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AA and RAC leave little to be desired

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5 Jan 22nd, 2001  (Jan 23rd, 2001)

35 Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful

Advantages:
Cheaper, Subcontracts work so often quicker

Disadvantages:
None

Recommendable Yes:

Detailed rating:

Speed Of Response

Cost

Level Of Cover

Customer Service

moose

moose

About me:

Member since:14.11.2000

Reviews:140

Members who trust:463

I have noticed that, to date, there has been only one opinion written about Autonational Rescue.......but I can't understand why! This vehicle recovery organisation certainly knocks spots off both the AA and RAC!

I have been with A.R. for 2 years and have no complaints in the time that I have been with them...in fact nothing but praise! I was a member of the AA for about 4 years previous, I paid £122 for the top service they offered (which I needed as I was travelling around the country quite a bit at the time). During this time I was left for 3 hours at the side of a road with 2 burst tyres.....so when my renewal was up.....errrr...the AA wasn't an option (to put it in nice terms!).

I saw a small ad in the press for A.R. - never had heard of them before, and sent off for details. They were offering me the same cover as the AA for half the price - bargain! I now pay £54 a year which includes roadside, relay, hotel accommodation & onward travel inclusive options (this does include a no claims discount otherwise I would pay £72). Their no claims discount allows you to call them out once in the year and still qualify for the cheaper renewal rate.

For basically the same cover the AA now charges £134 (for continuous payment otherwise its £159) – called Option 400. The RAC charges £110 for what they call Standard Cover. With A.R. the car is covered, no matter who drives it (whereas the AA insures the named driver to drive whatever car).

I haven’t had the misfortune to call them out in the 2 years I have been a member (all thanx to my 'Shopping Trolley'!!!) although both my friend and my Father have called them out and have found them to be fast and efficient. They sub contract their work (unlike the majority of the AA and RAC call-outs) so they tend to get their nearest contractor to your breakdown – which cuts down on your time waiting at the side of the road! They also tend to give female members higher priority, which is also a plus in my book (although I'm a little biased!). There is also no age limit on vehicle (unlike with other organisations where you sometimes have to pay more once it reaches old banger status!).

I actually forgot to renew my membership this year (I had moved and forgotten to tell them), when I phoned up they gave me immediate cover although they were still waiting for my cheque to arrive - I call this quite good service - I wonder if the other motoring organisations would do this. They take credit cards and cheques although do not take debit cards (this may have changed by now).

Another bonus is that if you recommend someone you get a £10 gift voucher for M&S! So......I hope you don’t think I am being cheeky but if I have persuaded anyone to join A.R. please e-mail me for my AUT number and I will be forever grateful!!!! (and forever pigging out on M&S Belgian chocolates.....although that is another op!!!).

Sorry to the powers that be, but as a get out clause.....if you do not want to give my number as a recommendation, I really do not mind (lie!)- but before you renew your next recovery breakdown cover give Autonational Rescue a thought! (I am honestly not plugging for recommendation purposes, as a complete whinger I do not give repeat business to a company I am not happy with....I have been with A.R. 2 years & unless something goes wrong or some 'supa doopa' new organisation comes along with a fantastic offer I will stay with A.R.!). Enough said!

p.s. I have removed my AUT number for legal reasons!!!....I will ask Ciao if it is allowed first!
 

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Comments about this review »

sue.51 01.11.2001 18:40

Does seem considerably cheaper than the AA - I have the all inclusive high flying membership with them, and despite hardly using them the price keeps going up Sue

jpass 14.09.2001 17:52

I am thinking of joining AutoNational and this op has helped me decide. By all means email me your AutoNational number and if I do join I will say you refered me. Jo

gander 24.02.2001 19:19

I was with RAC for years with varying lengths of wait, 50 minutes to over 6 hours, then joined Direct Line Rescue for a year which was less than half the price( introductary discount for DL insurance members) I'm now with th AA as it came free with my car.



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