Breakdown assistance during Covid-19 lockdown

Dirk Diggler · 23 Apr 2020 at 13:31

I'm thinking of joining RAC as I have a few long journeys upcoming. Has anyone had any recent experience with using them during this lockdown? I'm thinking that they should be well on hand to help given that their call outs must be at a complete minimum, but then again the cynic in me says they'll have everyone laid off and use the lockdown as an excuse not to provide much of a service.

Any first hand experience to share?

ttaskmaster · 23 Apr 2020 at 14:02

They're key workers, supporting all the other key workers, so operating as normal - https://www.rac.co.uk/covid-19
No direct experience, but we're key workers and it's business as usual across the board, just with some extra measures when dealing with any Covided customers. Sounds like they're doing the same.

Nasher · 23 Apr 2020 at 14:14

RAC is way to expensive tbh. Try Autoaid instead. I got UK wide breakdown cover with unlimited callouts for £33 (for a year) using a discount code.

Dirk Diggler · 23 Apr 2020 at 14:49

Nasher said:
RAC is way to expensive tbh. Try Autoaid instead. I got UK wide breakdown cover with unlimited callouts for £33 (for a year) using a discount code.

I'm a bit wary of cheaper unknowns at this time, as I'm concerned they'll let me down when I really need them.

Cyber-Mav · 23 Apr 2020 at 15:19

Rac let me down bigtime. Gone autoaid now

Rroff · 23 Apr 2020 at 16:14

We use a range at work albeit that is from a commercial perspective but still and they are all pretty much of a muchness - IIRC AA is the only one that hasn't more than once let us down entirely but they often are very delayed in turning up.

EDIT: If you use one of the more reputable insurance companies they often have an add-on recovery service which is usually not too terrible either adding it on through insurance or directly likewise some of the main brands also do similar and usually not a terrible bet as they are a little more likely to be held to standards.

GJF47 · 23 Apr 2020 at 16:44

StartRescue have always been fantastic for me and under £30 per year. Used them a few weeks ago during lockdown too.

Matthew.M · 23 Apr 2020 at 16:51

As for the lockdown, I had to call the AA a couple of weeks ago and they arrived within 10mins.

I had a good chat with the guy. They’ve reduced their workforce but as people are driving so much less he was spending way more time than usual just sat around.

Imagine the RAC will be similar?

Nasher · 23 Apr 2020 at 16:54

Rroff said:
We use a range at work albeit that is from a commercial perspective but still and they are all pretty much of a muchness - IIRC AA is the only one that hasn't more than once let us down entirely but they often are very delayed in turning up.

EDIT: If you use one of the more reputable insurance companies they often have an add-on recovery service which is usually not too terrible either adding it on through insurance or directly likewise some of the main brands also do similar and usually not a terrible bet as they are a little more likely to be held to standards.

You usually get the very basic package and it's much more expensive though. It's better to buy it seperately.

Dirk Diggler · 23 Apr 2020 at 16:54

GJF47 said:
StartRescue have always been fantastic for me and under £30 per year. Used them a few weeks ago during lockdown too.

You just prompted me to do a price comparison, I didn't realise RAC had a 50% off sale currently and are quoting £111 for the year. Start are quoting £102.

ttaskmaster · 23 Apr 2020 at 17:15

Matthew.M said:
They’ve reduced their workforce but as people are driving so much less he was spending way more time than usual just sat around.

I'm surprised.
Membership fees should be enough to keep everyone employed, even if they're just sat around for the most part. Maybe send the non-essential office guys home, or have them WFH, but certainly have as many of the field workers available?

Rroff · 23 Apr 2020 at 17:15

Nasher said:
You usually get the very basic package and it's much more expensive though. It's better to buy it seperately.

I was meaning in terms of who they use rather than the actual cost/package provisioned through the insurance company though it is worth checking that - on my truck it wasn't a bad offering though I didn't take it up as I had a better option elsewhere.

jpaul · 23 Apr 2020 at 17:22

Nasher said:
RAC is way to expensive tbh. Try Autoaid instead. I got UK wide breakdown cover with unlimited callouts for £33 (for a year) using a discount code.

including - taking you to your destination, or, a nominated (non-closest) garage ?
£33 is the usual AA basic, nearest garage option

bainbridge · 23 Apr 2020 at 18:47

I'm with green flag and on the day the lockdown began they emailed me saying it's BAU but if I need recovery I'll be sat in my car while it's being towed rather than being in the cab with the patrolman. Makes sense to me.

nicholas_yiu · 23 Apr 2020 at 21:27

I have my breakdown insurance through Aviva which is just a cheaper way of getting RAC. Can't comment on their availability during the lockdown though as not using my cars at the moment.

Mart2912 · 24 Apr 2020 at 00:31

I'm with RAC and I have to say, they have been great with me (Think it cost me £90 in the end with most of the options ticked other than replacement tyres). Phoned them up saying I had a flat battery and the guy was here within the hour to get me going again. Had a little chat with him and I was his 8th battery related call out that day. I had RAC originally with my previous insurance company and they were great then also, so I stuck with them.

Merlin5 · 24 Apr 2020 at 02:23

I've used my RAC membership twice in the last 3 weeks and on both occasions they've said it'll be up to 90.minutes wait but they both arrived much sooner, one within half an hour. They do ask on the phone beforehand if you've got Coronavirus or any symptoms of illness. I think if you say yes, they may not come.

My RAC expires in 3 weeks. Someone above mentioned Start Rescue as being.good. All reviews I've since read are great. I've been to their site via Quidco and they're doing home start, national recovery, onward travel, in any car, plus some other things for £58 and quidco are doing 15%, so it would only be 50 quid. I think it's a no brainer. I know they use local garages, but do they always come with massive breakdown lorries or sometimes vans?

Dirk Diggler · 24 Apr 2020 at 07:22

I've went with RAC. One year home start, national recovery was £75. I didn't bother with the optionals like battery & tyre replacements.

jpaul · 24 Apr 2020 at 08:01

Nasher said:
RAC is way to expensive tbh. Try Autoaid instead. I got UK wide breakdown cover with unlimited callouts for £33 (for a year) using a discount code.

jpaul said:
including - taking you to your destination, or, a nominated (non-closest) garage ?
£33 is the usual AA basic, nearest garage option

Indeed AUTOAID Is no cheaper than AA https://autonational.co.uk/products/roadsiderecovery/

GJF47 · 24 Apr 2020 at 10:59

Dirk Diggler said:
You just prompted me to do a price comparison, I didn't realise RAC had a 50% off sale currently and are quoting £111 for the year. Start are quoting £102.

Strange, both me and the missus were paying under £30 on 3* cover. Mine has gone up slightly as I forgot it was renewal time and it did it automatically.