AutoAid Car Breakdown Discussion

Rustynuts

EdGasketTheSecond wrote: »

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.

At a guess I should say that a proper roadside assistance company would be a firm who provide a competent and professional service, rather than sending a gorilla with a selection of different sized hammers for a toolkit.

Any idiot can work out that using steel tools on a painted surface will result in damage to said painted surface. And to continue causing damage despite being told "Do Not Damage My Car!" just points towards a couldn't care less attitude.

As said, had I simply told my wife to smash the rear window and retrieve the key (or even ask the gorilla) it would've been quicker, cheaper, and less hassle overall. But that's the difference between an arrogant "We do this every day" idiot and a sensible mechanic who understands the extent of his capabilities.

I've since taken out a policy with Green Flag, as that was cheaper than the renewal for Auto Aid, and I doubt they can be much worse...

DPS-2016

Been with AutoAid since 2015.

Only had to call them out once - home breakdown, battery was kaput. Local firm turned up within the hour and fixed it - parts were cheaper to buy from them that the local garage even though the part was exactly the same make/model/spec - great service!

They answered my call within 60 seconds, which is good also - took down a few details and within a few minutes was all booked in - very positive.

Following the takeover last year of Autoaid, the prices have been raised somewhat - now to £59.99 - obviously the commitment from the previous owners to keep renewal prices the same each year (excluding IPT) no longer applies.

However, there's been some positive changes to the cover over the years as well - for example, now you don't have to pay and claim back so it works more like a 'traditional' breakdown service.

All in all, a pretty good experience, so I'm renewing again this year despite the increase. They are still the most competitive for fully comp breakdown cover.

ShopAround

I've just been sent my renewal and I checked the Product Information Document. Contained within is a clause that I hadn't noticed before "You must make sure that the vehicle is in a roadworthy condition at all times and it has been maintained and serviced in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations."
If you don't have a full service history this might be used against you. Beware.

lisyloo

ShopAround wrote: »

I've just been sent my renewal and I checked the Product Information Document. Contained within is a clause that I hadn't noticed before "You must make sure that the vehicle is in a roadworthy condition at all times and it has been maintained and serviced in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations."
If you don't have a full service history this might be used against you. Beware.

There is a legal responsibility to keep a car roadworthy at all times otherwise it shouldnt be on the road !


I doubt they are going to insist every provides full service history at the roadside.
More likely it means they are within their rights to refuse claims if you let your car fall into a state of dis repair which is fair enough.


I've just renewed and whilst it gone up for a couple with 5 vehicles its still very good value.

tlee

Tried to pay online and spent a while seeing if I have done anything wrong and called them up and they do not take ANY Santander cards (or Amex which is common). This has never happened to me in 20 years....weird!

lisyloo

I couldn’t pay with my amazon card and remembered I had this issue last year.
Last year I called them up and they said they didn’t accept US cards. I checked and my amazon MasterCard is issued in the UK.

I just paid by debit card but I agree it’s very unusual to have a UK issued MasterCard declined.

But ultimately it is up to them.

jasta1966

I have been with them for 2 years along with other members of my family. Although they have used the service without any issues I have used them for the first time last weekend. Having locked my keys in the boot a long way from home I logged a call and the breakdown garage attended quite quickly but it soon became apparent that the garage were not willing to break in unless they could see the keys. They did try to persuade the garage to gain access and also tried to get a locksmith but could not do so until the following day. We were keen to get home (and pick up our daughter on the way returning from uni) the same day rather than stay overnight. Sadly no offer was made of home transport (or accommodation despite being covered - although not a good option for us).
In the end I smashed the door window myself (after advising them I was doing so) and we headed home.
Since then they have been excellent in dealing with my complaint to my full satisfaction. They were very apologetic and keen to put this right.
I always say that it isn't about making mistakes (we all do it), it is about how you respond when you get it wrong. On this occasion I am very impressed despite the initial problems. I will be renewing my policy with them

orrery

lisyloo wrote: »

I couldn’t pay with my amazon card and remembered I had this issue last year.
Last year I called them up and they said they didn’t accept US cards. I checked and my amazon MasterCard is issued in the UK.

I just paid by debit card but I agree it’s very unusual to have a UK issued MasterCard declined.

But ultimately it is up to them.

It probably isn't up to them. Card systems are complex and the card ranges are probably pre-set by their clearance agents (probably their bank).

lisyloo

Maybe butit’s highly unusual.
I’ve not come across this before in over 3 decades.

pritchah

We've been with Auto Aid for years

I had the renewal a couple of weeks ago and was surprised to see the premium had shot up from £39.89 to £59.99

Anyone else had this experience?

We haven't used them for than 5 times in 10 years, and not at all last year I think