Breakdown Cover Discussion

ILW

I have used the AA for years and have been very impressed with their service when required. One guy changed a cambelt at the side of the road which would have cost £200 or so. They do also carry a massive database of "known" faults for most cars which can be really helpful.
I do not work for them, just very pleased with the service received.
They do bump the price up every year, but in my experience always bring it down if you call and tell them you are going to the AA.

carbonmonoxide

Does anyone know a breakdown company that won't charge cancelation fees during the cooling off period?

My AA membership has run out and I am going with RAC through clubcard points, but I didn't realise this would take a few days to sort out so I am without cover.

I want to sign up to make sure I'm covered with someone but then cancel without cost if I don't use it

Starb7

trinidadone wrote: »

I just went in green flags website. My quote for recovery plus is £61.95 and offered £30.00 cashback from Quidco. Just have some questions, wonder if you or someone can help with:

1) I have registered a bank account with Quidco to get the cash back, do I have to use the same account to pay green flag, or can I use a bank account?

2) how long does the cash back take to be paid back?

3) I am currently with AutoAid Breakdown Recovery, which is £37.00, with the cash back Greenflag is £31.95, this sounds like a great deal, is it?

4) have you called out green flag in the past, and if so how are they?

hope someone can help with these, never used Green flag or Quidco before

I have just opted for AutoAid as it also covers the wife at no extra charge and has no age limits on the car and includes all types of cover. It also covers trailers, caravans and motorbikes! NOTE: it is important that you note that unlike RAC, AA, etc that offer personal cover (if you are in the car), with AutoAid you MUST be the driver of the vehicle! Was with Autonational Rescue (who were OK when I had to use them) but £99 for recover and roadside was a bit too much.

ennnceee

Does anyone have any experience of this service? QD previously used Britannia, but have apparently just switched to Mondial Assistance, whoever they may be.

Thanks!

flobbalobbalob

The only way to pay is using your debit/credit card. The terms & conditions include the following

"For your convenience and protection, if you are paying for your
breakdown cover using your own debit/credit card, we will automatically renew your breakdown cover next year (unless you have asked us not to). We will write to you before the renewal date to remind you of this and to let you know what the policy terms and new payments will be."

There is no way to "ask them not to automatically renew" therefore I assume that this is a Continuous Payment Authority.

Am I correct? - if so they may be a dangerous company to deal with considering the negative reviews on the internet.

JenClem

Sorry i can't give any specific answers to some of the questions posted but just thought some people might like to know of my experiences with AutoAid.

I've been with them for 2 years now and i have a 1986 VW Polo. The 1st year i had their breakdown cover i didn't need it, however this year i've had to call them out twice and both times i've had really good experiences.

The first time was in the afternoon in September when my car conked out in a car park in a busy town (thankfully). The call centre answered the phone really quickly and were very helpful and friendly and suggested several thngs to help. The only bug-bear i have is that they said the chap would be with me in 30 mins but it was the best part of 90 before he actually turned up (it was very cold so wasn't pleasant waiting). When he did arrive though he was really nice and fixed my car within 10 minutes (blocked carburettor). He then followed me for 10 miles to make sure it really was fixed.
Like another poster i forgot to look up the terms of claiming the cost of the breakdown back. I think it's a bit unfair that they didn't refund the previous poster when they missed it by a day - i sent mine in 3 months too late or so and they were fine and paid up no question!

The second time i broke down was a bit more scary - my alternator died which left me at the side of a busy and unlit dual carriageway at 10.30 at night on my own. Again, the phone was answered promptly by someone who was friendly and knowledgeable and they said i would take priority as a lone female which was reassuring. Again they said 30 mins and this time it was 40 (which i think is fair enough) - thankfully an unmarked policecar stopped soon after i broke down though and the policeman put up cones etc. else i think my car would now be in bits from the stupid lorry drivers, but i digress.
The tow truck turned up promptly, the chap was really nice and didn't try and do any selling or anything like that. He took me straight home (15 miles away) because my local garage is just down the road and the receipt was with me in a couple of days so i could send it off to AutoAid (thought i better not push my luck!). AutoAid paid out very promptly, no questions and they haven't tried to rip me off or take money from me without my consent or anything like some of these other companies have.

I'm also looking to go to France in a few days for a week and although AutoAid don't do European cover, they recommend Eurorescue and as they're the only people i've found who sell breakdown cover for just that short amount of time (£29 for 10 days) i'm probably going to go with them so if anyone's interested i'll let you know how i get on (hopefully won't need to test the full extent of their service!).

shlucas

Can anyone tell me the best deals for My Husband and I who have a car each to get Full breakdown cover.:A

lisyloo

If you don't mind paying then claiming then Autoaid is excellent value at £37.
Covers you both in any vehicle with platinum cover.
They have a very good reputation and pay claims promptly but you do need to "pay and claim".

The_Enforcer

Are you sure about recommending First Call for the comprehensive package, look at the reviews here: http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews101817.html

compares unfavourably to most others:

http://www.reviewcentre.com/products1018.html

I'm going to give Autonational Rescue a go: http://www.autonational.co.uk/autonational/breakdown_cover.jsp?source=broadplace

Comprehensive package = £66 including £30 discount, 25% no claims discount. The £66 is for 15 months, so this works out cheaper and with cashback of 17.17% cashback with Topcashback (and probably some others) I estimate the equivalent cost for 1 year could be as low as £40. Will let you know if cashback doesn't track and if I have cause to use their services.

Ayrshire_guy_2

I joined this company last year for £30 and needed a callout during the winter whilst parked at my work. It was battery failure.
The mechanic came out within 40 mins and was helpful in jumpstarting it (I could have got a work colleague to do this but my first thought was to call out a mechanic). One thing though, the call centre told me I would be charged for repair if I called them with the same problem again so I bought a new battery the next day (£50 cost).

I specified not to auto-renew the policy and yesterday I got a letter from them with a renewal quote of £29.70 (recovery + home start) which I have to call them if I want to renew.
I think I'll probably go with them again. My car is 4 years old. (they charge more once your car reaches 5 yrs old).