AA or RAC?

[Sysman]

I picked the AA as they have more vans, it's a waste of money really as I drive Japanese cars.

I once saw this in a potted glossary:

"AA. Marketing company who occasionally help stranded motorists."

Harsh but fair.

I'm pretty sure that the smaller ones do use a network of local garages. One snag with "relay recovery services" is that they are exactly that - you can end up being passed from one truck to another and it can take ages to get home if you are a long way away.

[Flubster]

Having done gigs with both end clients, I would say go for the AA. It depends on what is important to you, but I suspect most of us want to get a patrol vehicle out to us quicker and back on the road ASAP. The AA response times are much quicker (on average) than the RAC and they repair more vehicles at the roadside.

Clearly, for our firends North of the Border, cost may be the clincher.

Personally, I get breakdown cover as part of my insurance as a bolt-on (it's Vauxhall Breakdown which is actually the AA anyway).

[Halo Jones]

AA they seem more helpful RAC seem stuck up thier own bottoms

[Jubber]

My RAC cover is due for renewal soon. Who do you prefer for breakdown cover, the big two or any of the others?

I'm a member of the RAC and they were excellent when I needed them. Head gasket blew just as I was pulling into my hotel (phew). The car was still under warranty (2nd hand from dealer) so the RAC turned up with a trailer and took it off to the dealer to fix. Within 2 hours I had a hire car to use, as I have the bells and whistles service, so I carried on about my business.

I'm glad I had RAC cover and I'm glad I bought the car from a dealer.

At renewal time I always call the RAC and haggle the cost. They always try to put my 'premium' up by about 30% or so, but I always get it down.

[Wilmslow]

AA for me on two grounds:

1. The policy I have gives me a hired car if mine is off the road, so always mobile. The RAC cannot do this.

2. I have the breakdown repair warranty with the AA. I think a £50 excess then they pay the balance of garage repairs up to a grand. RAC do not offer this.

Official cost is around £20 a month, but, because I am a low risk user having been with them for donkeys years they whacked it down to something like a tenner a month.

I do not just get breadown cover, I am guaranteed to always be mobile in my car, recovery truck or a loan car

[monobrow]

don't be such a cheapskate!

you are a contractor .. use this

[Lockhouse]

I use the RAC. I used to do some Motorsport and at the time the RAC managed the licencing (ISTR) so it seemed the right thing to do. Been a member for 20 years or so. I have had no problems with them at all but it's not bargain cover.

[shaunbhoy]

Stone me.

I've just realised I've been in the AA since 1977.



Must have paid them at least two or three cars worth of money over the years.

Be fair though zeity, you have probably eaten 2 or 3 cars since then too.

[TheFaQQer]

I follow the advice on Cheap breakdown cover: Roadside assistance from £8 a year... and go for the best European cover - last year it was about £50.

Mrs F has hers included with the car insurance because it's an old campervan which is a nightmare to get breakdown cover anywhere else - insurance bundles it in for £70. Buy it on it's own and it would be £200+

[BoredBloke]

I'm with the AA - Last year I joined and got something back via quidco and paid £11.38 a month. This year then tried to increase my monthly amount to £19.30. I called them up to complain so they dropped it back to £11.38 - That covers me and my wife with relay and homestart.