Car Breakdown Discussion

Jvic28

scotsbob wrote: »

Well it doesn't make sense if you want a full relay service. Nor does it make sense if you want to use an independent garage.

Ford breakdown cover is only roadside repair or a tow to the nearest Ford dealership.

Sorry, me being dim here I'm sure but what's a relay service?

Obviously if you have a strange loyalty to some independent garage for some reason you're going to miss out.

It also for home assistance, assistance with lost keys, misfueling, cover in europe, onward travel/hotel etc if necessary. Seems pretty good to me.

molerat

Jvic28 wrote: »

Sorry, me being dim here I'm sure but what's a relay service?

Obviously if you have a strange loyalty to some independent garage for some reason you're going to miss out.

It also for home assistance, assistance with lost keys, misfueling, cover in europe, onward travel/hotel etc if necessary. Seems pretty good to me.

Gets you, your passengers and the car to where you want to be not just get the car to the nearest dealership. If your car is out of warranty you may not want to pay dealership prices for a repair.

Jvic28

I don't think it's got to be recovered to a Ford garage looking at the terms:

Ford Assistance provides the recovery of an immobilised Relevant Vehicle (including
trailer/caravan on tow at the time, provided it is within the size limits) together with Authorised
Driver and the passengers (up to the maximum number of persons the Relevant Vehicle is
designed to carry and for whom there are fixed seats and restraints) to the nearest Ford

Authorised Repairer or to any other single destination in the UK.

Regardless though, it's still a good deal for those looking for this kind of service, who may well get their cars serviced at a main dealer anyway.

Quentin

Jvic28 wrote: »

I don't think it's got to be recovered to a Ford garage looking at the terms:

Ford Assistance provides the recovery of an immobilised Relevant Vehicle (including
trailer/caravan on tow at the time, provided it is within the size limits) together with Authorised
Driver and the passengers (up to the maximum number of persons the Relevant Vehicle is
designed to carry and for whom there are fixed seats and restraints) to the nearest Ford

Authorised Repairer or to any other single destination in the UK.

Regardless though, it's still a good deal for those looking for this kind of service, who may well get their cars serviced at a main dealer anyway.

You are quoting "ford assistance".(ie their comprehensive cover)


But your thread concerns free" ford roadside assistance" (ie their basic cover which doesn't do relay, and if cannot be repaired at the roadside will only take the car to the nearest Ford dealer as previously you have been advised)

Jvic28

Quentin wrote: »

You are quoting "ford assistance".(ie their comprehensive cover)


But your thread concerns free" ford roadside assistance" (ie their basic cover which doesn't do relay, and if cannot be repaired at the roadside will only take the car to the nearest Ford dealer as previously you have been advised)

Jeez, I did say that it may be of interest to some people. Some people like to get they're work done by main dealers ya know. (Strange concept to most of you I know)

I didn't say it did relay.

The terms say it can be revoered to a Ford repairer or any other single destination in the Uk. Not sure if I'm reading that wrong though.

Jvic28

I am quoting Service Activated Roadside Assistance

DysT

MalcolmTucker wrote: »

I have been with AutoAid for quite a few years, and have had cause to make use of them a few times. They have always been helpful and got me on my way one way or another.

I did have a bit of trouble with a recent claim however. I paid for recovery by credit card, and the recovery firm charge a supplement for doing that. It was only a few quid on a ~£120 charge and I thought no more of it.

I sent the invoice and claim for to AutoAid, who paid the £120, but deducted the credit card charge from the payment.

I wasn't impressed by that, particularly as the autoaid FAQ says "we will ask you which form of payment you have with you at the time, so the garage we send out to rescue you will be able to accept whichever credit/debit card that you have with you. We recommend AutoAid members to always carry a form of payment with them." So credit card sounds fine there, and no mention of not paying any charges associated.

I grumbled and they at first said they didn't cover it, then escalated it as a complaint and said they would send a cheque (which I'm sure they will).

So - I'm still happy they provide a good value service, but a little disappointed they weren't up-front about costs they don't want to pay (even if they did in the end). If you use them and want to avoid the hassle, use a debit card instead.

I joined AutoAid last year for its great cover for the money, but was concerned about the ease of claiming the costs back.

My car could not be restarted due to failed fuel pump not far from my home; so I contacted my local recovery firm, who transported the car to my local garage; later I claimed the cost without phoning AutoAid with a cheque much delayed and only after phoning. I wondered if phone reporting the breakdown immediately is required for reasonable processing of claim?
However I have renewed with them and would recommend them.

Quentin

DysT wrote: »

I joined AutoAid last year for its great cover for the money, but was concerned about the ease of claiming the costs back.

My car could not be restarted due to failed fuel pump not far from my home; so I contacted my local recovery firm, who transported the car to my local garage; later I claimed the cost without phoning AutoAid with a cheque much delayed and only after phoning. I wondered if phone reporting the breakdown immediately is required for reasonable processing of claim?
However I have renewed with them and would recommend them.

That is the "beauty" of autoaid - you don't have to use their service at all, can contact your local firm without getting any approval from them. (Though if you hit any problems you can still use them to source help for you)


The delay in paying up is a worry though - how long did it take till you had to chase them, and then how much longer did they make you wait?

blizeH

Anyone have first hand experience of using both StartRescue and AutoAid? I've been with the latter for a year and am very happy with them, but it if a bit of a faff having to mail off the claim, wait for the cheque, pay it in etc

GRobs

Please do not use AutoAid. They are terrible. Last October they left me stranded on a country road for 3 hours before help arrived (I was a lone female driver) and when someone finally came I was understandably angry he said to me 'well I could just leave you here'. They use local companies so you have no idea who you will get or how long it will take for them to arrive. Each time I called to see where the recovery was I was fobbed off with lies. I did make a formal complaint and was compensated but I would never use them again. Claiming is also a hassle and I found I had to chase them several times to recover my money.