Beware renewing with RAC

waspish

I've had huge problems renewing my membership with the RAC, who seem to be hugely inefficient, so thought I'd warn others.

For the last few years I've organised membership with Tesco clubcard vouchers and did the same again toward the end of August. On 22nd Sept my car had a flat tyre and the RAC refused to come out because they said I'd let my membership expire. After a struggle the next day, they eventually found my application and said they'd process it - backdating it to mid-August. Therefore charging me for the period during which they refused to come out!! After big outcry from me, they agreed to extend the membership period (would advise others to insist on this if you have the same problem).

However, after several weeks, no cards had appeared. Phone call revealed that they'd sent the Welcome Pack to an address we left 3 years ago and put the membership in my daughter's name instead of mine. Never mind, helpful Sarah said she'd sort it out and even send me vouchers as compensation.

Two weeks later, still nothing. Today I've been told by unhelpful Mark that although my own address has been changed, the membership is still in my daughter's name, still at the wrong address, and to do anything about it, they need to get my daughter's consent!! So very busy daughter now apparently has to spend her money phoning the RAC to give them permission to correct their own mistake! I've demanded a call from a manager but this involves "paperwork" so who knows if it will ever happen. Meanwhile, we may or may not get help from the RAC if we break down. My personal advice would be to give your business to someone else. Or make absolutely sure that your cover's been renewed properly if you don't hear anything from the RAC in a reasonable period. You may otherwise end up stranded by the roadside!

Hammyman

I had no problem with them. In fact when our membership was about to expire and we'd forgotten to send off for the CC deal from Tesco, RAC gave us a free month.

Gloomendoom

Been a member since 1984 and so far no problems. For the last few years I've renewed using Tesco Clubcard points... although Tesco have now devalued those.

mcjordi

why renew..

simply swap between rac and aa to get new customer offers each time..

Hammyman

mcjordi wrote: »

why renew..

simply swap between rac and aa to get new customer offers each time..

Can I pay for the AA with Tesco Clubcard Points? No. So I'd be needlessly spending money.

Quentin

You can't have seen how cheap it is to get new customer status (and cashback) every year!

You could then spend your points on something more exciting!

Pheobesmove

I swap between the two companies each year getting the cashback through quidco. We alternate who is the main cardholder as well.

motorguy

Pheobesmove wrote: »

I swap between the two companies each year getting the cashback through quidco. We alternate who is the main cardholder as well.

There are many other companies offering the same of similar service for a lot less money.

Use martins pointers on the Motoring tab to find the best for you.

I got mine for half the price of either the AA or the RAC :beer:

Hammyman

pgilc1 wrote: »

There are many other companies offering the same of similar service for a lot less money.

Use martins pointers on the Motoring tab to find the best for you.

I got mine for half the price of either the AA or the RAC :beer:

Half the price of either the RAC or AA is still more than free.

kwaks

waspish wrote: »

I've had huge problems renewing my membership with the RAC, who seem to be hugely inefficient, so thought I'd warn others.

For the last few years I've organised membership with Tesco clubcard vouchers and did the same again toward the end of August. On 22nd Sept my car had a flat tyre and the RAC refused to come out because they said I'd let my membership expire. After a struggle the next day, they eventually found my application and said they'd process it - backdating it to mid-August. Therefore charging me for the period during which they refused to come out!! After big outcry from me, they agreed to extend the membership period (would advise others to insist on this if you have the same problem).

However, after several weeks, no cards had appeared. Phone call revealed that they'd sent the Welcome Pack to an address we left 3 years ago and put the membership in my daughter's name instead of mine. Never mind, helpful Sarah said she'd sort it out and even send me vouchers as compensation.

Two weeks later, still nothing. Today I've been told by unhelpful Mark that although my own address has been changed, the membership is still in my daughter's name, still at the wrong address, and to do anything about it, they need to get my daughter's consent!! So very busy daughter now apparently has to spend her money phoning the RAC to give them permission to correct their own mistake! I've demanded a call from a manager but this involves "paperwork" so who knows if it will ever happen. Meanwhile, we may or may not get help from the RAC if we break down. My personal advice would be to give your business to someone else. Or make absolutely sure that your cover's been renewed properly if you don't hear anything from the RAC in a reasonable period. You may otherwise end up stranded by the roadside!

So daughter doesnt contact them and is covered and you insist they give you the cover you "paid" for. Win win for you and your daughter.

Quentin

Hammyman wrote: »

Half the price of either the RAC or AA is still more than free.

You don't get it free if you use points!

Check out how cheap it is when you are a new customer joining through a cashback site!

Use the article here to get a much better deal on your breakdown service and use your tesco points elsewhere for better value deals!