UK breakdown cover ?

[exxos]

Anyone have any recommendations for a low-cost company which will tow you back home if you break down ?

I have had a look around some usual outlets and the price is just stupid.

Most of them assume you have a car younger than ten years.. Some will go up to 15 years at twice the cost... My van is 22 years old! But only done 49K and in very good condition !

Having it from the insurance point of view seems near on impossible. They generally will only toe you up to 10 miles or to the nearest garage which is no good at all.

Alternatively there would just be a recovery service . I use one of them about twenty years ago and cost me £200 back then !, though the car got scrapped and they only took me like 2 miles! But finding someone like that may be a better option than paying out insurance all the time. If I don't break down, then there's nothing to pay..

[mrbombermillzy]

Ive just signed up with the AA.

Its around £15 p/m, but it gives peace of mind:

AA.png

We also have a replacement car in <2 hrs if ours can be driven in an accident. So not too Spartan a service, I guess. :)

[exxos]

I did look at AA and RAC etc but granted I was half asleep, but I'm sure they said they would only tow up to 10miles or to the nearest garage..

I remember my ex-girlfriend ended up with a free year with the RAC and when my van broke down, they came out pretty quick but it was a Sunday and they said they are supposed to take me to the nearest garage which would be pointless on a Sunday so he kindly took us back home.

Problem was he was driving like a bat out of hell and I had to have a stiff drink on my return. I was literally shaking because we almost died like a hundred times over!! He was swerving around park cars and because I was only like one meter or so behind him on the tow bar, all I saw was a split second of we about to run into a back of a car when he swerved around. Power steering didn't work without power so I couldn't even hardly steer at the time either.

I've not really got the finances for subscriptions like that, but even having a number to hand for break down recovery, that would be fine, even as I pay at the roadside.. I think could still work out cheaper because I may never even need it. Like £100 a year subscription or £200 one off..

It's a local company near Stoke on Trent, so just just up the road. I'm just reading the reviews on them.. The owner of the company isn't half getting mad at people leaving stupid reviews! so I like him already!! :lol:

[mrbombermillzy]

The other thing to do... get friendly with a local guy who has a small 'beavertail' truck (i.e. one that can carry a car), or a tow vehicle and does it as their own business. They tend not to advertise with search engines; FB seems to be more their sort of advertising domain.

Ive got a guy about 500 yards from me that I know. I always keep his number handy just in case (though perhaps not needed now).

[Badwolf]

Been with AutoAid for years. No confusing ‘levels’ of policy, but there is a premium for old cars, I think.

You’re the member so any car you’re inside covered and the Mrs is included too.

BW

[prog99]

My VW transporter comes with AA cover and they have been really good the 2 times I had to call them (one needed a home visit the other they diagnosed over the phone)

[terriblefire]

Do not use RAC. They left my wife and mother in law on the hard shoulder for 9 hours. It might be different in England but just avoid them in Scotland.

[exxos]

Do not use RAC. They left my wife and mother in law on the hard shoulder for 9 hours. It might be different in England but just avoid them in Scotland.

That's bad :(

My ex was with them and picked us up after about 30mins in the Midlands, Sunday as well. But that was like 20 years ago now..

[mrbombermillzy]

Do not use RAC. They left my wife and mother in law on the hard shoulder for 9 hours. It might be different in England but just avoid them in Scotland.

Damn! Thats head rolling territory for someone at the company, surely? :shock:

[alexh]

I was with AutoAid for many years and several call outs. Never longer than 2hrs. They are like green flag they have a list of all independent towing companies. Free spouse / 2nd vehicle cover. However they don't like vehicles over 18 years old and while the premium is still industry low for home start they charged an excess per call out so I dumped them. If your car is under 18, I recommend them.

I'm currently with 2gether. Again industry leading low premium for home start and no excess for older vehicles. They do have excessive marketing practices (such as auto renew without warning if you don't turn off)