What breakdown/recovery service?

[Dek]

It's time to renew my breakdown/recovery service and thought in line with most other forms of insurance I should shop around. Currently with Brittania and whilst probably not the cheapest generally get good reviews. What I need is breakdown cover away from home (not at home), recovery away from home including passengers for two cars. I think there is separate breakdown cover on the Cobra with Haggerty. Cover whilst in not your own vehicle (as with Brittania) would be useful but only at a sensible price. Any suggestions, personal anecdotes good or bad? Cheers guys.
Dek

[kdavies3]

I use Autoaid Breakdown look them up.
Very good value for money and I have needed them too.

[nuf_said]

Of the main dealers I think AA still do cover that is personal to you (ie in your car or in any other car). Could be joint cover for you and the management.
RAC only do the actual car registered with them.

One point - the AA wouldn't recover my chum's cobra after an accident. They only do 'breakdowns'. I think they wanted to charge £140 for a recovery, assuming he would claim it back from the insurance(s) involved. He skidded on spilled diesel from a council lorry and was one of about 10 cars involved - smashed each wheel rim and broke the steering arm. He fell out with the AA immediately, got home via a friendly recovery truck driver who wasn't needed by the car that called him out, and after giving the AA a round of cusses swapped to the RAC with immediate effect.

Another point, the AA were my car insurance brokers (not the cobra) and I stupidly assumed they were working in my interest to get me the best deal for the last 20 years. I now find I have been paying more than double what I needed to by going to the very same insurer directly. So that's me and my chum not pleased with the AA.

Their blokes on the breakdown vans, however, have always been brilliant when I've called them. Perhaps they should stick to car breakdowns which is what they were set up to do. Plus, saluting or not saluting to warn of speed traps - are you old enough to remember that?

Nuf Said

[Dek]

I use Autoaid Breakdown look them up.
Very good value for money and I have needed them too.

Just joined! They get a good review from Moneysaver and it's only £38 ! Only thing I didn't like was that it only covered spouses/civil partners. Ah-well could always get married or turn gay I suppose. Nah-I'd rather spend another £38 !
Dek

[RogerKnill]

Of the main dealers I think AA still do cover that is personal to you (ie in your car or in any other car). Could be joint cover for you and the management.
RAC only do the actual car registered with them.


Nuf Said

RAC also do personal cover. Wife and I are covered for driving or as a pasanger in any car including our daily drivers, the cobra and the motor bike. Daily drivers have needed recovering but not the cobra or the bike as yet.

[steve_h]

Check if you have cover with your bank account

I have with barclays

[cobrap]

Britannia Rescue have always done me proud. Stick with the devil you know. For a few more pounds it's worth it.

Do NOT sign-up with AA: After the experience my mate had with them earlier this year - see HERE, they do not deserve any custom whatsoever!!!

[MR JONES]

rescuemycar.com was 23 quid for my cob for national breakdown including full recovery to home or destination. used them a couple of times, quick response and no hassle
Ian

[Andy76]

I have AA cover through bank account, it is personal cover and includes home, roadside etc etc but does exclude europe. I have used them a few times for the tin top and have had no issues.

Whilst it goes against the grain paying for bank accounts it is worth asking your bank what you get. We get full family travel cover including winter sports, mobile phone cover for the 3 of us, AA cover plus varies other things that we wouldnt normally bother with such as lost key/cards cover. We reckon the travel and AA cover just about cover the bank charges alone