RAC Breakdown Cover

thabeska

Hello,

I have had RAC breakdown cover for over a year now and no claims on the policy.

On Saturday I was driving home from Holiday and had to pull over as the kids were playing about in the back, as I pulled over I misjudged the kerb due to the heavy rain and got myself a puncture in the tire sidewall. I phoned RAC who advised me that this was not covered on my policy, me being honest advised them that I hit the kerb as I was pulling over. They then wanted £178 for the privlege of coming out to assist me.

A few phone calls later I had to get private recovery to take my car 5 miles to the local garage at the cost of £110. I have checked my policy booklet and the terms and conditions on the RACs site and I cannot see why they did not recover my car as I could not see any mention of this in their "Not Covered" section.

Has anyone had any similar experience? Is it worth complaining to get the money back or at least attempting?

Thanks

C

paddyandstumpy

Ask them to point out in the policy book the exclusion they've relied on.

angrycrow

What the ph experienced was not a breakdown. They freely admit they hit the kerb rupturing the side wall of the tyre. RAC would define this as a road traffic collision so the following general exclusions apply.

7 Any claim which you could make under any other insurance policy. If the value of your claim is more than the amount you can get from your other insurance we may pay the difference. If we do make a payment it will not be more than the appropriate benefit limit under this policy;

13. Recovery or any other benefits following a road traffic accident in the territory. If you have had a road traffic accident in the territory and would like us to recover the vehicle we may be able to assist for an additional charge;

In practice most breakdown cover providers will collect your car after an accident with out charge to you but they then submit a bill to your comprehensive insurance.

This is an example of why I will never own a car that does to have a spare tyre on board.

On a separate note given the impact was hard enough to rupture the side wall of the tyre has the op had the front suspension checked for damage.

thabeska

Thank you Angrycrow.

Not once did they explain this on the phone, but when I went through the policy details as my policy covers tyre replacement, it does cover accidental damage, would this not be classed as accidental?

forgotmyname

They cover breakdowns not accidents.

But did you purchase the tyre replace addon? They wll come and fix or replace a tyre if you have that. But its an addon not standard.

On my booklet its page 11 top box, says section H (optional)

sevenhills

thabeska wrote: »

On Saturday I was driving home from Holiday and had to pull over as the kids were playing about in the back, as I pulled over I misjudged the kerb due to the heavy rain and got myself a puncture in the tire sidewall.

Most people would just put the spare wheel on, was that not an option for you?

force_ten

sevenhills wrote: »

Most people would just put the spare wheel on, was that not an option for you?

What is a spare wheel?

I don't think i have one of those in my car

System

thabeska wrote: »

Hello,

I have had RAC breakdown cover for over a year now and no claims on the policy.

On Saturday I was driving home from Holiday and had to pull over as the kids were playing about in the back, as I pulled over I misjudged the kerb due to the heavy rain and got myself a puncture in the tire sidewall. I phoned RAC who advised me that this was not covered on my policy, me being honest advised them that I hit the kerb as I was pulling over. They then wanted £178 for the privlege of coming out to assist me.

I have checked my policy booklet and the terms and conditions on the RACs site and I cannot see why they did not recover my car as I could not see any mention of this in their "Not Covered" section.

You had a single vehicle accident, not a breakdown. The RAC charge for recovery because of an accident. Had you not mentioned striking the kerb they'd have done it under your policy cover.

facade

forgotmyname wrote: »

They cover breakdowns not accidents.

But did you purchase the tyre replace addon? They wll come and fix or replace a tyre if you have that. But its an addon not standard.

On my booklet its page 11 top box, says section H (optional)

This will be news to a lot of people who have RAC cover, and expect them to come and change a wheel.
There are a lot of people who are not physically capable of changing a wheel, even assuming that they have one of those quarter size comedy "spacesavers".

Gloomendoom

force_ten wrote: »

What is a spare wheel?

I don't think i have one of those in my car

Not a good idea... as you found out.

forgotmyname wrote: »

But did you purchase the tyre replace addon? They wll come and fix or replace a tyre if you have that. But its an addon not standard.

On my booklet its page 11 top box, says section H (optional)

facade wrote: »

This will be news to a lot of people who have RAC cover, and expect them to come and change a wheel.
There are a lot of people who are not physically capable of changing a wheel, even assuming that they have one of those quarter size comedy "spacesavers".

Just checked my RAC policy documents...

5. Please note that motorised vehicles that are manufactured without the provision of a spare wheel will be considered on their individual merits and assistance is at our discretion. Assistance in changing a wheel is covered, subject to you carrying a serviceable spare as specified.

facade

Gloomendoom wrote: »

Assistance in changing a wheel is covered, subject to you carrying a serviceable spare

I should have thought so too, the AA have flat tyre as the second most common cause of "breakdowns"

So what was Forgotmyname on about, needing to purchase a tyre replace add-on?