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Main Section => Welcome to our virtual Pub Meeting ... => Topic started by: Alan on June 22, 2022, 12:10:18 PM
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I have just received my reminder from The AA to renew my roadside breakdown cover . . .
What roadside breakdown services are other owners using?
Has anyone done a price comparison?
I need the cover for my Freelander 2 and Series 2
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A lot of insurance policies now include Road-side rescue/recovery and you can bundle several cars on one policy.
If you (or a family member) have ever worked for the civil service (even if it were just for 1 day) you can get a good deal with the CSMA and Britannia Rescue (https://www.boundless.co.uk/save-more/lv-britannia-rescue)
Whilst we can recommend various rescue services everyone's circumstances and requirements differ, so doing you own "comparing" will get you your best deal.
:AA ??? :RAC
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I have been with GEM:
https://www.motoringassist.com/
for some years after some diabolical experiences with the AA & RAC. They have been very good on the two occasions I have needed to call on their services.
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As mentioned, a lot of insurance companies have included cover, as do many banks - Halifax do basic AA cover for example.
Personally, if I didn’t already have cover through the bank, I’d be going back to the AA. But that’s just based on previous good service. Always worth reading the small print for any new cover because some outfits won’t cover cars over 10/15 years old depending on the type of policy you have - Green Flag personal policy for example.
If you can face a call to the AA then you should phone and ask for a much better deal or you will go elsewhere. Normally results in a more sensible number!
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I get full AA cover through my Bank account and at the time when setting it up they said covering classic cars was not a problem.
This was years ago - and I've never used them.
My Britannia Rescue covers ME for whatever vehicle I'm in, whether I'm driving or being a passenger.
If you go abroad you need to check if you have continental recovery and whether they have an English call centre (unless you are fluent in foreign languages).
I've called them out twice regarding the LWT breaking down. Once from the other end of the village and again from the bottom of our road - including the Sankey with a sofa on board.
You need to check if Home Start (flat batteries and the like) is included.
:breakdown truck
When I had my recent accident (not my fault) LV insurance sorted every thing out within 20 minutes of the impact.
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Comprehensive cover with Britannia Rescue, if I`m in the car the car`s covered :first
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Lots of companies offering varying levels of cover, definitely shop around. I was with the RAC for over 30 years then realised they where charging me extra for loyalty.
A mistake not to be repeated, I now shop round each year. The likes of Britannia get some good reviews but for a little extra I stay with the RAC or AA.
Also check cashback sites, I have had £100 back twice when paying over £200 for cover. Also read the small print on 'offers' I was caught out by the AA with their 'two years for one price' deal.
As an aside, my Dad was with the RAC as a Member for a few years. He left when he got cover included with Insurance. Again with the RAC but as an indirect member. When he had cause to call them out it was a different number to phone and the wait time was very long. So long his phone battery went flat. But they did apologise with a cash sum :tiphat
I do wonder if it is a different level of service for indirect members ? ???
Bottom line, decide what you want and what you need. Shop around.
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Comprehensive cover with Britannia Rescue, if I`m in the car the car`s covered :first
Likewise
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I've avoided the AA after some very bad experiences, and I foolishly gave them a second chance, but I still recall when they left a young mother with her 9 and 7 year old kids stranded late at night (I was the 9 year old), an old trucker who had stopped off in the pub car park where she had managed to pull over after brake failure, came to our aide and we got home on our own. The car was a Hilman minx as an everyday car...........
For several years relied upon cover with insurance, then moved to person based policies with RAC in 2008 as was cheapest. It has to be said the RAC has been brilliant as our fleet of everyday cars aged. In the last 12 months they have recovered us from the highlands of Scotland to London by taxi late on a Saturday, arriving in London at 3am Sunday, when the vw golf died. When our vw polo died with electrical problems they arrived within 10 minutes, spent 2 hours late at night trying to fix and then recovered us to a local garage, and then gave me a lift home which was only a mile away from garage but again late at night. As has been said, it is worth negotiating when it comes to renewal, and that is needed with the RAC, but that seems standard with everything these days, phones, utilities, insurance etc etc
I think it's when it goes really bad is when you need the good service, but it seems some of the time work is subcontracted out and dependent on local providers whoever you are with. One thing is for sure, recovering a vehicle without cover, which I did once back in 1989 teaches to always have some type of cover if just to remove your car off the motorway after an accident.
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whatver cover you have, check it actually covers old landrovers - some of the standard policies have vehicle age limits of max 10-15 years old
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Coincidently I needed them today. Called Britannia Rescue at 15.15 and they arrived at 16.00. We were quickly taken onto the very garage we had been heading for anyway.
And there wasn't any question about the age of the LR.
From the time I made the call to the arrival of the transporter was 45 minutes, now that is customer service. Britannia Rescue :first
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If you go abroad you need to check if you have continental recovery
Hi Alan,
OT, but short, and might amuse you ....
My sister's husband's MG Spridget fell off the recovery lorry while on it's way back from France. This was a long time ago, when the car was nearly new.
602
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I get annoyed with the rac charging more for loyalty but you have to be prepared to question them.
They have been good and cover me and my wife personally regardless of vehicles.
Our camper is over 10:years old and the rac and aa won’t touch them. Not sure if they cover old landy. The age thing is why I stick with them.
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Hi,
One dark, wet, windy, morning, Barbara was side swiped by the tailgate of an undertaking articulated supermarket pantecnicon (sp?) which didn't stop. She turn round at the next junction, and was heading for home, when she spied a police car on it's elevated car park.
Plod said to car recovery, as the damage had taken all the lights out.
Plod uttered a "mighty oath" when Britannia rolled up ... just 20 minutes later.
602
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Hi,
One dark, wet, windy, morning, Barbara was side swiped by the tailgate of an undertaking articulated supermarket pantecnicon (sp?) which didn't stop. She turn round at the next junction, and was heading for home, when she spied a police car on it's elevated car park.
Plod said to car recovery, as the damage had taken all the lights out.
Plod uttered a "mighty oath" when Britannia rolled up ... just 20 minutes later.
602
pantecnicon - Don't know it it is the correct spelling but sure is a word from the past. Called draw-bar and trailer these days I believe ?
I won't repeat my tale of several hours waiting for the RAC late one night, whilst within walking distance of their control centre !
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantechnicon_van (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantechnicon_van)
There's your origin...
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantechnicon_van (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantechnicon_van)
There's your origin...
Ah yes. I recall, the old style removal wagons which where a large box with the cab built in, sometimes with a sleeper compartment. These where large but quite light.
I remember one being blown over in high winds on an exposed country road. It was heading toward me and was gently swaying, it slowly started to tilt to it's left. As if in slow motion !
Then came to a stop at a jaunty angle supported by some rather bushy trees. Funny, but not ?
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Hi.
Please feel free to take a look at our breakdown offering if you wish.
https://www.adrianflux.co.uk/breakdown/
Regards,
Dan.
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Hi Everyone,
Thank you for all your thoughts and ideas.
I will be phoning the AA in the morning and seeing what reduction they will offer me.
AlanB
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I've got cover with both rac and through heritage car insurance only ever used the rac that was about five years back when I broke it after a days greenlaning 80 miles away it took them a little while to get to me as i was not in to much danger but the guy couldn't fix it so sent for a recovery truck no problem with the age of the landy
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I will be phoning the AA in the morning and seeing what reduction they will offer me.
AlanB
I would be interested to hear how you get on.
I'm in the second year of a fixed price with the AA. £124.67.
Includes Relay. Very useful as they once had to bring me and the Range Rover home!
I wish they would reduce the price rather than include a whole range of extra "benefits" (although 10% off at Halfords might be handy.....)
Always ring and negotiate the renewal price.
They expect you to!
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I would be interested to hear how you get on.
I'm in the second year of a fixed price with the AA. £124.67.
Includes Relay. Very useful as they once had to bring me and the Range Rover home!
I wish they would reduce the price rather than include a whole range of extra "benefits" (although 10% off at Halfords might be handy.....)
Always ring and negotiate the renewal price.
Halfords are currently promoting a deal where you join their 'club'. It costs but you receive vouchers for equivalent sum and a discount is given on most purchases. May be worth looking at as an alternative to the AA membership ?
Beware of fixed price deals with breakdown companies. Got bitten on that one :thud
They expect you to!
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Hi All,
Some people asked for an update . . .
I have now phoned the AA and spoken to the 'very nice man'.
Last year I paid £129 for home start, roadside assistance and national recovery - the quote this year was for £197!! The 'very nice man' brought it down to £152 as his best and final offer BUT I challenged him as I have got quotes from other organisations for around £100.
After a discussion the AA are now doing everything for the same price as last year £129 - this only lasts for a year and so I will have to the same in 12 months time!
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Just a heads up for Britannia Rescue. My wife broke down last night miles from home. Took a while to answer the phone as they were mega busy, but once they got the details a local recovery truck was there within 10 minutes. He managed to do a temporary fix so she didnt need recovery after all and was soon on her way. Brilliant service.
I suppose it is down to which local "agents" they use and how busy they happen to be, but I cant fault them.
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Civil Servants and government departments that have beed privatised are eligible to join the CSMA (Civil Service Motoring Association) who get a good discount with Britannia Rescue (and LV insurance).
This includes members of the family of the cilvil servant and you only have to have been in post for 1 day to qualify.
:breakdown truck
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Last summer I saw a camper van on the roadside near Killin, driver looking forlorn. I stopped to ask if he was OK. "Yes, fine" came the reply "I've called Recovery, they'll be here within two hours". I pointed towards Lix Toll Garage, about 300m up the road and said "Walk on up there, its a near certainty that your recovery company will be "subbing" the job to them..."
Sadly Lix seems to be in a bit of a decline, no vehicles on sale, shop closed, fuel by automated card only system :'(
They still seem to be running their workshop and the recovery side of the business though.
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Two replies in one here.
My dad always insisted on having cover from one of the Big 2. As he doesn't venture very far these days I persuaded him to go with Britannia rescue last year.
£42.28 Nationwide Recovery and Homestart. This year £38.30. He is pleased.
For us we do stick to the big 2 as they cover what we need. Family cover in any vehicle, Recovery, at home, Battery and forward travel. This year RAC matched AA for price and gave battery cover for free. £180
However. Wife hit a kerb whilst dropping someone off on way home from work at 10Pm. Two punctures !
RAC came out and offer was made to have tyres replaced to which she agreed. An unknown contractor came out and fitted two tyres at a cost of £130. Reasonable at Midnight ?
Perhaps but when I looked at the tyres the next morning they where odd patterns and rather worn. Probably worth about 20 Quid. So almost £100 for the service I guess. 🤔☹️
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For us we do stick to the big 2 as they cover what we need. Family cover in any vehicle, Recovery, at home, Battery and forward travel. This year RAC matched AA for price and gave battery cover for free. £180
I get all that also from Britannia.
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I get all that also from Britannia.
:ditto and at a much better price.
And I've always found their service & response times excellent.
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Hi,
My son was recovered by Britannia, got talking to the driver, was told that Britannia paid the independent operators the most .... and "something" else, forgotten what. It must have been twenty to thirty years ago.
I have also heard it muted that the recovery firms who operate under their own livery will spend time trying to find one of their own trucks free, before throwing the job onto the "market".
Barbara spent 2 hours parked on the M4, waiting for the recovery truck. The police operator refused to contact the recovery firm. She was a lone woman, in an MG Midget, with no top.... and a blown piston.
602
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That was years ago I suspect.
In recent times the focus and priorities have changed and lone women and children are given top priority now.
Nothing wrong in that - it's how things are.
:snowman-1
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Hi Alan,
No! It was soon after they announced the "lone women first" policy. I would need to fumble my memory, to identify where we were living at the time (where did I hang the engine hoist) to get some idea of the date.
I understand that waving a £10 note at an approaching recovery truck may "distract" the driver.
602
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£10 gets you nothing these days .....
:snowman-1