Roadside Recovery Article/MoneySavingExpert.com Discussion

FairyElephant_2

......with the AA, if you have a Lloyds Gold Current Acct.
You can also upgrade to home start, relay or whatever you want by paying the extra. I was with AA for years, and with Lloyds too, so was pleased when they brought this in a couple of years ago.
You also get free travel insurance - which I had to claim on this year whan O/H's dad passed away so we had to cancel holiday, and they were really good with the claim - to my surprise!
Of course, Alliance & Leicester's current acct pays better interest etc, as Martin recommends, so I have both (well you only need to pay in X amount per month, and keep a min bal in the Lloyds, so pay into one and then transfer to the other - best of both worlds!!).

llfoolj

This seems to have not been mentioned.
I am a member of the AA and continue to do so not for the saving of money but for the safety aspect. If my wife breaks down, somewhere deserted, on her own, I like the idea of a bright yellow van with AA livery all over it turning up rather than some local garage recovery truck.
Just a thought.

FairyElephant_2

Me too - I have had to use them a couple of times across the years, and as a woman on your own it is scary to break down - very comforting to recognise the yellow van coming to the rescue!

adrewetx

I'm in the group that likes the idea of bright orange/yellow vans. So was pleased to find that if you're insured by Ford Insure (backed by Norwich Union) then you can get the top RAC cover for just over £50. A significant saving on usual RAC website prices. Oh- And I like Ford Insure because they'll extend car hire whilst your car is being serviced and guarantee Ford parts.

BobBlueUK

Lady_K wrote:

Has anyone had experince of First Call breakdown recovery service?

I have and I wouldn't wish their service on my worst enemy! I followed the bargain hunting mentality and went with them to save a few quid, since it looked like you got a lot for your money. Then on a journey from Scotland to London my car broke down half way. At first all seemed well - they called out a local breakdown service (who were a great bunch of guys), but once back at the recovery garage the fun & games started. The mechanics couldn't get the car going again, so First Call insisted that I take the car to a local garage to find out if a main dealer could fix it. They said I could leave the car there and they would pay for a train fare to my onward destination - it would then be up to me to come back and collect the car at a future date! When I signed up for 'onward travel' I expected it to include the car as well, especially as I had a car full of luggage with me and there was no way I could carry it all on a train myself. So, took the car to the local main dealership (thanks to the friendly breakdown guys who offered to transport it) who said they would not even be able to look at it until the next week. First Call did not see this as a problem. To cut a long story short I had to argue over the phone till I was blue in the face with them, going through their terms & conditions with a tooth comb and threatening to follow the matter up afterwards with Trading Standards etc before they conceded and agreed to pay for onward travel for me and the car. By the time we actually got going it was about 3 hours after I first called them out... They also would not pay for travel to my chosen destination in London, but only to my registered home address (also in London but not where I was planning to go).

So I would most definitely not recommend First Call to anyone. I would also urge caution with any other budget breakdown service - make sure that onward travel policies include the car and not just a train ticket to your destination! This particularly applies with lone vehicle occupants as some, like First Call, see a train ticket for one person as being cheaper than vehicle transport and an opportunity to cut costs... :mad:

tapmadi

If my car broke down at home at they cover me upto £45 how much more am i looking at paying for a typical call out charge to say jump start me or change a fuse or something..am I better of paying £94 for greenflag will I be better of....

Ember999

I would take the package that includes 'home start' I have had AA Option 3 which includes Home Start for over 9 years and would never be without it. Money well spent! I have used Home Start several times and being rescued when I have run out of Petrol on the Orkney Islands to having a flat tire in my Gym car park in Preston, Lancashire

I'd pay for an option that includes Home Start if I was you, you never know when you will need it.

tapmadi

If they will only cover me upto £45..how much more typically do i have to pay for an average call out?

weekendwarrior

Hi, I hope this is the correct forum?

I drive a small van and had breakdown cover with the AA, 3 months ago I was telephoned by them offering me "FREE" home start for 3 months, which I obviously accepted. I have been an AA customer for 5 years and only called them out once!

My renewal came through and did not have the option to renew my policy without the home start, total price of policy £131.00 ! I was not happy about their underhanded ways and was spitting feathers!

I called the RAC and got exactly the same cover for £75.00 (including home start)

Perhaps centrica who own the AA think that this scam will work, who knows perhaps they will try it with their gas customers yet!

Just goes to show that shopping around pays off big time!

Be aware when the AA offer you something for "FREE"

thanks

"If my car broke down at home at they cover me upto £45 how much more am i looking at paying for a typical call out charge to say jump start me or change a fuse or something..am I better of paying £94 for greenflag will I be better of...."


I think it is about £50. My car had a flat battery and a homestart (with GEM) in August 2004 and the invoice was for £45.83.