Which rescue service?

[lastminute]

Should I cancel my RAC/AA annual subs...as I now have the Peugeot Assistance deal!
...not sure if its as good as the other two!!

ps. haven't needed them (yet).

 

[gregmcateer]

In my experience, (AA, RAC, GreenFlag, Mazda), they are pretty much of a muchness. If you get a good deal on your peugeot, use that and go back to the others when that expires, if they're cheaper / offer better service for you.

 

[artie]

Forget about them all.

In 40+ years of driving, sometimes in excess of 80,000 miles per year, I have needed a service like that twice. Both times a local garage did the job and repaired the car.

Peace of mind can be costly.

 

[RogerP]

Up now, 45 years driving and countless miles in a great many different vehicles, I've needed the help just once and a local garage fixed it for me.

Just think how much I'd have shelled out over the years for nothing if I'd been an AA/RAC member.

 

[Chippygeoff]

I was always with the AA and never had a problem with them and over many years had to call them out a few times. Now I have a motability car I am with rent a clown but overall I think both are pretty much the same with the level of service. Being a motability car though I get preferential service. I have called them twice and they have been very prompt. My new car is a diesel and when I filled up for the first time I clean forgot and filled with petrol and then I found out they have special vans to deal with this specific problem as it seems quite common.

 

[Eric The Viking]

Recently our VAG 1.9 TDi had a head gasket go and lunched a turbo, in both cases around 100-150 miles from home. We were very glad of the RAC on those occasions.

I also (red-facedly) had to call them out to my Defender 200 TDi, when the heavy current cable to the starter solenoid snapped (invisibly, inside the boot on the solenoid terminal) and when it split a brake pipe on Toolstation forecourt. Friendly, professional, very good at fault diagnosis (a lunched turbo and a puddle of brake fluid are good clues though!), and pretty efficient too.

We've probably used them a dozen times in 30 years, and yes, we do get our vehicles properly serviced at a good local garage.

Cost effective? Not any more as we get cover included with NFU Mutual insurance. That said, I don't regret having been a member, for about 32 years altogether.

 

[marcros]

i tried the AA a couple of years ago. passed countless vans, and not a single one saluted me as a member, so now i just use a comparison site.

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

then there was the time our eldest was a baby and we'd stopped en route to Devon to buy some provisions from a Spar. Came back to the car to find I'd locked the door and left the keys inside (on the central bit by the gear lever). This was possible with the old Grand Cherokee 4L petrol at that time even though it had central locking. I cant even remember how I did it but there it was. Little one was asleep in his car seat in the back. About 20 minutes of faffing and trying various things and he'd woken up...then looked about found we weren't n the car...started crying....then he could see we were outside the car and Mummy was trying to keep him occupied with inane grins through the window. The tears turned to screams and desperation crept in. We'd called the RAC right at the start but no one in sight. Anyway literally as I had found a half brick and was about to stove in a window, he turns up...knights of the road.

Within 3 minutes he slipped an air bag into the (locked) door and then inflated it...it opened the door sufficiently wide to get a lever in which opened the door even wider....enough to get a fishing rod thing in which allowed him to grab the keys.

I learned 2 things that day: Their tools don't just fix engines and car doors can be pivoted around a fulcrum in the middle without damaging them. Stored that one away for when I commence my professional burglary career!!

Nipper was very happy

 

[Eric The Viking]

i tried the AA a couple of years ago. passed countless vans, and not a single one saluted me as a member.

That's because of all the speed cameras, I expect.

They're not supposed to. :wink:

 

[Paul Dye]

I would recommend that you call them and suspend your current membership. That way you can restart it when your Peugeot Assist expires, should prevent any admin charges for rejoining.

 

[marcros]

i tried the AA a couple of years ago. passed countless vans, and not a single one saluted me as a member.

That's because of all the speed cameras, I expect.

They're not supposed to. :wink:

i should have stopped to ask them why- they must have had something of importance to communicate. :mrgreen:

 

[Glynne]

Does Peugot really have their own service, or is it "underwritten" by someone else? I'm with Skoda assistance but it is really AA but at a much cheaper price. As a previous poster mentioned, cars are far more reliable than they used to be so it could be just peace of mind you are paying for rather than an actual service.

 

[blackrodd]

I'm in the AA as part of my bank account, although nothing is free!
It's just like any other insurance, when you do need it, It's a Godsend.
What concerns me is breaking down on the motorway, and being towed somewhere, miles from any where and at the Bandits mercy.
The AA will collect my vehicle and either take it on to my destination, or home, and the passengers either place too!
This has happened twice, cambelt snapped, engine wrecked in Kent, 200 miles from home and head gasket blew,
200 miles again middlesex.
The towing costs, storage and repair bills have been astronomical for some I know.
Regards Rodders

 

[Mark Hancock]

I gave up on the RAC after 12 years when the subs went over £100. Now with AutoAid at £41 per year (only just went up from £39). It more of an insurance where you pay for the rescue/recovery and reclaim it back. I've had to use it 3 times with the reclaim being received before the credit card bill arrives. Just great service. Worth checking out http://www.autoaidbreakdown.co.uk/

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Unless you're using motorways regularly, there's not much point in breakdown cover.

 

[ChrisR]

Should I cancel my RAC/AA annual subs...as I now have the Peugeot Assistance deal!
...not sure if its as good as the other two!!

ps. haven't needed them (yet).

I have had full AA membership since 1960, I have also just purchased a new Peugeot (01/04/15), with the Peugeot assistance included, but I will not be cancelling or suspending my AA membership, as I am no longer physically capable of even changing a wheel, plus if a modern car stops there is no point in even lifting the bonnet. The days of fiddling with plugs, points or carburettor are long since gone, even if you are capable.

So I guess the answer to your question, is all down to your personal needs or requirements. For me effective road side assistance is essential, be it on a country road/lane or motorway.

Take care.

Chris R.

 

[Zeddedhed]

Being the proud owner of a Landcover Defender of 1986 vintage which has had more conversions and alterations done than your average californian bimbo I pray almost daily and offer up my thanks to the RAC. I regularly tinker (or tamper according to SWIMBO) with the beast and due to my appalling mechanical skills rely heavily on rescue services. Even if I don't need them after a particular "upgrade" it's comforting to know that they'll haul my sorry *** and ton and half of scrap back to it's rightful home.

 

[RogerBoyle]

Will not go without cover after breaking Down Between Peterhead and Wick
took me two days to get back home and £570 ( it was a Water Pump Failure)

For the sake of £55 with Freeway Rescue for the year I have total piece of mind should I breakdown again.

 

[Mark A]

I managed to negotiate a reasonable deal with the RAC last June.

I first contacted the RAC for a quote, then called the AA and got them to better it, and finally telephoned the RAC with the AA price and they were able to beat it. Took an hour or two but it saved quite a bit of money.

 

[Terry - Somerset]

Sadly car rescue companies behave like most other insurance companies - attractive first year offers followed by a few years of price increases in the hope that the policyholder won't do a simple comparison and switch.

However it is reassuring to have a number to call in emergency - so my car insurance policy has a small add on for a basic service. Callout, roadside fix if they can, or tow to nearest dealer. No hotels, travel costs, hire car etc.

As I've not used a car rescue service for more than 25 years I am happy (??) to accept that if I do have a major problem it will cost me - but far less than the premiums for more than two decades!.

The same is true of car warranty policies. I was recently prompted to check the cost for my car (three year old Skoda) and was over £200. In 25 years of car ownership (co car previously) I have never had a major failure - if I have one I will simply have to accept a large bill, albeit less than the saved premiums.

Reality is that we are simply paying a large chunk towards marketing, promotion, administration and profit for these companies. However the sums may be different for older cars, particularly if not properly maintained or abused.