement. With not having had to call them out for the past few years, the cover is dirt cheap (under 50 quid IIRC for their 2nd from top package - basically everything bar the hire car option - for wife and I).

Mind you, so much does depend on who turns out on the day with some good lads out there (last one kindly took a short detour to drop me off AFTER we'd dropped the car off) and whether you can get the call centre to believe you when you call and tell them that there's no way a roadside fix will be possible - that second wait is always frustrating!

[jammy_basturd]

My (very) recent experience of AA was an overall good one.

I thought they did take a bit long to get to me (1.5 hours when I was at a services on a major motorway). However I did ask for a flat bed specifically and that's what they sent me, so I guess the wait is understandable.

The AA guy who came out was top notch, did everything he could to ensure that no damage was done to the car, with what was exactly quite a difficult recovery due to the rear wheels being locked and my gravel driveway!

Been happy with the two occasions I've had to use the AA now. Not outstanding service, but still very good.

[dbv8]

AA have been excellent on a few occasions for me.

I see them taking broken cars from the pits of drag strips quite often.
Not seen a TVR taken personally. They are tougher and more reliable than most cars that take part

[Robscim]

Always been with the RAC and they've been very good. The last time they recovered me, they were excellent and did everything they could to ensure the car was looked after. And before people knock the reliability of the car, the only other time was due to a front tyre blow-out!!

I was put off the AA by their relay system where you get passed from truck to truck on long recoveries. Once on the RAC truck, you know you won't be unloaded until you reach your destination.

Maybe doesn't sound a big deal but if the worst happens and you do break down, you just want to get home quickly, or is it just me??

Cheers

Rob

[gruffalo]

Robscim said:

I was put off the AA by their relay system where you get passed from truck to truck on long recoveries. Once on the RAC truck, you know you won't be unloaded until you reach your destination.

Same for me, 12 hours to reach Bromley in Kent from Weston Super Mare because of all the waiting around at the various change over points, never again.

Used the RAC since and really impressed on the couple of occasions I have needed them.

[4Lmike]

RAC have proved very good for me...had a couple of call out both fixed by roadside and turned up within 30mins so would recommend them. Not tried AA.

[TimJM]

Got to be AA, RAC changed their terms and conditions last year I think so no recoveries from home. I had full RAC membership (every option, homestart etc) but when my Cerbera starter motor failed they wanted £260 to take it to the garage. Apparently home start means they will fix the car at your address but will not recover it unless it is at least ¼ mile (I think) from your address.

The final straw for me was when I had an accident in my Cerb. As it was late and TVR Power (where it was going) was shut they asked if they could put it on my drive overnight and then continue to TVR power in the morning. I said yes, the next morning I had a phone call at 7am to inform me that they would not continue the recovery from my address unless I paid – you guessed it £260. I spoke to a manager, told them it was them that put the car on my drive overnight (my accident was 14 miles away from my home – the car was a write off and un-drivable). After a couple more phone calls (and rants from me) they agreed they would pick up my car and take it to TVR Power as promised without charge, and I quote “As a goodwill geusture”.

I cancelled my RAC membership (after 9 years with them) and went to AA – never looked back. Not only do the AA pickup you car off your drive without charge they also paid the first £500 of a recent repair bill.

[pjac67]

TimJM said:

Got to be AA,...............they also paid the first £500 of a recent repair bill.

This is the key to having AA cover for a Cerb IMHO - the Breakdown Repair Cover. Can claim 5 x £475 pa and they now accept cars >10 yrs old and > 100k miles and can now have max 7 call outs pa (Just renewed my package yesterday).