Roadside Recovery Article/MoneySavingExpert.com Discussion

apples1

Tried the RAC discount code from this thread and was told not allowed to use in conjunctin with our (40%) no call out accrued discount. It was one or the other. Even when said would cancel they just said ok. It was pay the £112 or bye.

Worth a shot but no joy. My husband is reluctant to swap to lesser know company as he worries about me breaking down with our child in the car and not having 100% help when I need it. I was willing to swap but he pointed out every pitfall of the other options so on this one I fail to be a money saver.

inmypocketnottheirs

I don't think your husband has any grounds to fear a swap away from RAC. In my opinion, the RAC and AA are slower in responding to breakdowns than the other operators. Any breakdown service gives priority to lone females. Another choice that has been recommended by Martin is Age Concern breakdown service. It is open to any age, but because they think you are an OAP they react quicker still. And it saves you money.

deanos

apples1 wrote:

Tried the RAC discount code from this thread and was told not allowed to use in conjunctin with our (40%) no call out accrued discount. It was one or the other. Even when said would cancel they just said ok. It was pay the £112 or bye.

Worth a shot but no joy. My husband is reluctant to swap to lesser know company as he worries about me breaking down with our child in the car and not having 100% help when I need it. I was willing to swap but he pointed out every pitfall of the other options so on this one I fail to be a money saver.

If you want to keep the RAC and save more than half the price https://www.norwichunion.co.uk , there breakdown is by the RAC as they are the same company and if you get it over the phone they will offer you 14 months cover for the price of 12

apples1

Thank you Deanos I will give that web address to my husband this evening. Much appreciated. Will come back and let you know how we get on. Cheers v much.

apples1

Tried norwich Union online but site not working so my husband rang for quote. They quoted £150.83 against our RAC quote of £112 (including 40% no call out discount) so it certainly wasn't cheaper for us. That was like for like cover (although the Norwich Union actually offered slightly less in that they won't recover you from an accident and they limit roadside assitance to £175 worth of time). They didn't offer 14 months for price of twelve either.

Thanks for suggestion though. Worth a try, just posting outcome for anyone else who it may help.

deanos

Wow that seems expensive it cost me £55 a couple of weeks back with them and got 2 months free

Biggles

I'm in the group that likes the idea of bright orange/yellow vans.

Don't bother with the AA, then. I've needed them twice over the last few years and not seen a yellow van. Both times I've just had a tow truck turn up from a garage 30 miles away (not even from the nearest big town 5 miles away). In addition to not being AA patrols, on the first occasion they didn't know that, as I was a Relay Plus subscriber, they should have offered me a replacement car till mine was fixed, which turned out to be three days later. Apparently it was up to me to remember every term and condition of the policy, word for word, and demand my rights. AA didn't even apologise when I complained about this, even when I pointed out my wife was disabled. The writing's been on the wall since then.

I figure if I'm going to have a local recovery firm anyway, I might as well pay far less and have AutoAid do the job.

But I have one question: in the sad event that I have driven out in a hurry without cash, credits cards or cheque, will AutoAid still do the job?

Happy_Shrimper

Like Biggles, I used the AA last year, and after 4 hours I finally got recovered by a local firm - not the AA (although did get a AA van after two hours to tell me they will have to get a recovery truck to take me home!).
For the same reason, I can't see the disadvantage of AutoAid where I can either get Autoaid to send someone to me, or call around for the quickest response from local operators.
It also has cover for home start which I didn't have before. Plus hotel accomodation or transport costs if the car cannot be fixed.

£112 or £32. hmmm?

Phoned AA this morning to cancel renewal in Feb, offered to put me through to see if a deal could be done, but turned down the offer. Phoned Autoaid straight after; cover to start when AA expires!

Been with the AA for 16 years. Thought they might have put up more of a fight ;-)

deanos

The only downside with Autoaid or any claim back schemes is you have to have the money to pay the recovery firms

Happy_Shrimper

That £80 saving should go a long way towards the first recovery ;-)