Can I sign up for breakdown cover when my car is already broken down?

PeteW

Hiya, my car is currently stuck in my office car park refusing to start.

I've not got cover on that car because it's only used for about 5 miles a week at the moment.

Can I sign up for RAC/AA cover and them phone them straight up to come out to it? Will they charge me extra for that?

Pete

arathorn

PeteW wrote: »

Hiya, my car is currently stuck in my office car park refusing to start.

I've not got cover on that car because it's only used for about 5 miles a week at the moment.

Can I sign up for RAC/AA cover and them phone them straight up to come out to it? Will they charge me extra for that?

Pete

Had this happen to me earlier this month with the AA, they charge signup fee and admin fee to come out sameday.

HTH

clever_username

yes they'll charge you more to join once you've already broken down.

it makes sense since if they didn't we'd all drive around with no breakdown cover and just join up at the side of the road when something goes wrong.

so yes they'll charge extra but i'm not sure how much.

clever_username

although you probably just need to stick a new battery on there because yours is a bit worn out and isn't up to the job of starting the car during this cold weather.

lisyloo

Doing 5 miles a week will be terrible for your battery in this weather.
Look into getting a charger/conditioner (or going for a longer drive) as it's probably this treatment of the car that's causing the issue.

Sorry if I'm treat grandma to suck eggs but it takes a lot out of the battery to start in cold weather and it's gets re-charged whilst the engine is running. As you aren't running it for long then you're not giving it a chance to recharge.

Is it turning over?
You could borrow a battery charger and plug it in at work.

Alison_B

Do you know anyone who has cover for them and not the car? That way, you could get them to go to your car with you and then phone the breakdown people.

clever_username

also you may wish to ask for advice in the motoring forum op. probably got folks in there who can give you more advice on how to get the car going again if you don't opt for joining the breakdown today.

i'd probably just leave the car there and come back with some jump leads tomorrow and pinch a colleague's car to use to get it going!

SailorSam

Says here the RAC will come out even if you've already broken down but you must join at the roadside and pay a premium. otherwise wait 24hrs to have your membership kick-in.
I suppose all the others are the same.
Breakdown Cover, Car Insurance and route planner available from RAC.

glider3560

See what price AA/RAC want to charge, but then shop around some local garages. Some of them might come out for less than the breakdown companies want for their "emergency callout fee".

no-oneknowsme

Or join today - using a cash back site of course - and then call them out tomorrow when your car wont start in your works car park;)

PeteW

no-oneknowsme wrote: »

Or join today - using a cash back site of course - and then call them out tomorrow when your car wont start in your works car park;)

That's exactly what I've just done as it appears the penalties only apply for 24 hours.

Thanks for all the comments guys.