Recovery companies; which is best?

[Bluepete]

We're all going on a summer holiday etc...

And just in case, I want to get brakedown cover for my car.

I want roadside assistance and recovery to anywhere.

UK only needed this year.

I've looked at the usual suspects, and they all seem to be the same price.

So the question is, which company is best? Who gets there quickest?

.org personal experiences please.

Pete

Rescue my car.com

time is dependent on other breakdowns in the same area and the number of trucks available..

[Sir Trev]

They all have good and bad days depending on volumes and who's on duty. I have personal RAC and have been kept waiting hours or minutes. Last year a happy and chatty patrolman spent over an hour fixing my car's ignition barrel when a piece of it broke off - was a top bloke. In the past though I've had Mr Surley-Couldn't-Care-Less...

We're with RAC too and have also had quick and slow visits. Had a guy out in literally 10 minutes a few weeks ago to start the car on the drive - he lives locally and his kid goes to the same school as our youngest so it was his first job of the day. Equally, I've waited a couple of hours by the roadside before. It's luck of the draw on the day I'm afraid

[SoulKiss]

Originally Posted by Bluepete

We're all going on a summer holiday etc...

And just in case, I want to get brakedown cover for my car.

I want roadside assistance and recovery to anywhere.

UK only needed this year.

I've looked at the usual suspects, and they all seem to be the same price.

So the question is, which company is best? Who gets there quickest?

.org personal experiences please.

Pete

AA Relayed my Bike and me back from Bolton to London a couple of years ago, were quick enough and were good.

Bike was technically not a breakdown, as had lost it on gravel and snapped the gear lever, but guy wasn't bothered about it.

Also its the Driver, not the Vehicle (well was then) thats covered, so as long as you are travelling in it, its covered - on a Rideout I could therefore say that someone else's bike was mine, and have that dealt with.

I get my cover (second highest level) as part of my LloydsTSB Account (I pay a monthly fee) but with the other benefits, it worked out about break even to get the AA cover this way - bonus is that my AA Membership number is the same as my Bank Account Number which I memorised years ago.

So with them, you would get bike cover too

if i were you i'd possibly take a gamble and not get cover.

if i recall correctly one of our vans at work broke down and we didnt have cover, so we called up the AA said can we join we've broken down and they naturally obliged. We paid a little bit more but not a great deal, take a couple of numbers with you on your phone and use them if you need.

or...

buy a new car before you go and get cover F.O.C - expensive way of doing it!

or...

open a Lloyds current account and with that you get free AA cover.

God Im helpful

[timwilky]

My issue with these companies is their cover after an accident, you need to read the small print.

Originally Posted by AA small print

4. Are there any significant exclusions or limitations to AA Membership?
Full details of the restrictions which apply to AA Membership can be found within the Terms and Conditions booklet, however the key restrictions are:
Where cover is available:
Service is only available within the UK. This does not include the Channel Islands and Isle of Man where separate cover is required.
Vehicle specifications:
Service is only available to Members travelling in a car, van, minibus or motorcycle which complies with the stated weight and width restrictions.
General Terms and Conditions:

• Assistance is not available following a breakdown or accident attended by the police or other emergency service, until the vehicle's removal is authorised. If the police insist on recovery by a third party, the cost must be met by you.
• No recovery (including a local tow) is available following an accident;
• Transport of any animal is discretionary, and horses and livestock will not be recovered;
• Routine maintenance, running repairs, the cost of spare parts, fuel, oil, keys, specialist lifting equipment, garage or other labour required to repair your vehicle are excluded, as is the provision of service on private property without the relevant permission;
• Service is discretionary where it is requested to deal with the same or a similar fault or cause of breakdown to that attended in regard to the same vehicle within the preceding 28 days;
• The Member (or, in the case of Vehicle Based Membership, a person) must be with the vehicle at the times of breakdown and assistance. A valid Membership card and some other form of identification must be produced. Service will be refused and may be cancelled if anyone behaves in an abusive or threatening manner, or if the AA is owed money.

Replacement vehicle:
Any car hire that may be arranged for a Member will be subject to the hirer's Terms and Conditions.
Service control:
Please note that further premiums may be requested if the maximum number of call-outs is exceeded.
Additional restrictions for Vehicle Membership
Service is only available to vehicles which are registered with the AA at the time assistance is requested; Where only Roadside Assistance is held, the vehicle must be no more than 10 years old at the date of registration with the AA.

So absolutely useless where a bike has touched the deck and even for a minor fender bender when you just want to get the car home etc.

which is where rescuemycar.com comes in..

ask for optional plus £13 extra a year and it covers for recovery regarding an accident..

Listen to me...

rescue my car.com is a good way to go

Time is dependant on who's about - it took less time for someone to get to me in Tarbet (A82) than it did in the Centre of glasgow. (and I've nevered play the lone female card).
Think companies are much of a much ness. Personally go with gut instinct

I've been AA for few years and had three call outs - all took over the hour and all were major pains as they couldn't find location. Noone carries a map anymore!!
The guys themselves were helpful were they could be and had a tow from Tarbet to Glasgow.

However my best ever was Britannia Rescue. In Kilmarnock in thumping rain in an old motor. There in 20 mins No attitudes actually listened to what i was saying. Picked me up from work and took me to where the car was left, repaired it and followed me back to work and check it again. Follow up 1 week later to see how it was doing.

As for accidents - I have a man with a trailer who will take cash in hand besides sometimes its hard to prove it was an accident!

[punyXpress]

' Borrow ' the Firm's car ?