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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think this is a lot for breakdown cover?

59 replies

waveafterwaveafterwave · 27/04/2020 11:10

The RAC has quoted me £175 to renew my breakdown cover for the year.

This seems very steep to me so I will probably cancel. Before I do, I just wondered what other people pay for breakdown and if there is any advantage to staying with RAC over other companies?

OP posts:
TalkingTown · 27/04/2020 13:16

NC for this as outing but I also had a nightmare with RAC

Left on side of dual carriageway at a very busy exit junction so traffic flowing on either side. If you live in the north (don't want to be too specific!) you may know where I mean

3 females in car, one child, was about 23:30 (after an event)

Said they would come but it would take 2 hours, ok we'll wait. About 30 mins after another car broke down near us (about 00:00 now)

30 mins later police towed us to nearby street as not safe where we were. Called RAC to update location, they had no record of our call and would be another 2 hours starting now (00:30)

Other breakdown family started talking to us, said they were told 1 hour by RAC, nobody turned up

Called after the two hours (timing from the location update) only to be told it would be another 2 hours. Asked why I wasn't called and told that wait time had changed, no explanation (02:30)

Turned up at about 4:00 and gave our reg so we knew it was for us. Other family came over and started insisting they take them as they had called first (not true) and they were only told 1 hour as opposed to 2 (unfortunate but not our fault) and they had a kid in the car (so did we). RAC man said he had been called out for us, but we could sort it between ourselves if we wanted! I'd had enough by this point and quite firmly told him to load the car on immediately. After all the faffing and arguing we finally left about 4:45, for an hour's journey home

Not before the CFs shouted abuse and insults at us (not RAC's fault obviously!)

Netty909 · 27/04/2020 14:01

This happened with me with AA. The price was doubled. Phoned up to cancel as increase too much and couldn’t afford it, so would take a chance and rejoin if I had a problem in the future. Got put through to Retention Department who negotiated a new price, think it was actually cheaper than previously.

speakout · 27/04/2020 14:05

I have a joint policy with my OH through RAC. Cover costs £140 for both with homestart and roadside assistance.

Having said that it doesn't cost me a penny because I pay the whole amount with Tecso Clubbcard vouchers- a deal gives 3 time voucher value, so £45 worth of clubcard vouchers pays my whole premium for the year.

onanothertrain · 27/04/2020 14:06

Very much depends on the level of cover.
I get mine with my bank account along with other benefits and the fee is cheaper than the same level of cover alone.

Downinthedumps99 · 27/04/2020 15:49

We pay £13 per month for 3 cars (inc home start) so yep thats way too much

TerrapinStation · 27/04/2020 15:54

Breakdown cover doesn't depend on anything other than the level of cover you want. It's not based on what car you drive or where you live or how much your drive.

RAC renewal quotes are high so definitely phone if you want to stay with them. For the past 2 years I've paid around £100 for two drivers with everything apart from home start.

LightHeartedOnly · 27/04/2020 16:10

What is the level of cover?

Purpleartichoke · 27/04/2020 16:12

You need to pay attention to what is covered too. Cheapest price might have very few miles of tow covered.

Honeyroar · 27/04/2020 16:31

My RAC renewal was huge a couple of years ago. I looked at AA and Green Flag, but weren’t much cheaper. Finally went for Start Rescue, who were recommended on here and half the price.

safariboot · 27/04/2020 20:24

Agreed with read the small print! For example I've found terms that claim a vehicle that's ever used for business is not covered, even if the breakdown occurs on a personal journey.

RingtheBells · 27/04/2020 20:50

DH has Green Flag just over £100 for everything, I get the Ford Assist as I have my Fiesta serviced at a Ford garage.

We were in the AA for years but cancelled a few years ago as it was heading towards £200

Ragwort · 27/04/2020 20:55

Ring is Ford Assist still going? I bought a new Ford Fiesta this year (on payment plan) but was told that it wasn’t available anymore Confused. I previously had a Fiesta on the same plan, same garage two years ago and Ford Assist was included for the first year only,

bruce43mydog · 27/04/2020 20:56

My car broke down and I had to pay £185 with AA it was well worth having and they were there in 20 minutes.

Its expensive but its good to know that you will be helped in emergency situations.and that covers me all year.

I sometimes leave the cover to save money

But I leave emergency money if I need to join.

donquixotedelamancha · 27/04/2020 20:59

Yes, it's far too much. You want Autoaid or similar. Same service, a third of the price.

I've been with Autoaid and RAC and I don't agree. Autoaid are miles better service for a third of the price.

I once waited 3 hours for RAC by the side of the road and never less than 1.5 hours. I've never waited more than 45 min with Autoaid.

msmith501 · 27/04/2020 21:03

I pay £75 a year for full European breakdown and get me home and courtesy vehicle with my insurance which in turn use green flag. The quote you have seems expensive on the face of it.

scorpio32 · 27/04/2020 21:05

I've been with the AA and the RAC in the past. I'm with Green Flag now and they are fantastic - I've got nothing but good things to say about them.

When I had a coolant leak the mechanic did a Heath Robinson fix in the dark and drizzle that survived the journey home and the trip to the garage the next day. He was absolutely fantastic

HappyMumsie · 27/04/2020 21:06

My 6 year old Nissan was £26 with rescuemycar.co uk

RingtheBells · 27/04/2020 21:17

Ragwort yes, my car is 4 years old, I have the scheduled service each year at the Ford garage and get the Ford assist, I did the same with my old Ford, that used to have a cheaper ford service and I still got it

RingtheBells · 27/04/2020 21:22

It’s called Ford Service activated assistance, I just looked on website

Badoukas · 27/04/2020 21:29

After years with AA and one year with RAC (not great), I am now with Green Flag. Got sick of the yearly phone call to AA to re-negotiate the price after their increasingly extortionate renewal quotes.

bridgetreilly · 27/04/2020 21:50

Tell them you're going to cancel and see what deal they can offer you. Especially if you can quote an alternative price from another provider.

notchickenagain · 27/04/2020 22:08

Another one here who's uses Tesco clubcard vouchers. Been with RAC for about 30 years and no complaints. We renewed today £198, everything included and for four drivers. If we didn't get it 'free', would probably look around but quite happy at the moment.

SynchroSwimmer · 27/04/2020 22:27

It’s much cheaper to add it in with your insurance - as other posters write.

A friend let it expire by one day - and Then got a fantastically reduced rate on the phone the following morning.

I have unexpectedly struck lucky when the increased renewal came - I rang them with a view to cancelling, but because I was sounding weary and a bit p98ed off, they gave a much better deal to renew over the phone....which I wasn’t expecting!

Alexsay · 27/04/2020 22:40

Eversure breakdown company, silver policy, £35. Used them three times so far, never waited more than 40 mins. Includes unlimited call outs, home starts etc. Been very impressed with them and the price is amazing. Ten year old car.

SomeHalfHumanCreatureThing · 27/04/2020 22:44

Argh why didn't I think of Tesco vouchers.

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