AutoAid Car Breakdown Discussion

chiny · 25 July 2015 at 2:46PM

A while ago, Mrs Chiny could not start her car at home. I blagged our usual service garage to tow it the half mile to their place and fix the problem. I paid the bill, forwarded it to AutoAid who paid promptly without demur. It really was that simple.

I'm about to holiday in Spain, driving my own car and wondering whether to upgrade the AutoAid cover appropriately - any experiences ?

I see that KwikFit are cheaper but I still harbour a grudge from the early 80s from a transaction with them

In any case, I need 60 days cover.

dobspoon_2 · 27 August 2015 at 2:42PM

At the time of writing my wife has been waiting for AutoAid's suppliers to recover her for 2h 10mins. With our three kids. I called regularly for updates and was constantly told - another 15 minutes, another 15 etc. Been a member for a number of years but won't now renew.

muhandis · 19 September 2015 at 7:13PM

Been with AutoAid for my motorcycle for 2 years now.

Have had to use them once each year - the first time because I left my headlight on and the battery went flat, the second time I ran out of petrol (it was on a day of tube strikes in London, exceptionally busy roads and consequently excessive fuel consumption).

Each time it took them about 1.5 hours to get me a repair van which was sent by a local garage who sent me an accurate ETA as soon as I was off the phone.

The call center was efficient, no nonsense and didn't quibble about any T&Cs. I didn't have to make any payment, the garage said that they would claim from the insurer. Apparently that's how it is for motorcycles in London for AutoAid, no upfront payment needed.

Yes it did take them more than 90 minutes to get a van out in London, but on the whole I'm very happy with the service provided given that it costs only £40 a year and covers breakdowns for ANY vehicle that me or my wife is driving, anywhere in the country.

crazyvish · 3 October 2015 at 3:29AM

I own a Honda and I am using AutoAid for the last couple of years as my recovery cover. I had an issue one snowy winter night where I hit a bump on the road and broke my exhaust pipe. It was hanging down on to the road and was making rattling noise so I decided to stop and called for the recovery.

I had my Mrs, infant and a toddler with me at that time. AutoAid quoted 1hour for the recovery to arrive. I was lucky that this happend just 5 miles down the road, so I booked a cab and sent them home. It was a bank holiday night and costed us £20 for the taxi.

The recovery arrived and pulled the rear exhaust off the car and asked me to get it fixed at a later time. I drove off with a roaring sound and got it fixed at my local garage. I asked AutoAid whether or not I can claim for the taxi and I was told No. Is this correct/reasonable?

Norman_Castle · 3 October 2015 at 7:58AM

crazyvish wrote: »

I asked AutoAid whether or not I can claim for the taxi and I was told No. Is this correct/reasonable?

Yes and yes. https://www.autoaidbreakdown.co.uk/autoaid/breakdown_services.jsp

doleawg · 3 December 2015 at 9:27PM

Just went to use them tonight for the 1st time and was informed I would not have to pay anything as the company was in transition from one firm to another? Website still taking orders under old pricing structure but there does seem to be some change afoot.

discat11 · 3 December 2015 at 9:49PM

I too have been a member for a few years now and been nothing but completely satisfied.
The proof in the pudding of any insurance company is how they deal with claims.

2012 and we're on our way to Belgium on my vintage motor scooter. A terminal breakdown on a B road 10 miles from Dover means we need to be recovered. The free breakdown cover through my classic bike policy couldn't help for 4 hours or more (!) -it was getting late, we had a very slight chance of still making our early morning ferry if we were recovered quickly and used another vehicle, so I rang autoaid.

The turned up (or the specialist MC recovery firm they arranged did) in 90 minutes and got us home in time to catch our ferry next day.

I put the claim in and had the money back on the credit card 8 days later and the policy was still in place and hasn't risen since due to the claim.

Can't fault that and have just renewed again for another year at £42.

doleawg · 3 December 2015 at 11:05PM

1st Experience. Guy came out, tried to fix the window closed but in the process managed to break the window. He was trying his best, these things happen, the mechanism was broken so it was a garage job anyway. Now a slightly bigger job. He says his company will pay for window so lets see what happens.

zagubov · 4 December 2015 at 1:50PM

Been with them for I don't know how many years. Called them out for flat tyres dead batteries almost every year. Biggest problem is that the local garage that comes to deal with us is dead slow and stop at delivering invoices and autoaid won't help us chase them. So we miss deadlines and don't always reclaim in time.

But if I have a problem near work they came and sorted it out and no money changed hands which is why I'm still with them. I've saved so much money using them I don't know why they let me renew my membership.

Lulu2 · 21 January 2016 at 11:00AM

I've been with Auto Aid on Martin Lewis's recommendation for a few years, I've only had to use them a couple of times and had a no hassle service both times. Just about to renew my cover - definately recommend!:)

AutoAid Car Breakdown Discussion

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