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Good afternoon backroomers,
I've always been an AA or RAC man for nearly 30 years now. I usually by Via Quidco and get pretty good deals and some decent cashback. In rencent times though Ive had breakdown via My Halifax bank account, including Roadside and Homestart but not recovery, I had to pay extra direct to AA for that. I used to haggle a little and get it for around £50 ayear, its now gone up to just £100 a year even though never used. So I started looking around and Ive read many discussions on here about AutoAid, Eversure, Start, Rescue my car etc. Ive had a look at a couple, Autoaid and Rescuemycar and there about £55 all in! even knocking the £40 excess off on Autoaid I believe. Seems very cheap.... so my question is, has anybody had to use any of the above, whats the service been like? obviously AA and RAC have giant fleets and they've been good if ever needed them (years ago). Thoughts? Pitfalls if any? just hinest experiences with them.
Cheers
Lee
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It shouldn't all be about the cost, it's more important to consider their service if you need it.
Some of my new cars have had breakdown cover provided as part of the new car warranty - both AA and RAC have let me down when I needed them - so subsequently I've used Green Flag, through the Caravan Club Mayday scheme and they've been briiliant recovering the car once after immobiliser faure and twice after an accident - they don't use the relay concept so no repeated long waits at motorway services.
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I have used Start rescue and called them out once, and have the 5***** European cover.
Prompt, driver drove me home after dropping off the car at the Kia dealer, a couple of miles out of his way.
Thoroughly recommend. Not the cheapest, but good and the app if you have a smartphone is good and easy to use.
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My son’s used Autoaid for a number of years and the two times he’s called them out it’s been pretty faultless. I do believe they’ve been bought out now though so not sure what impact this might have.
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It shouldn't all be about the cost, it's more important to consider their service if you need it.
Hence my post, the cost isn't an issue, it's the service I'm asking about, the cost just seems cheap in comparison to what I've paid previously so wondered if there was a downside. I'd happily pay double if it's spot on service. I know AA ABD RAC have to pay for bigger fleets, advertising etc. i was being charged £100 for a product that I could get off them as a new customer for £40 less. Thanks for the advise on the other points though, I'll be definitely looking at the other options.
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I've used Rescue My Car and National Breakdown. No problem with either.
I've used the RAC a couple of times in the past. Suffice to say I won't again.
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Used Start twice and rate them excellent. Relative used them and they insisted on providing a taxi for the elderly relation , the car and others on the recovery truck.
Green Flag recently took three hours to arrive to a friend then told him he couldn’t claim again for two weeks.
Bank account recovery performance with the large companies has been affected by the number of vehicles covered and difficulty recruiting technicians .
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From what I read and have heard, use anyone apart from the RAC who don’t get great feedback these days, several years ago they were highly regarded but not now. Which? Magazine now has the RAC as the bottom breakdown organisation.
There is a Facebook group called “RAC, How Bad Are They”, join that and read for yourself some of the member’s experiences. All breakdown services have the odd glitch and bad callout, but maybe not this extent.!
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Adding to the above, Which? Latest info, best to worst:
GEM Motoring Assist
Asda Breakdown
Breakdown Assist
Aviva
Start Rescue
AA
Green Flag
AutoAid
LV Britannia
Axa Assistance
Rescue My Car
Admiral
RAC
Covermybreakdown
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GEM Motoring Assist
I used GEM a few years ago pre Nationwide Flex plus cover. To be honest they were really good and we did need their services in Mrs BJ's Punto (Fix It Again Tomorrow).
The problem for me now is they don't seem to do European cover and Startrescue is highly recommended on this forum.
Edited by Big John on 20/03/2025 at 22:48
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Be aware that some providers will check if your MOT is valid, I'm not sure about VED or insurance, but there was a case a while back. In the terms and conditions of some, it states that it must be serviced too!
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Just got my RAC quote for Roadside + At Home, coming in near 50% more than last year at around £115, though they are now 'giving away' (how generous, given it's my money) me £10 to 'spend' on the premium or some other 'benefit', plus last year I got 15 months' worth of cover instead of 12 because they wouldn't budge on the price hike from that year!
I sourced a quote from Green Flag at just below what I was paying for the last year, so I'll see tomorrow if RAC will budge at all, and by how much if they do. Otherwise its shopping around time.
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Just got my RAC quote for Roadside + At Home, coming in near 50% more than last year at around £115, though they are now 'giving away' (how generous, given it's my money) me £10 to 'spend' on the premium or some other 'benefit', plus last year I got 15 months' worth of cover instead of 12 because they wouldn't budge on the price hike from that year!
I sourced a quote from Green Flag at just below what I was paying for the last year, so I'll see tomorrow if RAC will budge at all, and by how much if they do. Otherwise its shopping around time.
Andy, just go with Start. I'll even buy you a pint and lunch. pub at bottom of town.
Going up to meldreth shortly to see an old female friend.
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I see that Asda use Brittania Rescue for their recovery service but who do GEM use ?
Also GEM seem to provide personal cover which would suit me fine as I have two cars and only me driving.
Does anyone have any links to get a discount on Start or GEM please ?
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As some here might have seen me say ... I've been with Autoaid since 1984. But, like some others here, have become less enamoured with them and, as renewal is near, will look around.
I will now only want to cover myself driving two cars in the same household. I used to cover the Mrs and I for both cars.
I'm a member of CSMA/Boundless.
Anyone got any idea whether "Personal Cover" is still the best arrangement given the slight change that I've noted above? I may well go to CSMA/Boundless but will look at Start too.
For peace of mind I'd like full recovery and homestart even though I haven't had called on AutoAid for donkeys years.
Appreciate anyone's thoughts.
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Just rang START and asked abot Level 3 cover - Full recovery plus Home Assist.
Very helpful lady answered straight away.
To cover both cars with their "Vehicle" cover is ££134 or their "Personal" cover with just me driving is £109 or "Personal with both my Mrs and I covered goes up to £134
No age limit on cars.
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Boundless/CSMA membership price for "Personal" which covers the two cars and covesr myslelf plus the Mrs at no extra cost is £99. No age restriction on the cars
The bloke on the phone answered quickly and was helpful ... much like he lady from Start.
Edited by KB. on 22/03/2025 at 15:56
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Its seems odd, given the sort of cars I have generally driven, that I''ve only had breakdown/recovery cover for one year total (here in Taiwan, girlfriend bought it as part of the insurance) and have never needed it anywhere, (though an AA patrolman did once stop to help when I was fiddling with my Marina tappets in a snowstorm on the A9 near Aviemore, and his torch was better than mine)
And yet some of you new car enthusiasts seem to have quite extensive experience....
Low mileage, (and maybe a bit of luck) I suppose. Plus I quite often used to drive around with rather a lot of tools.
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OK, I think I'm sorted.
Rescuemycar quote for two cars with any driver (so my Mrs would be covered) is £84 less 20 % Quidco. That's for Roadside + Recovery + Homestart with no age limit on the cars (unlike Autoaid) and with no excess on callout (unlike Autoaid.
I don't know that they'e any better or any worse than anyone else .... I'll only find out if I break down - and even then it'll be a matter of luck where I am when I'm there and who's available at the time. No different to the AA or RAC.
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