Breakdown cover - staying with the same service; loyalty or lethargy?

Marlon · Post by **Marlon** » Mon Feb 25, 2019 3:40 pm

So after my AA breakdown cover renewal had crept up yet again, this time to £26.60 a month, I decided to ring and see if they could reduce it.
Spoke with a nice chap who said since I’m a long standing member of 22 years they could make it £24.05. Underwhelmed at the £2.55 saving, I visited RAC online and was quoted £13.50 per month for identical cover.
So much for rewarding customer loyalty – I’m now with the RAC.

For info. it’s the RAC’s Premier Rescue: Roadside, At home, Recovery, Onward Travel

Nictrix · Post by **Nictrix** » Mon Feb 25, 2019 4:00 pm

Im sure we are around £150 a year with the AA.
Every year they try to put it up to about £250 and we knock it back saying we will just go to the RAC.
They have always reduced it so far.

Trav · Post by **Trav** » Mon Feb 25, 2019 4:15 pm

I get fed up with this also. Every year the same. Half the time I just cancel and then start again on their website. This year I changed from AA to RAC as I got fed up. Also they allow 5 people on their family cover. Handy as my youngest has also now passed his test. AA were only 4 people.

mmm-five · Post by **mmm-five** » Mon Feb 25, 2019 4:15 pm

I just flip between 2 or 3 providers every year.

First year you get the new customer discount, come renewal you get the can't be arsed to change price.

Enough people obviously can't be arsed to spend 20 minutes on the internet, so serves them right.

My last renewal, for everything except Home (rescue, roadside, Europe, onward travel, repatriation, etc.) I paid £167 - although I'd not recommend 'Drappeau Vert' at the moment as I am still awaiting them reimbursing me after a Financial Ombudsman decision in my favour (in fact they've not even contacted me about it yet).

MefiEcosse · Post by **MefiEcosse** » Mon Feb 25, 2019 4:29 pm

I added mine to my car insurance, it was at least half the price of AA and RAC for same sort of cover!

TitanTim · Post by **TitanTim** » Mon Feb 25, 2019 5:25 pm

I'm with GEM motoring assist, just renewed at 96 quid for the year which is full cover full Monty etc. I was with the RAC and it just kept creeping up each year then had to call them out for a flat battery which they renewed and the premium shot up to 200 quid so goodbye. I did some googling on GEM and they consistently came out above the usual RAC, AA etc so went with them. Been with them 4 years now and the premium hasn't gone up.

Tim.

firebobby · Post by **firebobby** » Mon Feb 25, 2019 10:00 pm

Also with GEM, we were with the AA for 15 years, but when I phoned to see if they would reduce the renewal cost, they didn't want to know...so left them.
GEM work well for us and are much cheaper, we also get a a quarterly magazine which is a good read

Mr Tidy · Post by **Mr Tidy** » Mon Feb 25, 2019 11:34 pm

Definitely lethargy!

I've been with RAC since 1996, and have the same package apart from the Onward Travel.

Last September the renewal for the year was £221.98! So I got an online quote from the AA for £134 as a new member.

I called the RAC and they offered to give me their new member rate of £129 - worked for me!

Especially as I've used them twice in the last year!

I never do it with the car insurance as it's always specific to the car, and I've got 2 so it would probably cost more! Plus the AA/RAC also covers cars you are in, even as a passenger.

It's just like insurance - shop around every year or they'll keep taking the p*ss!

Jembo · Post by **Jembo** » Mon Feb 25, 2019 11:47 pm

Nationwide £13 per month covering many things
- EU assist & recovery (not your RAC quality but rescued old Z4 when I had a scary M20 blowout)
- worldwide travel insurance inc winter sports, inc direct family
- smartphone & tablet cover

Claimed when lost iPhone & Mrs took her iPad into the sea & wondered why it stopped working... modest excess, a few forms & all sorted

Bottom · Post by **Bottom** » Wed Feb 27, 2019 9:36 pm

Full RAC cover with home start, £71 in Tesco vouchers.

I use ESSO for fuel so get the vouchers from there as well as our weekly shop...

ronk · Post by **ronk** » Wed Feb 27, 2019 9:58 pm

Seeing some of the prices that AA / RAC charge makes the BMW warranty cover look quite reasonable.

stewey999 · Post by **stewey999** » Wed Feb 27, 2019 10:18 pm

I've just taken a years cover for my z4m and the wifes fiat 500 with gem assist. Covers everything except for Europe. Also has key cover, fuel cover and insurance excess cover. 78 quid for both cars! Not been with them before but reviews are good and not worth not having it at that price!

buzyg · Post by **buzyg** » Wed Feb 27, 2019 11:46 pm

Lethargy here. I let mrsG sort it every year.

MrPT · Post by **MrPT** » Thu Feb 28, 2019 12:42 am

Jembo wrote: ↑Mon Feb 25, 2019 11:47 pm Nationwide £13 per month covering many things
- EU assist & recovery (not your RAC quality but rescued old Z4 when I had a scary M20 blowout)
- worldwide travel insurance inc winter sports, inc direct family
- smartphone & tablet cover

Claimed when lost iPhone & Mrs took her iPad into the sea & wondered why it stopped working... modest excess, a few forms & all sorted

Same here for years. They really look after their customers.

road warrior · Post by **road warrior** » Thu Feb 28, 2019 7:29 am

For years we had the rac as the aa are just ridiculously expensive as we almost never need them for many many years. That said we needed them twice in one year for our motor home, and found out how Ill equipped they are. After waiting 4 hours the first time to be recovered and 12 the next time is useless. They have I think about 3 vans and a bloke answering the phone. Not forgetting that the rac Completely stops at night and they use local garages, so you could get anything .

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