Car Breakdown Discussion

Cathy80

Had the renewal letter through for RAC - with my 'membership discount' (ha ha) my basic cover is going to cost £30.41 for the year. Only 50p more than online, but of course with the Quidco cashback this would only cost £10

Rang them up to cancel & explained why, but was told that you can't reapply for membership within 120 days of cancelling (and as it's based on vehicle reg, no good doing it under my partners name). When I said 'that's no problem, I'll go with AA instead,' I was offered a £20 M&S voucher to stay - effectively bringing the cover back down to just over £10

Not bad for a quick phone call!

nora_bone

musical_norwich wrote: »

Given the manner in which both the AA and RAC try to rip-off customers at renewal, why bother? I've been looking for a European policy and the prices from the AA and RAC are quite simply ridiculous profiteering.

I just bought annual home, recovery, Europe, etc. for £60.99 with Axa, one of the largest insurers in the world. No cashback, no arguing, no attempts to rip me off. Just a fair price from a single phone call for a four year old car and no obligation to auto renew. And fairly decent reviews too. And Axa now has got an app for the iPhone and Android that can be used in the event of a breakdown, which I think is a useful innovation. The chap I spoke to in the call centre was based in an English speaking country too (Republic of Ireland).

When the AA comes out with insulting renewal quotes like some of those listed here, charging loyal customers more than double what they will accept after haggling, I don't think we should even lower ourselves to call them back. I've never known a car or home insurer have that kind of mark-up and wriggle room. It is blatant profiteering.

I have to say, I do worry about some of the companies at the other end of the market that this site is recommending, particularly Green Insurance, when the review sites seem to view their customer service as utterly appalling. Quoteline was great while it used Britannia, but again the reviews for Mondial, Britannia's replacement, are dire.

I had breakdown cover, with Swinton I had not asked for this policy to be renewed I was awaiting renewal confirmation, I was being charged £10 per month, I telephoned them to be told this is an ongoing charge, I said but I never asked for this to happen..I cant believe how these Insurers take it upon themselves to proceed with taking mopney from people's Bank Account, when they were never told to, apparently this breakdown cover did not have a renewal date, which was all new to me..They informed me that they would refund my monies, but this has not happened.

As for Car Insurance, I was paying over £700..and this year by checking around I have found a Policy for £200 I cant believe how much extra I had been paying...It's a disgrace

den169

nora_bone wrote: »

I had breakdown cover, with Swinton I had not asked for this policy to be renewed I was awaiting renewal confirmation, I was being charged £10 per month, I telephoned them to be told this is an ongoing charge, I said but I never asked for this to happen..I cant believe how these Insurers take it upon themselves to proceed with taking mopney from people's Bank Account, when they were never told to, apparently this breakdown cover did not have a renewal date, which was all new to me..They informed me that they would refund my monies, but this has not happened.

As for Car Insurance, I was paying over £700..and this year by checking around I have found a Policy for £200 I cant believe how much extra I had been paying...It's a disgrace

Same old story not all (autoaid Gem etc) but most of the companys in this country don't want to charge a fair price they want to rip everyone off for as much as they can possibly get away with,Iv'e got Adac ring me monday about breakdown recovery.

nora_bone

den169 wrote: »

Same old story not all (autoaid Gem etc) but most of the companys in this country don't want to charge a fair price they want to rip everyone off for as much as they can possibly get away with,Iv'e got Adac ring me monday about breakdown recovery.

I feel everywhere want to rip people off, even Supermarket's, Insurance Coampanies and Banks seem to be tied with the same brush..And this Tax on Insurance is another con, when we already pay Road Tax, and strangely enough there is never enough money to fix Pot Holes, and I thought that's why we paid Road Tax..

As for my Car Insurance strangely enough it's going to be with the same Underwriters I was with before quoted me for this renewal over £700 and when I looked around a quote came up at £200 something does not add up...

I'm not very happy with the money I have been over-charged, no wonder everyone is skint in this Country, as we are too busy paying off this rip off merchants..

andswife

Need to take out car breakdown cover for 12-13 yr old car
want home start and towing to destination or back home
looked on comparison sites(Money Supermakret) they throw up ones for £28 but they are rubbish according to the reviews


Also Looked on M Lewis and totally confused, thinking just AA as straight Forwards V Very confusing Help any one reccomend what we need- would like a bargain too.:T

den169

andswife wrote: »

Need to take out car breakdown cover for 12-13 yr old car
want home start and towing to destination or back home
looked on comparison sites(Money Supermakret) they throw up ones for £28 but they are rubbish according to the reviews


Also Looked on M Lewis and totally confused, thinking just AA as straight Forwards V Very confusing Help any one reccomend what we need- would like a bargain too.:T

Autoaid or Gem there the only 2 i can find that state if it can't be repaired at roadside they will take it home or destination,Autoaid about £38 but thats pay and reclaim or Gem
about £90 for partner spouse not a reclaim one.All the others as far as i can see take you to a local garage to be ripped off then if it can't be repaired that day they'll take you home.

skydog

Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this thread. I chose GEM in the end although a lot dearer than Green Insurance, much more reassured that they would actually provide the kind of assistance needed - i.e. recovery to home if my wife broke down on her own miles from anywhere. I also liked the fact that they don't keep your credit card details for next year and that you have to opt-IN to receive promotions and offers from them. :T

missionary_2

So what happened to Green Flag then ? Martin asked in April for any reports on their claim to match other renewal costs, but it seems quiet.

Buzby

Unless things have changed, I disliked GEM with a vengeance, after being with them for almost 10 years. If you break down, they expect you to arrange all your own assistance, only sending them the invoice which they will reimburse you, this meant you had to pay whoever you called out.

I switched to the RAC, as I would not be botrhered with this hassle. It was dearer, but I did not have to find my own assistance, and pay for it.

den169

I would not take out pay and claim with Gem can't see the point to save £20 ish with full cover they send the recovery to you so theres no comeback on you and nothing to pay.