AA Breakdown cover Vs. Insurance Breakdown cover

sally365

Just wondering if there's a major difference between the breakdown service provided by an insurance company and AA?

Anyone like to sure some experiences? I'd assume AA would be a better service provider.

drunk_monk

When we broke down on the N81 near Dunlavin we rang Axa. They said they would ring local break down guys and ring us back. They rang back 5 minutes later to say a guy was on his way and true enough he arrived about 45 minutes later and towed us into the Peugeot main dealers in Carlow town.
Couldn't fault it at all

djimi

Insurance breakdown assist is basically a tow truck; they wont attempt to fix much on the side of the road (unless its a really obvious and simple fix) from my experience. I have had to use them a few times across various insurers and I can never fault their service, but I think the AA might offer a bit more in terms of what they will attempt to get you going on the side of the road as opposed to just towing you to a garage.

TJ Mackie

Broke down twice in the last few months with my old car. Once on the Stillorgan road, again on the M50! Both times had the guy from Aviva breakdown assistance come out within 45 minutes. Towed me back to my apartment the first time, the second time he put the car into gear manually for me and followed me back to the apartment to make sure I got back okay. Both cases he tried to fix the car first but couldn't/didn't have the parts.

Couldn't fauly the service at all, more than happy with it and not sure what more AA could have done in comparison, unless they carry more parts or something.

Del2005

Unless you have kids or are a female travelling alone save the money you'd pay for the AA to repair the car if it breaks down. With modern cars there's not much that the AA can do other than fuel, fuses or puncture.

SCOOP 64

Problem is were you breakdown, i broke down in my old Astra ,when FBD insurance breakdown arrived he said "i will tow it to nearest main dealer", i said no, i want it towed to my house,(its was half way between my house and main dealer, opp direction) he said "no, best i can do is tow it to main dealer and you will have to get a cab form there", this was a Sunday so main dealer closed , so he would just leave it outside, ended up getting a friend to tow it home using a rope.
Would AA offer a better service?

djimi

SCOOP 64 wrote: »

Problem is were you breakdown, i broke down in my old Astra ,when FBD insurance breakdown arrived he said "i will tow it to nearest main dealer", i said no, i want it towed to my house,(its was half way between my house and main dealer, opp direction) he said "no, best i can do is tow it to main dealer and you will have to get a cab form there", this was a Sunday so main dealer closed , so he would just leave it outside, ended up getting a friend to tow it home using a rope.
Would AA offer a better service?

I have a feeling that may depend on the actual tow service that is closest to you tbh. I *think* the policy with a lot of insurers is to tow you to a garage, but the actual guy running the tow service may not actually care where he brings you.

They would be swiftly told where to go if they tried to tow me to a main dealer :pac:

SCOOP 64

He properly still got paid even thought he didn't tow me anywere.

pippip

SCOOP 64 wrote: »

He properly still got paid even thought he didn't tow me anywere.

I'd expect so. He responded to your call out, not his problem you rejected his service. Whether he towed you or not you still cost him time and fuel.

ninty9er

In terms of replacement car AA will trump most other providers. Others will provide them, but with charges and more limitations

cococoady

Would the yearly payment to AA cover everything (bar parts of course). Like they won't bill ya for labour or any other costs?

Moonbeam

I have had to ring AXA about 6 times in one year(Garage replaced fuel pump with a faulty one 4 times) and they were great.

pippip

My mates golf broke down over the Xmas and when he rang the vw garage for a bit of advice he discovered since he had a service done there last year he had 12 months aa roadside assistance complimentary.

Got the car back on the road.
2 coil packs gone, driver only had one with him but drove 10miles to meet another driver and get another off him. Cost him the parts and that was all.

bidiots

pippip wrote: »

My mates golf broke down over the Xmas and when he rang the vw garage for a bit of advice he discovered since he had a service done there last year he had 12 months aa roadside assistance complimentary.

Got the car back on the road.
2 coil packs gone, driver only had one with him but drove 10miles to meet another driver and get another off him. Cost him the parts and that was all.

my insurance premium is cheaper through AA, when i have AA assist. This year it was cheaper for me to buy AA cover and get the AA insurance quote, than any other company....worth checking out

bidiots

bidiots wrote: »

my insurance premium is cheaper through AA, when i have AA assist. This year it was cheaper for me to buy AA cover and get the AA insurance quote, than any other company....worth checking out

I do the same, especially if they have an offer on for the cover

mgbgt1978

The AA streamlined their operations in Ireland several years ago....in other words they closed some offices and let people go.
Nowadays they farm out some of their work to local recovery guys, you could get the same guy coming to you whether you are an AA member or just using the 'free' service provided by your insurer.

The Guvnor

^ Experienced this myself twice mgbgt.

oldyouth

I signed up a lot of independent garages to provide breakdown cover for one particular insurer. There are very strict guidelines on response time, courtesy to clients, flexibility etc. These are very lucrative revenue streams for small operations and they don't usually run the risk of losing the contract.

I've used them myself and been very impressed. Never in the AA, so can't comment about them

El Kabong!

In general, your insurance breakdown service will come and pick you up and bring to a nearby garage, and that's it.

With the likes of the AA, depending on how much you pay, they will try their best to get you going again.
Or, if your car won't start when it's at your house, they will still come out.

I once broke down at work. The came out and towed my car home. When my mechanic had the parts in they came and towed it from my home to him, no questions asked.

Also, the AA is with the member not the car. If you were driving any car and broke down they would support you.

It all depends on what you are prepared to pay for.