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[Patrick Henry]

What's your recommendations for basic car recovery cover, non-European, all I want is basic pick up/fetch car home in case of breakdown.

I can't decide which is best...the AA or the RAC.

Over to you...



Rich

[chingdevil]

I am with the RAC and have not had a problem with them, when I have had to use them  they have been prompt and will phone you up to keep you updated as to where the mechanic is. You also get legal cover with them, helpfull if like me you get hit by a foreign lorry they started sorting things out before I had contacted my insurance company.
I would not say they were the cheapest, but I will not change. The RAC also used to have a deal on that your premiums would go down over 5 years if you did not claim, when I got hit by the lorry they claimed against his insurance so I did not loose out and my premium did not go up.


Brian

[Shipmate60]

I have family cover with the RAC.
3 members for a reasonable price.
I have been with Green Flag in the past and they were good, but most independant recovery companies use local garage recovery so the 1 paying the most per call get the prompt business.
But AA and RAC have their own equipment.
1 annoyance with both though is that the debit system used assumes you will remain with them ad infinitum and can be a pain to sto-p.

Bob

[pugwash]

Probably not much to choose between either of them.  I have been with the AA for about 20 yrs.  My wife had to call them out a couple of times
when I was abroad and they came fairly promptly and in both times got the car started and away.
I have only used them once on the European rescue when I hit a huge pothole on the autostrada and smashed a front spring, just before boarding the
ferry to Greece.  Got to my destination, albeit a lot more slowly and the garage came and took it away fitted two new springs and returned it  
within the day. I had to pay for the springs but the labour was free all arranged through AA european call centre in France.
Couldn't fault it for service or peace of mind for having the cover.

Geoff

[funtimefrankie]

If you are eligible try  the CSMA

https://www.csmaclub.co.uk/eligibility/A

[Patrick Henry]

Think I may go with the AA...don't think I qualify for the CSMA, didn't see sweeper driver on the list of applicable jobs...

Thanks guys,


Rich

[Netleyned]

Nor Royal Navy but RFA's are ok   

Ned

[kinmel]

You can have full cover for far less than the cost of a basic AA or RAC membership.

I have been with AutoAid for a few years and response from it's garages is just as quick as the big 2.

[dbninja]

steer well clear of the AA
was a member for over 20 years, full relay cover etc.    they left me stranded on the motorway christmas eve about 3 years ago.

i hit a fox that ran out in front of me on the motorway, it put my radiator through my engine instantly losing all coolant.

used the motorway emergancy phone system...  AA refused to attend because they classed it as "A ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENT"  told me to phone my insurance company instead because they only offer "BREAKDOWN" recovery.   yep me and the missus were stuck for 3 hours in temperatures around -6  while the emergancy service people tried to get someone out to me.

oh the AA did offer to recover me home the 90 miles for £300 + vat

the RAC will recover you in a similar event

and there was me thinking i was covered..   better check the small print guys

db

[triumphjon]

having been a member of both breakdown companies , id never use the AA again , they managed to leave me on a slip way for four hours in the dark while it was blowing a gale and raining heavily . the excuse they gave was the first tow truck had hit a tree that as partly over the road , a tree which id already driven around in my 40 yaer old triumph 1300 with its sealed beam candles up front !  broke down at 5 am on a sunday  didnt get recovered until gone 8 am !

[nhp651]

i've been with both over the years, and the best service was niether......green flag for me.

[Double D]

i've been with both over the years, and the best service was niether......green flag for me.

me too Neil.  Can't fault them 

[Number 6]

me too Neil.  Can't fault them

Agreed, Green Flag couldn't be faulted, they went above and beyond to help Audie when tyre blew out on her 206, highly recommended, Dave. 

[bikerdude666]

As a bit of a positive for AA, I can't fault them!

Couple of years ago, the rear wheel bearing collapsed on my buell up at loch ness, phoned the AA and they sent someone who was goin to take me to Edinburgh HD to fix it, but it would have cost at least £100 to have it done by them so I requested to be taken home and they said ok.

Except home was Bristol, so I got taken by a private firm to innerness, then on a different pickup from the same local firm, down to Glasgow. Then from Glasgow I had 5 different AA lorries, each changeover was quick, there was the next lorry ready and waiting, it took 13 hours but they got me all the way home.

They also recovered me quickly on a very cold January evening in the middle of nowhere on the top of the mendips.

[Kleban]

I am with the AA.    I've only had to call upon them twice and on both occassions had great service ... 

[dusty]

neither green flag have Recovery only and load you up and take you home this includes your Caravan if towing.

[Guy Bagley]

been with green flag, and AA and now with RAC by default !!!

green flag was the option some years ago via my car insurance, i got a big discount when bought with my fully comp insurance, i had to call them when my starter motor gave out and a local garage collected the car and recovered me and the vehicle back to my home address as i requested, i could not fault the service...
 i bought a   used vehicle which came with 1 yrs AA cover, never had to use it so dont know what their service is like....?

currently redeemed some of my tesco points for their ' finest recovery' - and lo and behold the breakdown recovery is supplied by RAC !

[alan colson]

Daughter had really BIG hassle with AA, I had no problem with RAC, recovered twice. But have changed to Green Flag this year as it would seem they provide better service if you are towing a caravan when it comes to recovery. Never had a breakdown when towing and hope it never happens (TOUCH WOOD, FINGERS CROSSED and all that jazz).
Alan

[funtimefrankie]

As this is a boating forum, maybe you should consider.....

http://www.rivercanalrescue.co.uk/?gclid=CPyhyPee0agCFUYPfAodJXGogw