RAC result

[compo]

I received my renewal from the RAC breakdown service the other day. They wanted £97. As I haven't called them out in three years I wasn't too happy and looked around. The AA were the same near as dammit but Green Flag offered pretty much the same service for £57 odd. I have never been too sure about Green Flag. They strike me as if using local garages the mechanics may have an incentive to not get you going by the roadside as it is more profitable to get you into their garage. I have no evidence of this and I may be being totally unfair, but anyway armed with the information I rang the RAC. I just told them I couldn't afford their rates any longer, being an old age pensioner (that is the first time I have ever used that line!!) and that Green Flag were looking good based on price. After a bit of discussion the agent reduced the renewal price to £64.11, so I promptly said yes to that. I must admit I prefer the RAC or AA to Green Flag so a result.

 

[Brandane]

Good result; however....... I don't know if things are still the same, but I do know that both the RAC and AA used to sub-contract their recovery work to local garages and recovery operators. Same as Green Flag do. Makes economic sense as well as giving the customer a more timely response when you are broken down miles from the nearest AA/RAC patrol.

 

[ianrauk]

Nice one Compo.

I play the same game every year with our house and buildings insurance provider. They send a renewal which is usually much higher. Then we play the game of I get some internet quotes, go back to them and they give me a cheaper price.

 

[swee'pea99]

We've been with this lot for a decade. £42 a year all in, including home start. I think we've called them three times (punctures) and each time they've been very quick and efficient.

 

[winjim]

I hope you got your free tax disc holder.

 

[compo]

I hope you got your free tax disc holder.

Yes, got my tax disc holder. I can put my final disc in it! Also received my get my keys back free key fobs as well lol

 

[welsh dragon]

Good result; however....... I don't know if things are still the same, but I do know that both the RAC and AA used to sub-contract their recovery work to local garages and recovery operators. Same as Green Flag do. Makes economic sense as well as giving the customer a more timely response when you are broken down miles from the nearest AA/RAC patrol.

Your right. The one and only time I called the AA out was when I was on my way to work one morning. I called the AA, and someone from a local garage came out. I had no idea they sub contracted up until then.

 

[Archie_tect]

Alternative is to have AA cover on the car not the driver... our car is covered that way, for whoever is driving it, but we aren't covered in anyone else's. Think it's £32 a year with roadside assistance but not recovery Homestart. It'll be on the AA website.

 

[JtB]

I had a similar experience with the RAC with substantial reductions following a phone call. Annoyed me though that I'd obviously been paying over the odds for all the previous years.

 

[Saluki]

Alternative is to have AA cover on the car not the driver... our car is covered that way, for whoever is driving it, but we aren't covered in anyone else's. Think it's £32 a year with roadside assistance but not recovery Homestart. It'll be on the AA website.

We have this but we have recovery with it. With 2 dodgy Rovers in the last 2 years, we have had our money's worth with the AA.

 

[fossyant]

Not had our money's worth with the AA - got two older Japanese cars - they don't break down. Last time was some years ago from a flat battery - the car had been at a car boot with doors and boot open for hours. Used it twice before for the in-law's car - I cycled down to where the car was as it had an attempted break in - and the steering wheel was snapped off ! Got it home via my AA !

 

[Over The Hill]

I think the whole thing harks back to the days of being "stranded" and breaking down a lot. I really don't think it happens.

We have two cars in our family and neither have broken down in 10 years while on the road. I had a puncture 5 years ago and changed the wheel myself (far quicker than waiting for a man to do it) and I did have a flat battery when on holiday and parked up for a week. It took five minutes to locate a nearby garage, him ten minutes to arrive and jump start the car all for £20.
So those two things were sorted out quicker than the AA would. Also I have saved at least £1,000

 

[citybabe]

Someone once told me that Green Flag don't have the same amount of recovery vehicles that the AA and the RAC have. So you may have a longer call out waiting time

 

[Crankarm]

Breakdown cover is a waste of money. I had RAC cover about 15 years ago, but stopped it as my cars don't break down. In the time since then I have saved over £1,500 and not had a single break down. These organisations are worse than insurers promoting a climate of fear that something will break or fail and you need their cover, not. Most modern cars are pretty reliable. Gone are the days where they churn over and over on a cold morning refusing to start like British cars of years gone by. But then there are no British cars left as most were pretty crap.

 

[potsy]

Been with the RAC for a few years now, pay for it out of my Tesco Clubcard points so have no idea how much it actually is.

I remember being with the AA years ago and getting a letter to say they might cancel my membership as I'd used them too many times in a 12 month period, think it was 3 times but not certain.

Needed them a few times over the last couple of years, twice because I used the car that seldom that my battery had gone flat, and once to tow me to a garage after the suspension coil snapped and had sliced the tyre, worth it for the peace of mind imo