AA / RAC question

[geoff]

I'm looking into having AA / RAC cover for the T350 and both the AA and RAC imply they will only transport the vehicle to the nearest garage. Has anyone had problems with insisting it has to go to the garage of your choice (or at least a TVR garage).

Any advise would be appreciated.

Thanks
Geoff

[SGirl]

When the clutch went on our Cerb, the RAC told us they'd have to send out a mechanic to diagnose the problem before they'd send out a low loader, and then they said they'd only recover the car to the nearest garage.

I explained nicely that there was no point in wasting a mechanic's time when the problem was obvious, so they agreed to cut out the middle man and go straight for the low loader. I asked them to recover the car to Fernhurst, they said they'd prefer not to do that, and that they had a maximum recovery distance of 30 miles. So I told them that there was a TVR dealer within 30 miles of here but that we'd prefer not to use them, and they agreed to recover the car to Fernhurst with no bother.

I think the best advice would be to just be nice to the call centre bod if you need their assistance, and as long as you don't take the mickey they'll accommodate you.

HTH.

p.s. It can't hurt to tell them the car's under warranty with your preferred place.

Edited by SGirl on Tuesday 27th June 13:02

[bobs4c]

I have AA Relay cover and that states "Relay provides recovery of Your Vehicle together with the driver and up to 7 passengers to a single destination of Your choice on the UK mainland..."

[.Mark]

Had no problem with the RAC either, they went where I asked. If they use a 3rd party recovery company then sometimes that company has a travel limit, but I understand if your preferred place is outside of this they only need to ask their boss for permission.

[Fire99]

I have AA Relay too and when the clutch went on one of my cars they took it to my own preferred guarage. No questions asked..

[Duke Thrust]

RAC have always taken me and my car where I've wanted to go in the past.

[powelly]

I hit the 6 callouts in 2 year max with the AA.. who then refused to come out unless I pay effectively a 2nd subscription.. so moved to RAC where I beleive its 6 a year...

They seem to flinch when you mention you have a TVR

[scottwade]

Hello,

last Saturday I called the AA for failed clutch, I told him my local TVR dealers were not open but I needed to get the car there only, so they towed me home, then recovered the car on the Monday and took it to the Dealers. Can't grumble with that.

I would as suggested earlier, always say the car is under warranty at that dealer only so you can only really take the car there.

[jvaughan]

have used the AA since first ownership of my TVR. had on average 1 or two call outs a year without any problem.

[Neilus]

bobs4c said:

I have AA Relay cover and that states "Relay provides recovery of Your Vehicle together with the driver and up to 7 passengers to a single destination of Your choice on the UK mainland..."

I believe that only applies if you're not at home. If the car breaks down at home they will try and insist that they take to a garage within 10 or so miles, although they tend to be a bit more flexible when they find out it's a TVR. Not really too much of an issue for me as RG is about 17 miles from me; so not really had an issue the two times I've used it.

Neil.

[SprintV8]

Straight off the AA Website.
Relay
If, following a breakdown at the roadside, we can't arrange a prompt repair, we'll transport you, your car and up to seven passengers home, or to any mainland UK destination of your choice.


I've only used the AA once in six year's.
To returned a Motorcycle I bought
The rear wheel bearing's collasped and chewed the Hub/Spocket's/Chain.
Recovered back to the dealer I bought it from 120Miles away no problem's.

[woody-oTT]

I've just left the AA after 7 years. 5 years ago I crashed in Wigan, the day later AA recovered my car from the local storage , put it on the back of their wagon and towed it to Bristol where I was living...Brilliant!
3 months ago I crashed just 25 miles from my home and they would only tow it up to 15 miles to a garage of my preference, I screamed hellish at them!!! I explianed about my past recovery and they said they had changed since then. I didnt get where I wanted to go. I checked with the RAC and their accident recovery was nationwide to anywhere you wanted as long as they coldnt repair it at the roadside. So I'm now with them!! (AA however will recover nationwide if it has broken down, but so will the RAC.
The RAC also do a no claims discount for every year u dont use them u get a cheaper year!!

Edited by woody-oTT on Tuesday 27th June 21:12

[bigdods]

IIRC it depends on the cover - if you go for the basic no frills from either the AA or RAC its the nearest garage . Or at least this is how it used to be, probably hasnt changed much. Upgrade to RAC recovery they take you wherever you want to go.

I use my tesco clubcard points to buy my cover for free for myself and the Mrs :-)

Edited to add:

From the RAC Website - Roadside is the basic service, Recovery costs extra

Roadside
Roadside assistance anywhere in the UK 24 hours a day, 365 days a year providing you are at least a quarter of a mile from home. If we can't fix your car at the roadside within a reasonable time, then we'll give you a tow to a nearby garage within a 10-mile radius.

Recovery
If we can't fix your vehicle locally, we'll provide Recovery for up to 8 people to any mainland destination.

Edited by bigdods on Tuesday 27th June 21:29

[bluebottle]

I used to use the RAC which would take your vehicle wherever you want it taken no problem....except they would take anything upto 3 hours to get to you.
I have now switched to Green Flag as I can get the same level of cover for about 2/3rds the cost and they promise to turn up within an hour - so far they have as well :-)

[mrmaggit]

I'm with the RAC, have been since 1986, never had a problem, except when in France with the Harley, when we'd taken extended AA cover (Lorraine was with them), complete shambles>

Back in Blighty with the RAC, couldn't have been better, even gave the recovery chap a bottle of wine to be going on with.

Had a few call outs to the RAC with the Harley, always there, no problems.

Had to call them out a few weeks back when M's clutch went, we were back home before the time the chap at the call centre said they'd be with us. They turned up before I'd had chance to each my first sandwich! Let alone drink my first cider! And it was only a little mug, too.

[cdt]

When I had a problem with my brakes, the RAC took me and my car 50 miles back to my house. Then 5 days later they were more than happy to take the car to my TVR garage - about 30 miles. Was suprised how trouble free it was.

Only thing you have to worry about is how long it might take to get a low loader out to you, as often they are being used for emergencies/police work.

[woody-oTT]

All the quotes I said were with full roadside recovery cover

[Psychobert]

Depends on the cover, and on the person picking you up. I lost the clutch at about noon on Christmas Eve down in Cornwall. Someone picked me up, dropped me at my brothers place but completed the paperwork to suggest he'd done a roadside fix which meant that if it went again I could get towed to anywhere I wanted.

Only problem I've noticed with the AA cover is that for overseas trips as the car is over 12 years old I have to take out cover for each trip at about £60 a week. They won't do annual cover at about £120, but as the car is likely to only be overseas a couple fo times a year I guess its not too bad..

[knk]

I get AA cover free with my LLoyds bank account. I have used them a few times for the TVR and Alfa and found them to be briliant. They have never put a limit of distance to be recovered, they have recovered home then on to a garage the following day.
Always smart and polite.

[knk]

I get AA cover free with my LLoyds bank account. I have used them a few times for the TVR and Alfa and found them to be briliant. They have never put a limit of distance to be recovered, they have recovered home then on to a garage the following day.
Always smart and polite.