AA, RAC or neither?
Discussion
OTOH, if you join the AA, you'll have to get a bigger letter box to accommodate the avalanche of junk mail you'll get. Combine that with the patronising and sexist advertising (and their insurance is the most expensive you'll ever get quoted for) and the nosey sales people (No, I am not telling you either when my birthday is (so you can send me spam) or when my contents insurance experies (so you can send me more spam)) and the bollox about "the 4th emergency service" (yeah, right, so where are the Coastguard these days?) and you'd be better off (just) with the RAC, who are nothing to do with the RAC anyway, these days.
Edited by zumbruk on Sunday 14th January 17:24
Amusing, recently updated my details with the AA (after how long I daren't say!) and they asked what car I had. Told them, it was a TVR, expecting, "ahh, they'll be a surcharge for that, sir", but alas no second comment. Got my new card last week, I see they've given me complimentary home start. How generous! No doubt coincidence, but did wonder if they were trying to imply something about TVR reliability. Pleased to say, never had to use them so far (reaches to touch something wood...), so can't comment further.
Darren
Darren
My experience with the AA in the UK has been OK - only needed them once - trouble is despite telling them I'd need a low loader they insisted in sending out a van first before then requesting a loader - PITA.
Am currently in the process of taking them to court for damage sustained during European recovery though and because of the way they've treated me throughout this I won't be renewing!
Am currently in the process of taking them to court for damage sustained during European recovery though and because of the way they've treated me throughout this I won't be renewing!
I am with RAC as I got it cheap using my Tesco clubcard vouchers. Got the top level for £30 of vouchers as they are worth 4 times face value when you use them on a deal rather than instore. You can also use them for ferrys & eurotunnel deals etc. Not bad for something that you get for free anyway, well apart from spending sh!t loads in store start with.... 
optimax sniffer said:
I am with RAC as I got it cheap using my Tesco clubcard vouchers. Got the top level for £30 of vouchers as they are worth 4 times face value when you use them on a deal rather than instore. You can also use them for ferrys & eurotunnel deals etc. Not bad for something that you get for free anyway, well apart from spending sh!t loads in store start with....
As long as we have partners there will always be lots of free clubcard vouchers i wish i had shares in Tesco rate she shops
I've got AA and TBH they've been pretty good. Don't usually call them out for anything other than full recovery and in those instances I'm usually quite insistent that they don't waste either my time nor theirs by sending a van.
They once even took me and my old Integrale from London to 'Walkers' in Northallerton - and gave me a lift back to London (which technically I don't think they are supposed to do - however after being with the guy for about 11 hours, we kinda became fairly good mates).
They once even took me and my old Integrale from London to 'Walkers' in Northallerton - and gave me a lift back to London (which technically I don't think they are supposed to do - however after being with the guy for about 11 hours, we kinda became fairly good mates).
i get AA membership free with the bank account. Only needed it once when the clutch on the Tuscan S went. Didn'y phone back when they said they would on three occasions. Ended up stranded on a roundabout for over 7 hours waiting for theright kind of low loader. If I was paying for it i'd cancel and go elsewhere.
optimax sniffer said:
I am with RAC as I got it cheap using my Tesco clubcard vouchers. Got the top level for £30 of vouchers as they are worth 4 times face value when you use them on a deal rather than instore. You can also use them for ferrys & eurotunnel deals etc. Not bad for something that you get for free anyway, well apart from spending sh!t loads in store start with....
And the shed loads of customer profiling and spending habits (times, amounts, products - not to mention booze, fags, high fat foods that their insurance arms may be interested in) that would otherwise cost them a small fortune to acquire via a dedicated agency, that you now give them for a paltry 1p in the pound via the old "loyalty" card. But that's a different thread altogteher isn't it.
Been with the AA for several years and had to use them on several occasions (although never with the TVR)...including A1 at night in driving rain and wind (with elderly mother in law on board)...they have been excellent on each occasion...I even forgive them the junk mail (but then we have an open fire and it is great for setting the fire!)....
Was with the AA for 8 yrs, recoveed my crashewd car 200 miles 5 yrs ago without a problem. Last year they would not revocer a crashed car of mine further than 20 miles. So I checked with the RAC and they said they would recover a crashed car to anywhere in the country...I am now with the RAC, with the RAC you also get no claimns discount!!
I have been with the AA but since I have had about 4 call outs this year, 2 on the BM and 2 on the 911 they sent me a nice letter saying one more and then it'll be £100 a call out!!!!
I will be leaving them before that happens. I will also be cancelling the BMs insurance with them too. A shame really as they have usually been ok but I am not being held to ransome like that because of one unfortunate year across two cars.
I will be leaving them before that happens. I will also be cancelling the BMs insurance with them too. A shame really as they have usually been ok but I am not being held to ransome like that because of one unfortunate year across two cars.
The AA has this insurance for a small extra premium, if your car has done less than 100k miles, the policy covers parts & labour up to £500 (I think, correct me if I am wrong) on any breakdown. Tailor-made for TVRs!!! No use on my daily driver as it has done 150k, so put it on the Griff - not a murmur from the AA about that. Haven't used it yet though....
when my father in law passed away my wife dealt with the paperwork for her mum, her dad had been an avid AA member since 1969, and had nothing but trouble. it took months to get the details right, then they kept upping the premiums despite having never used the service. when paperwork came through they had lost two months cover based on what had been paid and the dates of cover!!! when questioned they said thet couldnt alter it but would give us a month free- so how does this work?????? next time it is for renewal it will be another company
AA - once called them out and they didnt have the right kind of van to tow me (or some such nonsense) . I ended up waiting 6 hours in the cold. The original van having disappeared after 10 minutes !
RAC on the other hand - similar situation, I needed a low loader not a tow. He couldnt do it in his van. Arranged a low loader, took me round the corner to a cafe bought me a cup of tea while we waited.
No contest.
Oh and also when I cancelled my AA membership the tossers sent me an ON TOW sign together with a scare letter telling me about how I was going to break down in the middle of no where and I wouldne be able to get help and....well you get the story. Funny that I then went on to cancel my Home and car insurance after that letter...
RAC on the other hand - similar situation, I needed a low loader not a tow. He couldnt do it in his van. Arranged a low loader, took me round the corner to a cafe bought me a cup of tea while we waited.
No contest.
Oh and also when I cancelled my AA membership the tossers sent me an ON TOW sign together with a scare letter telling me about how I was going to break down in the middle of no where and I wouldne be able to get help and....well you get the story. Funny that I then went on to cancel my Home and car insurance after that letter...
I used the RAC one (not for the TVR) who were spot on. I needed a low loader (boat trailer bearings collapsed!!) and were very good. I think if you tell them when you call all of the details, they should be able to sort you out.
Have you tried national breakdown.... They all use local garage sub contractors and from my families experience very, very good.
T
Have you tried national breakdown.... They all use local garage sub contractors and from my families experience very, very good.
T
From all the horror stories, it sounds like a change may be in order. Those companies that use local garages seem to be excellent. Never experienced either AA or RAC, so I can't compair. However..
Personally I used a company called Britannia Rescue. - Only have excellent reports when I've used them. And that includes a journey from Scarborough to London and a breakdown near Leeds where the guy opened his garage at 1 in the morning for 2 hours to fix the car (don't think he fancied the long drive to London and back) which suited me fine.. The benefit of using these is they want to maintain a good reputation with the main provider, so try and offer the best service they can.
Must admit I did have 1 problem with them saying they might charge £50 for a future call out if we over abuse it, but that was after 3 members of my family called them for 3 seperate breakdowns (bad day)
Personally I used a company called Britannia Rescue. - Only have excellent reports when I've used them. And that includes a journey from Scarborough to London and a breakdown near Leeds where the guy opened his garage at 1 in the morning for 2 hours to fix the car (don't think he fancied the long drive to London and back) which suited me fine.. The benefit of using these is they want to maintain a good reputation with the main provider, so try and offer the best service they can.
Must admit I did have 1 problem with them saying they might charge £50 for a future call out if we over abuse it, but that was after 3 members of my family called them for 3 seperate breakdowns (bad day)
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