Roadside Assistance

[johno]

Having run my ''S'' for over 18 months without any recovery policy at all and after the having to limp home with a shattered wheel bearing causing even more damage it''s definitely time to consider some cover. Anyone have any preferences ? I was looking at the AA Option 300 which gives roadside recovery, relay, home start and cover up to 72hrs on the continent aswell for £91. Anyone use this ?? Cheers Mark

[Midnight Blue]

Yep I'm in the AA, and they have always proved reliable and (reasonably) knowledgeable. I haven't had to use them for the TVR yet (touch fibreglass). I was thinking of changing to Greenflag, but I have never seen a Greenflag vehicle on the road. I can only assume that that sub-contract out to all and sundry, and would question their ability to control the quality of service?

[johno]

Have to agree. There is substantial advertising around for Green Flag(England Squad etc etc ) but this does not seem to get translated to vans on the road. There is a perceived security/level of service from the big 2 recovery suppliers. Cheers Mark

[manek]

As a Green Flag member, I've had good service but always from a local provider. That's why, AFAIK, they don't have their own vans -- instead the service is delivered by local garages etc.

[.mark]

I'd agree, my Sunninghill policy was 650GBP when I called the RAC I found out the cover Sunninghill give is worth 210GBP, I know they don't pay that themselves but a good all-in policy none the less. Also cover you for track-days, and they don't have to be TVRCC organised either.

[bob clenton]

I recently had a very bad experience with the AA. Broke down at 2.00pm on the M4 (120 miles from home). Not in a TVR I hasten to add. Eventually arrived home at 12.30am after being dragged all over the country by four different trucks. Each of the drivers was quite happy to tell me how badly organised the AA were. Never again. One of the drivers was an independant who said Green Flag were the best.

[AdamB]

Sadly I've had a few very good experiences with RAC. The have picked me up roadside an hour after report on a bank holiday weekend and taken me the 45 mniles to my chosen dealer (told me it would take an hour to an hour and a half to arrive). Then picked the car up from my house and took it to the dealer (50 miles) even though Henly is only 7 miles away. No damage to car or pocket.

[Guy Humpage]

I'm with Green Flag, I've always felt that because they use local garages (as the AA and RAC do in rural locations) they can get to you quicker. Most breakdowns are going to be simple things which any mechanic with the right tools can fix, or too big to fix roadside so they can tow/relay you to a proper garage. The only thing which GF have done which annoyed me, was when the water pump conked out on my Saab, I got them to take me to where I was going that (friday) evening as I had other people with me, and then got taken home the next day, then on the Monday morning they wouldn't tow it to the garage as I'd already had 2 tows that weekend. I would have thought they could have given the benefit of the doubt seeing as this had been my first call for about 3 years.

[tuscanboy]

Just out of interest, You get free full cover from the RAC when you insure with Sunninghill, who are pretty competative. No connection with the company, but thought it was not a bad freebie

[celticprince]

I would recommend Green Flag also. As mentioned, they use local approved garages. They are definately the quickest to respond. A garage owner told me that to have a GF contract is very lucrative, and so they try to keep the customer happy. Cheaper also. My God, I should consider a job in promotions!

[Marshy]

Plenty of experience with RAC, and they're normally very timely. However, beware the recovery trucks: one of them didn't secure the canvas straps properly and I ended up with paintwork damage around the wheelarches.

[nubbin]

Quite hapy with Direct Line Rescue - can't remember which organisation it's affiliated to. I ran out of petrol in the TVR, in the middle of the Dales (fuel guage was knackered and registering full!) and a local garage arrived about 40 mins later - definitely embarrassing, particularly the twats in an MGF who laughed heartily as they plodded by in the opposite direction! My mum had a bad experience with the RAC - she broke down about 400yds from an exit slip road near Doncaster, and phoned the RAC - you'd think an old lady, on her own, would be prioritised, but they never even turned up! At all!! Her mobile then went flat, so she had to walk off the motorway to find a phone to get help. Not good, but on the other hand, I've never had trouble with the RAC.

[johno]

I was informed yesterday that Privilege (who I'm insured with) are also offering rescue cover. Just had them quote - Home start - roadside recov - message relay - courtesy car for 1 day or £100 - relay to anywhere etc... - overnight accomodation... For the Grand Price of £94.50. That stacks up quite well against the others. The only thing it doesn't have is european cover. That is another £30 to the policy. I have no idea how they will perform though. It hasn't been around long and although it seems like a good deal am I taking too much of a risk ?? Cheers Mark

[caro]

Nubbin, this happened to me a couple of weeks ago. Ran out of petrol in the TVR, on the M40 in the middle of the night. The gauge was between 1/4 and empty - always enough to get me home from there before. AA man turned up in 45 mins with a can of petrol and followed us off the m'way to the nearest 24hr garage. At least it was dark - hid the red faces!