Having just passed my test and hearing my Dad's words "I'm too old to be getting under cars" I knew there would be no response to my late night calls starting "Daaaaaaaaaaadddddddd I don't know where I am but...." I decided I best look into getting some breakdown cover. I am insured with Direct Line (fantastic for new drivers by the way) but try and get a quote online - forget it, the site is rubbish and takes far too long. Britannia had been recommended to me and looking at the discounts you can get if either you or one of your Parents is a Civil Servant and is a member of CSMA, this looked a good buy. However, my Mum wasn't a member already and it would have cost us £30 a year to get the discount of £38! I had also decided that as I was most likely to be out on my own if my car broke down, being a young(ish) woman, I would feel safer knowing that either a bright orange or yellow van would be on it's way not just any old recovery agent. So RAC offered me payment over 5 months, total cost £120. AA offered me 1 payment of £91. However I favoured the AA as my Dad has been a member of the AA for 20 years. To celebrate this fact what does the AA give him? A free years membership? Huge discounts? A free gift even? Well kind of, he got a car sticker!! Wooooooooooo!! Anyway as a member he could introduce me and we get a free gift each, a choice of travel rug or first aid kit or flask type gifts. So I call the AA to ask to join armed with my Dad's membership number and am told if I want my Dad to introduce me then it will cost £120 not the £91 quoted previously. When I said that therefore the free gifts would cost me £29 and therefore they should not really be called free, the operator said that this offer could not be used in conjunction with any other offer. IE We don't care we've had your Dad's money for the last 20 years and he's remained loyal you're getting nothing, thanks for calling! The other thing was I called late one night after work and I was told that my cover would start from that night. I asked for it to start the next day for 2 reasons. 1) I wasn't planning on using my car again that night and 2) that would mean that my renewal would be due one day sooner when I had only received 4 hours of cover for the day the policy started. I was told that it was to start now or I would have to phone back again in the morning. I know I have done nothing but moan yet still gone with them. This is for 2 simple reasons they are the cheapest and I will feel safer seeing that yellow van. However come next year the shopping around starts again. If it doesn't suit me to stay then I won't be waiting for my car sticker!!
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Advantages: none- I never actually had a breakdown to use the services Disadvantages: they benefit financially if you do not receive your renewal notice
cscullion 23.09.2009 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful
Review of AA
Advantages: I passed! Learn in brand new Ford Focus, well trained Instructor, free AA membership for 12 months Disadvantages: cost - you pay for the good service you receive
surfchik27 02.06.2005 (02.06.2005)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of AA Driving School
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