RAC towing costs

[TimJM]

I have recently been caught out by the new terms and condition the RAC are now imposing on all members. It seems that you are no longer covers for a breakdown while at home unless your specilised dealer is within 10 miles of your home address. Unfortunately as I didn't have a TVR repair center within 10 miles of my home (how many do) when my starter motor packed up yesterday morning the RAC wanted over £200 to assist.

The reason I am posting this is I don't recall being made aware of this policy and have never suffered from a towing charge in the past. I guess this is going to start affecting many drivers of specalised marques.

If you want to read the full story click the link below:
RAC Towing costs – WTF!.

The long and short – If you suffer a breakdown at home you can expect a bill of £200+ if you call the RAC. Time to switch to another breakdown assistance provider.

[454 ss]

join the aa ! no distance restriction from home!

[sidpinup]

I got stung with this and it cost me £250. I will be changing to AA.

[PYNEY]

thanks for the post this is very bad news as i thought you would be able to take your tvr to a garage of your choice , not within 10 miles from home
i wont be renewing with them if this is the case and will call them to let them know how i feel

[AlanKSG]

I think the RAC will take the view that what they lose in business from the TVR/Porsche/other exotica mob will more than be made up in savings from the rest of the membership.
And I suspect that the AA will eventually follow suit.

[TimJM]

sidpinup said:

I got stung with this and it cost me £250. I will be changing to AA.

Ouch - luckily for me my starter motor failing still allowed me to drive the car once bump started, otherwise I would be faced with a similar bill. I too will soon be changing to the AA once I have confirmed with them no such charge exists.

[wedgeinald]

I have had RAC since 2000 and always found them to be far better than the AA.

They have NEVER taken more than 1 hour to get to me.

I have been on the phone to them today (because of this thread) and the charges ONLY apply to customers with JUST "roadside" if you have "recovery" or any level above that then there is no extra charge to get you home etc.

Norman

[TVR_owner]

wedgeinald said:

The charges ONLY apply to customers with JUST "roadside" if you have "recovery" or any level above that then there is no extra charge to get you home etc.

Norman

Been with them 30 years - first class, but you have to pay for the service. Recovery gets recovered at no cost as you say, hone start is supposed to be to get you started at home, not recover you to where ever it may be.

We have full European Cover a sound investment and far cheaper than AA alternative.

[TimJM]

wedgeinald said:

I have had RAC since 2000 and always found them to be far better than the AA.

They have NEVER taken more than 1 hour to get to me.

I have been on the phone to them today (because of this thread) and the charges ONLY apply to customers with JUST "roadside" if you have "recovery" or any level above that then there is no extra charge to get you home etc.

Norman

The charge introduced is not to get you home it is if you are already at home. I agree no charge to get you home.

Imagine as you leave home to go to work in the morning - your starter motor is dead and you want to transport the car to a garage say 50 miles away. That is the problem scenario now.

Previously, you could ring the RAC if you have both recovery and at home/home start, report the fault and they would transport you car to be repaired. Now they will only transport your car up to 10 miles for repair. If the garage is more than 10 miles they will not transport your car and you have to pay for a private recovery, typically £200+

[sidpinup]

wedgeinald said:

I have had RAC since 2000 and always found them to be far better than the AA.

They have NEVER taken more than 1 hour to get to me.

I have been on the phone to them today (because of this thread) and the charges ONLY apply to customers with JUST "roadside" if you have "recovery" or any level above that then there is no extra charge to get you home etc.

Norman

Sorry this just isnt true, I have "roadside, recovery and at home" or Solution 3 as they call it. It aint cheap and I still got charged for the transport to Racing Green as it was "over 10 miles from home sir" This is for a home recovery. If you are away from home I think its fine.

It used to be any garage you wanted but not anymore.

Ed

Edited by sidpinup on Wednesday 11th March 15:33

[wedgeinald]

sidpinup said:

wedgeinald said:

I have had RAC since 2000 and always found them to be far better than the AA.

They have NEVER taken more than 1 hour to get to me.

I have been on the phone to them today (because of this thread) and the charges ONLY apply to customers with JUST "roadside" if you have "recovery" or any level above that then there is no extra charge to get you home etc.

Norman

Sorry this just isnt true, I have "roadside, recovery and at home" or Solution 3 as they call it. It aint cheap and I still got charged for the transport to Racing Green as it was "over 10 miles from home sir" This is for a home recovery. If you are away from home I think its fine.

It used to be any garage you wanted but not anymore.

Ed

Edited by sidpinup on Wednesday 11th March 15:33

I would take it up with "Customer Services" then as Roy (aka Chim) has Solutions 3 (I only have "solutions 1") and they assured us both that we WOULD be covered for more than the 10 miles. I obviously am not covered until I am 1/4 mile away from home.

Call the 0870 number on your membership card.

I think your due a refund of those charges.

http://www.rac.co.uk/web/library/pdfs/terms_and_co...

Explains more...

Norman

Edited by wedgeinald on Wednesday 11th March 15:56

[willtvr]

TVR_owner said:

wedgeinald said:

The charges ONLY apply to customers with JUST "roadside" if you have "recovery" or any level above that then there is no extra charge to get you home etc.

Norman

Been with them 30 years - first class, but you have to pay for the service. Recovery gets recovered at no cost as you say, hone start is supposed to be to get you started at home, not recover you to where ever it may be.

We have full European Cover a sound investment and far cheaper than AA alternative.

Just beware what they don't cover during European recovery John but the AA have the same getout clause. Have changed to AA this year because of £1200 RAC claimed they were not liable for but also thought I might be pushing my luck after 2 continental recoveries last year!

[Alex L]

I have Solution 3 too and only paid £58 this year with my no callout discount. The clutch master cylinder failed 3 weeks ago, RAC turned up, couldn't fix it and returned the following day (Monday) with a flatbed and recovered the car 130 miles back to Fernhurst.

Initially the RAC man said they would only recover to Kerridges (about 50 miles) from me but I confirmed with the call centre that the Chim could be recovered to the garage of my choice.

Edited by Alex L on Wednesday 11th March 22:48

[sidpinup]

wedgeinald said:

sidpinup said:

wedgeinald said:

I have had RAC since 2000 and always found them to be far better than the AA.

They have NEVER taken more than 1 hour to get to me.

I have been on the phone to them today (because of this thread) and the charges ONLY apply to customers with JUST "roadside" if you have "recovery" or any level above that then there is no extra charge to get you home etc.

Norman

Sorry this just isnt true, I have "roadside, recovery and at home" or Solution 3 as they call it. It aint cheap and I still got charged for the transport to Racing Green as it was "over 10 miles from home sir" This is for a home recovery. If you are away from home I think its fine.

It used to be any garage you wanted but not anymore.

Ed

Edited by sidpinup on Wednesday 11th March 15:33

I would take it up with "Customer Services" then as Roy (aka Chim) has Solutions 3 (I only have "solutions 1") and they assured us both that we WOULD be covered for more than the 10 miles. I obviously am not covered until I am 1/4 mile away from home.

Call the 0870 number on your membership card.

I think your due a refund of those charges.

http://www.rac.co.uk/web/library/pdfs/terms_and_co...

Explains more...

Norman

Edited by wedgeinald on Wednesday 11th March 15:56

I have just called RAC and I was correct. Because I was at home it is a limit of 10 miles...if I was over 1/4 mile from home it would be to my choice of destination. Will push it down the hill next time.

[sidpinup]

wedgeinald said:

sidpinup said:

wedgeinald said:

I have had RAC since 2000 and always found them to be far better than the AA.

They have NEVER taken more than 1 hour to get to me.

I have been on the phone to them today (because of this thread) and the charges ONLY apply to customers with JUST "roadside" if you have "recovery" or any level above that then there is no extra charge to get you home etc.

Norman

Sorry this just isnt true, I have "roadside, recovery and at home" or Solution 3 as they call it. It aint cheap and I still got charged for the transport to Racing Green as it was "over 10 miles from home sir" This is for a home recovery. If you are away from home I think its fine.

It used to be any garage you wanted but not anymore.

Ed

Edited by sidpinup on Wednesday 11th March 15:33

I would take it up with "Customer Services" then as Roy (aka Chim) has Solutions 3 (I only have "solutions 1") and they assured us both that we WOULD be covered for more than the 10 miles. I obviously am not covered until I am 1/4 mile away from home.

Call the 0870 number on your membership card.

I think your due a refund of those charges.

http://www.rac.co.uk/web/library/pdfs/terms_and_co...

Explains more...

Norman

Edited by wedgeinald on Wednesday 11th March 15:56

I have just called the RAC and I am correct. If you have at home it is the same as roadside and its a 10 mile limit. If you have recovery and are more than 1/4 mile from home the you can have it towed to any location. I will be pushing my Tam down the hill next time.

[anonymous-user]

willtvr said:

TVR_owner said:

wedgeinald said:

The charges ONLY apply to customers with JUST "roadside" if you have "recovery" or any level above that then there is no extra charge to get you home etc.

Norman

Been with them 30 years - first class, but you have to pay for the service. Recovery gets recovered at no cost as you say, hone start is supposed to be to get you started at home, not recover you to where ever it may be.

We have full European Cover a sound investment and far cheaper than AA alternative.

Just beware what they don't cover during European recovery John but the AA have the same getout clause. Have changed to AA this year because of £1200 RAC claimed they were not liable for but also thought I might be pushing my luck after 2 continental recoveries last year!

When I took the Sag to Classic Le Mans last year I bought RAC Euro cover for £16. Throttle cable broke at Rouen on Bastille day and the RAC poneyed up for recovery, 2 rooms for 2 nights in a smart hotel, transport 30 miles away for repair, taxi for same for us to collect and would have paid for a new chunnel ticket as ours had expired but we managed to blag a free crossing. All for £16! Brilliant service.

[TimJM]

unrepentant said:

willtvr said:

TVR_owner said:

wedgeinald said:

The charges ONLY apply to customers with JUST "roadside" if you have "recovery" or any level above that then there is no extra charge to get you home etc.

Norman

Been with them 30 years - first class, but you have to pay for the service. Recovery gets recovered at no cost as you say, hone start is supposed to be to get you started at home, not recover you to where ever it may be.

We have full European Cover a sound investment and far cheaper than AA alternative.

Just beware what they don't cover during European recovery John but the AA have the same getout clause. Have changed to AA this year because of £1200 RAC claimed they were not liable for but also thought I might be pushing my luck after 2 continental recoveries last year!

When I took the Sag to Classic Le Mans last year I bought RAC Euro cover for £16. Throttle cable broke at Rouen on Bastille day and the RAC poneyed up for recovery, 2 rooms for 2 nights in a smart hotel, transport 30 miles away for repair, taxi for same for us to collect and would have paid for a new chunnel ticket as ours had expired but we managed to blag a free crossing. All for £16! Brilliant service.

Yes, the RAC do provide generally good service, but, try calling them when you car won't start on your driveway and regardless of cover level you are on your own (if you need the car to be transported for repair).

[anonymous-user]

TimJM said:

Yes, the RAC do provide generally good service, but, try calling them when you car won't start on your driveway and regardless of cover level you are on your own (if you need the car to be transported for repair).

In fairness that situation has never arisen for me. On the 2 occasions that I have called them out for a TVR in the UK they have managed to get it going.

[mep12345]

I use green flag full cover including european and personal cover for my wife and I, and it has even helped another TVR owner when his T350's 100A fuse blew with me in the car on the M5 coming back from last years cheddar gorge run - personal cover is invaluable. They have been excellent whenever needed for any marque I or my wife has owned. They guaratee to arrive within the hour unless in the highlands when it is 90 minutes (£10 refund if they fail). Cost this year £86 all in. The only thing they don't cover is cars in Europe over 10 years old - so if I take the S3 abroad I'll need to pay extra but that has yet to arise.

My biggest claim which was totally uncontested was recovery from Southampton (M27) to North of Glasgow for a broken windscreen wiper UJ (part not available on Sunday when it broke and I needed to be in Glasgow for Monday) and a hire car for the family and I to get back in time. The transporter was even a covered version and the car got a full clean before being loaded and shipped. The repair took me an hour and cost less than £10 when I could get the part.

I cannot recommend them enough

Mark

[MuffDaddy]

So far this week the AA have:

Recovered the TVR from my home and placed it on the back of a truck with a 4 wheel lift and taken it 40 miles to the nearest specialist.

Visited my at the roadside whilst the Audi had smoke bellowing from the engine. Turned out to be a small leak from a gasket so he followed me to the garage whilst I booked it in then followed me home and then got out his ompressor and pumped up my motorbike tyres for me.

I'll renew the AA membership without shopping around.