Whats the best value breakdown cover

deanos

If you have a credit card it may be ok, you may also get stung with interest charges, or you maybe near your credit limit , what if the garage does not take credit cards ?

Just things to consider that the OP might not of thought of

photome

deanos wrote: »

If you have a credit card it may be ok, you may also get stung with interest charges, or you maybe near your credit limit , what if the garage does not take credit cards ?

Just things to consider that the OP might not of thought of

Thanks but yes I have thought of that and there wouldnt be any time that my wife wouldnt be carrying debit and credit cards and there wouldnt be any danger of getting near any limits.

I am still leaning towards Autoaid with reservations about having to pay and reclaim.

Keep any ideas coming, will probably sort something on monday
thanks

redpete

deanos wrote: »

what if the garage does not take credit cards ?

You make sure that they do before you arrange the recovery; if they don't you get someone else.

deanos

Sounds like a faff to me, but each to there own

Gloomendoom

dogshome wrote: »

On any breakdown cover that comes with Motor Insurance or Bank Account
go through the small print with a fine tooth combe - If the small print isn't included on the web-site or letters, ask for a copy

All too often these inclusive offers are for cover that is so pared down, the only thing left is the headline BREAK DOWN COVER

Some are better than others. Mine includes everything, including European rescue and recovery.

Except trailers. :mad:

scotsbob

deanos wrote: »

If you have a credit card it may be ok, you may also get stung with interest charges, or you maybe near your credit limit , what if the garage does not take credit cards ?

Just things to consider that the OP might not of thought of

Just out of interest how do startrescue (the company you use) do it?

If you have broken down and require the overnight accommodation, do the company make the accommodation booking or do you make it and claim when you return home?

How does it work in the situation where they fix your car but you have to pay for the replacement part.

deanos

the terms say pay for parts , and accommodation you claim back, luckily any breakdowns i have had i have been taken home , i don't have the money to pay for tow trucks or call outs , so as i say it suits me

baby_frogmella

deanos wrote: »

start rescue £35 for at home and nationwide recovery , and 15% top cashback makes it under £30 a year, you don't need to pay and claim either

http://www.startrescue.co.uk/

+1 for startrescue.

Been with them for over a year and on the one occasion i broke down, help arrived in 30 mins on a remote part of the A9. They also have a very good iphone app where you can report your breakdown and they automatically know your exact location assuming your smartphone's gps is switched on.

alastairq

photome wrote: »

Thanks but yes I have thought of that and there wouldnt be any time that my wife wouldnt be carrying debit and credit cards and there wouldnt be any danger of getting near any limits.

I am still leaning towards Autoaid with reservations about having to pay and reclaim.

Keep any ideas coming, will probably sort something on monday
thanks

I have used Autoaid in the past.....especially when I've been competing on Classic Reliability Trials....


I have found the system to be superior in terms of 'service' to many of the others.

The big issue is, having access to funds in the first place.

[Often, a recovery service will simply 'invoice' you anyway.....so that alone could be sent to Autoaid, who have, in the past, paid directly to the recovery company.]

There are rules to prevent abuses of their system, obviously.

My advice would be...if opting for Autoaid....to apply for one of the sub-prime credit cards, like Vanquis or somesuch.

One would need roughly £500 of credit limit......then use that as the 'breakdown' card?

Interest would not be garnered if the refund from Autoaid is paid in promptly.

However, [knowing Vanquis!!] there can often be nearly 2 whole months before any re-payment needs to be done!

Currently I have b/down/recovery cover on my car's insurance...and it is more than adequate for my needs, at modest cost.[Co-op insurance]...

However, with all recovery cover, the end results are much the same....but there appears to be two major fields....[a] where the specified vehicle only, is covered...or where the specified person [individual] is covered.

costs more, but if you have that cover, then it doesn't matter even if you are a passenger in someone else's vehicle that conks out. This personal cover may appeal if one has several vehicles?

Be aware, many of the flashier covers [AA, RAC, for example..or should I say, Centrica/ British GAs?]....have limitations regarding the age of the vehicle.

scotsbob

alastairq wrote: »

[Often, a recovery service will simply 'invoice' you anyway.....so that alone could be sent to Autoaid, who have, in the past, paid directly to the recovery company.]

This is exactly what happened with me. I have only had to use Autoaid twice in the last ten years. On the second occasion the driver of the vehicle that towed me said he would just invoice Autoaid directly as it "saves all the paperwork."