Breakdown cover

[jasonyw]

Work related required breakdown cover as mandatory.

Had one in 1981 with AA, it was such a push off and money wasting, never had one since then.

What your recommendation with the most cost effective?

 

[Howard]

Why was it money wasting ?

They only have to get you off the motorway once a year and it's paid for itself.

I've been with the AA for 16 years and never called them once , but for the cost ( £100 a year ) , the peace of mind to me is worth it. Covers me in any car , even if i am a passenger.

If it is mandatory for your work , surely they should be paying for it ?

 

[Rory]

I have AutoAidBreakdown.mobi on one of our cars, which is mainly used locally, but I thought I should have a safety net in case I wasn't around to help.

Also came across these guys recently, probably on this or the other MB forum, but I don't know anything about them: Breakdown Cover | Cover Breakdown | Car Breakdown Cover

 

[ss201]

Both my (Mercedes) cars are insured with Peter Best (PBIS) on classic car policies, which includes UK and European breakdown cover (+ free windscreen replacement and agreed values for both cars). Far cheaper than paying an annual fee to a breakdown service provider. Being a Mercedes-Benz Club member also generates an additional discount on insurance too. PBIS are very nice people to do business with in my experience and they are extremely competitive on price.

 

[Howard]

How much is your insurance , less than £99 ?

 

[N7OGP]

i use the RAC called them last week only waited 15 mins for the patrol to arrive, there is only 2 proper service the the AA and RAC, i would not use green flag or any like that

 

[npuk]

AA or RAC. Go through quidco.com for cashback and it works out cheap. After a year cancel and do the same every 12 months.

 

[jasonyw]

How much is your insurance , less than £99 ?

£17K
Teenage drivers betrayed by insurers again - this time it's a safety course that won't cut insurance | Mail Online

 

[Dryce]

i use the RAC called them last week only waited 15 mins for the patrol to arrive, there is only 2 proper service the the AA and RAC, i would not use green flag or any like that

Depending where you are and the time of day the AA and RAC use sub-contractors.

Over the years we've had membership with AA, RAC, and GF and wouldn't rate any consistently over the others in terms of call out response.

Thinking back over the last 25 years I'd say that on a good day the AA have been the best. But looking back we've had hassle with them too - wrong type of recovery vehicle, trying to delay a recovery till next morning, and timewasting. So it all evens out.

Currently with GF who offered a decent deal last year and a better deal on the renewal this year.

 

[NISFAN]

No good for your situation, but I have a friend who swears by this approach:

He doesn't subscribe to any break down service, but when he does happen to break down, calls them up, gives a sob story about thought he was covered, takes out cover on the phone (at a premium price of course, no usual discount), and gets recovered. Happy days

If you only break down very occasionally, this method he suggests works a treat.

I use Mobilo or whatever a new car provides, but have only ever called out (with the AA at the time) the service once in all my years of driving. And that was when I had a courtesy car, brand new Alfa 147 that showed 1/4 tank of fuel and listed 60miles range, when it ran out of fuel on the M1 longest wait for 5 litres of fuel ever.

 

[Rory]

No good for your situation, but I have a friend who swears by this approach:

He doesn't subscribe to any break down service, but when he does happen to break down, calls them up, gives a sob story about thought he was covered, takes out cover on the phone (at a premium price of course, no usual discount), and gets recovered. Happy days

At the prices charged for the full recovery package without any discount he'd only have to break down about once every 6 years to be out of pocket. In that time, my daughter, whose SEAT Ibiza I bought cover for, has broken down 4 times.

I picked AutoAid (in my post above) based on positive feedback on one of the "money" forums. For £37 for a husband & wife driving any car I think it's worthwhile peace of mind for a service which offers full national recovery to home.

The "CoverMyBreakdown" policy is even cheaper, but the recovery part looks a bit vague (seems like they'll only recover you locally, but I suspect that's wrong, although the error doesn't inspire confidence.

 

[NISFAN]

Rory,

It was not that much when he did it last, think it was about 6 months ago. He paid something like £170 for a package that would have cost £95 or so, and was still coverd for 12 months after his breakdown. Sounded like a good deal to me

 

[Simba]

Rory, I am about to get some breakdown cover. In the past I have been with the AA / RAC but I have not been too happy with them.


I was thinking of trying Autoaid.Some of the guys over on the 190 owners forum use them. You seem to be happy with them,is that the case ?


I have been a bit wary of signing up with them,they seem a bit too cheap compared with the others.Am I just being silly,or should I give them a try.



Mike.

 

[jasonyw]

I broke down only once on A1(M1) to A14 with a broken water pump, where does AA or RAC can help me? It costs me £384 to get it repair at a local garage in Cambridge which took several hours.

I have to take it out as mandatory working for Dell as self-employed.

 

[Rory]

I was thinking of trying Autoaid.Some of the guys over on the 190 owners forum use them. You seem to be happy with them,is that the case ?


I have been a bit wary of signing up with them,they seem a bit too cheap compared with the others.Am I just being silly,or should I give them a try.

I've never needed to use them, so can't comment first hand. Bear in mind it's a Pay & Reclaim system - you either arrange your own call-out or they'll do it for you, but either way you have to pay and claim it back.

Lot's of info here: Breakdown cover: Cheap roadside recovery from £37...
with specifc comments about AutoAid: Roadside Recovery: AutoAid Feedback - MoneySavingExpert.com Forums

 

[Rory]

I was thinking of trying Autoaid.Some of the guys over on the 190 owners forum use them. You seem to be happy with them,is that the case ?


I have been a bit wary of signing up with them,they seem a bit too cheap compared with the others.Am I just being silly,or should I give them a try.

I've never needed to use them, so can't comment first hand. Bear in mind it's a Pay & Reclaim system - you either arrange your own call-out or they'll do it for you, but either way you have to pay and claim it back.

Lot's of info here: Breakdown cover: Cheap roadside recovery from £37...
with specifc comments about AutoAid: Roadside Recovery: AutoAid Feedback - MoneySavingExpert.com Forums

 

[Rory]

I broke down only once on A1(M1) to A14 with a broken water pump, where does AA or RAC can help me? It costs me £384 to get it repair at a local garage in Cambridge which took several hours.

I have to take it out as mandatory working for Dell as self-employed.

They help you by recovering you to the dealership. If you have Mobilo then that would cover you for breakdown recovery too.

Dell must be paying you for using your car so the cost of a breakdown service will be in that payment. I'd be amazed if Dell didn't have some kind of corporate deal with one of the breakdown services.

If you're self employed, can Dell tell you what to do?

 

[Simba]

Ok thanks,I do know about the pay and reclaim bit.I have had breakdown cover for years,and never needed it. It lapsed a short time ago and I broke down. All those years I never claimed and now I was on my own. My fuel pump packed up on the M4,the car just died on me. I got a relative to come and tow me to a garage. I have put off getting cover because I was
not sure who to go for.


I think I am going to try Autoaid. I know that once I do I will never break down again.


Oh well, sods law,but as it has been said.........peace of mind is a very good thing.


Thanks.



Mike.

 

[Stan the Man]

I have been with AutoAid for 3 years. I was stuck in a supermarket car park 2 years ago with a flat battery. Called AutoAid rescue centre who had a local breakdown unit on scene within 30 mins. The recovery guy got me started, checked alternator output was correct and advised me best place to get a replacement battery. The breakdown guy refused to accept payment saying that he claimed direct from Red Star. Excellent service.

Where else can you get the following cover for you and your spouse: Roadside repair, Recovery of vehicle and Passengers (Caravan/Trailer included), Home breakdown (65 pounds max), Alternative travel/Emergency accomodation, and more all, for 37 pounds per year.

 

[Dryce]

No good for your situation, but I have a friend who swears by this approach:

He doesn't subscribe to any break down service, but when he does happen to break down, calls them up, gives a sob story about thought he was covered, takes out cover on the phone (at a premium price of course, no usual discount), and gets recovered. Happy days

If you only break down very occasionally, this method he suggests works a treat.

You don't usually get anything other than basic roadside cover for the first 24 to 72 hours of membership.

So no relay. And you pay full whack.

And my experience over the years is that this is the most useful feature of these organisations as it means you get your car recovered to a location of your choice.