AA breakdown - telling me about GreenFlag

ripplyuk

I've just had my renewal quote for AA breakdown cover, just basic roadside. Of course, it's huge compared to last year so I've just rang up to haggle. I explained I've got a quote from GreenFlag for much less, and it has home start, relay etc included.

The customer service rep spent a long time explaining to me that I'm not comparing like with like. She said GreenFlag just sends local garages out, like a call centre and they won't cover parts or labour at the roadside. I'd be responsible for all costs involved and GreenFlag are just ringing up a garage on my behalf. Apparently they might not even have any 'tools' with them to try to fix the car, and if I lose my keys, they can't access a locksmith. I have no idea if any of this is true, or just sales talk.

I've been with the AA for 9 years and always got a good price but this time, it's much more expensive and I'm not sure if they are worth the difference. Part of the reason I was looking at GreenFlag is that I am aware they use local garages, and hoped this would mean they would be quicker.

Could anyone advise me if what I've been told is true, or is there not much difference? I've had a look on reviewcentre and the AA actually get slightly worse reviews, though none seem that good.

InsideInsurance

Greenflag certainly used to exclusively use local companies but paid some to paint their trucks in the Greenflag livery.

RAC does have some of its own vans but is also heavily reliant on local companies.

AA certainly has the highest proportion of own vehicles, dont know if they ever use local garages.

But, whats wrong with using local companies? They should be by definition close to you and know the area to be able to find you.

ripplyuk

InsideInsurance wrote: »

But, whats wrong with using local companies? They should be by definition close to you and know the area to be able to find you.

I actually thought it was a positive reason to go with GreenFlag, for those very reasons. It's just that the AA are saying that they include the cost of labour at the roadside but GreenFlag will expect me to pay.

I sent an email to GreenFlag previously with a few queries and part of the reason I'm keen to go with them this time is that they actually responded and answered my questions. Every time I've emailed the AA with similar queries, they reply saying I should ring their customer service line. It's like they don't want to give anything in writing.

I'm a gold member of the AA so I get free key care insurance which has always been a big selling point to me. Also, they will arrange to collect my car in the event of an accident. I assume without this I would have to ring my car insurers to collect it (and have my premium loaded even more on renewal). I'm just unsure if these perks are worth paying so much extra for.

Bennifred

Have you considered Autoaid? We have been with them for years - excellent value and very fast, efficient service when needed!

InsideInsurance

Just reading the policybook it states that the most basic level of GreenFlag cover includes:

What’s covered
We’ll arrange for a local breakdown firm to come out to your car and try to repair it. Or we’ll arrange for you, your car and any passengers to be taken to the nearest repair centre.
The most we’ll pay in total towards these things is £250

It goes on to say parts are excluded

They do say they can call tyre specialists and locksmiths but these arent covered by the policy

Dird

I was with AA for 1 year, GreenFlag with 1 year. Currently with StartRescue (before I change again for more cashback). I've only called out while with the AA but I think AA are full of sh*t in their claims. Google for threads about them & it shouldn't be that bad.

I also paid for all kinds of stuff with AA including £500 towards repairs...my cambelt went and they refused to pay anything as it was "wear and tear"...stopped me bothering paying for that cash for repairs offer again.

At the very least I always choose drive me from anywhere in the UK to anywhere (i.e. home). With StartRescue I threw in home assist as it was cheap enough.

ripplyuk

I'm sure a lot of what the AA said was just their sales script. Reviews for all these companies seem bad. I've had a look at Autoaid but I'm a bit worried as they will only pay £65 for a home breakdown to take the car to a garage. My car is only 1 yo and I'd rather it was taken to the dealership if it needed any big repairs. There's no way £65 would cover that distance.

InsideInsurance, Thank you for having a look at the policybook. I don't like the way it says they will try to repair at the roadside OR recover the vehicle, though I'm probably being pedantic about the wording. I have no idea if £250 is enough. I've never actually called out a breakdown service before.

One thing I did like about GreenFlag (or, at least their website wording), is that they say if the place I want recovered to is closed ie: after 5pm or weekends, they will recover the car home and then come out the next day and bring it to the garage. I remember seeing something on TV about a guy who was dumped at the garage after hours by his breakdown company, with the car left on yellow lines and with no way for him to get home.

xHannahx

I had same scenario as the op and the AA rep was clearly reading a script about green flag.
Green flag was £6 a month vs AA for £23 and green flag is a higher level policy.
What difference does it make whether they use local garages as long as they attend?

InsideInsurance

ripplyuk wrote: »

InsideInsurance, Thank you for having a look at the policybook. I don't like the way it says they will try to repair at the roadside OR recover the vehicle, though I'm probably being pedantic about the wording. I have no idea if £250 is enough. I've never actually called out a breakdown service before.

Well that is for their most basic service which is just to the nearest garage.

Realistically unless you really are in the middle of nowhere it is plenty. They arent ever going to try and do 5 hours of repairs at the roadside

ripplyuk

My dealership is about 30 miles away so I was worried that £250 wouldn't cover that, with the cost of the call out, attempting a roadside fix etc. I'm thinking worst case scenario though. I'm sure most basic repairs can be fixed locally.

Does anyone know if there is anywhere I can get the key insurance separately? It might make it easier to decide if it's worth staying with the AA for it.

InsideInsurance

Call out is normally about £40 and towing is £1.50 per mile so as I say should be fine.