Car Breakdown Discussion

MoneySavingDisaster

Hi, looking to go through TopCashback for AA breakdown cover and a stipulation is it is for new members only and a new member is someone that hasn't had a policy within the last 90 days. Has anyone had any experience as to whether simply setting this new policy up with my wife as the policyholder (we're both listed on the policy, but i am the main policyholder, currently) is enough to get the cashback, due to being a "new" customer? The renewal price is £317 and on the phone they could get it to £277, but a new policy on their website is £300 and TC will give £130 cashback at the minute, so, effectively £170 for the year. It may well be worth trying to get it through TC and if they don't pay (although it took a loooooooong time to get the cashback, last year), we only lose out by £23.

theshed

Wife and I did this with RAC couple of years ago. The second sign up we used Wifes name and Email to sign up. £99 Cashback through Quidco.
Last year they agreed to same fee over 'phone.
We did have cause to complain over poor service last year with RAC, but the AA where not perfect either.
Use poor service as leverage for discount on renewal  !

Isbjorn

I have personal cover with one of RAC/AA - I was disappointed - I had difficulty selecting gears, I managed to limp far enough away from home to qualify - after waiting nearly 3 hours, the technician did not 'repair' at the roadside - he just limped my car to my regular local garage - something which I could have done myself, from the outset, with a lot less thrashing of my engine, clutch and gearbox.

Thus I was interested in MSE's headline promoting Auto Aid, but when I researched it, I was VERY disappointed - the downloaded documents were loaded with exclusions and particular terms; there is no recovery to home option in the event that a roadside repair is not possible (so why does MSE label it FULL cover?. Only a hire car for a limited time whilst your vehicle is repaired at the nearest garage - repairs which might easily take more time than the duration of the hire car/accommodation package), cover changed if one was more than as little as 25 miles away from home, and there was no definition of what an 'eligible vehicle' is, so I could not ascertain whether my van-based campervan would be covered and, by the time I would have paid the various extras for my vehicles' ages (another £40), I decided that, for the sake of saving a few £s, it wasn't worth the risk of finding out, in the event of a breakdown, that the restrictive T&Cs would mean that I would not actually be covered, or that I could face mounting daily extra costs whilst some backwater garage dilly-dallies over repairs. So, I am bound to consider that, once again, MSE had wasted my time with another attention grabbing headline - once again, when I have consulted the fine print, I have found that the underlying facts show that the headline only applies in limited circumstances.

beekay1943

I have been with Autonational Rescue for the past 25 years and have had no problems they use a network of car recovery companies and their prices are excellent - they will also cover a second car for a 50% discount.  I am currently paying a total of £73.60 for our two cars.  Around 2000, I broke down just outside Newcastle and they arranged a local recovery service to transport my car, my wife and I back to Aberdeen.  I would recommend their service to anyone.

ehannahr

I strongly advise against the RAC, they haven't enough staff to give any kind of coverage, certainly not in central London.

My car broke down at 12pm Sunday (December 2023), I was given an initial estimate of up to 5 hrs - despite being a solo female -  but to keep an eye on their automated link for an updated arrival time. I was about to go home when the link revised the ETA to about an hour away, so I stayed in the vicinity instead of going home (30 mins bus). But then the time came and went and no show. After 3  repeats of same false hope, at 6pm, I was told they still hadn't allocated the job - so their system was complete nonsense. I went home and didn't get a phone call until 11.30pm, saying they could do the job tomorrow instead.  They promised me their operator would give 30 min advance warning, but when they finally called at 10.30am Monday,  they were 10 mins away. And of course they couldn't fix my car, so just towed me to my garage.

If I had had no cover, I would have got a friend to tow me to my garage and cause a max of 2 hrs trouble, instead of hours of stress waiting alone in the cold and dark/ expensive cafes/ trying to recharge my phone.   How can this can be described as breakdown cover? 

Seagles

I have breakdown with AA. Renewal was due as expires on 2nd January. Renewal quotes were £134 (paid £64 last year plus an amazing £44 cashback with Quidco, amazing deal), they also offered £121 for early renewal, which I missed by 1 day. Went through Quidco and there was an offer for £78 for "new" members, with cashback. Used their "chat" and got the £78 offer with no cashback. Very Happy with that deal. Have nothing to add about their breakdown service itself as never used it. Previously with LV but their prices were no longer competitive and AA (also RAC) were better again this year. Never autorenew and check to compare prices for everything.

Seagles

Another thing to do, when I went throught the process the cost for one car with roadside assistance was £84. However, there was a 40% discount on offer with added packages, so adding National breakdown brought the price of the "better" package below the £84 as the 40% was offf the total. Same last year, but offer usually ends about now. However, you can renew with AA up to 60 days before expiry. Worth knowing and checking if your package expires early next year.

finsburyjames

If anyone is thinking of TCB or QUIDCO for the AA. I strongly suggest you read the reviews first. Ive had 2 cashbacks now refused and it seems i am not alone with countless others getting the same problem.
Read the reviews and make your own decision and at best give your self a 20% chance if not zero of receiving the cashback.

theshed

I used TCB for RAC in September 2022 and received £60 Cashback a few weeks later. So not all bad. But do read the T&C's carefully.

teecee90

Has anyone else's Autoaid premium been hiked this year? Mine has gone up from £63.64 to £95.54

Last Years premium	£  63.64
This Years premium	£  63.64
Spouse Premium	£  10.00
16 yr+ Vehicle premium	£  21.90	*Optional:
Total Payable	£  95.54