I have been a member of the AA for about 12 years now, and I have found them to be a very good organisation. They are reliable, efficient and willing to please. The longest I have ever had to wait is about an hour and a half, but when you phone up they usually give you a pretty good idea of how long you have to wait. If you can describe the fault then so much the better. My husband and I have Option 300, Home Start, Relay and Roadside. Which means you are covered for problems starting your car at home and on the road, and that they will tow you to your destination. At first I thought Home Start was over the top, since we are not that far from a garage, but it is incredibly useful on a cold winter’s morning if the car won’t start, and especially useful for my husband who has his own gardening business. Since his car is loaded with equipment, its better for someone to come to the house if he cannot start the engine.
What made me join in the first place? Well, I was a student in Bristol, and being from London I was a regular driver on the M4. One of my brothers suggested I join the AA since the journey is long and one day something was bound to happen, so join I did. In fact, the AA helped me twice on that route, once when I had too much oil in the car and the police made me come off the motorway, and secondly when it broke down when I was travelling with some friends. The first time the AA fixed the problem, draining the oil from the engine, the second time the clutch had gone, so since I had the Relay option, they towed us back all the way from outer London to Bristol. Imagine the cost if I had not been with them. The annual cost was about £95 at that time, I seem to remember, but worth every penny.
So what is it I like most? Well past experiences prove that they have been incredibly reliable. The last time I called them out I was dropping my niece off at 9.15pm on a Sunday evening in Feltham. I needed to get back to Reading, where I now live, and the car broke down just at the end of her road. Luckily a friendly policeman and woman saw me trying to start the car, and pushed me into a nearby pub car park. I rang the AA from the pub, since my phone was out of charge, and they said that someone should be along within half an hour to an hour. Well, it can’t have been more than 20 minutes because the guy was so quick. He had just finished a job locally and I just happened to be on his way home and he was just finishing his shift. I was really impressed. It also didn’t take more than 10 minutes to sort out. The motor arm had worn through. So he replaced it and all I paid was £4 for a new part. What a service! He and I had a chat, and I was amazed at how much he knew about his job, and also his interest and aptitude. In fact most AA men have always been like this. Is there a place where they are specially bred and reared?!!!!
So since I have been married we still have Option 3 and that is now about £140 a year for a couple, which we pay in 3 instalments. It is £184 for family cover and £116 for single cover. That is another plus; your payment options are monthly, quarterly and yearly. We usually pay by direct debit, but I think its possible to pay by debit card using the phone.
Would I recommend the AA? Definitely. I only have good things to say about them. I have always been treated courteously, they are always helpful and know what they are talking about and have always sorted me out. I cannot compare them with any other company since they are the only ones I have been with. They send a magazine once or twice a year, which is always quite interesting, and they offer good deals with motor insurance. There is a further option worth considering, Option 400, which includes the extra option, Relay Plus, which extends Relay to provide either a replacement car (up to 48 hours), or overnight accommodation or onward travel arrangements if a local repair is not possible. This would cost a couple £172, a family £218 and a single person £116. Option 200 is Roadside and Relay (£145, £103 and £81 respectively) and Option 100 is just Roadside (£101, £61, and £41 respectively). So yes, I would recommend the AA for breakdown cover.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Some years ago, AA relayed a broken-down car, in which I was a passenger, all the way back from Northamptonshire to Berkshire/Oxfordshire, changing drivers and break-down lorry along the way! You don't have to be the owner or driver for AA membership to cover a journey, just "using the car".
salomeuk 01.08.2003 06:23
I have the same level of cover and although I haven't had to call upon the AA much at all in the years I have been a member, my experience has also been positive on those occasions when it has been necessary. In fact the last time, a couple of years ago, I think the AA were here well before the estimated time of arrival! Sue
x
royray 18.07.2003 22:14
We have always had the AA,they are excellent,take care,pat.
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 ·
Read review
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)
·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of AA Driving School
Jul 18th, 2003
very helpful by (100%):
