Loophole! RAC cover for £11

Former_MSE_Archna

What's the deal?

RAC's basic membership costs £33 for a year online, but currently it's possible to get a one-off £22 cashback via special sites, making the total price £11. Alternatively if you're a Tesco shopper and have Clubcard deals, you can pay with those to get it from £14.

Full details of both below and to see how it compares with non-loophole routes read the Cheap Breakdown Cover guide.

The Cashback Sites Route
Pay £33 and get £22 cashback = £11 for the year

What are they?

Cashback sites are simply special sites that list product providers and retailers, and when you click through them, they get paid for ‘providing leads’. Yet if you're a member (which is free) they give you some or all of what you earn it back.

What's the deal with the RAC?

Right now, sign up to the breakdown cover via a cashback site and you can get up to £22 cashback for doing it. You could also opt for higher cover, and get the same (or increased cashback at higher levels); though then it's a lower effective discount. Last time there was an equivalent deal, it was pulled quickly so do ensure you go fast.


The following are the top paying cashback sites

• Topcashback: Pays £22 to all Link: Topcashback

• Cashback Kings: Pays £22 but if you're new it takes the first £5 you earn each year (though if you switch to it from a different cashback site it'll waive your fee (read the details). Link: Cashback Kings

• Quidco: Pays £21 but if you're new it takes the first £5 you earn each year. Link: Quidco

• Wepromiseto: Pays £21 but if you're new it takes the first £5 you earn each year. Link: Wepromiseto

Warning! The cashback isn't 100% guaranteed

While there shouldn't be a problem with these deals; the payout on cashback sites is never guaranteed, as if there's a dispute with the retailer and the cashback site doesn't get paid - nor do you.

My suspicion is while this deal lasts, most people should get the payout. The cashback deal a day or two ago was higher, in fact some people were being paid to get policies. Yet at least one cashback site has informed the RAC it's doing this (which led to the cashback dropping) so as it's aware, that means it's far less likely to renege later.

If you're new to cashback sites, it's important you read all the pros, cons and warnings in the Top Cashback Sites article before doing this.

The Tesco ClubCard Vouchers Route
Pay with Clubcard points and get it 1/4 high st. price

For those that shop at Tesco's, instead of spending them instore you can swap them for Clubcard Deals vouchers which are worth four times the face value.

One of the deals available is RAC cover; the basic cover will cost you £14 in clubcard vouchers (a quarter of the non-online price) and you can get higher end policies at a quarter of the price. For more info read the article Breakdown Cover: Get RAC cover at 1/4 of the price

What does the cover include?

This is for RACs most basic cover which gives you roadside assistance anywhere in the UK 24 hours a day providing you are a quarter of a mile away from home. It doesn't offer home start cover. If your car can't be fixed by the roadside you'll be towed to a garage within 10 miles.

Want more than the basic cover? It's still possible for around £36

This is a quick tip based on the cashback loophole, yet it's not that much more expensive to get cover including home start and onward travel; without any loophole. Full details are in the Breakdown Cover: Get the cheapest article

Thanks to those already discussing it on the forums, we started a new thread for the email so we could give MoneySavers the full low down.

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jumanji

Thank you for this

I have just been onto the RAC site via Quidco to get my breakdown cover.

The RAC site has the quidco logo on it, along with:

Right now, 25% online discount* plus, Roadside cover, Solution 1 and Solution 2 all have £21 cashback. There's also £40 cashback with Solution 3 or Solution 4.


as well as:


* 25% discount applies to single, personal based cover with payment on a continuous annual basis for the first membership year only. Discount is not available on joint and family supplements. Offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Offer may be withdrawn at anytime. Full terms and conditions apply. Cashback available to Quidco members only and will be paid out by Quidco within 40 days of the policy start date. Any policies cancelled within the 14 day cancellation period will not receive the cashback.

akadruid

Does anyone know of a way to reduce the cost of renewing an existing membership? Or is it best to cancel and sign up again?

dusty330

You can use Tesco Clubcard to renew, akadruid. However you need to do it through the Clubcard site, and select the level of cover you want. This shows the "full" price (not your renewal quote) but of course you only pay one quarter of that amount, so it's still great value. When you get your RAC form from Tesco there is a part for existing members to enter their number. This means your membership is continuous.

In my case the renewal quote was £92 for roadside/recovery. The "full" price showed as £104: therefore I paid £26 in Clubcard vouchers. So I saved £66 against the renewal price RAC had quoted me

Paxo123

About renewing or cancel and then re-join. I have been with my breakdown company for 3 years now but have always cancelled and re-joined.

For example, this year (same policy ect):

Renewal charge £130
Online price for new customer £90
Plus £20 cashback.

When I rang to cancel the policy and got asked why, I explained and they said they could not match that price as it included discounts for online and new customer.

It was a hard choice to make - renew for £130 or cancel and effectively pay £70 for the same cover....

7000

Forgive me if this is a daft question, (I'm new to cashback!) but is the £22 paid back every month??

Thanks!!

MSE_Martin

7000 wrote: »

Forgive me if this is a daft question, (I'm new to cashback!) but is the £22 paid back every month??

Thanks!!

I've changed the original post to clarify this

You pay £33 for a year's membership
And get a one-off £22 cashback.

Carbootycat

Hi I'm sorry but I am a (bit) lot thick when it comes to understanding policies any sort of policies. I have been a member of the RAC since 1980. I am completly satisfied with their service and dont want to change. I pay £185 in 4 monthly instalments. I know I pay extra for paying this way but cant afford the lump sum. It doesnt say on the letters I have recieved at what level the membership is but I think it is a family one how many family members can you have on a family policy. We are now retired so dont use the car for going to work. My husband and I (how royal) travel together so one of us could come off would I be able to put our daughter on the policy she doesnt live at home would this make any difference?. I have just received my Tesco points all £25 worth so I cant pay with these. Would it be better for me to cancel my policy and start again anew as I dont get any extra benifits for being a good and loyal customer. Thanks Carbootycat

Carbootycat

:j Just seen Ive got my first star!!!!:T :T :T

NoisyScot

With my breakdown cover up for renewal, I've just spent a few days looking at options and in the end went for Green Flag - which covers the car, not one individual, so suited my one-car household fine.

Basic cover for the car was £29 less the £20 cashback via Quidco, means a crazy £9 cover for the year!

I realise this might not be suitable for everyone, but it's come up trumps for me.

luby-lou

Need a bit of help here. I want to take out RAC membership - have been saving up Tesco vouchers specifically for this so its come at a good time. However, I want to:

• Go via Quidco as I will get £40 cashback for going with option 3
• Use Tesco vouchers to pay
• Still get the on-line discount rate RAC are offering for online applications.

Is it possible to do all 3 and how do I go about it? Have found RAC customer service not very helpful.