Roadside Assistance & Recovery

[1969Mk3Spitfire]

Not sure where best to post this query.........

I’ve never purchased Breakdown Recovery / Roadside Assistance cover but I’m starting to think that it may be a good idea, especially as I’d like to venture out a little more in my Mk3 Spitfire this coming season.

My insurance is due anytime soon and it would be pretty straightforward to add cover for an additional £40, or thereabouts.

Are there other/better options? 

[dougbgt6]

The club insurance panel don't charge nearly as much as that! £40 is nearly half the premium.

Doug

[1969Mk3Spitfire]

Thanks, Doug,

My car is insured with one of the panel and £40 is their additional premium for adding Breakdown Recovery at the time of renewal. And, yes, it is almost 50% more than the premium, that’s why I’m asking if there are better (lower cost) alternatives.
 

[Clive]

Most of teh insurers include breakdown cover in their premiums.

Try Peter James for a renewal quote, many (including me) have been very happy with their insurance (yes, I was hit in my spitfire) and breakdown (sadly I have experience of that too)

[Pete Lewis]

give peter james a call

0121 506 6040

from my experience european and recovery , unlimited mileage all for around £100 - £120  thats in a Luton post code area  ( more risk than out inn the sticks )

so £40 for adding recovery is taking the mick 

can  we ask what Co was this 

Pete

 

[Andrew]

Changed my insurance last month to classic line good price and breakdown cover included 

[PeteH]

I have "multivehicle cover", for the Motorhome and Mine and Herself`s Daily`s. Includes full RAC recovery. As it`s "Any vehicle I am using" type cover, I assume the 13/60, whenever it hit`s the road would be covered regardless?.

Pete

[Mathew]

50 minutes ago, PeteH said:

I have "multivehicle cover", for the Motorhome and Mine and Herself`s Daily`s. Includes full RAC recovery. As it`s "Any vehicle I am using" type cover, I assume the 13/60, whenever it hit`s the road would be covered regardless?.

Pete

Re

Read the small print, just to make sure. You don't want cover thats ok for the quick road side pull over to say your insured to find in an accident it does not cover the full value. If the worst happenes they do find any excuse not to pay. I found out the hard way with a certain company with a red phone, with the clubs one i had a total loss and recovered the money as agreed within two weeks, had bought back the wreck and they paid the recovery to my house! I will say if you intend to buy back make sure it is recovered to your house, negotiating goes better!

[Dick Twitchen]

Mathew is right to countenance caution.  2019 Laon Historique saw a Triumph 2000 in a minor bump but rendering it undriveable.  Following are extracts from an exchange I had with Peter James for my own piece of mind:

 "his insurance company said that organising and paying for the recovery back to UK was up to him as it was an accident and not a breakdown."  PJ's response was to draw my attention to the Additional Cover booklet  and confirmed that "In the event of a Breakdown OR Accident Or the only available driver being incapacitated...." 

If I remember correctly he ended up sorting recovery through friends.

Dick

 

[dannyb]

I'm insured with RH which includes recovery. In 2018 I was recovered from John O groats back to Essex during the RBRR. I can't fault them. 

Danny

[Colin Lindsay]

2 hours ago, PeteH said:

As it`s "Any vehicle I am using" type cover, I assume the 13/60, whenever it hit`s the road would be covered regardless?.

Pete

That's worth asking them about; I've had that in the past where the vehicle I was driving 'wasn't on their list' and they were dubious that I was trying to get a friend's car trailered home by pretending that I had been driving.

My current Triumph policy has built-in recovery - a pone number to ring in the event of breakdown - which thankfully I haven't yet had to use.

[PeteH]

Cheers guys. I will look into it, The RAC recovered my 9tonne American R-V from the Santander Ferry to the Midlands. So so far I cannot complain. The recovery vehicle was something to see. sliding bed. never even scratched the overhang!.

 

Pete

[Badwolf]

I am truly hacked off with the RAC having been a member for over 40 years. Not with their service as (kiss of death point about to be made) I have rarely had to use it, but with their pricing policy. Like most insurance companies they renew at highest rate until you squeak, then miraculously reduce the price. Trying to use Tesco club card vouchers to pay is a joke, top price only. You get the idea. So, the question, is it better to get bundled recovery etc through the club panel insurers for the Spitfire insurance with recovery etc for 1 X modern, 1 X classic (Spitfire) & 1 X very rarely used 20 year old Micra, or just keep with a stand alone recovery policy from the RAC or their competitors. I have previously been very unsuccessful with a multi car policy through the club panel but renewals are due so I will investigate again.

[Clive]

I have not used the panel insurers for our modern cars (newest one is only 16 years old.... )

However, some other ideas. We have a bundled bank account with Nationwide, it gives european breakdown, worldwide travel insurance, mobile insurance etc and is about £150pa. We reckon it is good value (though not this year, no real overseas travel)

There are some breakdown specialists who are pretty reasonable, depending on cover. We used to get european cover for our modern for about £50pa, but that was 5 years ago.

Just my 2p worth....

[1969Mk3Spitfire]

I've now obtained three new quotes. Peter James and LH are very similar and a few pounds less than my current (panel) provider.  Classic Line seems to be offering best value, including UK and Europe Breakdown Assistance.  Thanks, everyone.

[poppyman]

1 hour ago, Badwolf said:

I am truly hacked off with the RAC having been a member for over 40 years. Not with their service as (kiss of death point about to be made) I have rarely had to use it, but with their pricing policy. Like most insurance companies they renew at highest rate until you squeak, then miraculously reduce the price. Trying to use Tesco club card vouchers to pay is a joke, top price only. You get the idea. So, the question, is it better to get bundled recovery etc through the club panel insurers for the Spitfire insurance with recovery etc for 1 X modern, 1 X classic (Spitfire) & 1 X very rarely used 20 year old Micra, or just keep with a stand alone recovery policy from the RAC or their competitors. I have previously been very unsuccessful with a multi car policy through the club panel but renewals are due so I will investigate again.

I had a similar issue BW with a rarely used modern and tried PJ who came up with a better price that included full breakdown cover so i ended up saving both ways  They only seem to do multi car on classics. I know what you have been through with club card vouchers aargh..... 

Tony.

[Colin Lindsay]

1 hour ago, Badwolf said:

I am truly hacked off with the RAC having been a member for over 40 years. Not with their service as (kiss of death point about to be made) I have rarely had to use it, but with their pricing policy. Like most insurance companies they renew at highest rate until you squeak, then miraculously reduce the price. 

RAC, AA and Sky TV - all the same; they try to autorenew membership, you complain, they drop by an amazing amount. They'll suck you in easily enough - from £5 per month! amazing! - but see how soon that price rises to triple or worse.

Both my modern and classic policies have recovery built-in and it doesn't count as a claim.