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[diffwhine]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantechnicon_van

There's your origin...

[The Shed]

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 ?

[DAN@ADRIAN FLUX]

Hi.
Please feel free to take a look at our breakdown offering if you wish.
https://www.adrianflux.co.uk/breakdown/
Regards,
Dan.

[Alan]

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

[gromet]

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

[Exile]

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!

[The Shed]

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 

They expect you to!

[Alan]

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!

[Worf]

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.

[Wittsend]

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.

 

[Genem]

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. 

[The Shed]

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. 🤔☹️

[Worf]

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.

[LN11AAB498A]

I get all that also from Britannia.

   and at a much better price.
And I've always found their service & response times excellent.

[w3526602]

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.

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