Roadside Recovery Policies Discussion

MSE_Martin

This discussion is based on the following article

CLICK HERE

To ask a question or make a comment click reply.

(note this article has been updated since the discussion started so some of the origina discussion may be out of date)

Galstonian

You say in your article "but the call out time is not substantially longer".  Do you have anything that quantifies this?

I have a very small sample to study (1 AA, 3 RAC and 1 GEM callouts in different places with different cars over more than 5 years) but GEM were nowhere near the longest call out time.  RAC had both the longest (very long, more than 2 hours) and the shortest time (less than 20 minutes).  On average there was very little to choose between any of these.  If this is important to you how can you find out past performance?  Does anyone give any kind of assurance about callout time?

MSE_Martin

The callout times were based their published response times. My prime focus was on AutoAid's response time (37mins) not GEMs (which i believe is similar) which is a little more but not much more than the published response of the AA or RAC.

The truth is there's no real accuracy on this - it depends on circumstance, however the main point is don't be put of pay and claim cos you think it'll take longer. In a specific case it's neither potentially 'true' or 'false'.

martin

System

Have they got a website?

Thanks

alared

Is this number correct for AutAid 01277 235500 or does the hated 0870 number need to be used?

lisyloo

I have not used them but it looks expensive compared to mine which is via
https://www.quotelinedirect.co.uk

I pay £60 (or maybe £59 can't remember) for rescue, recovery, at home AND europe.
I have only needed to call them out once but my experience of calling them out was posistive (and they answer the phone quickly).

I also called and asked whether my car could be taken to my favourite garage 12 miles away rather than the nearest one and they said fine.

One warning though, they are bad at spam, so if you're just looking then put your email address in as bob@aol.com (poor bob).

They claim they are cheaper because it's a "no frills" service so don't expect a glossy brochure or card.
Your certificate comes as a pdf that you can print.

No connection, except as satisfied customer.

Galstonian

I thought quotelinedirect were a broker, is your policy actually with them? I had a reccomendation for them through my employer and used my work email address to get a quote (which I did not proceed with). When I telephoned they immediately removed my address from their mailing list and I have had no more.

Breakdowndirect seems very expensive especially for older vehicles, there are separate (higher) prices for vehicles 11-16 years old. This may mean no cover available for over 16, not sure.

lisyloo

Just checked and it's with Europ Assistance and is £59 (not £60).

System

Hi, I wonder if you could answer a query?

My A.A. cover is due for renewal in 2 weeks. So I am interested in saving money and transfering to this company.

My query is, how reliable are they at refunding you?

I drive a reliable, but old escort. One day it will peg out on me (probably on the M11 on a dark and rainy night ).

Do I have to worry that I get towed someplace, pay up, then when I claim, someone says 'sorry luv, because your cars old we wont pay up'

I am not pleased at the A.A customer service because I queried why they dont give a discount for no call outs (which the R.A.C do). I got a whole £3 off next years premium! I was going to switch to the R.A.C, but if this company is upfront about refunds, then I will save even more.

Thanx
Ty

System

How does the AutoAid scheme define 'spouse'? Do the scheme apply equally to non-married couples and same-sex couples? Thanx

MSE_Martin

Before i deal with this can i just check - they are saying they wont offer you the policy for £38 arent they? As thats what the price should be. if this is the situation i will see what i can do.

martin