Breakdown Recovery windscreen wipers

breithorn

I recently had a problem with my windscreen wipers ceasing to function when I was 150 miles from home. Having ascertained that the problem was not a blown fuse, I phoned my breakdown recovery company Rescue my Car. I was told that they would only drive me to the nearest garage if it was no more than 10miles away. I have relay as part of my package. This was a none starter as it was over the Christmas period and most garages were shut, and those that weren't would not have been able to repair it on the day. As it was I drove home in showery weather, pulling over onto the hard shoulder when ever it started raining , a very traumatic experience .
   Has anyone else experienced this with other breakdown companies , or is it just Rescue my Car

SaverRate

What do you terms and conditions say regarding getting you home? If National recovery was included then their T&C's state

'if the vehicle cannot be repaired the same working day, it will be recovered to your home or onward destination, whichever is closest or alternative transport or accommodation will be provided. 

If you have national recovery included in your cover it will be worth putting in a complaint if you weren't given the above options. 

Grumpy_chap

breithorn said:

I recently had a problem with my windscreen wipers ceasing to function when I was 150 miles from home. Having ascertained that the problem was not a blown fuse, I phoned my breakdown recovery company Rescue my Car. I was told that they would only drive me to the nearest garage if it was no more than 10miles away. I have relay as part of my package. This was a none starter as it was over the Christmas period and most garages were shut, and those that weren't would not have been able to repair it on the day. As it was I drove home in showery weather, pulling over onto the hard shoulder when ever it started raining , a very traumatic experience .
   Has anyone else experienced this with other breakdown companies , or is it just Rescue my Car

Did you actually have Rescue my Car attend the breakdown, or did you give up based upon a comment from the call-centre operative?
And then struggle to complete the journey home?

It sort of sounds as though a call-centre operative may have thought it was a call about smeary wiper blades and, possibly, even thought it was a wind-up call.
If what actually happened was wiper motor failure or switch / electronic fault meaning the wipers would not activate, that is a proper event that makes the car undriveable (conditions dependant I suppose).

Had their mechanic actually attended, it would then have been possible for the proper assessment to have taken place and the appropriate relay service engaged if needed.

Do you now know what the actual fault was?

Bigwheels1111

Pay peanuts get Monkeys scenario.

Chris616

SaverRate said:

What do you terms and conditions say regarding getting you home? If National recovery was included then their T&C's state

'if the vehicle cannot be repaired the same working day, it will be recovered to your home or onward destination, whichever is closest or alternative transport or accommodation will be provided. 

If you have national recovery included in your cover it will be worth putting in a complaint if you weren't given the above options. 

My policy definitely covers home recovery
  I probably will put in a complaint

Chris616

Grumpy_chap said:

breithorn said:

I recently had a problem with my windscreen wipers ceasing to function when I was 150 miles from home. Having ascertained that the problem was not a blown fuse, I phoned my breakdown recovery company Rescue my Car. I was told that they would only drive me to the nearest garage if it was no more than 10miles away. I have relay as part of my package. This was a none starter as it was over the Christmas period and most garages were shut, and those that weren't would not have been able to repair it on the day. As it was I drove home in showery weather, pulling over onto the hard shoulder when ever it started raining , a very traumatic experience .
   Has anyone else experienced this with other breakdown companies , or is it just Rescue my Car

Did you actually have Rescue my Car attend the breakdown, or did you give up based upon a comment from the call-centre operative?
And then struggle to complete the journey home?

It sort of sounds as though a call-centre operative may have thought it was a call about smeary wiper blades and, possibly, even thought it was a wind-up call.
If what actually happened was wiper motor failure or switch / electronic fault meaning the wipers would not activate, that is a proper event that makes the car undriveable (conditions dependant I suppose).

Had their mechanic actually attended, it would then have been possible for the proper assessment to have taken place and the appropriate relay service engaged if needed.

Do you now know what the actual fault was?

I made it quite clear to the operative what the problem was,  that is, that the wipers were not working. They told me that if the alternator for example was faulty I would be recovered to my home address.
   The fault turned out to be a faulty wiper motor, which has since been replaced

Altior

Applicable condition?

Not covered:

24. Vehicles that are not secure or have faults with windscreen wipers, windscreen washer jets, electric windows, sun roofs, convertible roofs or locks not working, unless the fault occurs during the course of a journey and your safety is compromised.

I suppose the interpretation is safety being compromised (if they agree it occurred during the journey), which most people would argue it is, if it is raining and you have no wipers operating...

Money_Grabber13579

Chris616 said:

SaverRate said:

What do you terms and conditions say regarding getting you home? If National recovery was included then their T&C's state

'if the vehicle cannot be repaired the same working day, it will be recovered to your home or onward destination, whichever is closest or alternative transport or accommodation will be provided. 

If you have national recovery included in your cover it will be worth putting in a complaint if you weren't given the above options. 

My policy definitely covers home recovery
  I probably will put in a complaint

Are you the OP?