Does cheap breakdown cover mean poor customer service?

chudleyette

I usually get my breakdown cover from the RAC using my Tesco clubcard vouchers but I've not got enough this year so am looking at all the deals on this website and wondering who to go with - I'm a single (female) parent with a 2 year old so it's important to me that if I break down somewhere that I won't be left stranded for very long and I'd rather pay a bit more for peace of mind.

I've got an old car so would normally go for full cover, including from home, but I only actually use it for local journeys - I swap cars with my ex for longer journeys as his is not such an old banger, so also need the cover to be for the driver, not the car.

Any recommendations/avoids? Is it worth paying for a brand name like RAC or AA, or is it just the luck of the draw anyway?

Many thanks in advance.

wealdroam

Have you read MSE's Cheap Breakdown Cover article?

NeverAgain_2

I'm not convinced AA/RAC is worth the extra money, and nor are they going by the discounts they sometimes offer.

They will often send a local garage, which might be the same as any other service would use.

The AutoAid pay and claim cover is well thought of.

You can choose your own garage - might be handy if you break down locally - or they will call one out for you.

http://www.autoaidbreakdown.co.uk/

adamc260

http://www.rescuemycar.com/Breakdown/ Can get full cover from these guys for in the region of £40

Never had any issues with them and if you recommend a friend etc you get £5 i think it is off your renewal.

chudleyette

wealdroam wrote: »

Have you read MSE's Cheap Breakdown Cover article?

Yes. What I am interested in is people's opinions of the customer service, so if anyone has any experience of having broken down I'd like to hear how it was handled. I've been with RAC for a few years but never broken down so don't know if it's worth the money.

rev_henry

I think most if not all will prioritise calls from lone females. Tbh they're all much of a muchness I think...

Stephen_Leak

I've only ever had to use them 3 times in the past 5 years, but another vote for AutoAid and Hinton Rescue, the local recovery firnm who've come out to me on each occasion.

AutoAid certainly send the cheques quickly. Once, when I had an interest-paying current account, I was able to pay it into my account for about 2 weeks, before the Direct Debit for my credit card payment was due. OK, 2 weeks interest on about £40 isn't very much, but it made the tartan bits of my DNA feel good.

jazabelle

I've been with Autonational for a year, and had them out twice. Both times the help was there in forty minutes, and they were polite and helpful on the phone.

They cost £66 for everything, and you get a 25% discount the year after if you don't have to call them out.

My mum is with Autoaid, who had the same level of service - but I think I'd rather pay a bit more upfront, and not have to worry about having enough in your account to cover a claim - even if they do pay it back.

terryw

I change every year to take full advantage of the deals/ cashback available at the time.

I have used AA, REC, Flag and GEM. On average I make one call-out a year. Trust me, there is no difference in service between them.