AA Breakdown repair cover – too good to be true?

libertysurf

This looks like an excellent deal if you are driving a car that you think might break down! Get it repaired for £25 excess only.

http://www.motoringbreakdowncover.co.uk/Articles-Category/AA-offers-Breakdown-Repair-Cover.html

http://www.theaa.com/breakdownrepaircover/

You'll be covered for:
£500 towards expenses if we diagnose your car needs parts or serious garage work (including VAT)
Up to 5 claims per year

Does anyone know if this is any good please? My DD is driving an old car which may need work doing and she is thinking of selling it rather than run the risk. But if this policy is what it says it is, then the AA will contribute £500 towards a new gear box, up to £500 for a clutch, £500 for brakes…up to £2500 in one year.

We are always told that if something looks too good to be true, to avoid it

grizzly1911

Terms and conditions are here.

http://www.theaa.com/breakdownrepaircover/index.html#tabview%3Dtab2

In addition to having to maintain AA Breakdown cover

Summary conditions -"Ensure that you keep your vehicle serviced in line with the
manufacturer’s recommendations by a suitable garage business.
Be sure that you keep your invoices or receipts for servicing
carefully as we may require proof of servicing when you make a
claim."

I would suggest that this is the catch all. If you have the vehicle serviced "known" faults should have been picked up and corrected at part of the service routine and schedule especially those subject to wear and tear.


"5. defects You knew or ought reasonably to have known about prior to the
commencement of the journey on which the Mechanical or Electrical Failure occurred;

9. any defects due to the poor maintenance of the vehicle, including cambelt failure
and any consequential damage, when it cannot be established that the belt has been
changed in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations;
10. repairs to the nominated Vehicle if it is unroadworthy or otherwise unlawful to use on a
public road;
11. repairs if the nominated Vehicle is calculated to be beyond commercial economic repair.

12. any defects referred to a garage prior to AA attendance under Your AA Membership;
13. Wear and Tear, unless it has caused an insured part to suffer a Mechanical or Electrical
Failure;"


At the end of the day it is an insurance policy and insurers hate having to pay out if they can avoid it. It shouldn't be considered a replacement for poor vehicle maintenance.

Think you answered your own question.