Breakdown/Recovery service

[Nigel]

I am going to buy the above cover for my Beta as I've got
a couple of trips coming up.

Does anyone have cover and can recommend a company?

Thanks,
Nigel

[DrewWoo]

Hi Nigel
I renewed my breakdown cover yesterday. I’ve ditched Green Flag and gone with RAC as they don’t have any age restrictions.
I got personal cover for both myself and my wife so we’re covered in any vehicle even as a passenger, home start, relay, nationwide onward travel etc etc for £85. So everything is covered, the Beta, the bike, and Mr & Mrs daily drives.
Plus, if my wife ever decides that life is too dull and rides shotgun with her mother who drives an auto with an accelerator pedal that only has two settings: on and off, she’ll be covered there too.
Drew

[JohnFol]

I just go with who offers the highest cashback amount when I renew and am currently with AA, but no loyalty to any of them. I echo Drew's comment. Check the age restrictions as some (like Green Flag) won't cover you

"Cover will only be provided for vehicles that are under 16 years old and privately registered and used in the UK."

[peteracs]

Hi

I am with startrescue, you can either go individual car or personal. I have just changed to personal which covers me in any car and no age llimit for around £76 (middle pricing option). They appear to have good feedback on response, though never had to use them so far with the Saab. Maybe I will get some experience with the Beta….

Peter

[WestonE]

After the AA decided to yet again increase the price for no real reason I did some research and chose GEMS on personal cover for myself and my partner. High placing from Auto Express amongst others and no restriction on my old cars swung it.

Eric
PS Far cheaper than the AA for the same cover.

[the_matrix_master]

Autoaid

Driver and spouse ~ Any car ,any age ~ breakdown,at home and recovery £59 used them for years cannot find a better price anywhere

Had the mis fortune to have to use them a few times and never had to wait more than half an hour for attendance
would recomend

[frankxhv773t]

I have been with Britania Rescue for many years and have been very happy with them through many and varied break downs. They use a lot of local garages as agents whose mechanics are generally very practical and helpful. 

[chrisc]

I have 2 types of experiences with breakdown services.. ones that I've never needed to call on, and ones that have disappointed me.

AA + RAC fall into the second camp.. particular mention to the RAC for a 4 hour wait in subzero temperatures with snow on the ground when my motorbike broke down was ok (I pushed home a few miles - it kept me warm!)

[Nigel]

Thanks all,

That's a fair selection. It used to be an easy call between 2.
I've looked at GEM @ £80.

'll continue surfing, i've got several days before the first trip.

I'm sure this advice will be useful to others as well.

Cheers, Nige

[WestonE]

I had an RAC nightmare where they abandoned me under a bridge on the M25 for 4 hours having towed me 2 miles to get me off the motorway in my 4 month old company car. The AA never listened when clearly told you will need a flat bed for this vehicle and played the send a man in a van "nice car mate but I can't fix that you need a flat bed" game! It always took at least an hour to have this point less conversation before then waiting at least another hour for a flat bed. I can only hope if I have to use them GEMS at least listen.

Most of my breakdowns needing recovery have been fuel pump or "motorsport" part related. "Motorsport" being an excuse for over priced under developed parts in my painful experience.

I have got better at quality control in my development work through experience 

Eric 



 

[GerardJPC]

I have a small collection of classic cars and so am a regular user of breakdown services. I had very poor experiences with the RAC and the AA in recent years.   Their mechanics are fine, and often good at fixing old cars, but there are too few of them, and the control centres give wildly inaccurate information as to response times.   On one occasion I waited for over nine hours and eventually paid for a recovery truck.  

I joined GEM last year and thus far they have been great.   NB GEM use a lot of contractors and may be more keen on recovery than fix, but they are fast to respond and good at communicating.

[Nigel]

Hi Gerard,
I think you have tipped my balance in favour of GEM.

I am much more interested in recovery to home than roadside fix [which I should have
been prepared for before setting off]

Thanks to Eric as well for the GEM nod.

Nigel