Any experience of the AA or RAC?

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Much depends on where you are. Up here it doesn't really matter which organisation you are in, it is the same (independent) guys that will attend. :D
Just watch with the banks and insurance companies as to what they are actually giving you - have had many at the roadside in tears coz they didn't realise they were only covered for 10 miles or nearest garage! :eek:
 
Beneagles said:
Much depends on where you are. Up here it doesn't really matter which organisation you are in, it is the same (independent) guys that will attend. :D
Just watch with the banks and insurance companies as to what they are actually giving you - have had many at the roadside in tears coz they didn't realise they were only covered for 10 miles or nearest garage! :eek:
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Even with long distance, it's usually a relay isn't it.. and that could take a loooooooooong time?
 
trax said:
Even with long distance, it's usually a relay isn't it.. and that could take a loooooooooong time?
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That depends on whether the Organisation is "organising" the relay handovers ( a nightmare usually) or if they allow the independents to arrange the whole trip :)
 
ratty said:
This might help make yer mind up. read past the first 10 on each and the differences will start becoming apparent

RAC Breakdown Service Reviews at Review Centre.

AA Breakdown Cover Reviews | Breakdown Cover | Review Centre

Green Flag Breakdown Cover Reviews | Breakdown Cover | Review Centre

Britannia Rescue Breakdown Cover Reviews | Breakdown Cover | Review Centre
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Any experience of Start Rescue?? I've been with them for about 3 years, but never used the service, the reviews are pretty good and the cost is only £30 a year (3 star cover) for full UK Cover

Start Rescue - www.startrescue.co.uk Reviews | Breakdown Cover | Review Centre
 
DTd5 said:
Any experience of Start Rescue?? I've been with them for about 3 years, but never used the service, the reviews are pretty good and the cost is only £30 a year (3 star cover) for full UK Cover

Start Rescue - www.startrescue.co.uk Reviews | Breakdown Cover | Review Centre
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I've not heard of start but at £30 I'd say it was either equity red star or interpartner assistance which are pay as you go services. The service you get is equal to that of brittania or GF but you need to cough up the money for the call out fee and then mileage if you are towed at the time of the breakdown and then claim it back from them afterwards. It's a cheap way of getting full cover but no good if you are on the breadline and can't afford to stump up 400-500 quid up front.
 
I use the adrian flux break down cover... they got a bit narky at renewal about giving me another year and the woman even had the cheek to ask if my vehicle was road worthy because i'd used the service a whole 5 times in a year :lol:

Can't fault it though, been recovered from london to just outside portsmouth twice and a couple of local ones no questions asked
 
I'm with the AA, I find them good, sure sometimes there isw a bit of a wait but doesn't matter who you are with you will always get a wait during busy time. AA use thier own vehicles at all times whereas greenflag and others subcontract out to other local recovery companies, this can mean swapping between trucks when getting recovered and can be frustrating.
 
I use the AA and haven't had any problems. My wife ran out of diesel on the A9 at dunblane and called them out. Traffic cops pulled up to check she was ok and she told them what happened. Cos she had our toddler on board they had an extra traffic car get called in so they were surrounding the car as she couldn't stand behind the barrier. AA turned up 45 mins later and the cops ripped him a new one on how long he had been. Lucky for him he was in a flatbed so got winched straight on and taken away.
I did have my d1 recovered a few times from pay and play sites.(someone towed me to the road) but they were getting a bit funny about that as something had changed in there terms about recovery from off road sites.
 
The RAC carried me back from the Cairngorms to Ipswich, some 600miles, can't fault them.

You can get good green flag cover through the Natwest platinum account
 
chezvegas said:
I use the AA and haven't had any problems. My wife ran out of diesel on the A9 at dunblane and called them out. Traffic cops pulled up to check she was ok and she told them what happened. Cos she had our toddler on board they had an extra traffic car get called in so they were surrounding the car as she couldn't stand behind the barrier. AA turned up 45 mins later and the cops ripped him a new one on how long he had been. Lucky for him he was in a flatbed so got winched straight on and taken away.
I did have my d1 recovered a few times from pay and play sites.(someone towed me to the road) but they were getting a bit funny about that as something had changed in there terms about recovery from off road sites.
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Thats harsh, 45 mins for a recovery is really not that long plus its not the driver, they dont get the job posted to them until they finish their current one and then they get there as quick as they legally can, if I was that driver I would of told the traffic cop where to stick it!

When I got mine I checked about the off roading side of things and was told that as long as its accessible then there is no issue with the recovery no matter what state the vehicle is in, I get the feeling the drivers wouldn't be too happy though but then its their job, deal with it...
 
Since getting the Land Rover in June I've been with the AA and used them three times, once for recovery to a main stealer because of a weird electronic fault, once from the side of the M1 with a problem that turned out to be oil in the engine loom and last time back in January on the A50 just north of Leicester for a problem that turned out to be fuel starvation. In all cases they were able to get a flatbed truck to me within the hour (about 15 mins in one case) so no complaints. Of course, others' experiences may vary. . .
 
ratty said:
I've not heard of start but at £30 I'd say it was either equity red star or interpartner assistance which are pay as you go services. The service you get is equal to that of brittania or GF but you need to cough up the money for the call out fee and then mileage if you are towed at the time of the breakdown and then claim it back from them afterwards. It's a cheap way of getting full cover but no good if you are on the breadline and can't afford to stump up 400-500 quid up front.
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I've just had a look at the T&C's and they pay directly for all the Callout Charges; Recovery/Mileage Charges; and first 30 minutes of labour if the vehicle can be fixed at the roadside.

All you have to pay is parts and labour for any repairs lasting longer than 30 minutes.

Full policy details can be viewed here:

http://www.startrescue.co.uk/docs/termsandconditions_offline.pdf

The only thing I have noticed is the wording with regards to the age of the Vans or Commercial vehicles, which technically my 90 hard top is, as they will not cover vans or commercial vehicles over 8 years old.
 
The AA refused to take a prop off my 90 after a UJ failed whilst I was on holiday (no tools on me :eek:). Then proceeded to take 14 hours to get me home (200 miles) with little communication.

Went back to the RAC after that. They told me it would take 2 hours for a recovery truck to get to me. 15 minutes later I was loaded on said truck and heading home :) The RAC have always been good for me. Wouldn't go back to the AA.
 
My votes for the RAC. £10 a month and that gives me cover for everything, service is always very good and they've always turned up in no time.

Recovered me home when the timing belt went on my last car. Even got them out again the next day to tow me to a garage with no problems at all.
 
the_wolf said:
My votes for the RAC. £10 a month and that gives me cover for everything, service is always very good and they've always turned up in no time.

Recovered me home when the timing belt went on my last car. Even got them out again the next day to tow me to a garage with no problems at all.
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That's pretty good, I always thought you got 1 toe with a fault and them you are on your own
 
Jongould said:
I'm with the AA, I find them good, sure sometimes there isw a bit of a wait but doesn't matter who you are with you will always get a wait during busy time. AA use thier own vehicles at all times whereas greenflag and others subcontract out to other local recovery companies, this can mean swapping between trucks when getting recovered and can be frustrating.
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AA use subcontractors too. Due to a law change about 8 or 9 years back, recovery operators are limited to a 62 mile (100km) radius of where they are based unless they are running on tacho graph so the likely hood is that on a long journey yer gonna have to change vehicles regardless of who you're with.
 
ratty said:
AA use subcontractors too. Due to a law change about 8 or 9 years back, recovery operators are limited to a 62 mile (100km) radius of where they are based unless they are running on tacho graph so the likely hood is that on a long journey yer gonna have to change vehicles regardless of who you're with.
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I was under the impression they have stopped using subcontractors except for transport operations, if its a breakdown it should always be an AA operative that attends.
 
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