Breakdown cover

[GnatG]

SWMBO's Fabia's Skoda Assist is up for renewal next month. Haven't had any documents through yet, but was wondering what the best breakdown company is. Our insurers are offering breakdown through Green Flag but haven't checked the price yet. Had bad experiences with the AA in the past, and the 1 time we called out Skoda Assist (RAC) their service was brilliant. RAC are quoting £130 for joint cover. So which one should we pick?

[skodagirl1985]

I used AA when I past my Test cos I got one years free breakdown cover cos I learn't to drive with then. I had to call them out when I brokedown in my first car way out in the sticks and I found them very good. They rescued me within about 30 mins of calling. But after the year ran out I didn't renew my Membership as they were too expensive. I took out breakdown cover with Green Flag who were much cheaper.

[philje123]

Have called RAC out twice now and both times they've been with me withing 20 mins and very good service from the drivers!

I get my breakdown cover with my bank account for £10 a month... along with many other benefits!

[skodagirl1985]

Originally Posted by philje123

Have called RAC out twice now and both times they've been with me withing 20 mins and very good service from the drivers!

I get my breakdown cover with my bank account for £10 a month... along with many other benefits!

Thats not bad going. What bank are you with?

[GnatG]

Originally Posted by philje123

Have called RAC out twice now and both times they've been with me withing 20 mins and very good service from the drivers!

I get my breakdown cover with my bank account for £10 a month... along with many other benefits!

I've got a freebie AA cover for my own car through the bank, but it only covers roadside. So that's why I'm looking to get something with a recovery and home start option covering both cars (my one's a bit long in the tooth now!).

[Captain Sisko]

+1 for RAC
I have been a member with them since 2006
Called out once when my clutch cable went snap.

Costing me under £80 for vehicle cover (Roadside and Recovery). You can also get a Briskoda discount if you're a freedom member.

It all depends on what cover you want. Vehicle/Personal, Roadside and Reocvery, onward travel, home start and europe.

I just needed Roadside and Recovery and vehicle cover as I didn't see the point of personal based cover.

[philje123]

Originally Posted by skodagirl1985

Thats not bad going. What bank are you with?

Im with Halifax... it also gives me mobile phone insurance, travel insurance, home assistance (if i lock myself out of the house or have a plumbing disaster etc!).

The breakdown cover i get includes Homestart... well at least i think it does... he came out the other week to my house to get me in my car after locking myself out of it anyway!

[cheezemonkhai]

Britannia or will be when the skoda assist runs out.

[Aspman]

My sis has Tesco basic cover which is £27 now and it worked well for her when her gear selector broke.

can't comment on any of this I've been covered with purchase of the car for the last 5 years but it's worth a look

Breakdown cover: Get the cheapest roadside recovery policies...

[Stuart_J]

RAC - Great

AA - Start thumbing a lift, had to use them twice, pretty bad experience both times, second time was after my wife had an RTA, her car was blocking the A34 in rush hour, AA wanted 1.5 hours to get there, told the Police to organise a recovery to a local yard whilst I went to the Hospital & I paid the bill. Police sorted it & even had the car put inside as the windows were open & the keys were with us at the hospital

[anewman]

I'm with my insurer's breakdown cover (ecarinsurance). Gave RAC the shun after they put the breakdown cover price up. Not used them yet though so cannot comment on the service.

[Captain Sisko]

Tesco/Direct Line use Green Flag as they are all owned by RBS group.

RAC wanted more money for my renewal as but they soon dropped it.
Besides the price the service is good.

Doesn't hurt to shop around though.

Unsure how call outs affect Breakdown premiums though.
My sister pays £100 for her AA cover, she hasnt had to use them so I don't know why she's paying that much.

[GnatG]

Originally Posted by Captain Sisko

Tesco/Direct Line use Green Flag as they are all owned by RBS group.

RAC wanted more money for my renewal as but they soon dropped it.
Besides the price the service is good.

Doesn't hurt to shop around though.

Unsure how call outs affect Breakdown premiums though.
My sister pays £100 for her AA cover, she hasnt had to use them so I don't know why she's paying that much.

I've been checking some more - RAC offer no call out discounts the following year, but AA don't. That might explain it. Think we'll wait to see if Skoda send us a renewal for the warranty and breakdown, otherwise we'll take out a policy with RAC.

[fordfan]

If you are an AA member they are doing a scheme whereby for an extra £67 per year they will pay for repairs to your car, when they attend to it under the terms of your membership. The repair limit is to a maximum of £500, upto 4 times a year with a £25 excess. The repair must be done by the AA or a VAT registered garage and is for parts and labour

Apparently the list of items covered is quite comprehensive. It'll only take a Fabia steering sensor to pack up and it's more than paid for. I got this information from an AA patrol, he also couldn't see how they can make money from it.

In the AA myself, can't comment on the sevice as I haven't had to use them since I joined in 1991.

[loskie]

I've been with Britannia the last couple of years. Because they use local agents they come reasonably quick. I buy mine through CSMA very comprehensive cover for us both is about£110.
I try not to use them obviously but on the 3 occasions when I have they have been pretty good.

[djswivel]

My family have been with the RAC for the best part of 10 years. Brilliant everytime that they have come out. I think mothers pays £48 to cover all four cars in the household as we have been with them so long.

Mother-in-law had Green Flag, who the one time she needed them, said the couldn't get to her for 2 hours!!

[Alex]

First Call Breakdown, first heard about them from Money Saving Expert. Used them once for my Fabia, great response time and decent call centre, cheap too.

[andy2407]

Here's the RAC pricing for Freedom members....

Standard RAC Price
Briskoda Price (that you pay)*
Saving

Roadside
£43
£32.25
£10.75

Roadside, Recovery
£90
£67.50
£22.50

Roadside, At Home
£97
£72.75
£24.25

Standard Cover
(Roadside, Recovery, At Home)
£133
£99.75
£33.25

So even the basic roadside cover very nearly covers the cost of your Freedom membership - anything else and your quids in.

[andy2407]

If you get Tesco clubcard vouchers, its worth saving those to pay for your breakdown cover.

Can't remember which provider it is, but you can use vouchers at 4 times their face value.

[H Bomb]

I had a terrible time with the AA with my work van when it decided to part with its driveshaft - basically I rang them, with AA Fleet Card in hand, only for them to go "we only have your van registered in its original number plate not the one you are quoting, if we come out to you you will be held liable blah blah blah". I pointed out it had had a private plate since new, the plate was on the Fleet Card and that the boss had ok'd it but no they harped on even more. 2 calls later I got towed... and when I complained the following day they then admitted "oh yes we do have the plate on our records..."

Skoda Assist were great the other weekend when my car had a wobble in East Kilbride, big thumbs up - 20 mins from initial call to techie arrival.

Previously I was with breakdown Direct - cheap, cheerful and a delight to deal with!

[Emily-Elizabeth]

RAC are by far the best breakdown company. AA don't recover for free if you have an accident and they tend to take much longer to get out to you.

Green flag don't know their ar5e from their elbow.

[slider]

Covered twice!!

BMW assist and through Insurance!!

One came with car (obviously) and got the other as a perk when I work for NFUMutual, and they have let me keep it for free!

Have used Skoda assist in the past and service was great also used Ford cover as few years ago and also no problem

[yashicamat]

I'm with green-flag, which is free through my insurance policy (which was the cheapest policy I could find too!).