recovery service by the AA

msconsumer

Hi I was unlucky to have lost my keys at a service station. I called the AA s I am a member and my membership covers me for recovery if I break down. The AA man managed to break into the car, but no key was found in the car. I was asked what I wanted to do,
taken to my destination (by a private company)
Or get another key cut.
I opted to be taken to my destination.I had parked the car with slight turned in wheels. The private recovery truck arrived, I was told that it would cost me £71.50 to put the car on the recovery truck as he had to use blocks and lifting gear to move the car. I was shocked at having to pay,and the amount i had to pay.
I had disabled parent with me who found it very difficult to climb into the recovery truck. Planks of wood were laid down to add height to her reach of the truck. This proved to be dangerous, as she slipped and banged her elbow when disembarking from the truck. I found it very hard to climb into as a abled body person.

I made a compliant to the AA, and was told it was in the small print regarding having to pay for the recovery and mounting of my car to the recovery truck. This was news to me... There are not prepared to reimburse me , and that I should have told them that I had a disabled passenger. I did recommend that they ask that question when you request a call out. as matter of course. So i am not happy at all. I will be writing to their MD regarding this matter..,. What do you think?

forgotmyname

Nobody answered this yet. I guess it's me thats going to be mr nasty.

Looking at it from their side. You failed to notify them of the disabled person.
Even if you did I doubt there was much they could do a recovery truck is just that a truck, Its not a bus with low ramps etc.
The call centre usually wont know whatr truck is coming out to you. It maybe a small one with just enough room for a smaller family hatch or something much larger that can take 2 on the bed with one towed behind.

You could have said sorry that's not safe and asked for another option. They take the car and you follow in a taxi maybe.

There are a million and one questions they could ask, But as most won't apply its a waste of call time. If you were calling and had specific requirements you need to inform them of that.


Charged for putting it on the truck, Is that because of the steering lock being on and not a straight forward winch on?
I too would have winced at the £71.50. But thinking about it sitting here a better option than breaking the steering lock. I would thought about it if i were in your position.
Doesn't take much to break the lock. 2nd hand one off ebay for under £20. But then you have an extra key or need to change the door / boot locks also.

Depends how much I wanted to keep the £71.50.

techspec

I thought recovery included everything TBH and would not be happy paying extra.

I did the same thing with my car - but the RAC man just kneeled down by my front wheel arch for 10 mins - and all my doors popped open :eek:

Although happy with this - it didn't fill me with confidence when my car was parked on the road over-night.

billsavings

Not much help to you now i know, but its clearly not covered in the policy.

"Routine maintenance, running repairs, the cost of spare parts, fuel, oil, keys, specialist lifting equipment, garage or other labour required to repair your vehicle are excluded, as is the provision of service on private property without the relevant permission."

http://www.theaa.com/breakdowncover/policy_summary.html

and its up to you to tell them in the first place if you have any special needs eg disabled person,lone woman.

john_white

msconsumer wrote: »

I had disabled parent with me who found it very difficult to climb into the recovery truck. Planks of wood were laid down to add height to her reach of the truck. This proved to be dangerous, as she slipped and banged her elbow when disembarking from the truck. I found it very hard to climb into as a abled body person.

I will be writing to their MD regarding this matter..,. What do you think?

I think you need a reality check.

The recovery truck driver did all he could to help your disabled passenger but your complaining about it, even though it was;

a: your fault you lost keys
b: your fault you failed to tell them about a disabled passenger
c: your fault you didn't read your policy

So now you want to complain, adding costs to the AA putting the price for everyone else all due to your incompetence.

goonarmy

No sympathy here either. Trucks aint disabled friendly.

The_AA_Company_Representative

msconsumer wrote: »

Hi I was unlucky to have lost my keys at a service station. I called the AA s I am a member and my membership covers me for recovery if I break down. The AA man managed to break into the car, but no key was found in the car. I was asked what I wanted to do,
taken to my destination (by a private company)
Or get another key cut.
I opted to be taken to my destination.I had parked the car with slight turned in wheels. The private recovery truck arrived, I was told that it would cost me £71.50 to put the car on the recovery truck as he had to use blocks and lifting gear to move the car. I was shocked at having to pay,and the amount i had to pay.
I had disabled parent with me who found it very difficult to climb into the recovery truck. Planks of wood were laid down to add height to her reach of the truck. This proved to be dangerous, as she slipped and banged her elbow when disembarking from the truck. I found it very hard to climb into as a abled body person.

I made a compliant to the AA, and was told it was in the small print regarding having to pay for the recovery and mounting of my car to the recovery truck. This was news to me... There are not prepared to reimburse me , and that I should have told them that I had a disabled passenger. I did recommend that they ask that question when you request a call out. as matter of course. So i am not happy at all. I will be writing to their MD regarding this matter..,. What do you think?

Hello msconsumer, if there is anything further you would like us to address, please email the details to [EMAIL="chat@theaa.com"]chat@theaa.com[/EMAIL] including your full, name, membership number and address with Reference FOR51869. Regards, The AA

vikingaero

I'm not making a comment or judgement on the situation. But can you imagine the cost if all recovery trucks had to be disability compliant?