Is breakdown cover really needed?

Goudy

lisyloo said:

user1977 said:

Have only needed two call-outs in my entire driving history, and the first of those was in 1990 (in relation to a Mark 1 Fiesta, so not sure how relevant that has to the present day anyway!). Quite happy to self-insure for once in a blue moon incidents.

Who do you call ? 

I want to write something but I won't! 👻

I just did a quick search on Google for "Breakdown" and used various road numbers and areas.
Seems choice is plentiful.

Same for Mobile Tyre Repair.

lisyloo

Goudy said:

lisyloo said:

user1977 said:

Have only needed two call-outs in my entire driving history, and the first of those was in 1990 (in relation to a Mark 1 Fiesta, so not sure how relevant that has to the present day anyway!). Quite happy to self-insure for once in a blue moon incidents.

Who do you call ? 

I want to write something but I won't! 👻

I just did a quick search on Google for "Breakdown" and used various road numbers and areas.
Seems choice is plentiful.

Same for Mobile Tyre Repair.

So you're fine as long as you have internet access?

Goudy

lisyloo said:

Goudy said:

lisyloo said:

user1977 said:

Have only needed two call-outs in my entire driving history, and the first of those was in 1990 (in relation to a Mark 1 Fiesta, so not sure how relevant that has to the present day anyway!). Quite happy to self-insure for once in a blue moon incidents.

Who do you call ? 

I want to write something but I won't! 👻

I just did a quick search on Google for "Breakdown" and used various road numbers and areas.
Seems choice is plentiful.

Same for Mobile Tyre Repair.

So you're fine as long as you have internet access?

Who hasn't a smartphone days?
But really you just need a phone to phone one of the directory enquiry services, and you need one of those to phone the usual breakdown services. Without one you're well and truly stuck no matter what you do or don't pay for.

user1977

lisyloo said:

user1977 said:

Have only needed two call-outs in my entire driving history, and the first of those was in 1990 (in relation to a Mark 1 Fiesta, so not sure how relevant that has to the present day anyway!). Quite happy to self-insure for once in a blue moon incidents.

Who do you call if you self-insure? 

Whoever is local (and in reality, the breakdown companies will often be using local outfits anyway to respond to their calls rather than turning up in suitably-liveried vans). Or you can call the likes of RAC even if not a member and they will provide assistance (for a fee, obviously).

Herzlos

That's certainly easier these days, but what do you do if the local guys are unavailable/busy/cowboys.

At least if you have a policy with a reputable org any responsibility should fall to them.
But then worst case you can probably abandon the car somewhere and at least get a taxi home to deal with it at leisure.

Of course it'll also depend wildly on who you are and how inconvenient the breakdown is. A man broken down near a town centre in the middle of the day is going to have a different dilemma to a family broken down in the middle of nowhere at midnight.

user1977

Herzlos said:

That's certainly easier these days, but what do you do if the local guys are unavailable/busy/cowboys.

What do you do if the guys you have a subscription with are unavailable/busy but there's somebody independent who can get to you quicker? You might prefer not to be "stuck" with the people you've already paid.

And as said, the "reputable" brand names may well assist anyway even if you're not already a member.

Sarahspangles

lisyloo said:

user1977 said:

Have only needed two call-outs in my entire driving history, and the first of those was in 1990 (in relation to a Mark 1 Fiesta, so not sure how relevant that has to the present day anyway!). Quite happy to self-insure for once in a blue moon incidents.

Who do you call if you self-insure? 

It used to be Malcolm but nowadays it’s Andy! I basically start with the guy who maintains my car if I’m anywhere near home, even though I have cover. With AA and RAC if they can’t fix it straight away you’re stuck with the car being taken to their choice of garage, whereas my preference is whatever option gets my car up on a ramp with someone I trust.

If it’s the evening or weekend I would currently use the AA cover bundled in with my bank account. If I do let that lapse, there are a couple of local garages that do extended hours or I’d lock the car up and taxi home and sort it out in working hours. Worse case you’re far from home and have to join the AA and pay out from your self-insurance pot.

lisyloo

Goudy said:

lisyloo said:

Goudy said:

lisyloo said:

user1977 said:

Have only needed two call-outs in my entire driving history, and the first of those was in 1990 (in relation to a Mark 1 Fiesta, so not sure how relevant that has to the present day anyway!). Quite happy to self-insure for once in a blue moon incidents.

Who do you call ? 

I want to write something but I won't! 👻

I just did a quick search on Google for "Breakdown" and used various road numbers and areas.
Seems choice is plentiful.

Same for Mobile Tyre Repair.

So you're fine as long as you have internet access?

Who hasn't a smartphone days?
But really you just need a phone to phone one of the directory enquiry services, and you need one of those to phone the usual breakdown services. Without one you're well and truly stuck no matter what you do or don't pay for.

I meant no coverage !
I'm on vodafone who are pretty good but sometimes find myself with no mobile data.
In this situation I'd phone a friend.

If I had a dog, baby, elderly parents I'd prefer the firm deal with this side of it for me.

As always it's a matter of choice. 
I'm a fan of self-insurance for somethings, but wouldn't use it for this.

lisyloo

user1977 said:

Herzlos said:

That's certainly easier these days, but what do you do if the local guys are unavailable/busy/cowboys.

What do you do if the guys you have a subscription with are unavailable/busy but there's somebody independent who can get to you quicker? You might prefer not to be "stuck" with the people you've already paid.

And as said, the "reputable" brand names may well assist anyway even if you're not already a member.

If a firm was completely busy I'd expect them to try the next on their list, but you do sometimes have to wait, it's true.

Herzlos

user1977 said:

Herzlos said:

That's certainly easier these days, but what do you do if the local guys are unavailable/busy/cowboys.

What do you do if the guys you have a subscription with are unavailable/busy but there's somebody independent who can get to you quicker? You might prefer not to be "stuck" with the people you've already paid.

And as said, the "reputable" brand names may well assist anyway even if you're not already a member.

That's the gamble, of course.  You may even end up with the same mechanic/vehicle in a shorter time frame.

But if you call a one man band that's essentially just a facebook page and a mobile number, he says he'll show up and then doesn't. Do you call another one and hope you don't end up having to pay them both?

How do you know Random Recovery Dude is insured or qualified? Obviously if you are close to home and have contacts it's one thing, but what if you're at the other end of the country?


I'm not saying the AA or RAC are guaranteed to be the best or fastest, but they should sort it eventually. Kind of like a McDonalds or a Wetherspoon is always kind of crap but consistent and safely crap.