Gransnet forums

Ask a gran

Which breakdown cover

(15 Posts)
Greyduster Sat 11-Jan-25 07:42:33

The warranty on my car runs out next month and with it, my breakdown cover. It’s years since I had to think about breakdown cover as DH always negotiated extended warranty but we never had any car long enough for it to run out.

SiL says use RAC; DS says dont use RAC. They both say don’t use Green Flag. So, any suggestions? Good experiences, bad experiences?

tanith Sat 11-Jan-25 07:46:32

I’ve not used them often and I’ve been with the RAC for years but they’ve always responded quickly and efficiently when I have needed them. I also manage to beat them down on price when it’s due for renewal if you don’t ask you don’t get.

Oopsadaisy1 Sat 11-Jan-25 09:52:11

tanith

I’ve not used them often and I’ve been with the RAC for years but they’ve always responded quickly and efficiently when I have needed them. I also manage to beat them down on price when it’s due for renewal if you don’t ask you don’t get.

Same here, they wanted to almost double my cost last November, when I found a cheaper option (AA) they managed to find a way to only increase it by £20.

They’ve always been very good, whenever we’ve needed them so I was loath to leave them.

We last called them out when we broke down last Summer (they insure the person rather than the car, so whatever car you happen to be in when it breaks down they will come out) the chap couldn’t find out what was wrong as it was ok by the time he arrived, so he followed us back home to make sure we were ok. As we were 30 miles away we were very grateful.

Lovetopaint037 Sat 11-Jan-25 10:19:34

We gave up the car last year but we were with Aviva for insurance and the RAC came with it. I believe they own the RAC.

Georgesgran Sat 11-Jan-25 10:47:55

I cannot fault Green Flag when late DH broke down in the North of Scotland, although it took 12 hours and 3 separate vehicles to get him home! Cover, just to uplift to the nearest garage would’ve been useless.
I must be very lucky, in 50 years I’ve only needed help twice, both to change tyres on big cars when I couldn’t do it myself.
I’ve cheap cover, including himestart with 2Gether, read poor reviews, but hope I never need them.

Georgesgran Sat 11-Jan-25 10:49:12

himestart?? Homestart, of course.

Marmin Sat 11-Jan-25 10:51:01

Start. Cheap and reliable, they came to my rescue when needed.

FlitterMouse Sat 11-Jan-25 11:31:38

I have whatever is included with my car insurance which I move every two years to get the best deal on premiums.

I’ve had cover from AA, Green Flag and currently RAC (including at home cover).

Although my Honda Jazz is now 16 years old, I haven’t needed them often but all have been excellent when required. The only difference I could discern was that Green Flag use local garages rather than employing their own mechanics.

Current RAC cover with at home starts from £6.29 per month (which includes 40% off) so it would probably be much more economical to get an insurance add-on.

Aviva doesn’t own RAC. It did but sold it in 2011.

Maggiemaybe Sat 11-Jan-25 11:56:41

Our car insurance is with Hastings and RAC cover comes with it. We’ve only had to call them out once, but we had good service. We broke down at our daughter’s - they couldn’t fix the problem but transported us and the car 14 miles to our local garage (further than the stated maximum distance, but they didn’t charge us).

Greyduster Sat 11-Jan-25 12:38:16

Perhaps I’ll run it past my insurer and ask about their add on breakdown cover. I’ve already taken insurance for this year and didn’t take breakdown cover then so it may not be available to me now, I don’t know who they use.

Septimia Sat 11-Jan-25 12:39:11

I've been with the AA for some 50 years. They've rescued us many times and we've been very happy with the service we've had. Most recently they came to our home and replaced the battery on our vehicle. I won't be changing to any other company unless something drastic happens.

However... it really depends on the sort of service you want as there's variation between the companies regarding what they offer and how they work.

I'd suggest looking at the different services offered and the costs and make comparisons so that you get what is best for you.

pascal30 Sat 11-Jan-25 12:54:29

I would say don't use the RAC.. they have changed management and no longer offer all the services they used to. They will tow the car to wherever you wish but if it is an electronic problem they can't mend it.. They only allow one free tow, so if a garage can't be found (you have to find the garage)to take the car you might find you need to have another tow..

Pittcity Sat 11-Jan-25 17:20:25

We use Eversure. They are cheap because they basically offer insurance rather than run their own fleet of breakdown mechanics.
They offer everything the AA and RAC do but they simply arrange and pay for a local garage to assist you and a taxi for onward travel or a hotel if needed.

twiglet77 Sat 11-Jan-25 17:28:27

I use Emergency Assist, they’re extremely competitive on price and I’ve had impeccable service.

Greyduster Sat 11-Jan-25 17:35:22

Well it seems I have some homework to do - I’ve never come across some of the companies here.