Breakdown services.

I've been with Emergency Assist for several years now, their charge is reasonable and I've had excellent service on the few times I've had to call them out.

We had a battery problem last year with our Toyota hybrid which was on our drive. We were concerned as it’s a specialist battery. The dealership didn’t want to know. Fortunately we had Homestart with the AA. The AA arrived in 15 minutes with a case of tools and specialist knowledge of petrol hybrids and had the car up and running almost immediately. Worth every penny of the membership fee, which they had reduced to offer Homestart for free. Otherwise we would have had to pay for a lowloader to get it to an appropriate garage.

I pay breakdown cover with my car insurance and have only had to use it once. When I broke down ( a tyre exploded) I phoned the breakdown number and found it was the RAC. They said they would be with me in four hours. I gulped at that. However, they phoned me back within ten minutes or so and asked my age and was I alone? When I told them they said they would be with me in about twenty minutes, and they were.
So I was quite impressed.

We were with RAC years ago. Having had a blow-out on the motorway years ago on our way to pick up family from Heathrow, we waited so long that DH changed the tyre himself in the end. We could see the RAC control centre from where we were!

Gingerrice, do you have homestart in your RAC package? If not, that was probably the charge. If you do you shouldn’t have been charged.

It is interesting to hear all these comments about the RAC. Interesting too that the man who came to take our car to the garage (called by the RAC) said they are terrible and that he uses Green Flag. The service manager at our local garage where the car was taken said the same thing and that he uses Green Flag. Guess what breakdown service we shall probably be using next time.

Similarly waited 5 hrs for RAC last week.Admittedly i was at home but still missed appt as had to " stay with the car ".
At one point they texted to say they could come "tomorrow " but I didn't respond to that and 30 minutes later guy turned up. Very thorough when he did come ( though had to pay extra £40 call out charge- is that a new thing ?)
So I won't be renewing . 5 hrs is unreasonable when they advertise 60 minutes!

No. Put in a formal complaint.and phone again and say it is unacceptable as you pay for homestart and do not expect to wait days. Threaten with bad review and not rejoining

I’m with the AA, and have always had great service - last time I was on holiday, the time before on the motorway, when my car had to be relayed home as the cam shaft had gone. The AA is expensive, but I prefer the peace of mind because I’m often driving alone, and they are quick and reliable.

Oh dear, I'm sorry to see such a lot of stories about poor service from the RAC.
DH bought me life membership of the RAC in 1968. They had a special offer, sadly not including their posh club in Pall Mall. We used it about three times, the last time about 20 years ago. I hope I don't need it any time soon.

That’s disgraceful service, I’m on greenflag simply because they covered our caravan when towing too. Previously I was on Britannia Rescue, who in the 30 + years I was with them I had to call at least four times they were excellent every time. Vote with your wallet next renewal

“But I've been in the RAC since 1809 “ Blimey Grandma600, that’s some driving experience! 🤪

Coincidentally I broke down last night, around 7.30pm, about 9 twisty miles from home. Rang RAC (who initially wanted me to report the issue online!!!) and they told me I'd have to wait 4 hours. I told them that I was by myself and felt uncomfortable about being alone in a remote area after 11pm...I will not publish his reply, but it wasn't kind or gentlemanly

The man who turned up (at 9.45pm) was apologetic for having kept me waiting and stood by the kerbside till I drove off, so all's well that ends well. But I've been in the RAC since 1809 and the service doesn't seem as efficient as it was back in the day

I had amazing service from the AA yesterday when part of the exhaust on my car came off. They were at the car and had made it roadworthy within 20 minutes of me calling them. Pleasant and explained well.

I have R.A.C. membership through my bank account and every time I have needed them they have been very prompt. I only pay £15 a month to my bank and I get gadget insurance for that as well.

And I thought it was just us that the RAC let down. Last winter we suffered a flat battery at home and after calling them out we were told that we were low priority as there were so many breakdowns but my husband had a hospital appointment later and he called them back and got them to come out just in time but we had to buy a new battery at £140!
Is it because we're old or were at home? Either way it's not good enough and given your similar experience Nandalot I guess we need to change company at the next renewal

Here at last and being taken to a local garage. What a marathon!

we had that with Greenflag who said they'd rescue our car and didn't, so we rang a local chap who does this sort of thing, he was £150 cheaper & much quicker too!

Complain, complain and keep on complaining! Being busy is no excuse for not keeping you updated or sending an independent garage pickup to sort you out!

Yet another update. At 11.30 we had a phone call from a garage to say they would be with us in an hour. I think that was pushing it a bit judging from where they are coming from, however, still not here at almost 2.30.

We use StartRescue too ballie good communication.

I refuse to use RAC anymore since they let me down. I’ve found the AA to be much better but when your renewal comes up you do need to haggle with them and they will lower the cost.

Nandalot, I cannot justify having to pay the subscription fees charged by RAC & AA, even with the various discounts offered to attract members. There are many others who are far cheaper for a like for like service. I have been using Start Rescue for many years now and have never had a problem. I see from your last posting this morning, that RAC gave you an approximate additional wait time of 2.5 hours. With Start Rescue, they regularly give an approximate wait time of well under 1 hour.

So this morning they have said they will be here by 11. We shall see!

I was with the RAC a few years ago. One day I got stuck outside the vet's when the car wouldn't start. I phoned the RAC, gave them all the details, and they said someone would be with me as soon as possible. As I put my phone away I became aware of someone pulling up behind me. It was an RAC van which had been in the next road!