60% increase in RAC renewal

[Chantholtmouse]

I've just had my RAC recovery renewal documents through. Monthly payments have gone up by 60%. 60%!!! AIBU to think this is just absolute profiteering? I'll have to cancel.

I had a similar issue with AA a few years ago- my annual renewal quote was almost twice the previous cost (and I had not called them out so it was not that). When I checked online the price being advertised to new customers was far cheaper. I spoke to several people in customer services, expecting that they would agree to give me the new customer price if I stayed. But no, their advice was to switch for a year then come back as a new customer for the cheaper price and repeat every few years. Needless to say I have not gone back to them!

Yeah I think that I'll have to keep switching. Thanks for the advice. I haven't called them out in since 2014 so this level of profiteering is really annoying. People just can't afford to keep going like this.

I left rac last year as the renewal cost was crazy. Now with a company from a price comparison site, £50 with tow and home start for me and dh. Was a little worried I wouldnt get the 5* treatment but had to call them out and they were there quick and got me back on the road. No complaints. Renewing with them this year

It's 2gether insurance in case you want to try them

I don't understand why anyone uses the RAC or the AA when you can get the same cover for a fraction of the price from Autoaid or GEM.

Thanks

Hard for people to use them if they've never heard of them. I never have.

Green Flag are pretty good. Usually half the price of AA or RAC.

Shockingly bad service from RAC previously. Will never use them again.

Try Compare the Market website OP or just type compare car breakdown cover in your search bar.
Fill in your details and a whole list of options, with prices, will be displayed.
Some you may well have never heard of but some you will.
Depending on how cautious you are about this sort of stuff - I'm very cautious - you can do further research for more info about specific companies to get a better view.

I never just renew with anyone, and so far, fingers 🤞, I've never had a problem.
Good luck.

Two options for you

1 - All insurance companies offer a breakdown service option with your car insurance. Ring your provider & see what they can offer.

2- I purchased Breakdown cover about 1 year ago through those irritating meerkats for about £45. They had lots of companies to choose from etc….

Both options must be worth a try.

I had this in Spring, rang them and gave them my cheapest quote elsewhere and they instantly offered me £5 below that. So it went from something like £112 quid a year at renewal to £60something. They are clearly trying it on and hoping people don't shop about.

Never renew breakdown cover. Let it lapse and join online as new the next morning.

I get my AA cover through my bank account as a reward, including family travel insurance, family mobile phone cover and emergency home care. Costs me £15 per month and this hasn't increased in about 5 years I think. Could you consider something like this?

I've been with AutoAid for about 3 years now. In that time I've called them to change a tyre twice, and once to get the car started when the battery failed. All three times a mechanic has shown up within an hour and got me on the road again. It costs me £50 or £60 a year and that's for home start, call out etc. Its vehicle specific but I only have one car so its perfect for me.

So many people (including me) have had useless service from AA and RAC, I've no idea how they stay in business. And I hadn't heard of AutoAid before, but that's why I use Money Saving Expert, because they do the shopping around and research for me.

Green Flag, Was with someone else that was rolled in with insurance and other things! Confusion marketing. 2nd year I unravelled it all and now pay for Green Flag. Used twice in 5 yrs. VG service.

do you know what cover you have though? Might well be the lowest level e.g. without home start, onward travel etc

Yep. RAC quoted me £325 at renewal, it was £120 last year. Went with AA as got it free as I also took my car insurance out with them (2nd cheapest quote anyway).

I just call them and tell them I will cancel unless I get a discount. always works.

I called them up on renewal and got it cheaper than i had before! Didnt need to threaten to leave, just called and said ive had my renewal through, im sure you know whats coming, had a laugh and was just polite!

We have AA , family membership , top level cover , every year they send in the renewal and it’s astronomical and we ring up and get it reduced to a couple of pounds more than the year before .