AA, RAC or Green Flag?

[rob1963]

Despite driving for nearly 30 years, I've never before been a member of any the breakdown services, as I've always had friends & family to help me out when I've had problems, and I've probably saved about £1,500 in the process.

Having just reviewed my online advertising, I've discovered a few listings which have been about as useful as a fart in a space suit, so I'm cancelling them & have decided to use some of the £75 saving to finally join one of the breakdown services.

Having checked the websites of the main three, I chose Green Flag as it was the cheapest (£52 a year for roadside assistance & home start). Having gone through the online application form, I was right near the end when it came up with a message about several occupations which they do NOT cover, and one was people in the entertainment industry...which I assume includes me (no funny comments, please!).

I therefore have three questions.

Firstly, is it just Green Flag that won't cover people in the entertainment industry, or is it the same with the others as well?

Secondly, if they are all the same, what's the way around it & how can I get breakdown cover?

Finally, which company would you guys recommend?

Thanks in advance for any information or advice.

:)

[Danno13]

Only ever been with AA, and have been for about 4 years now. They don't exclude entertaiment industry as I've had them out 3 times for vans now whilst being out working and a couple of other times for cars)! Only one of the times was a bit of a nightmare, ended up waiting about 2 hours till almost 4 in the morning as the first patrol they sent couldn't find me and apparently tried ringing (though, I had really poor signal at the venue)

Other than that, they've been faultless and I've certainley had my money's worth!

[rob1963]

Thanks Danno.

Looks like I might need to re-visit their website, even if they DO cost more than Green Flag!

:thumbsup:

[Jiggles]

Have you had a look on Quidco see if there is a offer on there?

Done the leg work for you :D http://www.quidco.com/aa-uk-breakdown/

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Another vote for the AA from me.

[wensleydale]

look at moneysavingexpert.com
theres much more choice than the 3 you mention- some are pay and claim, others pay upfront, but either way Callums points about Quidco is a good one.

I think the one I used when I had it was First Call.

[Shaun]

I've been with both AA and RAC, and both have provided cover for the entertainment industry. I'm currently with the RAC.

[Steve the DJ]

None of the above.

Check out Europ Assistance via QuotelineDirect (http://www.quotelinedirect.co.uk/breakdown/) for £59.

Cover includes light vans and trailers.

[andyw]

aa for me as well, rob do you not want rescue in your package or have you got that area covered, iwas stuck up in blackpool a few years ago when a car of mine developed a terminal illness i did not have rescue at the time and the rac would only tow me to the nearest garage. luckily someone had aa cover with us even though they did not have rescue they picked us up took us to a place i could hire a car and sorted storage for the dead car till i could sort out things my end been with them ever since with the rescue package. used it once when the clutch went on the way back from a disco, took us and the trailor home. it's a lot of money but well worth the peace of mind imo

[rob1963]

Thanks for the suggestions so far.

At the moment, Steve's recommendation in post 8 is looking like my best option...unless there are any other ideas.


rob do you not want rescue in your package or have you got that area covered

Steve's suggestion includes that Andy, so it looks like I'm covered.

[DJMaxG]

It depends how far you travel, if it's just driving to each gig within 10 minutes of home, then basic breakdown cover would be required, but if driving all around the country and abroad, you'd obviously want a better package.

My Family are RAC Members, and they are used about once a year.

[djsteve10]

I currently use the AA as I got 2 years free cover when I bought my car from the main dealer.

Once this cover has expired I will be definatley renew my cover with the AA.

[Excalibur]

My wife took out RAC cover, paid two instalments, and got us and the car brought back free when it blew up way down south. Lucky or what? :D

[Creature]

Im with the RAC initially for the any vehicle Im in/on cover. but it is more expensive taht the AA but then the twice ive used them in 6 years they always arrive in less than 1 hour :):)

[rob1963]

Just to tie up this thread, I've purchased from Europ Assistance via Quotelinedirect as recommended by Steve here:


None of the above.

Check out Europ Assistance via QuotelineDirect (http://www.quotelinedirect.co.uk/breakdown/) for £59.

Cover includes light vans and trailers.

I now have peace of mind for the long drive to BPM!

Thanks Steve!

:cheers:

[Steve the DJ]

Did I mention it covers the whole of Europe apart from Birmingham? :evelgrin:

[ppentertainments]

Just to tie up this thread, I've purchased from Europ Assistance via Quotelinedirect as recommended by Steve here:



I now have peace of mind for the long drive to BPM!

Thanks Steve!

:cheers:

Is that cover for you or your vehicle Rob ?? Seems a good deal and am currently looking around.

[rob1963]

Did I mention it covers the whole of Europe apart from Birmingham? :evelgrin:

:rofl:


Is that cover for you or your vehicle Rob ?? Seems a good deal and am currently looking around.

ppentertainments,

Check out the comparison chart below - especially the premiums at the bottom.

I also love the fact that you print everything off instantly - so there's nothing to wait for in the post.


Provider:................Europ Assistance.......Direct Line........AA........RAC

Home assistance..................Yes.................Ye s............Yes........Yes

Any insured person covered...Yes.................Yes.............Yes. .......Yes

European cover...................Yes.................Yes... .........Extra.......Extra

Roadside repairs..................Yes.................Yes.. ...........Yes.........Yes

Recovery to nearest garage..Yes.................Yes.............Yes... ......Yes

Recovery to home or
intended destination............Yes.................Yes.... .........Yes.........Yes

Car hire/public
transport costs..................Yes..................Yes... ..........Yes.........Yes

Accomodation costs............Yes.................Yes.......... ...Yes..........Yes

Premium.........................£59.00............ £135.45........£130.40....£125.60

[ppentertainments]

A great deal Rob, However with the RAC (or at least the cover I have), I am covered in any vehicle and not the vehicle itself. I have access to 5 different vehicles for various reasons and prefer to know I am covered. We have a family policy covering 3 of us for, going off memory, £130 a year. (it only cost an extra £10 to get my 9 yr old son on and I know that if he gets a lift anywhere, if the car he is in is not covered, they can use his cover or we can use the cover to get him home, as has happened once before).

For your needs however the policy you have chose seems good value for money.

[rob1963]

For your needs however the policy you have chose seems good value for money.

Indeed...as I only have one vehicle.

Pity about your situation, or you could have saved a nice bit, too.

[DJMaxG]

both have provided cover for the entertainment industry.

Huh ? :eek:

Wouldn't they provide cover for everyone, regardless of what is in the back of your vehicle?

The only thing that would usually be affected is the Insurance Premiums if anything, I would have thought.

[rob1963]

Huh ? :eek:

Wouldn't they provide cover for everyone, regardless of what is in the back of your vehicle?

The only thing that would usually be affected is the Insurance Premiums if anything, I would have thought.

Max,

Before starting this thread, I'd found Green Flag & gone through their online form to arrange cover, but right at the end it came up with several occupations they do NOT provide cover for, and people in the entertainment were one of those.

I have no idea why, because like you I don't see what difference it makes.

:shrug:

[DJ Jules]

I have no idea why, because like you I don't see what difference it makes.

It's to do with the weight of the equipment that you might have in the Van if you break down and they tow you, and the expense of replacing it should they happen to drop your car off the back of a tow truck.

I'm not sure it's not because someone at their head office thinks that we're a bunch of Chavs with dodgy old vans which break down all the time. :D

Julian

[rob1963]

It's to do with the weight of the equipment that you might have in the Van if you break down and they tow you, and the expense of replacing it should they happen to drop your car off the back of a tow truck. Julian

Thanks for the info, Julian.

I knew there had to be a reason, but for the life of me I couldn't think of it!

[Mark Wild]

None of the above.

Check out Europ Assistance via QuotelineDirect (http://www.quotelinedirect.co.uk/breakdown/) for £59.

Cover includes light vans and trailers.

Nice one mate, I'll have a bit of that :D