Roadside Recovery: AutoAid Feedback

triticale

Just had to give a quick thumbs up to AutoAid - head gasket failed on Friday leaving me 60 miles from home, great quick service and the local recovery guy was excellent.

Also, as I only had credit & debit cards and the local firm had no card facilities, AutoAid agreed with them to bill them directly - so I didn't have to pay/claim at all!

Very impressed.

Learmouth

Yep. Does what it says on the tin! Renewed Autoaid in April 2010. Didn't need it in the first year, but did in June this year. Recovery was quick and payout from claim equally so. Well done Autoaid. A great service at a fraction of the cost of the 'big boys'.

saverbig

Have been a member for 12 years now. Continues to be very competitive. Have used the services twice and very efficient both times including when I was abroad and the ignition went faulty when in for body repairs. Real plus is the no limit on car age. Only downside is not having a European upgrade to the policy

neilius

Hey folks,

My first post on here but I've read these forums an awful lot over the years!

I'm with AutoAid and have been for nearly 3 years. I ride a 125cc motorcycle (Yamaha YBR125) and have claimed for a recovery when my chain snapped earlier this year. Now it's time for me to renew my cover with them but I've been hearing a lot of rumours, and reading here, that they will not cover motorcycles that have an engine capacity under 150cc, or 100cc (I've read both figures). Their policy documents (PDF file on their website and paper copy I have here) do not state any engine capacity restrictions for motorcycles, in fact there is no mention about it at all! And... my claim was paid out by them in full, very quickly. I am just very wary because I rely on my bike as my only transport to commute 60 miles a day on. Being a 125, it's extremely cheap to run I keep it serviced properly and have clocked up a healthy 31'000 miles on her so far. My finances at the moment dictate that I can't move up to anything bigger so that's not an option for me right now, although I have held a full license for over 2 years. Does anyone here have any concrete evidence of AutoAid not covering smaller capacity motorcycles, or experiences of them refusing to deal with a claim for a smaller bike? I'd imagine the FOS may well uphold a claim.

Optimist

neilius wrote: »

Hey folks,

My first post on here but I've read these forums an awful lot over the years!

I'm with AutoAid and have been for nearly 3 years. I ride a 125cc motorcycle (Yamaha YBR125) and have claimed for a recovery when my chain snapped earlier this year. Now it's time for me to renew my cover with them but I've been hearing a lot of rumours, and reading here, that they will not cover motorcycles that have an engine capacity under 150cc, or 100cc (I've read both figures). Their policy documents (PDF file on their website and paper copy I have here) do not state any engine capacity restrictions for motorcycles, in fact there is no mention about it at all! And... my claim was paid out by them in full, very quickly. I am just very wary because I rely on my bike as my only transport to commute 60 miles a day on. Being a 125, it's extremely cheap to run I keep it serviced properly and have clocked up a healthy 31'000 miles on her so far. My finances at the moment dictate that I can't move up to anything bigger so that's not an option for me right now, although I have held a full license for over 2 years. Does anyone here have any concrete evidence of AutoAid not covering smaller capacity motorcycles, or experiences of them refusing to deal with a claim for a smaller bike? I'd imagine the FOS may well uphold a claim.

Why ever would you ask for evidence that they don't cover a bike of the size you ride when by your own admission you have evidence that they do ?

However why not call them and ask 01277 235 820

derrick

neilius wrote: »

Hey folks,

My first post on here but I've read these forums an awful lot over the years!

I'm with AutoAid and have been for nearly 3 years. I ride a 125cc motorcycle (Yamaha YBR125) and have claimed for a recovery when my chain snapped earlier this year. Now it's time for me to renew my cover with them but I've been hearing a lot of rumours, and reading here, that they will not cover motorcycles that have an engine capacity under 150cc, or 100cc (I've read both figures). Their policy documents (PDF file on their website and paper copy I have here) do not state any engine capacity restrictions for motorcycles, in fact there is no mention about it at all! And... my claim was paid out by them in full, very quickly. I am just very wary because I rely on my bike as my only transport to commute 60 miles a day on. Being a 125, it's extremely cheap to run I keep it serviced properly and have clocked up a healthy 31'000 miles on her so far. My finances at the moment dictate that I can't move up to anything bigger so that's not an option for me right now, although I have held a full license for over 2 years. Does anyone here have any concrete evidence of AutoAid not covering smaller capacity motorcycles, or experiences of them refusing to deal with a claim for a smaller bike? I'd imagine the FOS may well uphold a claim.

The following is what I received from Autoaid last October when I emailed them for some clarification, (maybe you did not state the cc when you made your claim?);-

Thank you for your e-mail enquiry.
AutoAid covers you and your spouse driving any car, car derived van, motorcycle (over 150cc), motorised caravan (under 2500cc and 2500kg) for £37.00 per annum, this provides you with total cover, which includes, roadside assistance, a vehicle recovery service to one place of your choice, home assistance, emergency travel or overnight hotel accommodation and an attached caravan or small trailer.
The limits relate to motorcycles and motorised caravans only not cars or car derived vans
We hope this clarifies matters.
Yours sincerely,
AutoAid Breakdown Recovery


Maybe you should e-mail them the query rather than phone as you will then have the answer in writing.






.

neilius

Optimist,

I'm just highlighting the ambiguity of the situation and putting the feelers out to see if anyone else has had any experiences relating to it. From what I can gather, I can't find any mention whatsoever of engine sizes for motorcycles in their policy documents, which is what you agree to when you sign up, yet they seem to be telling some people that they don't cover certain capacity machines. I've also read accounts from customers here, and elsewhere, stating two different capacities (100 and 150cc)?! However, they have covered a breakdown in my case...

Derrik, thanks for your reply, your email response from AutoAid is interesting. I have emailed them as I do want any statement from them in writing, but have not received a reply yet. Interestingly, I'm sure I told them my exact model of bike when I claimed, so either they don't have a rule regarding motorcycle engine capacity or they made a mistake with my claim. I need to be absolutely clear on the situation before I renew my cover with them.

Niemand

If the policy document doesn't state a limit then there isn't one. I assume the policy document is the final word on the matter. Why they imposed an extra limitation in their reply to derrick doesn't make sense, and I would question if it is enforceable anyway.

Premier_2

neilius wrote: »

Hey folks,

My first post on here but I've read these forums an awful lot over the years!

I'm with AutoAid and have been for nearly 3 years. I ride a 125cc motorcycle (Yamaha YBR125) and have claimed for a recovery when my chain snapped earlier this year. Now it's time for me to renew my cover with them but I've been hearing a lot of rumours, and reading here, that they will not cover motorcycles that have an engine capacity under 150cc, or 100cc (I've read both figures). Their policy documents (PDF file on their website and paper copy I have here) do not state any engine capacity restrictions for motorcycles, in fact there is no mention about it at all! And... my claim was paid out by them in full, very quickly. I am just very wary because I rely on my bike as my only transport to commute 60 miles a day on. Being a 125, it's extremely cheap to run I keep it serviced properly and have clocked up a healthy 31'000 miles on her so far. My finances at the moment dictate that I can't move up to anything bigger so that's not an option for me right now, although I have held a full license for over 2 years. Does anyone here have any concrete evidence of AutoAid not covering smaller capacity motorcycles, or experiences of them refusing to deal with a claim for a smaller bike? I'd imagine the FOS may well uphold a claim.

Hi neilius, and welcome to MSE :hello:

Unfortunately this is an open forum and anyone can post anything (as long as it's within the site rules - accuracy of content is not a site rule)

As far as I know, there is no lower limit mentioned in the policy.
But don't take my word for it, have a read of the policy yourself, and if still in doubt, contact them directly.
If they provide an answer that doesn't comply with your understanding of the policy, ask them to clarify where it says that in the policy.

The vehicle – a saloon car, hatchback, estate car,
car derived van or motorcycle. Motorised caravan under
2.5 tons gross vehicle weight and with an engine
capacity of no more than 2500 cc.

Seems strange they went to the trouble of specifying the limits to a motorised caravan but kept schtum as to limits on any other vehicle ... unless of course there aren't any

Premier_2

21ants wrote: »

What if you're 100 miles from home and your wifes got your credit card or you're maxed out on it, do autoaid have any help or advice for their clients if this happens. I know it would be my own fault but I was just wondering would they bend the rules a bit...21ants

Hi 21ants, and welcome to MSE :hello:

(well I know you've been here almost a year now, but this was your first post in July and whilst you haven't made another, I see you are still around)

Your best bet is to try and find a garage that will accept payment by invoicing you. It's been done before and posters have even managed to get paid out by Autoaid (who are usually quite quick) before they pay the garage.