Car Breakdown Cover Help Please.

[ladybirder]

I'm moving my car breakdown cover away from the AA because I don't have the time or the inclination to go through their annual ritual of playing the 'guess the lowest price we can offer you' game. The compare sites spew out lists of companies I've never heard of. So does anybody have any advice as to who not to go with and who is really good please?

[denis567]

I have been with StartRescue for 2 years now. Their prices are very cheap, last year it was something like £35 for full cover, including at home. I cannot comment on their service as, fortunately, I have never had to call them out.
It is worth considering them.

[gingejbee]

Ask this question on here and you will get several different people recommending several different services - and you will be no better off.
The only unbiased recommendations will come from the latest Which? car Breakdown services report - it tells you exactly who is good and who is useless.

[ladybirder]

I was hoping the same company would crop up a few times ginge. Do you mean Which, or Which Car?

That's the trouble Denis, they're nearly all cheap on the comparison sites, but it's their level of service I need to know about really.

[johnny37]

Ihave mine as an add-on to my car insurance (Morethan). It was much cheaper than anyone else. Had a call out recently and the RAC turned up. Never heard of StartRescue but I guess their system is the same. £35 sounds right for full cover.

[ummmm]

I'm with RAC. I think it's about £32 for full cover.

The AA are stalkers...

[DangerUXD]

my advice is to stay with the AA, they are the best.

[ladybirder]

Thanks everyone for your replies. Definitely finished with the AA Danger, I'm not dancing to their tune every renewal date. Why can't they just give me their best price and be done, especially as there is so much competition in the market.
I'll check with RAC and see what they will charge me although they haven't come up inthe compare sites.

[gingejbee]

The three Which? Recommended providers are Brittania, AA and GEM .
Green Flag was poor and Admiral's service is "not recommended"

[ladybirder]

Thanks Ginge. That's interesting as Buenchico is recommending Green Flag and he's usually spot on. I've just had a quote of £72 from them, and £99.99 from RAC. Defo not going back to AA, so I'll get a quote from Britannia and GEM next.
BTW I'm surprised Which don't recommend RAC. I always found them OK so will keep them on my shortlist nevertheless.

[gingejbee]

RAC were fourth - "not as good as last year".
Re: Green Flag - yes, they are cheap but poor overall eg waiting times, work done at roadside etc. And these results are based on thousands of replies from Which? members, don't forget...not just one or two!

[johnny37]

I think they all do a similar job. AA and RAC are never the cheapest by far.
Check with your car insurers, though you might have to wait for your insurance is due to cover.

[grasscarp]

Probably you dont want to hear this, but I have used AA twice in the past year and they were brilliant both times. Quick and efficient.

[gingejbee]

johnny: agreed - they all do a similar job. However, it's how WELL they do the job that varies widely. As well as prices.

[ladybirder]

grass, thanks but I know the AA are quick and efficient, I have been with them for 4 years. But as stated in my OP and since, I am fed up of the rigmarole at renewal time and not prepared to dance to their tune anymore.

ginge, yes Which is a credible organisation and I would always take note of what they say.

I'm not looking for the cheapest, I just need to know I'll get good service if I ever need it. Got to do it very soon as my AA cover has now run out and I've got a 600 mile round trip to do shortly.

Got half an hour of peace and quiet now I hope so I'll look at GEM and Britannia.

[ladybirder]

Done it. Would have gone with GEM but they cover person not car and I wanted car, so gone with Britannia. Thanks to ginge for the Which recommendations.

[gingejbee]

ladybirder: thanks for the thanks! Glad to help!

[Buenchico]

>>>That's interesting as Buenchico is recommending Green Flag and he's usually spot on

I've never recommended Green Flag to anyone! (I've got nothing against them; I just don't know enough about them).

My real recommendation is for Autonational Rescue:
http://www.autonational.co.uk/

[tonyav]

A warning about GEM, if you have a breakdown they send a mechanic from an independent garage and you have to pay them and then claim it back from GEM.

[ladybirder]

Sorry Chris, I got the information from this thread in ChatterBank.

buildersmate @ 13.20 here:
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/ChatterBank/Question1229139.html

[rockyracoon]

Ladybirder, be sure and cancel the AA, they do that automatic renewal malarky.