Breakdown cover for 18 year old car

hubb

I am pretty alarmed at how much breakdown cover has gone up this last year, especially Auto Aid. My 2002 Polo that's done 115k is even higher due to its age, despite the fact its a reliable, well made car with good engineering. I am getting basic cover quotes in the high £70’s. Even more off putting is the fact we hardly travel anywhere but still need cover nevertheless. A sure way to go out of business by raising prices in the middle of a recession. Yes, I know I could go via Topcashback but as they have proved so hopelessly unreliable of late for tracking, especially bigger purchases, its not worth the gamble.

AdrianC

You don't NEED breakdown cover. You may think it worthwhile, of course.

Yes, quite a few of the cheapies don't cover older cars.

Grumpy_chap

Breakdown cover is an insurance policy so always shop around rather than simply accept the renewal.  Premiums follow claims (call-outs) and you might imagine with no traveling the number of call-outs will be low.  Maybe that is off-set by the number of flat batteries?

lordmountararat

Try adding it on to your regular insurance policy. I have a camper van that is more than 20 years old and adding breakdown cover, including rescue, only added about £50 to the policy.

Grumpy_chap

I am with Start Rescue and they cover our 1997 Fiesta, just not outside UK.  We'd be unlikely to go touring the Continent in it anyway.

Mickey666

I buy RAC family cover using Tesco Clubcard points so it doesn’t cost me any actual cash.  It covers named persons rather than specific vehicles and I’ve never been asked for any vehicle details.

oldagetraveller1

Mickey666 said:

I buy RAC family cover using Tesco Clubcard points so it doesn’t cost me any actual cash.  It covers named persons rather than specific vehicles and I’ve never been asked for any vehicle details.

Me too. I've never found any vehicle age limit in their Ts & Cs. Therefore, hopefully covered if driving my 7 years old or 58 years old car. Or any other car, passenger or driver.

It was about £48 in vouchers for Breakdown, At Home and Recovery.

hubb

Thanks folks, that is really helpful. I will opt for Start as they seem a very good deal and would rather opt for a smaller company than the big wigs like Rac and AA. Again, MSE in the breakdown guide doesn’t. mention Start.

AdrianC

There are many, many "right answers", depending on your requirements.

We've recently moved from GEM to the bundled cover with a Nationwide Flexplus account. When you take account of the travel insurance, too, it's no more expensive - and it includes Euro cover (for which we were paying extra via a classic insurance add-on), while GEM don't cover larger campervans.

Even before the price rises, AutoAid were a non-starter for us because we're not married, but have co-habited for 20-odd years...

walwyn1978

AdrianC said:

There are many, many "right answers", depending on your requirements.

We've recently moved from GEM to the bundled cover with a Nationwide Flexplus account. When you take account of the travel insurance, too, it's no more expensive - and it includes Euro cover (for which we were paying extra via a classic insurance add-on), while GEM don't cover larger campervans.

Even before the price rises, AutoAid were a non-starter for us because we're not married, but have co-habited for 20-odd years...

We do this too and it covers phone insurance as well, which is a bonus when your toddler gets hold of your mobile...

lordmountararat

Even before the price rises, AutoAid were a non-starter for us because we're not married, but have co-habited for 20-odd years...

That seems a bit discriminatory, not to say judgemental. Is it even legal?