Roadside Assistance - Can i fight this?

System

Apparently they ask you 2 of the following 19 questions. They are all about how to check things with the car, Not how to change tyres/fix things etc.

http://www.driving-test-success.com/showme_tellme/show_me_tell_me.html

I'm not saying the above is gospel but while I accept the fact the test should tell you how to spot problems with the car, I don't believe its fair to expect you to be able to fix the problems yourself as whether you have the ability to change a tyre or a bulb does not make you are good or bad driver.

Millie_Millsters

starrystarry wrote: »

I know how to change a tyre but I can't do it. I'm not disabled, frail or particularly weak but I'm not physically strong enough to undo the bolts. I think most women would say the same. That's why I have breakdown cover, so I don't have to ruin my nails attempting to change tyres.

I knew there had to be an upside to being overweight!! I stand on the spider to loosen the nuts :D

larkim

What a bizarre thread! Someone who thought they had paid for a service (which, rightly or wrongly includes the service of changing a tyre if the customer requests it) gets charged extra because of an issue with the product being bought. They ask for advice as to the product they have bought, and instead receive "helpful" advice as to why they shouldn't have bought the product in the first place!! In particular, its odd as I don't recall you being able to buy roadside assistance which doesn't include the service of changing a tyre!!

The OP hasn't answered the question as to which product they bought from the AA. It seems simple to me - if you bought vehicle cover, then that's what you bought. It was sold with some insurance assumptions about how likely that particular car was to need roadside assistance (e.g. taking factors such as age of vehicle into account). If you have a different vehicle, just as with car insurance, it seems perfectly reasonable for the company to require you to keep them informed of changes - and then they can choose whether or not to make an additional charge based on the new vehicle's particulars.

If they didn't adopt this policy then everyone who wanted cheap roadside assistance would be vehicle specific cover, and then "pretend" when the break down in a different car that they'd just bought a new one, when in fact they were using the vehicle specific cover to support their car, their wife's, their son's, their friends etc etc. Which is why "personal" roadside cover is more expensive.

(For what its worth, I can change a tyre, and made sure it was one of the first things I practised when I bought my first car so I wouldn't be stranded. However, I was defeated on this once when a bolt had seized, and had to call the RAC to sort it for me - they had a long handled brace which enabled more force to do it which was far superior to my manufacturer provided brace. I've since bought one to prevent that from happening again!)

Matt

unholyangel

goater78 wrote: »

Apparently they ask you 2 of the following 19 questions. They are all about how to check things with the car, Not how to change tyres/fix things etc.

http://www.driving-test-success.com/showme_tellme/show_me_tell_me.html

I'm not saying the above is gospel but while I accept the fact the test should tell you how to spot problems with the car, I don't believe its fair to expect you to be able to fix the problems yourself as whether you have the ability to change a tyre or a bulb does not make you are good or bad driver.

Funnily enough, passing a driving test doesnt make you a good or bad driver either. It simply shows you've reached a level where you can drive unaccompanied

mazza111

Good grief, I wish I had kept my mouth shut on learning to change a wheel now, it's turned into a massive debate.

The reason I mentioned this in the first place was the OP had originally stated that she couldn't. not that she wouldn't. Not really the rights of calling out breakdown people to do it for you. Like others have said, it's your job as a driver to make sure your car is roadworthy, whether that be changing wheels (or getting someone else to do it), changing bulbs etc. If you don't have the knowledge to change a wheel, would you have the knowledge to know when it's needing done? Would u physically get down and check the tread on your tyres regularly? I know I don't as often as I should, but I certainly have a go.

AbigailStaffs

Hello All

What a debate I seem to have started!

I have now checked and my policy was vehicular cover and not personal so it seems there is nothing else to do. I am disappointed at having to pay an extra £49, but take on board ultimately it is my fault. I do feel this sum is steep though.

It is an expensive lesson to have learnt, and one I hope other viewers to this thread can now avoid.

I feel somewhat disappointed this thread has turned into a debate as to whether vehicle maintenance should be included in driving ability. However, I welcome everyone's opinions critical or not.

I take on board I should have informed them, but the truth of it is how many of us reading this have overlooked this fact when changing cars.

So the answer to my question "Should I fight this?" is "No, Abigail - you are stuffed and you only have yourself to blame!!"

Best Wishes and Merry Christmas!

Swipe

The RAC gives you a 10% discount each year if you do not call them out. It's definitely worth learning how to change a wheel (for the 5 min it takes) to save yourself potentially losing up to 50% discount on your annual premium.

mazza111

Aww Abigail, I sympathise with your mistake, and I really wasn't having a go at you. And really didn't expect things to turn into this massive debate. Again, hope others remember to change their vehicle details with all insurance parties.

AbigailStaffs

Mazza111. I really did not take it that you were having a go - so no need to apologise.
Mistakes happen, it was just a costly one for me.
And whilst I cannot change a tyre, I can repair a cistern, bake a loaf and sew an evening dress and / or curtains! I even sanded a wall then polyfilled it last weekend.
So skills wise we all have our areas of expertise don't we?
I am jealous that I cannot change a tyre, perhaps it is lesson The Chap can show me over xmas.. Personally I'd rather an ipad....

arcon5

AbigailStaffs wrote: »

Mazza111. I really did not take it that you were having a go - so no need to apologise.
Mistakes happen, it was just a costly one for me.
And whilst I cannot change a tyre, I can repair a cistern, bake a loaf and sew an evening dress and / or curtains! I even sanded a wall then polyfilled it last weekend.
So skills wise we all have our areas of expertise don't we?
I am jealous that I cannot change a tyre, perhaps it is lesson The Chap can show me over xmas.. Personally I'd rather an ipad....

Thats unfortunately the joys of life -- i'm forever tying to DIY things, messing it up then spending more money to have it repaired.

Tried doing some maintenance work on a large format printer a few months back -- could have paid £150 for a professional to fit the part. Because I messed it up (and badly), it cost for just short of £500 :eek::eek:


The killer is... i'll probably just do it again in a few years :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: