Ive been with a no name one for a few years and the two times I have used them they have been great and came quickly. I used to use AA and RAC but ended up having to wait up 5 hours so gave up paying a premium price for a sub standard service
Difference between big name and no name breakdown cover
- Thread starter mrochester
- Start date
I haven't used a breakdown service since I got shot of my Hyundai Pony nearly 20 years ago so whatever I get I see it as simply throwing money away 
I've had AA, RAC and Auto Aid on and off over the years. This summer I managed to get a £35 AA cover for the year through a time limited deal and with my MX5 having been off the road for ages and the potential that it's first trip (bar a run to get an MOT ticket) was going to be an 800 mile round trip to Scotland I thought it was worth the investment!
In all honesty, once it expires I'll go back to my usual method of having both RAC and AA number stored in my phone and IF I need them at some point I'll just sign up there and then and pay full whack.
I've had AA, RAC and Auto Aid on and off over the years. This summer I managed to get a £35 AA cover for the year through a time limited deal and with my MX5 having been off the road for ages and the potential that it's first trip (bar a run to get an MOT ticket) was going to be an 800 mile round trip to Scotland I thought it was worth the investment!
In all honesty, once it expires I'll go back to my usual method of having both RAC and AA number stored in my phone and IF I need them at some point I'll just sign up there and then and pay full whack.
I just had a callout with the rac yesterday, home recovery. They arrived in just under 4 hours and towed me to the garage. I dont have cover but used a family members 
Bad news though, been quoted £1439 for the repair
Bad news though, been quoted £1439 for the repair
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Not sure about RAC but certainly with AA there is a 24 hour blackout on any call outs after signing up.
It used to be that you could sign up at the roadside with them however there'd be no new customer discounts, I think that is what @lordrobs is alluding to.
Isn't there usually a period where you're not covered, maybe 48hrs, after signing up? Which would leave you stranded for that length of time.
Edit: SixTwoSix beat me to it
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Isn't there usually a period where you're not covered, maybe 48hrs, after signing up? Which would leave you stranded for that length of time.
Edit: SixTwoSix beat me to it
For a normal sign up, yes, they still offer 'instant cover' though but you'll pay a premium I expect. Question is whether that premium would be saved by not spending £100 a year on a breakdown that you've not used for the prior 5 years
I have dropped back to cover that comes with our Lloyds account, the price they wanted directly was just too much. In my experience you just need something to get you out of danger and move your car to somewhere it may get fixed. Worse case being a motorway far from home, without cover you will easy be spending more than it would have cost you just to get it removed from the carriageway.
The last time I used the AA it took 7 hours for recovery and they sent a different company when they did.
The last time I used the AA it took 7 hours for recovery and they sent a different company when they did.
Soldato
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- North Wales
Interesting to hear first hand how bad RAC have become. I've used them 3 times over the years but the last one was probably almost 10 years ago and they were always with me with about an hour and a half which seemed decent at the time.
That certainly makes more sense.
Sorry, I wasn't very clear. You are quite right in that if you were to sign up in the usual way there is an initial period before you can make a claim.Isn't there usually a period where you're not covered, maybe 48hrs, after signing up? Which would leave you stranded for that length of time.
Edit: SixTwoSix beat me to it
However if you call them up there is an option to get assistance straight away with a subsequent 12 month membership. You'll pay a fortune for the service BUT you aren't paying out constantly for a service you may never use.
Same here... was with the RAC for years, paying for the service using Tesco vouchers. But this year they've reduced the level of service you can get via the vouchers and with the increasing reports of increasing waiting times and reduced customer satisfaction, I've switched to "Start Rescue".
I've always been with a no-name (previously AutoAid, but their prices are approaching AA/RAC these days, so now with "RescueMyCar", best reviews* for the level of cover I wanted at a reasonable price).
The one time I've used it so far (this was AutoAid), was with a flat, whilst parked up in a safe place in a built up area, as a healthy 30 something year old male, no kids etc. in the car, I would have been absolutely lowest priority. As it was, they got someone out to me within 40 mins, who took the wheel off, drove me to the nearest tyre place, got it fixed, drove me back and put the wheel back on. No drama at all, so fantastic service.
On the flip side, my stepdad (80 year old) is with the AA, recently his car broke down completely in the middle of nowhere on a busy A road (fortunately he managed to get it off the road), at 9pm. Initial ETA was 11pm, that time passed, then they advised 3am. 3:30am they call to advise another 30 mins, 6am they finally turn up, but the winch on the flatbed breaks. Next vehicle turns up, but it's a van so no use, but they eventually manage to fix the winch. 11.5 hours until he finally got home.
It wasn't even the AA themselves who turned up, 3rd party recovery companies, just like you'd get with no-name cover.
Obviously those are just 2 isolated anecdotal incidents amongst thousands, but IMO at least, the premium isn't worth it. Either go for the cheapest (within reason) who provide the cover you need, or roll the dice, go without, and call around/pick whoever can get to you quickest when/if you ever need them. In the days of smart phones, it's easy enough to search at the side of the road.
* I hate how these companies ask for a review as soon as you've bought the cover. How easy/difficult it is to buy the cover is of absolutely no relevance when it comes to how good they are at actually getting out to you!
The one time I've used it so far (this was AutoAid), was with a flat, whilst parked up in a safe place in a built up area, as a healthy 30 something year old male, no kids etc. in the car, I would have been absolutely lowest priority. As it was, they got someone out to me within 40 mins, who took the wheel off, drove me to the nearest tyre place, got it fixed, drove me back and put the wheel back on. No drama at all, so fantastic service.
On the flip side, my stepdad (80 year old) is with the AA, recently his car broke down completely in the middle of nowhere on a busy A road (fortunately he managed to get it off the road), at 9pm. Initial ETA was 11pm, that time passed, then they advised 3am. 3:30am they call to advise another 30 mins, 6am they finally turn up, but the winch on the flatbed breaks. Next vehicle turns up, but it's a van so no use, but they eventually manage to fix the winch. 11.5 hours until he finally got home.
It wasn't even the AA themselves who turned up, 3rd party recovery companies, just like you'd get with no-name cover.
Obviously those are just 2 isolated anecdotal incidents amongst thousands, but IMO at least, the premium isn't worth it. Either go for the cheapest (within reason) who provide the cover you need, or roll the dice, go without, and call around/pick whoever can get to you quickest when/if you ever need them. In the days of smart phones, it's easy enough to search at the side of the road.
* I hate how these companies ask for a review as soon as you've bought the cover. How easy/difficult it is to buy the cover is of absolutely no relevance when it comes to how good they are at actually getting out to you!
Thats who I am with!
Associate
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- Cheshire
Are Start Rescue any good? Had never heard of them. Quick Google suggests they are decent but would be happy to hear it from anyone using it on this forum.
They are also coming out to be cheapest at £131 annually for two people cover, including Home assist and nationwide recovery. I am with AA for 6 years and got them close to price match with my NHS discount at £170 (still steep but about £112 cheaper than their own renewal quote through letter). Have both Home Assist and nationwide recovery with AA. Just that Start Rescue are offering the same and lot more at cheaper price.
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Worth considering Nationwide Flex plus at £13 per month, you get European breakdown cover, mobile and travel insurance, it's a fantastic deal.
The breakdown cover is with AA as well, I've used them (via Nationwide) and have always been decent but it is indeed luck of the draw!
The breakdown cover is with AA as well, I've used them (via Nationwide) and have always been decent but it is indeed luck of the draw!
Before Covid, they took 11hrs to get me at most 1.5-2hrs home. I can't imagine how bad they must be now if they've got even worse since then.
I've been with them for nearly a year and will soon need to renew. Haven't had to call them out, so unfortunately can't comment on actual service.Are Start Rescue any good? Had never heard of them. Quick Google suggests they are decent but would be happy to hear it from anyone using it on this forum.
Not sure whether to renew with them for another year or look at alternatives. AA & RAC are both nearly 3 times the price of Start Rescue so have ruled them out, but Green flag are somewhere in the middle.
Are Start Rescue any good? Had never heard of them. Quick Google suggests they are decent but would be happy to hear it from anyone using it on this forum.
They are also coming out to be cheapest at £131 annually for two people cover, including Home assist and nationwide recovery. I am with AA for 6 years and got them close to price match with my NHS discount at £170 (still steep but about £112 cheaper than their own renewal quote through letter). Have both Home Assist and nationwide recovery with AA. Just that Start Rescue are offering the same and lot more at cheaper price.
Had to call them out once. Came within an hour, guy was great, double checked my diagnosis of my car - FUBAR and then loaded me on his loader and took me home. No complains whatsoever. I may well have been lucky as it was early afternoon on a weekday on a nicer weather day.
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