Haggle with RAC, AA & more

forgotmyname

£65 off my RAC renewal again this year. Pain having to haggle each year, but i know every company will be the same.

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EssexBiker

I have just had an upbeat conversation with an RAC rep.

After 5 years of membership the renewal for a very basic policy was coming at £145.

I mentioned that I could get homestart and onward recovery too from the AA for just £135 and they matched it.

To be fair, I have needed the RAC to assist 3 times in 5 years both with the Bike and (former) car and they have given, spot on service.

I think, as per the suggestions in MMSE's advice is to keep the conversation positive, upbeat, friendly and somewhat guarded.

HAPPY BUNNY.....:T

LABMAN

GreenFlag was ~£50 for me for Recovery Plus on renewal in March...no haggling required!

Rosemary

Got the renewal letter which said it would renew automatically - not on your life! I check every policy when it comes to renew for the best deal. I rang the AA and got it down from £146 to £85 for the year, and they said that the fee would be fixed for next year's renewal too! Sad bit is I did it by phone so could not take advantage of cashback. Best deal would have been to cancel completely and sign up fresh!

mufi

Just about same result as Rosemary, though she's obviously slightly better at it than I, as only got it down from £147 to £88 (home start/onward journey etc cover), plus forgot to fix it for next year. Damn!:D

pinkteapot

Slightly staggered by the prices in this thread. I've used Green Flag on various cars for about ten years and have never paid more than £100! That's for the top-but-one cover level that includes homestart and nationwide recovery (ie breakdown in Scotland and insist on being brought home to Essex).

Green Flag are invariably cheaper if your car is less than ten years old, I've found. The AA and RAC have fixed prices for everyone for the same level of cover. Green Flag are insurance-based and quote based on what car you've got and how old it is.

When I had my oldest car, I found that at about the ten-year-old point they became as expensive as the AA and RAC. For cars younger than that though, I've always found them to be significantly cheaper.

I've had several call-outs over the years and they've always come quickly. They don't have their own branded vans like the AA and RAC. They have a network of local garages and they'll send someone out from the nearest if you break down. They've always got me going again.

At the very least, if you don't want to switch, get a quote from them and use it to haggle with AA/RAC.

4legs

Gave DirectLine (GreenFlag parent Co) a call carried out the Haggle process got £48 knocked off - good Eh - thanks to you all...joe

malkypaul

Hi All

You must all be made of money to pay the AA/RAC exorbitant rates, I am with AUTOAID and just renewed for £43:21p annually, It does everything that RAC/AA do but MUCH CHEAPER cos it's an insurance against breaking down, If you have a relatively reliable vehicle, Why pay exorbitant prices on something you may not use.
Malkypaul

glosjools

Just about to renew with Start Rescue for £25.91 for the year. I called them out a couple of years ago... had my credit card all ready to pay for the 'rescue'... they said' It's OK, nothing to pay, we'll claim it directly from Start'. What more could you want?

RiggerDigger

Got the AA auto renewal letter for £265 for x2 people personal cover, Relay, Home Start & Roadside rang the AA quoted the RAC online price for the same cover and that I haven't needed to use them for 5 years and they have matched it. Now paying £136 ���� saving £129 well worth haggling !!