Hi, OH has just renewed our uk and european cover with the AA. He rang to make sure about being covered with caravan, and they said as long as we notify them nearer the time when we are going to Europe, we will be fine. For some reason i feel a little uneasy bout this, sure i saw something on a thread awhile ago regarding the AA. Has anyone had to use them abroad whilst towing, and was everything satisfactory?
I liked the look of the cover provided by the RAC, through CCC.
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I am a member of the RAC, although not covered for van as in process of selling it but they have been fantastic for my car never had anyproblems calling them out and they are always there prompt especially with the old car i use to have rather lucky now the car i have dosn't need them to come out but i wouldn't go with anyone else.
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We have "been brought home many times" in the past by RAC and i can honestly say that they were prompt, polite and VERY helpful. Had touble with fan belt due to some thing wrong with fitting (don't drive so not mechanical)
OH has been a member for nearly 40 years, just got renewal with a discount for NONE call out .
I will stay with the rac, even though they aren't cheap at least I know that our holiday will continue in the event of breakdown although I know that you have to pay an extra premium to travel abroad
I am in the RAC as part of the KIA Recovery deal when I bought the car .On a recent trip the oil cooler pipe came off the car and it dropped all its oil out of the gearbox.The RAC not only recovered the car but also my 7.5 meter caravan cant fault them or Kia
We have been with the RAC since 1981, now renewing through the Caravan and Camping Club Arrival service - they are specially for towers. Means we have to pay C&CC membership but the RAC is discounted if you are a C&CC member so there is nothing lost.
Having had some experience in the industry i know quite a bit that goes on.....
With the AA you either need to buy a towing supplement if you have a trip policy or for their annual cover then the van is covered automatically. You dont have to ring them unless its to amend your cover.
All i can say is expect delays either way if you do have a problem - if your vehicle/caravan breaks down its inevitable no matter what these companies do to help that you will be delayed somewhat. Its even harder when abroad as the companies providing cover dont have the same influence/facilities.
Also you have to expect to spend money on phone calls, these companies provide a free number but you have to be prepared to call from a landline and give up on your mobile.
Rental cars with towbars do not exist in the UK or abroad for insurance reasons so bear this in mind that whoever you take cover that you may not be able to get this kind of replacement car.
And always read the terms and conditions of your cover, quite often you will find yourselves being caught out because you didnt read the info before leaving on hols.... Hope this helps.
I used to be with the RAC. Found the pretty disappointing. First time I called them I said I had a trailer on the car they told me they couldn't help me. The second time I called them they sent a guy out 2 hours later who had no idea how to fix the car and couldn't tow me a smy car had an auto box.
Now with Mayday. Only used them once but they were great. 5 am I called them and they arrived 15 minutes later. Gentleman on the phone asked if I was towing or if there were any requirements so he could ensure a suitable vehicle was dispatched. They picked me up and got me to work by 5.45. The driver even offered me a cigarette! (I refused as I don't smoke. He didn't have one either until I said it didn't bother me)
I'm not sure if this is relevent to the question but may be of interest anyway.
I was recently doing some online searching for cheaper car insurance since my car insurance is due shortly. I happened to check the Lloyds TSB site and they seem to provide quite a reasonable car insurance. For an extra £32 a year on top of the insurance they do green flag roadside assistance and recovery which also includes the caravan. This has to be extremely favourable compared to the cost of RAC or AA
The wife and I were with the RAC via the Camping and Caravaning Club. We did this for a couple of summers before defecting to the Caravan Club. Anyway, we continued paying for cover to the RAC for the Car and Caravan under the Arrival thingy. I transpired that, after leaving the Camping and Caravaning Club, we were no longer covered for the caravan so we canceled that and joined the Green Flag organisation through the Caravan Club. When when on duty all day (I'm nursing and did a 14 hour shift), I left the car lights on and of course the car would not start at 9.30 at night so I called them and the Green Flag were with me within 30 mins and got me going within a further 10 mins so I was very happy with that service. If they continue to be that good, I'll stick with them for the forseeable future.
One thing to bear in mind abroad is that any of these firms are going to be using local agents and as far as I can make out will tow you to nearest dealer for repair, which may not be as cheap as your local garage.
I had never told the AA that we would be towing a caravan. I had just changed my car two days earlier and had forgotten to tell the AA. I phoned them up to tell them of my problem. They phoned back five mins later to say they had sorted all the change of details out and that someone would be out within 45 mins. They were most helpful. The guy came loaded the caravan on to the pick up van and took it to where we were staying. On this day they were brilliant
Having had some experience in the industry i know quite a bit that goes on.....
With the AA you either need to buy a towing supplement if you have a trip policy or for their annual cover then the van is covered automatically. You dont have to ring them unless its to amend your cover.
All i can say is expect delays either way if you do have a problem - if your vehicle/caravan breaks down its inevitable no matter what these companies do to help that you will be delayed somewhat. Its even harder when abroad as the companies providing cover dont have the same influence/facilities.
Also you have to expect to spend money on phone calls, these companies provide a free number but you have to be prepared to call from a landline and give up on your mobile.
Rental cars with towbars do not exist in the UK or abroad for insurance reasons so bear this in mind that whoever you take cover that you may not be able to get this kind of replacement car.
And always read the terms and conditions of your cover, quite often you will find yourselves being caught out because you didnt read the info before leaving on hols.... Hope this helps.
This is incorrect as there are many that hire out towcars, from saloons, 4x4's and 3.5 ton vans. See HERE for a nationwide firm that even drops off and collects the vehicle
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