Breakdown Assistance

[soothepoo]

Does anyone have any good or bad experiences with any of the lesser known motoring breakdown assistance organisations (eg Direct Line, Europ Assistance etc)? DH is about to start work abroad for at least six months so I need to buy some peace of mind in case dd & I break down somewhere in the Bedfordshire wilderness! Some of these companies seem to be offering quite good deals, but I don't want to be giving my money to charlatans! Your comments would be appreciated - thanks.

[jasper]

recent AA experience.
New car would not start at friends house in NEwcastle with 3 hour journey home to Scotland ahead with 3 kids including newborn. AA man did not know what was wrong but thought it might be something to do with the ignition key.(it wasn't) He suggested he run dh home to Scotland to pick up spare key, bring him back to try it out - a round trip of 6 hours to test a hunch. What a barking mad idiot.We checked our policy and saw we were entitled to get our car transported home or to a garage AND get a hire car for ourselves. The AA man knew this but did not volunteer the info. I was not impressed.

Disappionting and maybe a one off as I have always had fantastic service from the AA in the past.

[soothepoo]

Thank you all for your comments. Direct Line looks promising!

[mears]

We are with Direct Line and have found them reaaly good. I am sure we got a discount through the TSB Bank.

[thumper]

Have also used Direct Line for years and never had problems. They have always arrived within the hour they have advised, usually well within, and know what they are doing. Of course, service might differ from area to area.

[GillW]

Don't Direct Line now own what used to be called National Breakdown and then Green Flag? We've used them for years and had no problems when we've needed to call them out.