Car breakdown rescue

Green Flag have been excellent.

We had good service with Green Flag when DH with 2 dogs, broke down in the North of Scotland at 6pm - black dark, November.
First breakdown got him to a Tesco carpark a bit further South, to await the next uplift - that took him to Edinburgh, when another truck took over and brought him home. It was 4am and the vehicle was left here, as our chosen garage was closed. I had a reference number ready for 9am and a local GF took the car to the garage.
A lot of waiting around and he was freezing cold, but we didn’t want the vehicle taken to the main dealer hundreds of miles away.
After DH died, I stayed with GF, but now with a new car, I’ve got a ‘cheapie’ hoping I don’t need them!

RAC are useless. The one and only time I broke down on an unfamiliar A road, miles from home they sent the mechanic to a different town, looking for a different make of car. They also told me that if I was afraid to call the police. My DH drove for 2 hours to be with me and still got there before the RAC.
I must say when the mechanic did arrive he was very apologetic and helpful. The car ended up at a closed garage, and was fixed the next day.

I would never touch RAC with a bargepole. after experiencing their callous disregard for client.

Driving on a lonely unlit single track road, 4pm December, cold just getting dark, we found an elderly lady, car broken down on a bend and her phone battery died. No lights or heater. Very cold scared and distressed. So, we pushed the car to a safer spot; put lady in our car with heater on, I rang her RAC rescue on my phone and gave them her ID, stressing the location, dark, and how distressed she was. First call, the responder says "Yes, she has cover; can't talk to a third party , she needs to ring us herself" and cuts the line. I rang again, different person. He searches all over again and has to speak to supervisor. Long pause. Comes back to say, supervisor has confirmed what I already told him, she is an RAC client with rescue cover. But they have no vehicles available until 10 pm. ( only 6 miles from major city!) I explain that no way can weepy old lady be left alone in her unheated car in the dark for 6 hours. He says "It's not dark for ages yet". "Oh yes it is. " "Madam, I'm looking out of the window and it's daytime"
"We're in the Highlands. Scotland. It's dark"
"If it's dark the streetlights must be on".
"There are no streetlights".
"She could wait at nearby house"
"There are none for miles".
"I can ask our rescue truck to call you on this number when he's on his way."
" This is not her phone. I'm a passing stranger, I won't be here then. 10 pm is too late , you have to do better"
"Well, how about tomorrow?"

I gave up on the useless uncaring RAC. We left her car and drove her home.

Thanks for that.

fancythat

^DH used them recently. Usual long wait but both he and the car were transported home as they didn't do roadside repair on a motorway.^

Do they cross County borders?

Yes. He blew a tyre 2 counties away.

DH used them recently. Usual long wait but both he and the car were transported home as they didn't do roadside repair on a motorway.

Do they cross County borders?

We are with Eversure. Premium is under £40 a year to cover everything including Europe. You pay £40 more for a callout. They arrange a local garage to help you. This saves money over AA and RAC if you don't need them.

DH used them recently. Usual long wait but both he and the car were transported home as they didn't do roadside repair on a motorway.
No better or worse than similar experiences with RAC but saved money.

Mary59nana

Motoring Assistant for me for the 2nd year far better than AA

Better, quicker or cheaper?

Motoring Assistant for me for the 2nd year far better than AA

Start rescue.
Good reviews including by Whatcar, but not had to call on them. £77 pa for two cars.

That is odd.

Ours this year from AA came out from £200 to £300.
Not sure if we had used them last year, but do from time to time.

We rang them.
Got them down to £230 or something.
We have been with them for too many years to remember.

We always threaten to cancel mind you. And mean it.

I use GEM and they were excellent on the one occasion I had to use them quite soon after joining. Recommended by someone or other: Which? MSE?

* sorry, should’ve added went online to the same company and saved £80.

You could try going online and buying AA there. When I queried my house insurance hike, I was told to go online and it would be much cheaper.
I did and it was, which really makes no sense. ‘They’ all just rely on their customers renewing at the new amount, without taking any actions. A good friend of DH’s is still doing this - paying an astronomical amount, because (he thinks) he’ll get credit for being a loyal customer, if and when he contacts his provider. I think he’s in for a shock!