Roadside Recovery: AutoAid Feedback

derrick

fayraz wrote: »

I am thinking of joining AutoAid, does their policy cover me or the car because if I am driving a different car can it still be used?

Also if I am a passenger in someone else's car can I claim if we break down?

The policy covers the policyholder and their legal spouse.

You need to be the driver, (although you could say you were driving.)

From their schedule ;- "If the vehicle that you or your legal spouse or civil partner
are driving breaks down, you may go ahead and arrange help without our approval. . "

lisyloo

In the end it was TWO hours and several phone calls to both Auto Aid and their subcontracted garage before anyone came.

I don't think you can hold AutoAid responsible for every single sub contractor in the country.
You negative comments come amongst a HUGE amount of positive ones.
There are always delays in sub-zero termpaeratures. I'm afriad that's normal.

Sorry you had a bad experience but I'd urge other to look further for feedback as it's largely positive.

No connective, just in favour of balanced views and due dilligence.

webmasterpolo

Just realised I've not got breakdown cover now as Total stopped doing their 14 day free cover I started using instead of renewing my policy. (probably ended ages ago just forgot all about it). I read Martins article, and Autoaid sounds great.

Quickly reading their full policy details it says they will get the car started, but it doesn't mention things like replacing tyres / headlights which are both things that my old policy has been used for. The car is started and running fine, but if the tyre is flat or the headlights have both gone out (happened twice on an old old car) would they come out and fix it?. Whether this be on a road or on the driveway.

I'll email them tomorrow to get it in writing before I buy the policy too.

As the policy covers both me and my spouse this could be a bargain and save me using up lot's of Tesco vouchers.

-Web

derrick

webmasterpolo wrote: »

Just realised I've not got breakdown cover now as Total stopped doing their 14 day free cover I started using instead of renewing my policy. (probably ended ages ago just forgot all about it). I read Martins article, and Autoaid sounds great.

Quickly reading their full policy details it says they will get the car started, but it doesn't mention things like replacing tyres / headlights which are both things that my old policy has been used for. The car is started and running fine, but if the tyre is flat or the headlights have both gone out (happened twice on an old old car) would they come out and fix it?. Whether this be on a road or on the driveway.

I'll email them tomorrow to get it in writing before I buy the policy too.

As the policy covers both me and my spouse this could be a bargain and save me using up lot's of Tesco vouchers.

-Web

From page 2 of the policy document; -
"Breakdown – mechanical or electrical breakdown (failures or breakages), or damage which is caused by an accident, vandalism or theft and results in you not being able to drive the vehicle."

from page 3;-
"Emergency roadside repairs
We will refund call-out fees and labour charges to repair the vehicle at the roadside and so allow your journey to continue." (It will not cover the cost of any parts or materials.)."

From page 6; -
"You must carry a roadworthy spare tyre with your vehicle at all times."


(this suggest they will change the wheel,(not the tyre!)

It is a misconception that any breakdown company, (or motorist for that matter) will change a tyre at the roadside, (they won't have the tools to do so), the wheel will be changed.

gogsboy

derrick wrote: »

It is a misconception that any breakdown company, (or motorist for that matter) will change a tyre at the roadside, (they won't have the tools to do so), the wheel will be changed.

Few years ago we went away for new year and it was the afternoon of the 2nd of Jan, around 16.20, came out to a flat (puncture) and was due to drive the 130 miles or so home, tried phoning around to see if anyone in vicinity was open to fix the puncture but no luck,

Didn't fancy the journey on the space saver so thought would call on the RAC as was a member at the time, asked them if they could come out with a wheel to me and the person said yes they could do that so passed them the details.

Guy turned up and said we don't carry wheels, do you want me to put your space saver on for you..he never took much notice as I had already put it on.

New_Mum_2

I have just had my renewal from Autoaid so thought I would check the site for better buys - seems they are still top.

I have had a policy for 2 years now and twice had to be recovered. The last time was at night with my daughter in the car and the recovery vehicle was with me in about 40 minutes. My friends have not had such good service with other companies!

After having sent the invoices off I received a cheque back within 14 days. I will be renewing again this year.

LankyMoneySaver

Had to use them for the first time last Monday so I though I'd let you know my experience with them so far. Took about 5 minutes to get through to the phone line, I was 4th in the queue when I rang. I like the fact that it keeps updating you where you are in the queue.



It was for a suspected flat battery (turned out to be a more expensive problem ) at home and then required towing to a garage as car was still playing up after they got it started.

The company they sent came within an hour which I guess is alright considering I bet I was one of many with a flat battery before work last week given the recent weather!

I'm now in the process of claiming the £52.03 I was charged for call out fee and towing charge. However to do this I need a receipt from the company that attended. Given its now been 9 days I was getting worried about claiming in time so I chased them up to find out they had sent it to the wrong flat number. They claim they sent it to the address given to them by AutoAid/Red Star so I've just been on the phone to AutoAid to check my address is correct and it is. No surprise really given that I got my original documents though the post. For now I'm assuming it was just a mistake by the breakdown company that got sent not AutoAid.

One thing that's good to know is that the '14 days to claim' statement on the bottom of the claim form is not set in stone. She said it wouldn't be a problem going over by a few weeks, just not months, which is reassuring to know since I'd wondered what happened if you needed to claim on your way for a 2 week holiday etc.

I will update with more details of how long the claim takes once I finally get the receipt through now its getting resent to the correct address.


From what I've skimmed through in this thread so far I get the impression most issues people have with them are down to the company they use to attend rather than AutoAid themselves, myself included.

GTG

An advantage of being with Autoaid many -including myself - never think of:

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/support_services/article7013672.ece

ak301

I've had a policy with Bamcaster for the past few years, firstly with Autonational, and for the past 18 months an Autoaid policy

Last night I had my first dealings with them and I cant say I'm very impressed.

Driving home after popping into town with my girlfriend to collect a a take-away on the way back buckets of steam suddenly appeared at the front of my car. Now my car is normally the definition of reliablity so this was a big shock.
I pull over and after an initial check ring the breakdown number on the policy document.
I speak to the call centre quoting my document number, name, and postcode and he tells me the policy expired in 2008.
He also tells me there's nothing else they can do except pass on the munber of a local recovery agent.
He adds, "If you find out you've got a current policy then send us the receipt for the recovery and we'll pay it"
I get him to recheck the details and he still says the policy is expired.

Not being in a position to check the car there and then (I didn't want my g/f waiting in the cold), so I got the car recovered.

I ring them again this morning to find out what's going on.
I explain the situation and the call taker checks my details again, she says that my policy is current and the call-taker last night hadn't read all of the screen. All of my previous policies are shown and last nights call-taker hadn't read down to the bottom to where my most up to date info was.
The most annoying bit was she didn't even apologise for her colleagues mistake, talk about customer service.

Just something to bear in mind should anyone need to call them and they start questioning your policy, ensure they read ALL of their records.

stevedb11

I've just used Autoaid for the 1st time today,having been with them 2 years,it was a (flat battery) at home, they sent me a text, somebody would be with me in 1 hour, they came in 40mins, Exellent, then when the mechanic got me started,he said sign here, said he did'nt need my credit card, apparentley they claim direct:T
I can Highly recommend them.