Any tips on haggling down AA renewal cost?

[kieran40]

I've got the head honcho's phone number if you want it op I acquired it when they ripped my front bumper out whilst towing my car they were messing me around for weeks until I had a chat on the phone to him he said get it on the bodyshop ASAP and he will send a cheque out, he even apoligised and I got my breakdown cover home start and relay the lot for £10 the following year as a good gesture.

[green van man]

It is also complicated if you tow. I have RAC through the caravan and camping club, not cheap but all bases covered even to the extent that if I become I'll on holiday and am unable to drive home they supply a driver. No size limit on the trailer, if you are towing it we recover it.
Heared of a lad who broke down in a winibago, initaly rRAC said its too big being 7.5 tonnes, no its caravan and camping arrive sceam says owner, OK says RAC and sent a commercial recovery company out to him. £190 personal cover for me and the wife, no not had to use them but I tow all over the country and the piece of mind is worth the money to me.
Regards Paul.

[Forrest]

Also worth checking the small print of breakdown companies if age of the car(s) covered is an issue. I stick with the AA because a lot of the cheaper insurance companies restrict breakdown cover to cars under ten years old.

That said, I never accept the AA's first renewal quote. Bargaining points are that I last used the breakdown service eight years ago and that I can get similar cover cheaper if I go elsewhere.

[Dirty Rooster]

Originally Posted by Simon Jones

Been meaning to have a go at haggling ... ... with the AA.

My experience went against all logic but here goes ;
About a month before renewal I sprung a leak and broke down.
AA van man came and juryrigged a repair which got me back up 50 miles to our garage ... long story, head gasket etc etc.
The paperwork came through. I was very happy with the service and then got a routine "satisfaction?" query call from AA and that was when I haggled my basic package price down to a more introductory price level, which was nice.
If I hadn't actually needed them it would have been harder to get the reduction ...

[Simon Jones]

Thanks for the replies so far. I'll do some research on different providers and find a comparable cover and price to use as a bargaining point. My preference is to stick with the AA rather than changing. I've only needed to call them once for a breakdown but on two occasions where I've been in a car that has been damaged, they came and recovered me to my destination. They have changed their policy on this now but they do have an accident management facility which means you're never going to be stranded with an undrivable car.

[t5_andy]

Quidco

Its a cashback website so you'd need to cancel your existing membership and start a new one online and if you go through the quidco site (membership is £5 per year and only then if you claim any cashback so if you don't claim you don't pay) you get some money back. Its the money that would normally go to the price comparison websites if you went through one of them instead.

I've had thousands back from them over the years, it can take a while to get the money back but its a nett saving and it can be quite a big one on a £190 premium.

[Jlo31]

I know you are keen to stay with AA but AutoAid is excellent...costs £41...covers you and spouse both for any vehicle you or spouse drive.

Negatives....its pay and reclaim (although when my father broke down in his c30) they AutoAid settled with recovery firm direct and for a home call within within a mile they will only cough up £60 BUT national recovery there are no limits.

Positives....cover is for breakdowns AND Accidents.....something aa and rac don't cover....I've even heard of rac charging a customer due to burst tyre due to pothole and they claim its accidental damage.

Go to reviewcentre dot com and search breakdown reviews.

Good luck

James

[James_N]

Surprised autoaid has only just been mentioned. Its certainly who I am going to go with when I have to renew.

I'm with Britannia Rescue for their Euro cover, but as I wont be needing that when I renew, i'll go with Autoaid.

[Simon Jones]

One concern with AutoAid is the additional cover is only applicable to 'legal spouse' whereas I've been living in sin with my other half for 20 years .

[Marty Dolomite]

And as already said with Autoaid you have to have the funds to pay for the recovery and at £50 call out and upto £3 per mile that can soon add up.