Ridiculous 192% increase AA breakdown renewal

ultron333

I've had breakdown cover for the last 20 years and usually pay around £100 a year.
The AA were always too expensive but last year I was offered annual cover for £70. I snapped it up.
I've just had the renewal through which said I "pay by continuous annual payment" and I don't have to lift a finger to let it get renewed at £204.46!!! That's an increase of 192%!
So I called them this morning around 8am. They took ages to answer after I had selected "press 2 if you're thinking of leaving the AA".
The man from the AA raised his voice, argued with me and verged on being aggressive.
I pointed out I hadn't even called them out and he said the benefit I receive for that is "SEVEN callouts a year instead of FIVE"!
I've called breakdown vans about four times over the last 20 years!
Why the hell would I need SEVEN callouts a year ?!
..
He eventually said "the internet price is £124". So I confirmed "Oh, so I don't have to pay £204.".
He said "Yes ".
I told him I still wanted to cancel (for the fourth time) because I thought the AA were dishonest because they rip off people who don't have the time or energy to shop around.

mizz_cassie

i get it free with my banks advantage card (halifax) AA breakdown and homestart plus other benefits. check ur banks deals. x

DUTR

Woopee do for you having an argument, the continuous payment thing is quite clear on the documentation, if you do not choose that method, the annual premium is £10 more.
£24 still seems a lot as thy have offered me full cover for £99 or £89 continuous, I will decline the offer and just pay as I use the service, as I have not used any in years so I must be quids up.

DominicH

It may be sneaky, but let's face it this is similar to the practice of many other companies, utilities, insurance providers etc. They give you the first year at a discount, banking on the fact that x% of customers will just auto-renew rather than shopping around next time. I look at it this way: those who blindly auto-renew are subsidising those who don't.

Clive_Woody

There are various bank accounts that charge around £10/month and include breakdown (home start and EU cover included), travel and mobile phone insurance as well as some other bits. So for £120 year you can get breakdown cover plus a whole lot more.

Have a look at some of the links on here.

OddballJamie

Paid £45 with AA for joint cover last couple of years due to a Vauxhall discount. This year's renewal price £188! (that was discounted too).

Goodbye AA. Hello Nationwide.

Nodding_Donkey

Both the RAC and the AA pull this stunt. The trick is to switch every year, like car insurance.

bod1467

They try this with me every year. (I have also been with the AA for well over 20 years). I always get it down to around £80. (Car cover not personal, for my wife's car. [Mine is a company car so is covered separately]. Breakdown plus Relay plus Home Start).

mum2one

we had the same issue, my father has been with them for 33 year, I had my own membership for 20yrs before i became an assosiate member on his, - the renewal this yr was over £300, but with a quick call, we got it reduced to £150.

Not sure what next yrs going to be, - weve had one drive the car home, - whic wasn't covered under our policy but done as a goodwill gesture and a home start call out for brake cylinder x

PeacefulWaters

mizz_cassie wrote: »

i get it free with my banks advantage card (halifax) AA breakdown and homestart plus other benefits. check ur banks deals. x

It's not free. It costs £180 a year.

Along with travel insurance and a couple of other frills.

Car_54

ultron333 wrote: »

I've had breakdown cover for the last 20 years and usually pay around £100 a year.
The AA were always too expensive but last year I was offered annual cover for £70. I snapped it up.
I've just had the renewal through which said I "pay by continuous annual payment" and I don't have to lift a finger to let it get renewed at £204.46!!! That's an increase of 192%!
So I called them this morning around 8am. They took ages to answer after I had selected "press 2 if you're thinking of leaving the AA".
The man from the AA raised his voice, argued with me and verged on being aggressive.
I pointed out I hadn't even called them out and he said the benefit I receive for that is "SEVEN callouts a year instead of FIVE"!
I've called breakdown vans about four times over the last 20 years!
Why the hell would I need SEVEN callouts a year ?!
..
He eventually said "the internet price is £124". So I confirmed "Oh, so I don't have to pay £204.".
He said "Yes ".
I told him I still wanted to cancel (for the fourth time) because I thought the AA were dishonest because they rip off people who don't have the time or energy to shop around.

If I understand you, the AA had been too expensive for you for 20 years, so you always went elsewhere.

Then you got a cheap offer from the AA for a year, and took it up.

Now it's too expensive again. Why the surprise? What's the problem?

Most companies have the odd sale or special deal, but you don't expect them to keep those low prices for ever.