AA rip off?

nicebutdim

Just looking at joining the AA this morning.....Roadside rescue... in Ireland - € 150, in the UK - £ 29 ..... WTF !!!!! :mad:

deelite

nicebutdim wrote: »

Just looking at joining the AA this morning.....Roadside rescue... in Ireland - € 150, in the UK - £ 29 ..... WTF !!!!! :mad:

I have AA rescue and paid 127 for it last year (this included home start). I got the renewal in this week and it had gone up to 165 - I rang and told them I couldn't afford it - they asked if they left it at the 127 would I stay with them - I said fine.

Ring them and see how you get on.

nicebutdim

deelite wrote: »

I have AA rescue and paid 127 for it last year (this included home start). I got the renewal in this week and it had gone up to 165 - I rang and told them I couldn't afford it - they asked if they left it at the 127 would I stay with them - I said fine.

Ring them and see how you get on.

What makes me mad is that Conor Faughnan is forever on the radio, acting the friend to the motorist, yet his organisation would have their hands as deep in our pockets as everyone else they complain about. I hate this hypocrisy

Vicxas

Yeah its gone crazy, im gonna ring my insurance and see if they do roadside assistance. AA is a ripoff.

Berty

The UK and Ireland are very different with different competitors in their markets.

You are not assessing them on a "like for like" basis really.

Take the population of the respective countries as an example.

deelite

Funny enough I'm sure every year my insurance company tell me I have roadside assistance - but they are very vauge on what it exactly is.

nicebutdim

Beer Baron wrote: »

The UK and Ireland are very different with different competitors in their markets.

You are not assessing them on a "like for like" basis really.

Take the population of the respective countries as an example.

Yes, but 3 times the price? They also use a lot of local mechanics

Vicxas

deelite wrote: »

Funny enough I'm sure every year my insurance company tell me I have roadside assistance - but they are very vauge on what it exactly is.

+1 on this, Tesco have breakdown assistance as standard. but it doesnt really say what it covers.

Cicero

I've used my own insurance company breakdown assist service a number of times- through the years- everything from homestart (battery gone, car parked at home) to breakdown miles from home....don't see the value of AA so haven't bothered joining

Anan1

nicebutdim wrote: »

What makes me mad is that Conor Faughnan is forever on the radio, acting the friend to the motorist, yet his organisation would have their hands as deep in our pockets as everyone else they complain about. I hate this hypocrisy

Ah come on now, do you really think the AA are your friends? They're a business, take deelite's advice and learn to negotiate for a better deal.

Darsad

The prices are different because they are different markets with different volumes and costs . Probably says more about the cost of doing business in Ireland than the AA ripping the punter off. There has been duplication of roadside assistance here for years you would not believe the amount of people who have a new or newish car which came with free road side assist which normally lasts as long as the warranty , then they have and inadvertenly pay for the same cover with their insurance company when they have comprehensive cover . Then they go and pay for AA membership ! i would love to know how many members with 1 2 or 3 yr old cars the AA have on cover .

u140acro3xs7dm

Darsad wrote: »

The prices are different because they are different markets with different volumes and costs . Probably says more about the cost of doing business in Ireland than the AA ripping the punter off. There has been duplication of roadside assistance here for years you would not believe the amount of people who have a new or newish car which came with free road side assist which normally lasts as long as the warranty , then they have and inadvertenly pay for the same cover with their insurance company when they have comprehensive cover . Then they go and pay for AA membership ! i would love to know how many members with 1 2 or 3 yr old cars the AA have on cover .

We got it this year for the first time as we are with AA insurance. I rang them once and they wouldnt come out to me. The reason is the policy is in the missus name and she wasnt with me. She is covered by the AA not the car. Strange system. I should get her to go out to breakdowns up and down the country seen as she is covered, get my moneys worth. Wont be renewing with them.

Anan1

Markus Howling Salsa wrote: »

We got it this year for the first time as we are with AA insurance. I rang them once and they wouldnt come out to me. The reason is the policy is in the missus name and she wasnt with me. She is covered by the AA not the car. Strange system. I should get her to go out to breakdowns up and down the country seen as she is covered, get my moneys worth. Wont be renewing with them.

If you'd read even the info leaflet you'd have known that the policyholder is covered, not the car.

blindsider

Anan1 wrote: »

If you'd read even the info leaflet you'd have known that the policyholder is covered, not the car.

I have no affiliation etc to this organisation:

www.breakdown.ie

Their prices are very reasonable. I am not a member but we are considering it for an upcoming car holiday. If we get breakdown cover, I will def. try these guys.

corktina

I rang AA recovery last weekend only to be told my membership had expired even though I had the card valid to 2/2012 in my hand.

SO I called out AXA recovery, they werent as good but got me going, so thats a saving of €165 per year from now on.

Can't see AA lasting much long tbh...loads of people have recovery on their car insurance now.

Anan1

corktina wrote: »

I rang AA recovery last weekend only to be told my membership had expired even though I had the card valid to 2/2012 in my hand.

Had it expired? A valid card doesn't prove that it hadn't.

corktina

didnt even bother checking yet.Possibly a problem with my DD, but they didnt bother their asses to contact me if there was.

dr.fuzzenstein

Beer Baron wrote: »

The UK and Ireland are very different with different competitors in their markets.

You are not assessing them on a "like for like" basis really.

Take the population of the respective countries as an example.

Isn't that always the excuse?
It just translates into "we're going to rob you blind because we can"

u140acro3xs7dm

Anan1 wrote: »

If you'd read even the info leaflet you'd have known that the policyholder is covered, not the car.

That means we would have to get 2 memberships for the times i am in the car alone and when she is in the car alone. Thats over 300 quid, would be better off with no cover and if ya ever did break down ya ring a mechanic.

colm_c

I've had AA cover the last 2 years, and I'm happy to pay the 11 quid a month for it.

I got it because about 2 years ago my motorcycle was vandalised over xmas and needed to be towed to a garage to be fixed, my insurance had breakdown assistance so I rang them only to be told that unless it was a mechanical failure, I'd have to make a claim on my insurance to have it towed to the garage, they also mentioned the repercussions that would have on my premium.

So I opted for AA cover, waited the cooling off period and they towed it to the garage without any problems.

I've used it numerous times since, and since it covers me (as the driver or passenger) and not the vehicle, I am covered on my two motorcycles and my car, and on anyone else's car/bike too. I was able to get money off both policies to when I said I didn't need breakdown cover.

If you've only got one vehicle and your insurance has *good* breakdown recovery then you shouldn't need AA cover, if you've got crap breakdown cover and/or a few vehicles then it's essential IMO.

And with their direct debit option (11 quid a month) it's a cheap way to ensure you'll never be left stranded (for more than an hour).

Jimdagym

Markus Howling Salsa wrote: »

That means we would have to get 2 memberships for the times i am in the car alone and when she is in the car alone. Thats over 300 quid, would be better off with no cover and if ya ever did break down ya ring a mechanic.

On the dearest, €16 a month package, you can add up up 3 extra people with their own cover for €4.25 a month extra, each. They have to live in the same house.

Anan1

corktina wrote: »

didnt even bother checking yet.Possibly a problem with my DD, but they didnt bother their asses to contact me if there was.

So you didn't pay them, and now you're upset because they cancelled your policy? You're lucky you paid your insurance.;)

Markus Howling Salsa wrote: »

That means we would have to get 2 memberships for the times i am in the car alone and when she is in the car alone. Thats over 300 quid, would be better off with no cover and if ya ever did break down ya ring a mechanic.

Again, that's nonsense. Would you not just read how it works, rather than making wrong assumptions and then trying to blame them on the AA?

johnos1984

I got it for €81 last week

Drummerboy08

My experience of the AA has been mostly very positive. I find they offer a good service.

Also just to point out, who exactly do you think the insurance companies use for their breakdown cover? Yep, you guessed it, for the most part the AA.

Axa have a number of breakdown vans on the road, but when they get overwhelmed they turn to the AA.

Delancey

I got breakdown assist with Quinn Insurance and about 6 months ago I called on them when my car overheated badly miles from home and late at night.
Fair enough they came out to tow me but the policy only covered a tow for 10 miles - I was 25 miles from home so had to cough up the difference on the spot.

corktina

Anan1 wrote: »

So you didn't pay them, and now you're upset because they cancelled your policy? You're lucky you paid your insurance.;)QUOTE]

:rolleyes: thanks for checking with my bank, i didnt know you could do that. Saved me the bother.

Im not upset in the slightest, didnt I say that (their inefficency has resulted in) me saving €165 a year (and them losing a long-term member).

Anan1

Their inefficiency? You didn't pay them so they cancelled your membership - hardly something any reasonable person would hold against them.

The AA once left me stranded for four hours at night because they couldn't get their heads around the idea of an awd car needing a flatbed truck - now that's a bad story. Your not paying for your policy and ET_phone_home's not understanding theirs are no reflection on the AA.

dnme

Apply some common sense and risk management to your situations. If you have a modern car and a mobile phone, is AA membership worth it?

It's Ireland, are you ever that far from a town?
Modern cars don't tend to let you down as much as they used to.
Mobile phone to ring a relative and collect you etc?

Now it's a numbers game, that's the point. Apply some risk management. IMO, AA is not worth it in many cases.

Anan1

dnme wrote: »

Apply some common sense and risk management to your situations. If you have a modern car and a mobile phone, is AA membership worth it?

It's Ireland, are you ever that far from a town?
Modern cars don't tend to let you down as much as they used to.
Mobile phone to ring a relative and collect you etc?

Now it's a numbers game, that's the point. Apply some risk management. IMO, AA is not worth it in many cases.

Exactly, look at exactly what's being offered and see whether it's worth the money for you. I've had AA membership when I had an older car and found them generally very good, but at the moment I don't need them.

January

Two days before Christmas last year my partners car conked out when he was over in the local Spar, he called AA and they came out, the guy hooked up the computer and printed out a little thing telling him that the battery was gone and he could sell him a new one there and then for €95 euro (you can buy them in Cafco up the road from us for €60), he said no thanks can you tow me home and I'll do it myself? "Oh sorry, can't the snow is too bad". Had to leave the car there til the next morning... chanced ringing our insurance companies break down (Aviva) to see if they would tow us, guy was out within the hour, had a look at the car and assessed that it wasn't the battery, it was the engine that was screwed (no oil, but the oil light never came on and it wasn't leaking but pooling under the engine cover...) and towed us home straight away in worse conditions because it had snowed again overnight...

Cancelled the AA after Christmas and won't be relying on them again.

JayeL

You wouldn't pay £29 for membership in the UK every year, it's an introductory offer.

smokie2008

January wrote: »

Two days before Christmas last year my partners car conked out when he was over in the local Spar, he called AA and they came out, the guy hooked up the computer and printed out a little thing telling him that the battery was gone and he could sell him a new one there and then for €95 euro (you can buy them in Cafco up the road from us for €60), he said no thanks can you tow me home and I'll do it myself? "Oh sorry, can't the snow is too bad". Had to leave the car there til the next morning... chanced ringing our insurance companies break down (Aviva) to see if they would tow us, guy was out within the hour, had a look at the car and assessed that it wasn't the battery, it was the engine that was screwed (no oil, but the oil light never came on and it wasn't leaking but pooling under the engine cover...) and towed us home straight away in worse conditions because it had snowed again overnight...

Cancelled the AA after Christmas and won't be relying on them again.

Your post makes absolutely no sense. If the AA guy diagnosed it as a battery fault and your Dad was looking to get home he would have just jumped start him and told him to drive it, then realised the engine was gone.

Even though I find it very hard to believe at some stage he wouldn't have taken the 20 seconds it takes to connect the booster pack to the vehicle, I find it even harder to beleive any trained mechanic can mistake a flat battery from a sized engine.

January

smokie2008 wrote: »

Your post makes absolutely no sense. If the AA guy diagnosed it as a battery fault and your Dad was looking to get home he would have just jumped start him and told him to drive it, then realised the engine was gone.

Even though I find it very hard to believe at some stage he wouldn't have taken the 20 seconds it takes to connect the booster pack to the vehicle, I find it even harder to beleive any trained mechanic can mistake a flat battery from a sized engine.

Sup... not my dad, my partner and yes, that is what happened, I seen the print out from the machine myself which diagnosed a dead battery. The engine was seized in the car, as diagnosed by our own mechanic after the Christmas period, all the Aviva guy could tell us was that it wasn't the battery... the guy from the AA just tried to sell us a new battery

corktina

Anan1 wrote: »

Their inefficiency? You didn't pay them so they cancelled your membership - hardly something any reasonable person would hold against them.

.

did i say i didnt pay them? no, , its YOU who keeps saying I didnt pay them. You a troll or what?

The Assistinator

i just renewed my insurance with axa full roadside assistance even for a puncture i was told, not sure how true this is as he told me over the phone still waiting on the documents out

dell1211

corktina wrote: »

Can't see AA lasting much long tbh...loads of people have recovery on their car insurance now.

insurance companies and manufacturers(warranties) sub a lot of their work to the aa so they are still very busy

pistonbroke

Was with the AA for many years in the UK, the price was reasonable. Here in Ireland it is not, so I have cancelled as well and will instead rely on the insurance companies breakdown cover. Bye bye AA.

corktina

corktina wrote: »

did i say i didnt pay them? no, , its YOU who keeps saying I didnt pay them. You a troll or what?

He's hardly a troll.

Drummerboy08

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

a

Also just to point out, who exactly do you think the insurance companies use for their breakdown cover? Yep, you guessed it, for the most part the AA.

.

ALL the more reason just to ensure you have breakdown cover with your insurance.

corktina

RoverJames wrote: »

He's hardly a troll.

well you would think not I agree.

Fey!

We have AA cover which we wouldn't get rid off.

When I crashed a car last year, they came and towed me out and to a garage.
When my parents broke down a few weeks ago in Glagow, they towed them back to Galway.
Over the years I've had to be towed back from Cork and Allentown, with no problems.
Alll of that on top of numerous dead batteries and other things.

I've always found their service friendly and effiecient. They tend to use local mechanics more often than their own guys these days.

It's also handy that it's the policyholder who's covered, so I have cover no matter whose car I'm driving, and regardless of where I am.

corktina

yes but if your Insurance policy covers you free, is it worth it?

BostonB

The insurance one is free. Don't see the point in the AA.