Breakdown self-insurance

Plus

It's breakdown renewal time and I had a thought... does anyone do this with self-insurance?

In 15 years I've only ever called out breakdown services twice - once in my first car (turned out I was being a numpty), and once when I had a fuel blockage on a very elderly banger. Otherwise I have a reasonable knowledge about cars and I'm generally happy to fix things myself. Our cars are 4 and 14 years old, and for the latter one I know most of its foibles. We don't tend to drive long distances, it's mostly local mileage (almost none at the moment) except perhaps once or twice a year.

I'm wondering what self-insurance might look like. For example, a tyre burst on the motorway on a dark rainy Bank Holiday night (because it would, wouldn't it). What would a callout cost - either 'joining' AA/RAC/etc on the spot, or calling a local garage? The second time i broke down my cover was part of my car insurance and their call centre somehow called out a local garage - is there a network regular punters can call to do this, or are you reduced to googling around to see who is open? And then you get recovered somewhere - presumably to some garage which is open on that Bank Holiday?

Then national recovery is going to cost £££, but most faults are likely to be fixed locally, possibly without even a tow.

Weighing that up against the peace of mind of having a number to call, and the ability to summon backup rather than be on your own.

On the other hand, what would it cost to join on the spot, and which provider is cheapest?

EdGasketTheSecond

Most 'join on the spot' deals won't include immediate nationwide recovery; they will only fix minor issues or take you to the nearest garage.

Grumpy_chap

Financially, what the OP suggests would probably work.  Breakdown cover is only an insurance policy in that regard.
It does rely on being certain you always have finance available for when the event occurs and not breakdown on that occasion when you left your wallet at home or already maxed out the credit card.
For me, the value of breakdown cover is the support being there when you actually need it as breakdowns don't happen at a convenient time.  The last three times I broke down was Easter Sunday afternoon outside a closed garden centre, before that M3 motorway and before that, a dark wet winter evening on a country road.  The convenience of just one number to call on each of those occasions was worth the policy premium.

EssexExile

I used to just rely on calling Dad out to tow me home. He's 99 on Friday and seems disinclined the offer the service nowadays.

Bigphil1474

There's quite a few companies that offer PAYG breakdown cover - pretty sure the AA do as well. Far as I remember you download the AA app which costs about £5, then when you do breakdown you pay a flat fee. If you don't break down, you pay nothing obviously. Was about £80 a time if I remember rightly. If you rarely break down then it makes more sense - I've never used it though as I get RAC through my bank.

Plus

Thanks all.  It turns out there are policies called 'instant breakdown' which don't actually cover if you've already broken down - doesn't seem to add very much to an existing policy that becomes valid in 24/48hours.  I found Sterling who quote a policy for £173 with cover if you've already broken down. That works out to be about 3 years of AutoAid.  Wonder if there's better deals out there?

MinuteNoodles

Plus said:

I'm wondering what self-insurance might look like. For example, a tyre burst on the motorway on a dark rainy Bank Holiday night (because it would, wouldn't it). What would a callout cost - either 'joining' AA/RAC/etc on the spot, or calling a local garage? 

Then national recovery is going to cost £££, but most faults are likely to be fixed locally, possibly without even a tow.

Weighing that up against the peace of mind of having a number to call, and the ability to summon backup rather than be on your own.

On the other hand, what would it cost to join on the spot, and which provider is cheapest?

£150 whether it's the RAC, the AA or whoever gets sent when you use the emergency phone and that's just to get you off the motorway. There is a flat rate set in government legislation for a recovery fee from a motorway.
AutoAid is £60 and covers both you and your spouse in any vehicle because remember one of the advantages of some policies is that it covers you no matter what vehicle you're in so if it's your friend's car that breaks down with you in it you have cover you can use.

facade

I think now that if I'd put the AA subscriptions for the last 30 years into a piggy bank, I'd have enough to buy a breakdown truck when I need it

But if I break down or have a puncture on my 'bike at 11pm and I don't have a clue who to ring (I suppose nowadays I could use the interweb thingie assuming I have my smartphone and I can wade through all the sponsored adverts) I will be glad I have that AA card in my wallet.

I suppose the best VFM is to break down more often and get my money's worth

Grumpy_chap

facade said:

I think now that if I'd put the AA subscriptions for the last 30 years into a piggy bank, I'd have enough to buy a breakdown truck when I need it

But if I break down or have a puncture on my 'bike at 11pm and I don't have a clue who to ring (I suppose nowadays I could use the interweb thingie assuming I have my smartphone and I can wade through all the sponsored adverts) I will be glad I have that AA card in my wallet.

I suppose the best VFM is to break down more often and get my money's worth

It's OK - there was a thread a few days back where someone posted about a trailer for a 'bike that could tow a car.  Get one of those and tow the breakdown truck normally.  If you break down at 11 pm, just swap them round

Plus

Bigphil1474 said:

There's quite a few companies that offer PAYG breakdown cover - pretty sure the AA do as well. Far as I remember you download the AA app which costs about £5, then when you do breakdown you pay a flat fee. If you don't break down, you pay nothing obviously. Was about £80 a time if I remember rightly. If you rarely break down then it makes more sense - I've never used it though as I get RAC through my bank.

I did some digging into this - it appears the product is called AA Standby. You can get it as part of BSM and AA driving lessons, but it doesn't seem to be available separately.  The 'AA Breakdown Standby' app doesn't seem to be available any more.  So I don't think this one is an option at present.