AutoAid Car Breakdown Discussion

EdGasketTheSecond

DO let us know who a 'proper roadside assistance company' is? You'll find with all of them it depends who turns up on the day as to how good a job you get. Mostly AutoAid are for recovery to a garage or back home. Horses for courses.

kikilamour

Called Auto Aid four times in the last year.

1) Flat battery (van)
2) Rather embarassing but ran out of fuEl on the M4 right before Reading services. (Van)
3) Flat tyre on my car and my boyfriend had taken my jack and not returned it so couldn't change my tyre. (Car)
4) Engine mount snapped on New Years Day this year (Van) They were gonna tow me to a garage but none were open so I was taken to the forecourt of the garage where my van was parked till the next day. They were gonna take me home but the boyfriend turned up.

My wait times have been anything from 30 minutes to 2.5 hours (M4 in rush hour just before London)

For a service I paid £59.99 for I've done my fair share of calling. I'll be renewing when my policy ends in August.

jeni8484

I called them when I was in my Dad's car I had borrowed for the day with a broken key. I was not covered, had to pay over £100 to be collected, waited 6 hours until midnight on a petrol forecourt, and was collected by a scary man who seemed to be on drugs. Not quite what I expected from the MSE recommendation! Even the guy on the phone admitted it was rubbish.

lisyloo

jeni8484 wrote: »

I called them when I was in my Dad's car I had borrowed for the day with a broken key. I was not covered, had to pay over £100 to be collected, waited 6 hours until midnight on a petrol forecourt, and was collected by a scary man who seemed to be on drugs. Not quite what I expected from the MSE recommendation! Even the guy on the phone admitted it was rubbish.

Autoaid use Local firms so their service is only as good as local firms.
In general experience has been good but MSE can not verify every local or driver,
If you want a uniform patrol van type company then you should choose AA/RAC.

Firsttimebuyer26

Makes sense

breenp57

I've subscribed to AutoAid for 3 years and, fortunately, haven't had to use them as yet.
My renewal has come through at the increased price of £59.99 so I've had a look for alternatives and found, via Groupon, Motoring Assistance & Emergency Assist, both offering -
Premium package includes:!roadside assistance | local recovery | national recovery | home start | onward travel | replacement car hire | overnight accommodation.- for £32 for vehicle over 10 years old.
Seems to be same format as AutoAid, uses network of local providers.
Just wondered if anyone has any experience of these two?

CodyB

Seems that being 'Top Pick' may have gone to their head. Last year I paid £43.31, my renewal email now asks for £59.99. Time to 'haggle' methinks.

sandspider2000

They wouldn't discount at all on the price when I phoned.



Not such a good deal now, but...

Brewer20

Autoaid website, if you scroll down their main page to near the bottom they have a sister company Autonational Rescue offering basic cover for £34. It gives you a tow of 10 miles to the nearest repair place/garage. I don't know what happens if the nearest garage is over 10 miles away though, a surcharge maybe?
I need to choose to renew or not next month, I'm with Autoaid.

Morph4610

I've been with Autoaid for a few years and just renewed at the new price having shopped around looking at the more established providers. It's clear that they all play games with prices and the reviews on service when customers do break down seem consistent in that even the big brands (AA, RAC, Green Flag) get plenty of bad ones. In the end I decided to go with a service I have been happy with. I know MSE get plenty of jibes for some of their picks but I do think this endorsement carries some weight which I do place a value on.