Breakdown Cover - Who to use?

InvaderGIR said:
I've NEVER experienced that and as you know well, I break down loads. :D

Every single time I've called up AA/RAC and said my car is broken down and given a rough description (or accurate depending on know what is wrong) of the issue and requested a patrol. I've never been quizzed or made to feel like I'm cheating anyone or making an insurance claim. Just a few questions about the problem and where I am, wait for a few hours and get towed home.
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Thats exactly my point, RAC/AA is what i use these days. The issues i had was with breakdown insurance rather than breakdown cover. AA/RAC are great because they are not an insurance policy covering the cost of 3rd party patrols :)
 
I use AA membership for 3 members on any car, including home start, all the extra bits and also parts cover for about £300 a year which covers us across 4 cars.

Parts cover comes in handy as each year you can claim up to £500 worth of repairs on 5 separate occasions. Will be useful should a clutch, battery, alternator etc fail.
 
Jez said:
Thats exactly my point, RAC/AA is what i use these days. The issues i had was with breakdown insurance rather than breakdown cover. AA/RAC are great because they are not an insurance policy covering the cost of 3rd party patrols :)
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http://www.nationwide.co.uk/current_account/flexplus/insurances-and-account-benefits.htm

It's breakdown cover not insurance? It should the same as AA etc. just via the bank. My worry with it is if they contract it out to local companies as they aren't usually as good or friendly as the big patrols.
 
InvaderGIR said:
http://www.nationwide.co.uk/current_account/flexplus/insurances-and-account-benefits.htm

It's breakdown cover not insurance? It should the same as AA etc. just via the bank. My worry with it is if they contract it out to local companies as they aren't usually as good or friendly as the big patrols.
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While i am told that actually Brittania (LV) are very good and that this is a good product, it is not a breakdown service. It is a breakdown insurance policy with a front end.
 
Jez said:
While i am told that actually Brittania (LV) are very good and that this is a good product, it is not a breakdown service. It is a breakdown insurance policy with a front end.
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And the AA breakdown cover is underwritten by Automobile Association Insurance Services Limited - so surely this is also a breakdown insurance policy with a front end?

Maybe I'm being thick, but I don't quite follow what you're saying here? After all, breakdown cover is simply insurance that you take out to cover you in the event that you break down!
 
Breakdown cover = company with their own patrols. They'll just send someone out with no questions.

Breakdown insurance = company who have no patrols, so just pay someone else to turn out in the event of a breakdown.

The AA and RAC do sometimes use contractors, but more often than not it's one of their patrols that turns out.
 
I fell out with RAC after waiting nearly 4 hours.

With Greenlight at the moment, fortunately not had to test them out yet.
 
blueboy2001 said:
Breakdown cover = company with their own patrols. They'll just send someone out with no questions.

Breakdown insurance = company who have no patrols, so just pay someone else to turn out in the event of a breakdown.

The AA and RAC do sometimes use contractors, but more often than not it's one of their patrols that turns out.
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If this is the whole issue then I don't really see the problem - either way should have the same result, i.e. you phone someone, someone comes out to you. There might be inconsistencies with the service of the 'repairman' simply because they may use different companies in different areas but realistically this could be an issue with anyone.
What Jez is I think saying is that because it's 'insurance' rather than 'cover' (and I can't see any difference in the wording on Nationwide's site vs the AA's) there may be issues with them even accepting a callout.
 
miniyazz said:
What Jez is I think saying is that because it's 'insurance' rather than 'cover' (and I can't see any difference in the wording on Nationwide's site vs the AA's) there may be issues with them even accepting a callout.
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Indeed, a lot of the cheaper breakdown insurance policies very much operate as such, i have been on the receiving end of a cheap policy before where i was quizzed about my cars history with leading questions in the rain at the roadside by a claims handler before they would authorise a contractor to come and recover me.

I am told the Brittania (LV) cover which Nationwide offer is fine, but i will always remain skeptical about breakdown insurance. Personally with AA/RAC being so cheap after quidco i will stick with actual recovery companies.
 
Fair enough. I suppose the AA is underwritten by their 'own' insurance company vs the third party in this case.
Anyway good to hear the LV one is apparently fine - I bit the bullet and opened an account - £120/yr for decent travel insurance/breakdown cover + some other bits I wouldn't normally worry about and don't expect to have any use for (mobile phone insurance etc) but which are nice to have. Offset slightly by a decent cash interest rate of 3% if only for £2500.
Also nice is commission free withdrawals/purchases abroad with their debit/credit cards..
 
Conanius said:
I know a while back everyone seemed to use ADAC, but interested in what people think.
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I talked to ADAC last week and they said they no longer offer UK cover because of problems with the local contractor (e.g. The AA).

They're still cheap as chips for Euro only cover though.
 
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