The AA and the like.

OwenP · Post by **OwenP** » 26 Sep 2009, 11:11

I've just had my renewal notice from the AA and had a bit of a shock when I saw the price (£153) Just had a quick look around online and have found that Green Flag, The RAC, and infact the AA all cost about £115 for equivalent cover levels to what I have if you buy online.

Does anyone have any thoughts on the best of the bunch?

I have found the AA to be very helpful over the last few years, but I don't like being squeezed to pay for new customer's discounts.

(The cover level I'm on is Roadside, Homestart and Relay)

Post by **myglaren** » 26 Sep 2009, 11:25

Try your insurance company - I have breakdown cover included @ I think around £40/year.

red_dwarfers · Post by **red_dwarfers** » 26 Sep 2009, 12:35

Autonational Rescue!

VERY helpful and mega excellent value. I've got the top package which includes recovery from anywhere in the UK and at home, they will pay for accommodation and alternative travel if necessary and its only around £60

Post by **CitroJim** » 26 Sep 2009, 13:12

Britannia Rescue. £84 a year for all-car cover.

I had cause to use mine last weekend

Absolutely faultless service in all ways. That's not a one-off as I've used them several times for my son's cars and every time, spot-on.

I believe you get a discount if you join the CSMA (Civil Service Motoring Association) and I believe the main requirement of actually being a Civil Servant has now been relaxed and any profession may now join.

OwenP · Post by **OwenP** » 26 Sep 2009, 14:17

I think my insurance offers green flag, but I can't remember the cost and I haven't dug out the documents yet.

Hadn't heard of the other companies I'll have a look at them.

CitroJim, I'll have a look into that, but it may have to wait a while as my profession currently is unemployed! Although hopefully that will change soon, after yesterdays job interview.

DickieG · Post by **DickieG** » 26 Sep 2009, 15:53

I've been looking at this issue recently as my fleet is getting older now, I need recovery for me and SWIMBO driving any of our four daily cars, the RAC seem to be cheapest @ £96.

By comparison my insurance premium for the DS this year this was £105 including full European recovery

which when combined with free road tax means the standing charge for recovery, tax, insurance and MOT of that car is £150 all in

about the only thing that is cheap about running a DS!

MikeT · Post by **MikeT** » 26 Sep 2009, 23:02

What made me laugh about my AA renewal was the £20 admin charge (by the AA) for arranging (brokering) the service from some outsourcing company! And if you mention the word cancel, they will offer a discount or two but I didn't buy it as I didn't need it.

Trainman · Post by **Trainman** » 27 Sep 2009, 08:16

I did the RAC through Tesco vouchers covering HRH and myself, for the top package bar one, it should have £160, got it for £40 in vouchers.

citrov6 · Post by **citrov6** » 27 Sep 2009, 09:02

the AA are helpful, but the relay is rubbish now, only 50 miles , then they charge 2pound a mile

it covers my every day journey, but i will be switching on next renewal

OwenP · Post by **OwenP** » 27 Sep 2009, 11:47

citrov6 wrote:the AA are helpful, but the relay is rubbish now, only 50 miles , then they charge 2pound a mile it covers my every day journey, but i will be switching on next renewal

When did they introduce that? Was no mention of it last month when I got driven home on a lowloader (about 70-80 miles).

citrov6 · Post by **citrov6** » 27 Sep 2009, 12:30

thought i read it in their T&C a few days ago. i have the automatic renewal so i don't check it often. funny that now that i look at it i can't see any mention of it lol i must of been dozy at the time or had a night mare about it since my new commute is 50 miles

citrov6 · Post by **citrov6** » 27 Sep 2009, 12:40

oh wait, i found it, but its just a special circumstance it does not restrict normal membership, leaving me with no reason to change.

'If you wish to join in a breakdown situation, you must call the AA. A supplementary premium of £79 (Relay covers up to 50 miles and we charge £2 per mile thereafter) will be payable on top of the normal joining price'

its most attractive thing is the person being the member, so whatever vehicle i am in can be helped by them. most others have to specify a vehicle

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 27 Sep 2009, 12:44

We have an RAC family package, not sure how much it is now though. We all have a card for the same policy, which covers us and not the car. So even if im in someone elses car it will be covered.

They seem quite good, although we have only needed to use them once.

rabenson · Post by **rabenson** » 27 Sep 2009, 21:14

flux rescue from Adrian Flux insurance - about 50 quid for full european breakdown / recovery / at home service. My wife had call to use them in France and they were excellent!

wheeler · Post by **wheeler** » 27 Sep 2009, 21:28

citrov6 wrote:the AA are helpful, but the relay is rubbish now, only 50 miles , then they charge 2pound a mile it covers my every day journey, but i will be switching on next renewal

Thats only for the 1st 24 hours after joining or upgrading to relay in a breakdown situation.